[ 37i ] 



fwer to thofe who complain of the profit of 

 hufbandry. 



But whether the profit was peculiar to 

 one or another party, ftill the general be- 

 nefit to the ftate is indifputable. Increaiing 

 products is increaiing the rental of the foil, 

 the value of it, the general income of all 

 ranks, and the number of the people. 



But when we fpeak of the good of the 

 ftate, it is necefTary to be understood with 

 fome degree of precifion. In this age it is 

 not Sufficient for the individuals of a nation 

 to be well fed, and well cloathed ; to live 

 in good houfes, well furniihed ; and, in a 

 word, to be eafy and happy : There is an 

 aggregate intereft which muft alfo be at- 

 tended to, which coniifts of two kinds, 

 firft, the fupport of internal government 

 and national works ; and fecondly, the 

 power of the nation relative to her neigh- 

 bours ; that is, the porTeflion of fuch a de- 

 gree of power as may fecure her indepen- 

 dency in any wars which ambition or acci- 

 dent may kindle. 



Without numerous preparatory explana- 

 tions, we muft come to the point : Thefe 

 aggregate interefts, in the preient enquiry, 

 are but other names for the public reve- 

 nue ; it is that which fets in motion the 

 whole machine of government. Thus, 

 the general wealth of the kingdom mull 

 B b 2 not 



