$8 PRESENT S T A T 



clafles of people in Scotland, become fubfervient td 

 the opulence and profperity of England, in a very 

 confiderable d-jgree. Every man, who, through un- 

 remitting labour, gains the fmall pittance of ieven 

 Shillings weekly, becomes a cuflomer to the wealthy 

 Englifh farmer, clothier, or draper; befides bring- 

 ing forward a generation of new cuftomers, by means 

 of the excellent principles which he inftills, and the 

 example which he fets before them, 



We may, therefore, confider the trade of Scotland 

 as our principal mart, and the landed property of that 

 kingdom as an inexhauftible mine ; from which chan- 

 nels flow a permanent flux of fpecie, with this pecu- 

 liar circumfbnce in favour of thofe fources, that 

 they require no fleets and armies, no waile of lives, 

 and of millions, to defend. From that country, there- 

 fore, we derive every poffible benefit, negative and 

 pofitive ; and which, with the judicious appropria- 

 tion of a fuitable fund, will accumulate beyond con- 

 ception ;. for it is to be remembered, that a very 

 confiderablc part of the country is in a ftate of na- 

 ture ; that other diftricts admit of farther improve- 

 ment; and that the manufactures and commerce of 

 the kingdom are moftly limited to the three navi- 

 gable rivers, and a portion of the eaflern coaft only. 

 When a fpirit of trade and improvements becomes 

 more univerfal, pervading every fhore, and every 

 valley of the nation ; and when the riling metropolis 

 fhall attract a more numerous refort of wealthy ftran- 

 gers, the confequences will be proportionabiy great. 



The good effects of vigorous meafures, fupponed 

 by aid of government, are boundleis ; of which the 

 prefent century affords fome .ftriking inftances. 

 Ruffia, from an immenfe defert, inhabited by Barba- 

 rians, and only known by name, to the fouthern dates 

 of Europe, hath become inilantaneouily the feat of 

 arts,, fcience, and literature; a general emporium of 

 European and Afiatic commerce > and bids fair in 

 2 another 



