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longing to it fhould be improved, and 

 to yield all that it is capable of yielding ; for 

 tlrus only it can be poflefled of any fuperflu- 

 oas ftrength, that can be exerted with pro- 

 priety ia adventures either of trade or con- 

 queft. 



Of all nations in the world, I have heard 

 only of one, which, according to our prefent 

 ihethod of reckoning, is in a condition to un- 

 dertake projects of this kind ; and that is, the 

 empire of China. All the accounts we have 

 of that vaft country, reprefent it as improved 

 in the higheft degree, and fo full of inhabi- 

 tants, that they have exhaufted every refource 

 for fubfiftence, whether derived from agri- 

 culture, internal fiiheries, or even commerce: 

 Though in this laft they never chufe to ven- 

 ture far ; as a foolifh attachment to their own 

 country would prompt them to ftarve in 

 China, rather than go out of it, in order to 

 find fubfiftence. 



In that country many people, for mere 

 want of room, as they fay, are obliged to 

 ftay in wooden houfes, conftrudled upon 

 floats in the water; and fome cities are fup- 



pofed 



