16 



The encouragement of a great land pro- 

 duce, therefore, becomes the first of all ob- 

 jects, towards both the domestic happiness 

 and the public security of a state ; and while 

 on this subject, it is pleasing to reflect, that 

 the example of our own country is the best 

 confirmation of the above doctrines. No 

 long settled community, of equal extent, has, 

 perhaps, ever yielded so large a produce as 

 Great Britain ; has supported its population 

 in such general abundance ; or possessed such 

 prodigious resources for offence and security. 

 The average land produce of Great Britain is 

 as much superior to that of other nations, as 

 her manufactures and commerce *. This she 

 has attained, not from the perfect rectitude of 

 her policy in regard to agriculture, but because 

 the errors she has committed have been fewer 

 than those committed by other nations ; and the 

 consequences of them have been more com- 

 pletely palliated. The first of these advantages 

 she has derived from the influence of the pub- 

 lic voice and interest over her public councils ; 



* Mr Ar. Young (the justness and importance of whose prac- 

 tical observatrons in political economy shine through the uncer- 

 tainty of his general principles) has remarked, that England has 

 always been as much superior to France in agriculture as in other 

 branches of industry. By his calculation, the produce of this 

 country was to that of France when he travelled (1789-92) as 28 

 to 18. Sec note (A.) 



