1792. on manufactures and agricyliure, 215 
scarcely pofsible for a person who has not had acces to 
behold it nearly, to form an idea of the immense dif- 
ference that there is between the innocent simplici- 
ty of heart of the inhabitants of the country, com- 
_pared with the irreligion and immorality of the low- 
er clafses of people in towns. I hence conclude, 
that a state which contains a given number of 
people, chiefly employed in agriculture, affords to 
the natives a greater fhare of domestic happinefs, 
and is infinitely more stable, lefs subject to distreis 
arising from tumults and disorders of every sort, 
than one where manufactures furnifh the chief em- 
ployment of the people. 
From the same considerations, I agree with the 
‘sensible correspondent above referred to, in thinking, 
that when a state becomes intoxicated by extraordi- 
nary succefs in manufactures, it is in a very ticklifh : 
situation indeed ; and that in proportion to the un-— 
common flow of prosperity in that department, 
which accidental circumstances may confer upon at 
the greater room there is to fear that its prosperi- 
ty approaches towards acrisis, Were it even pof- 
sible to guard against a check in the demand, the 
dangers to be dreaded from along flow of prosperi-_ 
ty, are little fhort of those that result from a sud- 
den slackening of businefs: for nations, like indivi- 
duals, wax wanton with prosperity, and run into 
excefses which necefsarily produce their ruin. 
Not only is the present tranquillity of the state, 
and the happinefs. of the people lefs, if manufac- 
tures be the chief employment of the people, than a- 
gticulture ; but the probability of its future advance- 
