THE 



FARMER'S MAGAZINE: 



MONDAY, 12. NOVEMBER 1804. 

 (N°- XX.) 



BRANCH I. 

 ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. 



FOR THE Fx-^RMER's MAGAZINE. 



Comparative View cf Farmers fifty years iigo^ and at the prefent day^ 

 as alfo of the State of Society amo7ig them at thefe periods. 



[Inscribed to the EARL OF HADDINGTON,] 



J HERE are not many popular clamours, either more ancient or 

 more generally believed to be well founded, than that againft the 

 oppreihon of the nobility and gentry to their tenants. In former 

 times, it was the occafion of rebellions in England ; and, in our 

 own days, of heart-burnings and much difcontent amongll the 

 lower orders of fociety in every part of the ifland. I pretend not 

 to examine what real caufe was given for thefe : this might be a 

 fubje6l of politic?;! inquiry, not unworthy of a wifer head and a 

 better pen than I can boall of. All I aim at, is to beguile a few 

 •tedious hours in thefe long fummer days, and to amufe myfelf 

 and fome of your Scotifli readers, by exhibiting a few of the prac- 

 tices, and fomething of the Rate of fociety amongfl farmers fifty 

 years ago, and comparing them with thofe of the prc^nt day. 

 i may perhaps nt)t adhere Ifriclly to my propofed plan i.^the con- 

 nexion may not be clofely (tudied, for I fbail follow wlie|||;er my 

 pen may lead me. Compofition I difclaim all knowledgaJR, for, 

 though an old man, I am but a young author. I offer notjjbow- 

 ever, any excufe for this attempt, nor do I foliclt any mercy or 

 VOL. V. NO. 20. C c indulgencv.. 



