( 7' ) 



yet it is evident, that the generality of theft 

 in the country are rather on the decline ; and 

 wherever the farmers are on the decline, the 

 produce of the foil muft neceiTarily decline 

 alfo. 



To all this may be added, that the coun- 

 try in general is depopulating very rapidly, 

 by reafou of the noblemen and gentlemen 

 flocking into cities, and neglefting to im- 

 prove their eftates, to which many of them, 

 within thefe few years, have paid great at- 

 tention. This was, indeed, a very rational 

 and agreeable amufement : But now, truft- 

 ing the mod of their bufinefs to fa<5lors, ma- 

 ny of whom are very ignorant of country af- 

 fairs, they amufe themfelves with the fafhion- 

 able diverfions of the times, efpecially gam- 

 bling ; which engrofs the greatefl part of 

 their attention, fo that they have no time to 

 fpare for the good of their country, or even 

 their own intereft, which muft ultimately be 

 connedted with it. Inftead of this, it is too 

 common for them to depopulate the country, 

 by fetting too large farms, and fheep-walks ; 

 fp that many families, whofe progenitors 

 have lived fome hundreds of years in one 



place. 



