OF NORFOLK. 9 



(I?) Sir Thomas ftates " that in 1786 the population of the 

 •* city of Norwich was again afcertained, and the number of 

 " inhabitants was 40,051, of which there are perfons having 

 " fettlements in and belonging to other places, 105851, and 

 " that it is thought at this time that 8000 are in the workhoufes 

 « andhofpital*, or maintained elfewhere at the public expence." 



(c) Mr. Kowlett, who has taken great pains to afcertain this 

 point in feveral parts of England, for which he is moll highly 

 to be commended, is of opinion, that my ftatement is far 

 fhort of the real number of people in Norfolk, which " he is 

 a almofc confident was 270,000 ten years ago.' 5 In this remark 

 he may poflibly be right, as, perhaps, his rule of computa- 

 tion may have been better than mine ; fuffice it, that I have 

 given the beft account which I could deduce from enquiry, 

 checked by obfervation in parts where I was moil acquainted. 

 But it is a very difficult queftion for an individual to afcer- 

 tain with precifion, though I think it an enquiry of the very 

 fir ft importance, and am aftonifhed that the government of 

 this country has never made a point of obtaining it — Since it 

 is obvious, that the greateft benefit would be derived from it, 

 not only in all commercial calculations upon allowable ex- 

 ports and profitable imports, but in referving fufficiency of 

 corn, in due time, when there is likely to be any accidental 

 deficiency ; not to mention various other inftances of national 

 advantage, which might be derived from a true ftate of po- 

 pulation ; it is alfo the beft foundation the Board of Agricul- 

 ture can have to regulate the various plans of improvement 

 it has in v . 



B 



