Sk. VIII.

3 *

Finances.

that the perfons receiving alms in England amount-ed to one million and two hundred thoufand ; thehalf of whom at leaft would have continued towork, had they not relied on parifh-charity. Butof this more at large in a feparate {ketch.

Were the poor-rates abolifhed, a general a<ft ofnaturalization would not only augment the ftrengthof Britain , by adding to the number of its people,but would compel the natives to work cheaper,and confequently to be more induftrious.

If thefe expedients be not relifhed, the only onethat remains for preferving our manufa&ures, is,to encourage their exportation by a bounty, fuchas may enable us to cope with our rivals in foreignmarkets. But, where is the fund for a bounty foextenfive? It may be raifed out of land, like theAthenian tax above mentioned, burdening greatproprietors in a geometrical proportion, and freeingthofe who have not above L. 100 of land-rent.That tax would raife a great fum to the public,without any real lofs to thofe who are burdened;for comparative riches would remain the fame asformerly. Nay, fuch a tax would in time provehighly beneficial to land-proprietors; for, by pro-moting induftry and commerce, it would raife therent of land much above the contribution. Thefums contributed, laid out upon intereft at fiveper cent, would not produce fo great profit. Tomake landholders embrace the tax, may it not bethought fnfficient, that, nnkfs for fome bounty,our foreign commerce mult vanilh, and land bereduced to its original low value ? Can any man