sect. VI. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 313 



to the raising of grain or breeding of cattle ; and, 

 therefore, under very ordinary management, is 

 capable of furnishing a considerable supply of 

 provisions. It enjoys the benefit of an exten- 

 sive sea-coast, which must enable the inhabi- 

 tants to draw a large portion of the means of 

 subsistence from the surrounding waters : and 

 its numerous commodious harbours give them 

 the advantage, in case of internal scarcity, of an 

 easy importation from other parts of Britain, or 

 from foreign ports. Fuel is to be had within 

 itself in great plenty, and at a reasonable rate. 

 Salt, an essential article, can be manufactured to 

 any extent. And for building, lime and stone 

 are to be found almost every where at a conve- 

 nient nearness, and of the best quality. All 

 these advantages are highly favourable to popu- 

 lation. Besides, wherever they are to be found, 

 there trade and manufactures will naturally take 

 up their residence. Accordingly this has hap- 

 pened in Fife : and it is probably to the grow- 

 ing prosperity of our manufactures, rather than 

 to any other cause, that any increase of popula- 

 tion, for the last 30 or 40 years, is to be ascribed. 



Besides the 13 royal burghs formerly men- 

 tioned, there are about 66 towns and large vil- 

 lages in the county, containing each from 200 

 to 1,200 inhabitants; and in these towns and 

 villages perhaps one half of the people in the 

 county have their residence- 



When the several facts before stated in this 

 report are considered, it must appear that the 

 county of Fife, though it comprehends but a 

 small portion of the territory of Great Britain, 

 and, in several particulars, is not to be compared 

 R r * 



