THE BRITISH EMPIRE. 23 



Square miles. 



France, including the ifland of Corfica,) 

 contains - $ 



England and Wales 49,450 

 Scotland with the ides 27,794 

 Ireland 27,457 



Square miles in favour of France - 36,656 



The fuperiority of that kingdom in climate and 

 foil, is ftill more confiderable. The northern pro- 

 vinces, as Picardy, Normandy, Britanny, Lorrain, 

 and French Flanders, equal the moft fertile conn- 

 tics of England, in grain, and common fruits. But 

 the natural riches of France are its fouthern pro- 

 vinces, between which and England all compa- 

 rifon ceafes. 



To explain this feeming improbability, it may be 

 necefTary to remind the reader, that thofe provinces 

 fupply Europe and America with the moft delicious 

 wines, as claret, burgundy, champaign, pontac, 

 frontiniac, mufcadel. They alfo produce in great 

 abundance, brandy, honey r the finer fruits, filk, falr- 

 petre, fafFron, and excellent fait ; articles, which 

 enter deeply into the commerce of France, and fur- 

 nifh exports, fufficient of themfelves to enrich a 

 great kingdom. 



Such extent of dominion, and luxuriancy of foil, 

 imply a numerous population, which, according to 

 the late returns of the intendants of the provinces, 

 amounts to near 28,000,000 



England and Wales, agree- -% 



able to Dr. Price's calcu- [ 



lation of 5 perfons to each f ^ Oc 



houfe, contains * J 



* Other writers affirm, that England and \Vales contain above 



6,poo,poo inhabitants of all ages. 



E 4 Ireland 



