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my expreffion, gentlemen farming for pro- 



ft. 



There are few in whom it is a real pro- 

 feflion, bufmefs, and dependence: I wifh 

 there were more ; as I am confident their 

 talents would be applied to as ufeful a pur- 

 pofe to mankind in general, and to their 

 country in particular, as if exerted in com- 

 merce, as if destroying the human fpecies 

 in phyfic, tything it in divinity, or ruin- 

 ing it in law. But there are many who 

 live in the country upon fmall fortunes, 

 that engage in hufbandry with a view to 

 improving their incomes ; others, that have 

 been educated to profeffions they difliked, 

 rather than lead an idle life, fettle in the 

 country, and apply to farming. In any 

 cafe, however, there is no difference be- 

 tween their taking a portion of their own 

 eftates into their hands, or hiring part of 

 their neighbours: In one, they bargain 

 with another man ; in the other, they fettle 

 accounts with themfelves : And here I muft 

 fuppofe the latter as true to reality, and as fair 

 an engagement, as the former ; and admit 

 none of thofe defpicable deceptions, too 

 .often met with, of rating the land at its 



laft 



