pence than in one that is more barren, The intrinfic value of the corn, therefore, must be higher in the laft country than in the firft; and, by confequence, the average price of corn may, with fafety, be much lower in proportion to other commodities in the fertile than in the barren country. If the legislature, by any regulation of commerce or police, fhould contrive to bring the average price of corn in a barren country lower than this real intrinsic value, the farmer would be obliged to defert that employment, the grounds would remain uncultivated, and the inhabitants would be obliged to depend on foreign nations alone for their fubfiftence. But as it is univerfally acknowledged, that the most essential riches of any country confift in the produce of the foil, any regulation that tended to diminish that produce, would be deftructive; it ought, therefore, to be the study of the legislature, to encourage the cultivation of the fields, fo as to make the produce, if poffible, sustain all its in habitants.

In every country there are various foils, which are endued with different degrees of fertility; and hence it muft happen, that the farmer who cultivates the moft fertile of thefe, can afford to bring his corn to market at a much lower price than others who cultivate poorer fields. But if the corn that grows on thefe fertile fpots is not fufficient fully to fupply the market alone, the price will naturally be raised in that market to fuch a height, as to indemnify others for the expence of cultivating poorer foils. The farmer, however, who cultivates the rich fpots, will be able to fell his corn at the fame rate in the market with thofe who occupy poorer fields; he will, therefore, receive much more than the intrinfic value for the corn he rears. Many perfons will, therefore, be defirous of obtaining poffeffion of thefe fertile fields, and will be content to give a certain premium for an exclufive privilege to cultivate them; which will be greater or fmaller according to the more or lefs fertility of the foil. It is this premium which conftitutes what we now call rent; a medium by means of which the expence of cultivating foils of very different degrees of fertility may be reduced to a perfect equality.

In countries, therefore, of moderate fertility, it is prudent to fix the average price of grain at a rate high enough to

enable the farmer to cultivate so much of those unfertile fields as will be fufficient to furnish grain to fupply the whole inhabitants with food in the scarceft years, that thus they may never be in danger of wanting this effential neceffary of life.

But if they rear so much grain as will fuftain the whole inhabitants in years of fcarcity, there will be much more than enough for them in years of plenty. A market, therefore, must be provided for this furplus produce, to prevent the unreasonable degradation of price on these occations.

If the country in queftion be more fertile than thofe around it, the average price in these surrounding nations will be fo much higher than the intrinfic value of the grain in the home market, as will require no other encouragement than barely to allow of exportation, per haps at all times, or whenever it falls fo low as to be near the intrinsic value of the corn. This is the cafe with Egypt, Sicily, and Poland; in which countries grain can be reared at fuch a low price, as to admit of being transported to other countries at all times without any bounty.

But if the average prices in the furrounding nations should be nearly equal with the intrinfic value at home, it would be neceffary to grant a fmall bounty on exportation when the prices fell too low, fo as to pay the whole expence of freight, &c. in tranfporting it to foreign markets. This is in fome measure the cafe with England in respect of wheat at prefent.

But if the average price of grain in the neighbouring states fhould, in years of moderate abundance, be as low, or lower than the intrinfic worth of grain at home, the bounty ought to be fo high as to repay not only the price of freight, but alfo the difference between the price of grain in that foreign market, and its intrinfic value at home; otherwise it cannot be exported without lofs; and by confequence the trade could not be continued. This feems to be the cafe with Scotland; as there is some reason to fufpect, that the average price of oats and oat-meal is as low in moft of the furrounding nations, as it can be afforded for in Scotland; and in fome countries it is certainly lower.- It would, therefore, feem probable, that the bounty on the exportation of oats from Scot

land

land would require to be rather higher in proportion to its value, than of the wheat in England.

I am not fufficiently acquainted with the nature of the countries that might become the purchasers of our fuper fluous grain, to be able to fay precifely what the amount of that bounty ought to be; nor am I poffeffed of enow of facts to be able to fix with abfolute certainty the rate at which that bounty fhould be granted. I therefore have explained the general principles upon which thefe regulations ought to be founded; and offer the following table, not as being abfolutely right, but as an approximation towards it, which would be at least much more perfect than the prefent fyftem of corn-laws; and which, if it should be found defective in any refpect, might easily be altered, fo as to be productive of the most beneficial effects to the country at large; and by confequence to the gentlemen of landed property and farmers, although it has not the appearance of fo directly benefiting them as the laft regulation with regard to the commerce of grain feems to -have.

Atable, fbewing the rates at which oats or oatmeal might be permitted to be exported from, or imported into Scotland, with the bounty on exportation, or premium on importation, at all different prices.

Oats per boll, Scots meafure, or oat-meal at eight ftone per boll, including all oats fo far manufactured as to be deprived of their hufks, when at the prices specified in the left hand column below, fhould receive of bounty on exportation, or of premium on importation, the fums specified in the right

hand column, viz.

Scotland; as it is well known, that a Scots boll of good oats will in general yield a boll of meal, or very nearly fo. This allows for the fame bounty to apply for a boll of meal or a boll of oats.

I have likewife fuppofed it would be equally expedient to grant a bounty on the exportation, and premium on the importation, of oat-meal, as of oats in grain; because, as it can be transported in that state to a diftant market about 200 per cent. (including freight and infurance) cheaper than oats, it would be a great faving to the nation to be permitted to tranfport it in this ftate, whenever circumftances would admit of it. It would, moreover, tend to promote our own manufactures in fome degree, by milling our own oats intended for exportation; and it would farther afford a fort of temptation to the farmer to rear better grain, than he would do were the oats to be exported in fubitance.

The only objection of weight that I can perceive against this plan for regulating the corn-trade, is the difficulty of afcertaining the prices on all occafions, fo as to fix the rate of the bounty to be granted, without difputes or ambiguity. And as the British legislature feem as yet to have difcovered no proper method for afcertaining the prices of grain with a view to the bounty; and as the law, as it ftands at prefent, with regard to this particular, is liable to very great abufe; 1 fhall endeavour to point out a plan by which thefe abufes might, in fome degree, be obviated for the future.

Before the year 1774, the general court of quarter-feffions in England were im powered to judge of the prices of grain, and to declare when the prices were at fuch a rate, as by law to admit of importation, or a bounty on exportation. And, in Scotland, the fame truft was repofed in the Lords of Council and Seffion.

But as this mode of afcertaining the prices in Scotland was found to be attended with many inconveniencies, by 13° G. III. cap. 43. it was enacted, That, for the future, the fheriff of each maritime county in Scotland, or his fubftitute, fhould enquire into, and determine, the common middling prices of British corn and oat-meal; and upon receiving the oaths of two or more perfons, hx and ascertain the fame by proper acts or determinations, to be fubfcribed by. them refpectively; which prices fo f

certained

certained fhould be accounted the legal prices in their respective ftewartries or heriffdoms, for three months; when the prices were to be again afcertained in the fame manner.

A very little reflection, however, will be fufficient to discover, that this plan of afcertaining the prices is liable to ftill greater abuses than that which formerly took place; and that the artful cornmerchant, fo long as this regulation subfifts, may carry on his trade in what manner he pleafes, even in direct oppotition to the fpirit and intention of the law; at leaft if he is favoured by the fheriff, or his fubftitute.

For if the prices abroad fhould at any time be very high, although the prices at home fhould be such as not to allow of a bounty on exportation, or even not to allow of exportation at all, the cornmerchant, by carrying a fmall quantity of grain to the market, and felling it at a low rate, has it in his power to produce two or more witnesses, to swear, that they bought grain at fuch a price in the public market; in consequence of which the fheriff or his fubftitute may legally fix the price for three months at that port fo low as to entitle the exporter to the bounty, although the real felling price at home fhould be confiderably higher.

The fame device might also be practifed for getting the ports opened for importing foreign corn, when the real price in the home market was below that at which it may be permitted by law. It is befides liable to other frauds and abufes, which it is unnecessary here to e

numerate.

Whether it was with a view to obviate thefe inconveniencies, or to answer fome other fecret purposes, I fhall not now enquire; but in the very next fef fion of parliament, the law, with regard to this particular, was entirely changed; it being ordained, 14° G. III. cap. 64. That, both in England and Scotland, "the prices of corn, and grain, and oat-meal, exported from this kingdom, hall be regulated and governed by the average prices at which fuch corn, and grain, and oat-meal, shall be respectively fold in the public market, at, or neareft to the port or place from whence fach corn, or grain, or oat-meal, fhall be intended to be exported, on the laft market-day preceding the fhipping of such corn or grain, and the respective

bounties granted, be paid and allowed according to fuch prices.'

But if the former law with regard to Scotland was bad, this is ftill worfe ; as it is equally liable to abuse as the other, and is befides attended with the peculiar inconvenience of leaving the prices continually unfixed, and thus proving a perpetual fource of uncertainty, and endless disputes.

For if a merchant fhall have provided a large quantity of corn for exportation, and finds that the real felling-price in the market is fo high as not to admit of the bounty; by expofing a large quantity of grain unexpectedly at the nearest market-town, and felling it at a low price, he will immediately occafion the price for that market-day to be reduced fo low as to entitle him to the bounty, in consequence of which he may immediately fhip his grain, and claim the bounty before the next market day. Nor could the bounty in this cafe, according to our present law, be refused him.

Thefe inconveniencies feem to have been so much foreseen in Scotland, that the sheriffs in the feveral maritime counties have never, that I know of, paid any attention to this amendment, as it is called, of the law, but continue to fix the prices once a-quarter, as if they had ftill authority by law to do fo.

Such is the ridiculous state of the law in Scotland at present with regard to this most effential article of commerce.

It seems to me, that these inconveniencies might be beft obviated, and the prices of grain ascertained with as great a degree of accuracy as the nature of the thing will admit of, in the following manner.

Let the theriff of each county on the fea-coast, or his substitute, be authorised and required to fummon a jury of fix respectable inhabitants, confifting of three country-gentlemen, or farmers, or other dealers in grain; and three bakers or brewers, or refpectable householders, in town; who should meet with him on the first Monday of each of the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November, each year. this jury, the sheriff, or his substitute, always being prefes, be impowered to examine witneffes upon oath as to the real price of grain, and make ufe of fuch other aids as they fhall find neceffary; and, after due deliberation had, fix and ascertain the real price of grain in that

Let

place

place at the time, by a proper act or determination fubfcribed by them refpectively; which price, being properly notified to the collector of the cuftoms in that district, and duly published to all concerned, fhall be accounted the legal price in that district for two months; at which time they fhould, in the fame manner, be anew afcertained by another jury.

It is nearly in this manner that the fiars are annually afcertained in the feveral counties of Scotland at present; and it has been found by experience, that it is as little liable to abuse, as any method that can be devifed. Whether it would be best for the sheriff to summon all the members for the fix juries that should meet for this purpose in a year, at the beginning of that year, appointing at that time the particular month that each juror refpectively was to attend; or whether it would be best to nominate and fummon the new jury immediately after the last jury had made their decifion,-is perhaps of little confequence: but it would be very proper that they fhould be fummoned at leaft forty or fifty days before the time of meeting, that each of them might have time to attend to the market-prices of grain, and make fuch enquiries with regard to it, as might enable him to give a proper decifion.

--

By pursuing fuch a plan fteadily for fome years, it is not to be doubted, but that Scotland might have the price of grain kept much more steady than it ever has been, and alfo lower upon an average of years; which would encourage agriculture and manufactures more effectually than any other contrivance that has ever yet been, or perhaps could be adopted.

I have hitherto spoken only of the encouragement that may be given to agriculture, and the beneficial confequences that may refult to the community, by encouraging the exportation of grain in substance; but as exportation of grain can only take place near the fea-coaft, and as the tranfporting it in that state is always attended with confiderable expence and risk, it would on many occafions be much more beneficial to a country to promote the exportation of grain after it is manufactured, than in its rude ftate.

The nature of the manufactures that would require to be encouraged with this view, muft vary according to the

nature of the country. In a nation that poffeffed a very fertile foil, and enjoyed a ferene climate, wheat may be manufactured into ftarch. In fome cafes alę, or malt-liquors of other denominations, may be exported as an article of commerce; and on some occafions it may be more convenient to export it in the ftate of diftilled fpirits.

This laft is perhaps the only manufac ture of corn that could be carried on with profit in Scotland; and, under proper, regulations, might, in all probability, be attended with effects highly beneficial. It is not perhaps beneficial to the country itself to reduce the price of cornfpirits too low in Britain, and therefore it may be prudent to continue the revenue-laws at prefent in force with regard to diftillers: but no harm could refult to us from reducing the price, as to other nations, as low as poffible. If therefore a drawback equal to the whole amount of the excife-duty were allowed upon the exportation of home-made spirits, when grain was felling in the home market at the low prices at which the bounty is juft now allowed, our grain, inftead of being exported in fubftance, might find its way into foreign countries at a much lefs expence in the ftate of fpirits; and if the drawback were difcontinued when the price of malt rose to the fame rate at which the bounty is difcontinued, it would perhaps be attended with ftill more beneficial effects to the nation, and be lefs heavy upon the revenue, than the bounty on malt at prefent.

Something of this kind was attempted during the adminiftration of Mr Pitt towards the end of the laft war, but with that destructive unsteadiness of counfels which fo eminently diftinguifhed the adminiftration of this popular leader, in every thing that regarded the internal profperity of the state. It was hardly well enacted before it was again repealed; and the idea has never, that I know of, been adopted by any of his fucceffors*.

In 1757 Mr Pitt paffed a law prohibiting distillation entirely; in a few years after, diftillation was allowed of, and great favours were granted to thofe who should difil for exportation, provided the ftills were made of an enormous fize; when this law had been in force one year, and many perfons had procured legal itills at a vast expence, it was repealed: and feveral other laws facceeded, varying from one another, without any apparent caufe.

LONDON

LONDON. 1 Religion, Metaphyfics, Morality, &c. Seventeen fermons on fome of the most important points on natural and revealed religion, respecting the happiness both of the prefent, and of a future life. Together with an appendix, containing a brief and difpaffionate view of the feveral difficulties refpectively attending the Orthodox, Arian, and Socinian fyftems in regard to the holy Trinity. By Jofiah Tucker, D. D. Dean of Glocefter. 55. Rivington.The Dean of Glocefter hath lately figured away in a double capacity, as a politician and as a divine. His early writings were chiefly of a commercial nature; but he has paid a confiderable degree of attention to theology. The first fix of thefe fermons were published in 1772. -In the application of the last fermon, which was preached on the 30th of January, from Pet. ii. 17. to the prefent times, Dr Tucker afferts, that the fame principles and max ims are now returning, which spread so much mifery over these kingdoms once before; that the fame republican schemes are again in agitation; that the fame plans are now forming anew; that the fame engines of deftruction are again at work to pull down and demolish our goodly fabrics both in church and state; in fhort, that there is a settled plan, and a premeditated defign of overturning the constitution. This, he thinks, is the true master-key, which unlocks and Jays open the latent defigns of those who oppofe the measures of administration. Dr Tucker's ftyle is perfpicuous and eafy, without being mean; and, on that account, very proper for the pulpit. M.

An inquiry into the nature and defign of Chrift's temptation in the wilderness. By Hugh Farmer. Edit. 3. [xxvii. 150] 35. 6d. Buckland.- Contains large additions, more efpecially in fect 3. in which the author confirms his explication of Chrift's being brought into the wilderness by or in the Spirit, by new arguments. M.

Twelve fermons. By the Rev. J. Smith, M. A. 6s. Harrifon. These difcourfes are all fhort; but whatever they contain, is faid to the purpose, in an eafy ftyle, and plain but not mean language. There is here no pompous display of learning, but there are many indications of an heart that wishes well to religion, and endeavours to promote its beft interests. M.

The fublime and beautiful of feripture: being effays on felect paffages of facred com. pofition. By Courtney Melmoth. 2 vols. 5 s. fewed. Murray -Mr Melmoth feems to have read the fcriptures with great fenfibility. He has pointed out many beautiful paffages, many fublime thoughts, many touches of delicacy and nature, which are over Jooked by almost every reader. C

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Biographical fermons; or, A series of dif courfes on the principal characters in fcripture. By William Enfield, LL. D. 35. fewed. Johnfon.- Dr Enfield has felected. fuch incidents only as appeared to him best adapted to suggest important lessons of morality. This volume contains twelve difcourfes, on the characters of Abraham, Jacob, Jofeph, Moses, Job, David, Daniel, St Peter, St Paul, and Jefus Chrift. The hiftory of thefe eminent men afford many useful inftructions. For example: The circumstance of Jacob's giving his fon Jofeph, as a token of his fondness, a coat of many colours, exemplifies the pernicious confequences of parental partiality; Jofeph's promotion in Potiphar's houfe affords encouragement to fer vants to be faithful in their stations; his con duct in the adventure of Potiphar's wife exhibits an amiable pattern of strict honour and uncorrupted virtue; his imprifonment teach es us, that events which have the most unfavourable aspect, may be productive of the moft important advantages; his behaviour towards his brethren, shews the amiablenefs of a generous and forgiving temper; his pu blicly acknowledging his family in Pharoah's court, is a useful leffon to those who despise their poor relations. Our ingenious author expatiates on these and the like topics in a manner that affords us at the fame time inftruction and entertainment. C.

Christian memoirs; or, A review of the prefent ftate of religion in England; in the form of a new pilgrimage to the heavenly Jerufalem. By W. Shrubfole. 5s. Matthews.

A profeffed imitation of Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progrefs. - Probus, Refolute, and Friendly, fet out on a pilgrimage to the hea. venly Jerufalem. They pafs the flough of Defpond, Mount Sinai, the city of Establishment, Deift-hall, the castle of Scepticism, the city of Vanity, the city of Formality, the town of Illumination, Free-will foreft, the arbours of Worldly Eafe, the river of Death, and many other places; where they meet with a great variety of adventures; from which the author takes occasion to mention many perfons of note; fuch as, Mr Lindsey Woolfey [Mr Lindfey], Captain Harvey [Mr Harvey], Lady Liberal [Lady Huntingdon], George Fervidus [Whitefield], &c. Upon their arrival at the celestial world, they are introduced to the throne of Immanuel.— But the most diftinguished honours are paid to Fervidus: "The chariot of Immanuel moved onwards, and the children of Fervidus followed, giving an amazing loud fhout of joy; and the whole host united in the high applaufe. Thus they entered the pearly gates of the New Jerufalem, and proceeded on to the eternal throne, which was furrounded by a moft brilliant rainbow. Immanuel afcended the throne; Fervidus drew near, and pro

ftrated