FRANCE. apt 



they cannot poflibly be in tolerable circum- 

 ftances. The country is, upon the whole, 

 very populous and poor; for the number 

 of half-naked and half-ftarved beggars is 

 incredible, which furprifed me, being out 

 of the common route of travellers. Thi< 

 want of employment in fo many people, 

 while fuch great traces on every hand are 

 wafte, is a ftrong reflection on the govern- 

 ment of the kingdom, which, by very flight 

 exertions, might certainly fet many of them 

 to work. The price of labour through all 

 this country is furprifmgly low ; a ftout 

 man, in hufbandry work, can be liad, at 

 this time of the year; and all Winter 

 through, for 4d. a day, and in Summer for 

 6d. This is a very favourable clrcumftance 

 to their agriculture, and would be highly fo 

 to improving the uncultivated wafte tracts. 

 Women, who are able to do as much as men, 

 have 3d. and at other feafons 4ld. ; girls 

 and boys have fome of them down to id. a 

 day : there are no fuch prices in England. 

 At thefe rates furely the people might, with 

 no great difficulty, be fet to fome other 

 work than begging. 



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