[ 180 ] 
XXIV. ExtraSi of a Letter from Paul 
Panton Efq\ of Plafwgyn in Anglefey, 
to the Honourable Daines Barrington, 
V. P. concerning the Increafe of Popula- 
tion in Anglefey. 
Plafwgyn in Anglefey, 0 £t. 3, 1 772* 
Dear Sir, 
Read Feb. 25, TT Wifhed to have fent you a fuller ac* 
I/7 ^‘ count of the flate of population in 
this ifland ; but fo little care has been taken to> 
preferve the pariflh regifters, that fcarcely any 
that are antient are to be met with. Upon the 
whole of thofe I fend you, there is great reafon 
to make a pleating concluiion, that we become 
more healthy, and increafe in population. Here- 
tofore the inhabitants of this ifland lived chiefly 
upon fifh, with which, efpecially herrings, thefe. 
coafts were abundantly furaiflied. Salted her- 
rings were their principal food. This rambling: 
fi fh, the herring, having left us, our iflanders 
have negledted purfuing other branches of the 
fifhery, and have betaken themfelves more to- 
agriculture. The potatoe plant has- not been 
cultivated in any great quantities here until oF 
late years $ but, fince the failure of our herring" 
fifhery, it has made great part of the food, of the 
inha- 
1 
