2. The private pawn-brokers do cause, perhaps, a million of money to circulate in the channels of trade; which, otherwise, would be locked up in the public funds; or, what may be much worse, fall into the hands of a charitable corporation.

Whether small credit bears, at this time of the day, the most agreeable aspect? whether the ready money trade is so very considerable, as to bear the lopping-off so considerable a branch? or, whether there is too much ready money circulating in trade at this time? must be left to your consideration.

3. Whether, if the private pawn-broker, who is a sort of mountaineer, and, at present, possess'd of an important pass (tho' situated on a bleak, barren, and ingrateful soil) should be driven from thence, he may not retreat to the more warm and fertile plain, where there is already complaint for want of elbow room? And as he has, by thin diet, and frequent incursions upon him, been inur'd to hardship and fatigue, (whereby he may have acquir'd a robust and athletic constitution) may not prove a troublesome neighbour, and disturb their long and happy repose?

4. If the private pawn-brokers should be so regulated, as to be oblig'd to quit their posts of a sudden, one or other of these must be the consequence; either the common enemy, if prepared, will immediately get into possession; or, for want of such supplement, the suddenly distress'd and ungovernable multitude may possibly take it into their heads to be their own carvers: And, as they are not given to make the most nice, just, and accurate distinction as to person or property; the consequences may be as fatal one way as the other.

These hints may be enlarged in their own meditations : A word to the wise is enough.

T

EXTRACTS

FROM THE

WORKS

OF

Dr. FRANKLIN,

ON

Population, Commerce,

&c.

CONTENTS.

Observations concerning the Increase of Mankind, Peopling of Countries, &c.

Remarks on some of the foregoing Observations, showing
particularly the effect which Manners have on Popula-
tion. By R. Jackson, Esq.

On the price of Corn, and management of the Poor
On Smuggling, and its various species

On the Institution in Holland to prevent Poverty
Positions to be examined

Provisions made in China against Famine
Note respecting Trade and Manufactures
Notions concerning Trade and Merchants
Principles of Trade

Reflections on Coin in general

Thoughts concerning the Sugar Islands

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172

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