t 5» I " 



-from a static totally unproductive to a capacity of supplying its 

 owner with corn, and pasturage for cattle. 



I have some reason to believe that unfavourable impressions have 

 been made on the minds of both houses of parliament against a 

 general inclosing system, and these may have arisen from the 

 magical influence of anexpression long sanctified by the public mind, 

 namely that of the woollen manufacture being the staple trade of 

 the nation, to which even the land, in all its diversity of produce 

 must ever be subordinate under every kind of parliamentary regu- 

 lation. A little consideration will serve to detect the fallacy of 

 this opinion. 



But to recur. In this farm of 400 acres, suppose i,50^hould be 

 appropriated to sheep. On the same ground of reasoning this would 

 increase the number by the addition of a moiety. Perhaps this 

 proportion of sheep food, is much nearer to the standard of practice 

 than the former ; if so, in any ratio, the manufacturer instead of 

 being abridged of his supply of wool, by inclosing, will have con- 

 siderably more, and probably too at a reduced price. 



Such are the facts relative to wool, the conclusions are simple 

 and obvious. The suspicious and clamorous manufacturer actuated 

 by a spirit of monopoly which the legislature has ever been too 

 much disposed to countenance, may rest satisfied that he can receive 

 no injury, but may great benefit from the inclosing system. 



For arguments sake give me leave to reverse every thing that 

 has been urged relative to the present subject, and allow, contrary 

 to the most ample conviction, that the clothier would be exposed 

 to some loss by a general adoption of the inclosing system. This 

 induces a comparison between the clothier and farmer under their 

 respective formation of collective bodies in the great mass of blended 

 society. Let us appreciate by the rule of impartial discrimination 

 the value of each thus united in number, in the amount of capital 

 employed, in the quantum of labour furnished, and in the supply of 

 means for levying the national revenue. 



First in number. Here accuracy cannot be expected, nor is it 

 necessary, it will be sufficient to observe that the clothing manu- 

 facture in coarse and fine articles is principally, if not wholly con- 

 fined to the countries of York, Glocester, Wilts, Somerfet and 

 .Devon, By residing near a considerable clothing town, from which 

 % I derive 



