[ III ] 



with great ftrength of argument, that fuch a com- 

 mutation is by no means eligible. The habits of 

 life in which the clergy are educated, and the im- 

 portant office they fill, are ill-fuited to the occupa- 

 tion of a farmer. The expence requifite to (lock a 

 farm would, to many, be a ferious objection. If 

 we confider the land fo taken only as property to be 

 let, the mod defirable cirCumftance would be for it 

 to lie compact, and as near the buildings as poflible. 

 In extenfive parilhes, where there are numerous 

 fmall eftates, this object is unattainable. Xhe equi- 

 valent in land muft in fuch cafes lie in very fmall 

 parcels, exceedingly difperfed, and be difficult to lee 

 to proper tenants at a fair value. A balance muft 

 be (truck upon each eftate, and fences be raifed at a 

 a great expence. Such parcels as would be eligible 

 for the rector to receive, the landholder cannot al- 

 ways give, without deranging the general ceconomy 

 of liis farm. Even in thofe parilhes where the pro- 

 perty may be given and received with conveniency, 

 and let to one tenant, he is liable to misfortunes, 

 and failures, which would render the clergyman's 

 fupport more precarious than on the prefent efta- 

 blilhment. The knowledge of foils and their ufes, 

 requifite for framing covenants for the prefervation 

 and proper management of landed property, will 

 frequently be wanting in the clergy. And the pro- 

 bability 



