ri^ Ohfervations on Tythes. [Fhb. 



%vould be readily fold at from lo to 20 guineas a-picce. The 

 tythe of 100 ewes of this kind would be 10 lambs, which, at the 

 loweft eflimation, would be worth 50I. ;, but if they had been of 

 the common ancient breed, would not have been worth more 

 than 5I. Here the tythe owner has a clear gain of 45I. in ten 

 lambs, from the fpirited exertions of an enterprifing breeder, who 

 would not have the fatisfa6\ion to preferve to himielf the fruits of 

 his well merited exertions, but the tythc-owner would be in poT- 

 feffion of as good a breed of flieep without the leaft trouble, 

 anxiety, or expence. It is inftances of this kind that make 

 tvthes be confidered as fo great a hardfliip, and fo loudly com- 

 plained of. 



" The great tythes are in general the propertyof the reclor, and 

 confift of corn or grain, hay, wood. The fmall tythes are all 

 kinds of fruits, roots, feeds, herbs, turnips, cabbage, hops, hemp, 

 flax, honey, wax, potatoes, faffron, wood, — by feeds are meant 

 turnip {ttdy rape feed, canary feed, and other fmali feeds. Mixed 

 tythes are colts, calves, lambs, kids, pigs, milk, cheefe, agiftmeiit, 

 or pafturage. Wool is alfo a mixed tythe. The fnmil and 

 mixed tythes are generally the property of the vicar, and are very 

 often feparated from the great tythes. The great tythes are ge- 

 nerally in the hands of laymen." 



Let any perfon connected with agriculture fay, after perufing 

 the above extract, that tythes are not an obllacle to improve- 

 ments. In fadt, they are worfe •, they impede the moft neceflary 

 operations of the year, viz. the harvefting, and fecuring of the 

 crop. They not only occafion vexatious delays (the bane of good 

 management in autumn), but are the fource of much litigation 

 betwixt the parties concerned. Still another trait of this, tax is, 

 that the belt difpofed clergyman always makes the leaft of his 

 tythe. He who wiflies to live peaceably with all men fubmits 

 to many drawbacks in the collection, while the rough boifterous 

 fons of the church, thofe who have notorioufly the Imalleft por- 

 tion of the true Chriftian difpofition, are much better qualified 

 for enforcing a vigorous collection of this unpopular and pernici- 

 ous tax. 



Before concluding, I muft do your correfpondent the juflice to 

 acknowledge, that he allows the exaction of tytlics to be unfa- 

 vourable to improvement ; but while I do him jultice in this 

 matter, I am entitled to ufc the advantage which fuch a concef- 

 iion gives me. If tythes are unfavourable to impiovement, why 

 oppofe their removal either dire(Stly or indirectly ? If the welfare 

 CI the country is at heart, then, inftead of Itating difficulties, a 

 real-patriot would frankly lend his aid to place matters upon a 

 proper footing. I repeat what is already iaid, that though I 

 view the rights of tythe holders in a different light froni your 



correfpondent, 



