42 ON THE INFLUENCE OF FEUDALISM. 



The decay of the feudal institutions terminated in their abolition 

 by Charles the second, but their constituent principles are still dis- 

 tinguishable in one order of society, the landed aristocracy. 



I have said that feudalism was a jjradation of subordination, a sub- 

 ordination in its entire progress, both coercive and oppressive. It 

 doubtless had redeeming qualities and more ameliorating properties, 

 the reciprocities of protection and assistance, by which the lord and 

 tenant were respectively attached to each other ; the harsher features 

 are happily eflaced and the redeeming qualities may still be traced 

 in the modern relation of landlord and tenant. I know well that we 

 may seek in vain, both in commercial and manufacturing towns, for 

 any symjjtoms of the antient reciprocal feeling, for our boroughs 

 have immemorially been the bulwarks of the people against the en- 

 croachments of feudal power. There is something in the nature of 

 commerce so conducive to independence of thought and action, both 

 in its transactions and in the wealth consequent upon its successful 

 pursuit, that we need not be surprised at the constant and ultimately 

 effectual resistance of our boroughs to the restrictions of feudal 

 polity ; and this spirit is in fact still exhibited in their present utter 

 independence of, and indifference to, the modem representatives of 

 that system ; but in the agricultural districts and especially in those 

 where the antient baronial domains have long remained the inheri- 

 tance of one family, there still exists the last remnant of the feudal 

 relation in the attachment of the tenants to that family, which is as 

 proud of tracing on a rent-roll an hereditary tenantry as these are 

 glad to count upon an hereditary connection with their landlords. 

 These instances I know are not rare, and where the principle is 

 established, on the death of a tenant the nearest or perhaps the best 

 member of his family may surely expect the retention of what may 

 be called his family fann. 



These are the more pleasing remnants of the system ; but there 

 are others which although now deemed necessary by our modem 

 legislators have really their origin in the most oppressive rigour of 

 feudalism. I allude to the game laws, the last remnant of the odious 

 forest laws of Norman oppression, laws which were then decreed for 

 the gratification of the Monarch and his gi-eater barons at the ex- 



