in the case of homilies. Whereas in England (wherein are near
10,000 parishes, in each of which upon Sundays, holy days, and other
extraordinary occasions there should be about 100 sermons annum,
making about a million of sermons per annum in the whole) it were a
miracle, if a million of sermons composed by so many men, and of so
many minds and methods, should produce uniformity upon the
discomposed understandings of about 8,000,000 of hearers.

4. As to the administration of justice. If in this great city
shall dwell the owners of all the lands, and other valuable things
in England; if within it shall be all the traders, and all the
courts, offices, records, juries, and witnesses; then it follows
that justice may be done with speed and ease.

5. As to the equality and easy levying of taxes. It is too certain
that London hath at some time paid near half the excise of England,
and that the people pay thrice as much for the hearths in London as
those in the country, in proportion to the people of each, and that
the charge of collecting these duties have been about a sixth part
of the duty itself. Now in this great city the excise alone
according to the present laws would not only be double to the whole
kingdom, but also more equal. And the duty of hearths of the said
city would exceed the present proceed of the whole kingdom. And as
for the customs we mention them not at present.

6. Whether more would be gained by foreign commerce? The gain
which England makes by lead, coals, the freight of shipping, &c.,
may be the same, for aught I see, in both cases. But the gain which
is made by manufactures will be greater as the manufacture itself is
greater and better. For in so vast a city manufactures will beget