C 461 ] 
' Whether the kingdom is really in a declining or 
increafing ftate, is, in like manner, a problem not to 
be folved, I think, by mere calculation. If there 
happens but a fmall miftake in the principles, what is 
built thereupon will be extremely wide of the truth. 
If one might take the liberty to guefs by appear- 
ances, I fhould think we are greatly increafed within 
thele forty years, or fince the acceflion of the pre- 
fent Royal Family. This conjecture I found upon 
the great facility, with which the government raifes 
men, compared to the violent methods made ufe 
of in King William’s and Queen Anne’s time. In- 
deed I am fenfible, that when the great eafe, with 
which the government raifes money, and the low 
intereft it pays, have been urged in the Houfe of 
Commons, as evident proofs of a flourifhing trade, 
and plenty of cafh, it has conftantly been anfwered 
by a gentleman, who underftands thefe matters better 
than any body elfe, that they are rather proofs of a 
want of trade, and that people do not know what 
to do with their money. In the fame manner it may 
be anfwered, that the- great facility, with which the 
government raifes foldiers, is not owing fo much to 
the great plenty of men, as to the want of employ- 
ment : which it is pofiible may really be. the cafe. 
But where certainty may be had, it is trifling to 
talk of appearances and conjectures. For a century 
now paft, the Englifh way of philofophiling (and 
all the reft of the world is come into it) is not to fit 
down in one’s ftudy, and form an hypothefis, and 
then ftrive to wreft all nature to it ; but to look 
abroad into the world, and fee how nature works ; 
and then to build upon certain matter of faCt. In 
compliance with this noble method, I have done all 
