[ 26g ] 
that accuracy in fuch calculations as might bc dc- 
fired; but I imagine we may come fo near the truth, 
as is fufficient for any purpofe to reafon upon, or to 
be a foundation for any fpeculations in Policy. As 
you are a good judge of fuch computations, I pre- 
fume to fend you what I have done ; and if 1 have 
your approbation, I lhall be more fatisfied that I am 
in the right ; but, if I be miftaken in any particu- 
lars you will, I hope, make great allowance for the 
failure, when you confider the difficulties that oc- 
cur. 
There feems to me to be only two ways of difco- 
vering the number of people in England, where at 
prefent there are no Capitation Taxes 3 either by the 
number of Houfes^ or the quantity of Bread con- 
fumed. I ffiall conlider both thefe methods of com- 
puting, fo far as things are known to mej and the 
refult from each of theni being compared together, 
they will correct one another, from which at leaft 
the limits of the number may be nearly found. As 
to the lirft it is evident, that ii the number of houfes 
could be determined, it would then be very eafy to 
compute nearly the number of people. For it might 
be eaffiy known by trial, what number, at an average, 
could be allowed to each houfe, and from thence 
the whole number of people deduced. In my let- 
ter lad: year I have affigned fix to a houfe in Town, 
which I found to be the neareft number, in fome 
Pariffies, by an account taken •, but I think it is dill 
more plain in the Country, that fix is the number to 
be fixed on, vdiere people do not go fo much into 
fingle life, and where there are not fo many Lodgers. 
For if we confider, that for every marriage there are 
four 
