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The Country Gcntlciiuvis iMagazinc 



same \vith every thing out of order, or that 

 carried any marks of carelessness. The cattle 

 attentively examined, to see that none were 

 lame, that they were in good health, and 

 that they looked well fed and cleaned, and, 

 in all respects, as they ought. In the whole 

 examination, everything good and bad should 

 be minuted, and carried to each man's 

 account, in the same manner as before men- 

 tioned, respecting the work. A\'hen the 

 whole was finished, the gentleman should 

 come out on horseback, with some little 

 parade (and attended by any company that 

 he might have with him), to make the occa- 

 sion something solemn in the eyes of the 

 people. 



He should draw up in front of the line of 

 the teams, and call on the bailiff to read over 

 the account, beginning with Teat/i, No. i. As 

 soon as every account was finished, he should 

 give a little harrangue (with much solemnity 

 in accent and manner) of praise or condemna- 

 tion, according to the merits of the case ; and, 

 if the former, order them a proper reward. 

 For which purpose certain things should be 

 ready — suppose a parcel of new clothes of 

 all sorts, to be divided with a small sum of 

 money to each man. 



If, on the contrary, a man has been found 

 faulty, he should be reprimanded ; and the 

 great difference pointed out between a faith- 

 ful servant who meets with his master's praise 

 and rewards, and an idle or a careless one 

 that receives his displeasure. 



In case the account of any of them has 

 been very black, and that for more reviews 

 than one, he should order him to be discharged 

 on the spot, with marks of disgrace. 



To the first man of that juunbcr, which 

 upon the last four annual reviews has most 

 merit upon the whole, the most valuable re- 

 ward should be given, with some durable 

 testimony, with his name engraven on it, and 

 the occasion. Some piece of household 

 furniture, or anything better that could be 

 contrived; and wherever particular merit 

 Avas found an advance of wages should com- 

 merce. 



Some may think this a system of trifling ; 

 but from observations I have in every respect 



made on the temper of these people, I have 

 reason to be confident the effect would be 

 very great. It would be absurd to practise it 

 in a small business : but when from fifteen and 

 twenty to a hundred servants are kept, it 

 would give such an air of novelty and liveli- 

 ness to the business that the fellows (some 

 few excepted) would themselves like it not a 

 little. And the assigning implements to each 

 team, and making the men answerable for 

 their being always in good order, and the har- 

 ness, &c., the same, would keep all these 

 matters in thorough repair; whereas, in the 

 common course of business, work of impor- 

 tance frequently stands still, that something 

 or other may be mended ; a defect not dis- 

 covered till just the moment the thing is 

 wanted. 



With respect to the horses, the benefit of 

 it would be of very great consequence ; for 

 the men would have a great inducement to 

 use them well, to be careful of laming them, 

 to keep clean and free from all distempers 

 that arise from neglect. A master that thinks 

 such a point not of importance knows but 

 little of business. 



This conduct would have a vastly greater 

 effect than all the hard words and scolding 

 that could be given from one seven years' end 

 to another. Country fellows are so accus- 

 tomed to this sort of correction that they are 

 absolutely hardened to it. To be obeyed, 

 some method must always be pursued that is 

 new to them. Even the conduct I propose 

 would presently grow a matter of custom, and 

 be unheeded, were it not for the rewards and 

 punishments, the variety and substance of 

 which would ever keep up the attention of 

 the men ; for a handsome present, and a rise 

 of wages, are such striking affairs in their 

 eyes that they would never be brought to 

 disrelish the institution. 



Suppose a gentleman, who carries on a very 

 considerable business, expended in this 

 manner twenty or thirty pounds a year. A 

 single man costs him above twenty pounds, 

 and can he suppose that the difference 

 between the ready obedience, the uncommon 

 regularity thrown into every thing, the great 

 quantity of extraordinary work performed, the 



