But, notwithstanding these improvements, the capital is
become an overgrown monster; which, like a dropsical head, will
in time leave the body and extremities without nourishment and
support. The absurdity will appear in its full force, when we
consider that one sixth part of the natives of this whole
extensive kingdom is crowded within the bills of mortality. What
wonder that our villages are depopulated, and our farms in want
of day-labourers? The abolition of small farms is but one cause
of the decrease of population. Indeed, the incredible increase of
horses and black cattle, to answer the purposes of luxury,
requires a prodigious quantity of hay and grass, which are raised
and managed without much labour; but a number of hands will
always be wanted for the different branches of agriculture,
whether the farms be large or small. The tide of luxury has swept
all the inhabitants from the open country -- The poorest squire, as
well as the richest peer, must have his house in town, and make a
figure with an extraordinary number of domestics. The plough-boys,
cow-herds, and lower hinds are debauched and seduced by the
appearance and discourse of those coxcombs in livery, when they
make their summer excursions.
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