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page 86
[inevi]tably follow, from the change of inhabitants and
owners which is rapidly taking place. - About the same time
that strangers began to be attracted to the country, and to
feel a desire to settle in it, the difficulty, that would
have stood in the way of their procuring situations, was
lessened by an unfortunate alteration in the circumstances
of the native peasantry, proceeding from a cause which then
began to operate, and is now felt in every house. The family
of each man, whether estatesman or farmer, formerly
had a twofold support; first, the produce of his lands and
flocks; and, secondly, the profit drawn from the employment
of the women and children, as manufacturers; spinning their
own wool in their own houses (work chiefly done in the
winter season), and carrying it to market for sale. Hence,
however numerous the children, the income of the family kept
pace with its increase. But, by the invention and universal
application of machinery, this second resource has been cut
off; the gains being so far reduced, as not to be sought
after but by a few aged persons disabled from other
employment. Doubtless, the invention of machinery has not
been to these people a pure loss; for the profits arising
from home-manufactures operated as a strong temptation to
choose that mode of labour in neglect of husbandry. They
also participate in the general benefit which the island has
derived from the increased value of the produce of land,
brought about by the estab-
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