I might here add many more particulars, but being the e same as have already been noted by others, I shall conclude only with adding one observation which I take to be of consequence, viz. That the Hollanders do rid their hands of two Trades, which are of greatest turmoil and danger, and yet of least profit; the first whereof is that of a common and private Soldier, for such they can hire from England; Scot- land, and Germany, to venture their lives for Six pence a day, whilst themselves safely and quietly follow such Trades, whereby the meanest of them gain six times as much, and withal by this entertaining of Strangers for Soldiers; their Country becomes more and more peopled, forasmuch as the Children of such Strangers, are Hollanders and take to Trades, whilst new Strangers are admitted ad infinitum; besides these Soldiers at convenient intervals, do at least as much work as is equivalent to what they spend, and consequently by this way of employing of Strangers for Soldiers, they People the Country and save their own Persons from danger and misery, without any real expence, effecting by this method, what others have in vain attempted by Laws for Naturalizing of Strangers, as if Men could be charmed to transplant themselves from their own Native, into a Foreign Country merely by words, and for the bare. leave of being called by a new Name. In Ireland Laws of Naturalization have had little effect, to bring in Aliens, and `tis no wonder, since English Men will not go thither without they may have the pay of Soldiers, or some other advantage amounting to maintenance.
Having intimated the way by which the Hollanders do increase their People, 1 shall here digress to set down the way of computing the value of every Head one with another, and that by the instance of People in England, viz.
Suppose the People of England be Six Millions in number, that their expence at 7 1. per Head be forty two Millions: suppose also that the Rent of the Lands be eight Millions, and the profit of all the Personal Estate be Eight Millions more ; it must needs follow, that the Labour of the People must have supplyed the remaining Twenty Six Millions, the which multiplied by Twenty (the Mass of Mankind being worth Twenty Years purchase as well as Land) makes Five Hundred and Twenty Millions, as the value2 of the whole People: which number divided by Six Millions, makes above 80 l. Sterling, to be valued of each Head of Man, Woman, and Child, and of adult Persons twice as much; from whence we may learn to compute the loss we have sustained by the Plague, by the Slaughter of Men in War, and by the sending them abroad into the Service of Foreign Princes. `The other Trade of which the Hollanders have rid their Hands, is the old Patriarchal. Trade of being Cow-keepers, and in a great Measure of that which concerns Ploughing and Sowing of Corn, having put that Employment upon the Danes and Polanders, from whom they have their Young Cattle and Corn. Now here we may take notice, that as Trades and curious Arts increase; so the Trade of Husbandry will decrease, or else the Wages of Husband men must rise, and consequently the Rents of Lands must fall.
For proof whereof I dare affirm, that if all the Husband- men of England, who now earn but 8 d. a day or thereabouts, could become Tradesmen and earn 16d. a day (which is no great Wages 2 s. and 2S. 6 d. being usually given) that then it would be the advantage of England to throw up their Husbandry, and to make no use of their Lands, but for Grass Horses, Milch Cows, Gardens, and Orchards, &c. which if it be so, and if Trade and Manufacture have increased in England (that is to say) if a greater part of the People, apply themselves to those faculties, than there did heretofore, and if the price of Corn be no greater now, than when Husbandmen were more numerous, and Tradesmen fewer;
It follows from that single reason (though others may be added) that the Rents of Land must fall: As for example, suppose the price of Wheat he 5 s. or 60 pence the Bushel; now if the Rent of the Land whereon it grows, be the third Sheaf; then of the 6od. 20d. is for the Land, and 40d. for the Husbandman; But if the Husbandmans Wages, should rise one eighth part, or from 8 d. to 9 d. per Diem, then the Husbandmans share in the Bushel of Wheat, rises from 40d. to 45 d. And consequently the Rent of the Land must fall from 20 d. to 15 d. for we suppose the price of the Wheat still remains the same: Especially since we cannot raise it, for if we did attempt it, Corn would be brought in to us, (as into Holland from Foreign Parts, where the State of Husbandry was not changed.
And thus I have done with the first principal Conclusion, that, A smnal/ Territory, and even a few People, mnay by Situa-
tion, Trade, and Polity, be made equivalent to a greater; and that convenience for Shipping, and Water-carriage, do most eminently and fundamentally conduce thereun to.