29 



prepared to oscillate as before. This natural 

 oscillation is far from being a light evil, as the 

 periodical sufferings of scarcity greatly overba- 

 lance the additional comforts enjoyed in sea- 

 sons of great abundance ; so that, upon the 

 whole, it would be far better for a people to 

 have a steady supply, though not larger than 

 the lowest amount in the scale of vibration just 

 stated. Yet the evil, though far from light, 

 would be trifling compared with what it really 

 amounts to, were the products of the soil expo- 

 sed to no other casualty than such a gradual 

 periodical vibration as the above, only influen- 

 ced by the increase or decrease of population. 

 Were the products of the soil, like the products 

 of other manufactures, wholly dependent on 

 the exertions of man, they might suit them- 

 selves pretty accurately to the demand through- 

 out every year, or series of years, and increase 

 or diminish the supplies to a known and defi- 

 nite amount. But in determining the amount 

 of land produce, another power must co-ope- 

 rate, over which man has no controul, namely, 

 the influence of the seasons. This may occa* 

 sion a sudden disproportion in the supplies, 

 which can occur in no branch of industry whol- 

 ly dependent on human exertion ; while, at the 

 same time, a deficiency of supply in this can. 

 much less be endured than in any other. It is 



