VOL. XXVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS, 621 



may be taken for 400 miles ; and the perpendicular line AG being less by about 

 7 miles, than between the south foreland in Kent, and the lands end in Corn- 

 wall, which is 367 miles, the said line ag may be taken for 36o miles. There- 

 fore AG, 360, being multiplied by -i^ab, 200, produces 72OUO square miles : 

 and 72000 being multiplied by 640, the number of acres contained in one 

 square mile, produces 46 millions and 80000, the number of acres contained 

 in England, or south Britain. 



Whence it appears, first, that if the province of Holland contains, as is 

 computed, but one million of acres ; then England is more than 46 times as 

 large as Holland. Next, if in the province of Holland, containing but one 

 million of acres, are 2 millions and 400 thousand souls, or 2 millions and -^, as 

 they are said to be ; then England, which contains 46 millions of acres, to be 

 proportionably populous, should have twice 46 millions of people, and -^ of 

 46 ; that is, about 1 1 millions. But to allow room enough for persons of all 

 degrees under our British monarchy, if England were half as populous as Hol- 

 land, with only 55 millions, it were a good proportion, and would be near five 

 times our present number ; and about 22 times as many as in the province of 

 Holland. 



To people England, in a competent time, with this number, several ways 

 are practicable : by which, I have computed that the present number may be 

 doubled in 24 or 25 years ; and probably quadrupled in about 36 years. One 

 of these ways, though not the speediest, would be the introducing of strangers : 

 yet to make use of this, or of any other way, to multiply the people, before 

 we have provided the means of employing them, as was lately done, would be 

 preposterous. 



But when we shall once earnestly attend to our true interest, in employing 

 and encouraging every where our own hands, and the hands of other nations, 

 as the French and Dutch do, in all the sorts of husbandry, manufacture and 

 merchantry : when our nobility and gentry themselves, shall be examples in 

 some or other of these particulars : when we shall hereby be universally en- 

 gaged to enclose, and to improve every foot of our land ; to make the utmost 

 use of all our home growths, above and under ground ; and of all our ports 

 (about 200 great and small,) more than in all the kingdoms and states of Europe 

 put together: and when Scotland and Ireland, shall both of them afterwards be 

 improved in like manner: when all men's heads and hands shall be thus employed 

 about some one honest and profitable business ; as it will naturally promote 

 every where peace and friendship among us ; so is it easy for any considering 

 man to foresee, how highly it will advance the British monarchy and people, at 

 home and all over the world, in beauty, strength, and glory. 



