The genuine history of the Britons asserted against Mr. Macpherson ...

12 THE GENUINE HISTORY OF
found reafoning and univerfal experience. The
increale in the popuhuion of any kingdom, fo
far as it is occafioned merely by the increafe in
the means of fubfiilence, will only be in an ade-
quate proportion to it. The immediate caufe,
and the immediate effeft, will be exaftly equi-
valent. And, confequently, the improvements in
agriculture can never be produftive of migra-
tions. This is obvious reafoning, embarraffed
by no intricacies and obfcured by no refinements
of thought. And the uninterrupted experience
of the world confirms the truth of it. The
wretched provifion, that is furnifhed to the common
people of Ireland and the Highlands, i;
continually impelling them into other councries.
And the infinite multiplication of the neccfTarie^
and comforts of life, in England, is as continually
drawing the lower ranks of both into Southern
Britain.—But I proceed to the hiflory.
The original incident in this long chain of
events, the fettlcmiCnt of the Phoca?ans in Gaul,
is fixed to the reign of the elder Tarquin. The
communication of their improved agriculture to
the neighbouring Gauls, the general adoption of
it by all the various and military tribes of that
extenfive country, the augmentation in the means
of fubfiflence, the increafe in the (late of popu-
lation, and this rifing at lall: to fuch an extreme
degree, that they, who, before, only " wandered
*' after their cattle or game over the face" of the
country.