CONCLUSION. 391 



wickedness. In short, as idleness is the first 

 step to profligacy, so the habits of industry are 

 highly favourable to the interests of virtue, as 

 they keep men out of the way of those tempta- 

 tions, by which virtuous principles may be 

 shaken and overthrown. 



It deserves consideration, likewise, that Agri- 

 culture, when in a flourishing state, contributes 

 greatly to the prosperity of trade and manufac- 

 tures. With what superior advantage may 

 these be carried on, \vhen, instead of being 

 obliged to depend upon the precarious and of- 

 ten expensive supplies of a foreign market, the 

 numerous trading vessels that crowd our ports 

 can be completely victualled, and at the same 

 time supplied with many valuable articles of 

 commerce ; and when the manufacturer can be 

 furnished with a constant and plentiful supply 

 of provisions from the produce of our own 

 country. 



Besides, as the people become more wealthy, 

 a taste for refinement will, of course, spread and 

 be more generally indulged. Not satisfied with 

 bare necessaries, men will look out for the ele- 

 gances and delicacies of life. Hence the de- 

 mands upon the manufacturer and the merchant 

 will increase ; and hence fresh encouragement 

 to activity and improvement will be derived. 

 But the advantage will not be wholly on the 

 side of trade and manufactures ; it will return 

 back to the farmer with interest, and be amply 

 repaid by a ready market, and a high price for 

 the productions of the field. 



The truth is, Agriculture and Manufacture? 

 ought to go hand in hand ; and a wise Govern- 



