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In cheap years it is pretended, workmen are generally more idle,

and in dear times more industrious than ordinary. A plentiful

subsistence, therefore, it has been concluded, relaxes, and a

scanty one quickens their industry. That a little more plenty

than ordinary may render some workmen idle, cannot be well

doubted; but that it should have this effect upon the greater

part, or that men in general should work better when they are ill

fed, than when they are well fed, when they are disheartened than

when they are in good spirits, when they are frequently sick than

when they are generally in good health, seems not very probable.

Years of dearth, it is to be observed, are generally among the

common people years of sickness and mortality, which cannot fail

to diminish the produce of their industry.