68 TRAVELS THROUGH 



every increafe of cattle, would otherwife 

 have been immediately taxed, and perhaps 

 as heavily, as to have crufhed all future 

 exertions. I obferved, that taxes, which 

 multiplied themfelves upon induftry, would, 

 I fhould fuppofe, utterly extinguim all com- 

 mon hufbandry. It might as well extin- 

 guim it, replied he ; for I fee no portability 

 of a man's really thriving under them : but 

 people, who are bred up in a profeffion, 

 without any knowledge of others, muft 

 continue in the farms of their forefathers, 

 till they die, or are ftarved. Had they bet- 

 ter intelligence, they would move, as I 

 have done; for, on the wafte lands of this 

 kingdom, where they are exempted from 

 land-taxes, they might, in a few years, get 

 into good circumftances. In anfwer to 

 this, I obferved, that all could not thus 

 better themfelves; for, if the knowledge 

 and refolution neceffary for it was general, 

 the waftes would all be cultivated, and 

 then, after the term of years allowed, they 

 would find themfelves in the fame fituation 

 as before. I have often thought of that, 

 returned he, and I think, if the demand 

 for waftes was very greatly increafed, and 



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