SECT. I. 



Of the Operation of Distilleries in a Country 

 which supplies its own Consumption, or affords 

 a Surplus beyond it. 



THE operation of distilleries on a country 

 producing its own supplies, or affording a sur- 

 plus, may be considered under two views : I. 

 In years of average home produce ; and, II. 

 In years of scarcity from deficient home pro- 

 duce. 



I. To enlarge on the importance of a flou- 

 rishing agriculture, to the strength and prospe- 

 rity of a state, does not seem at present neces- 

 sary ; for it is a truth which the most errone- 

 ous systems of ceconomical policy never could 

 entirely hide, and is one on which the public 

 opinion seems now to be pretty well awaken- 

 ed, although the general views on this subject 

 are still far from being wholly just The land 

 produce of a state, though not the only source 

 of wealth (as some of its indiscreet favourers 

 have maintained) is at least the most import- 

 ant branch of it, the foundation of all the rest, 

 and the measure of their extent and limits. In 

 a large territory, the amount of subsistence 

 which can be imported, must necessarily be 



