1 8oo. Review of Mlddlefix Survey. 75 



If thefe things are true, the Middlefex farmer is in a mod 

 uncomfortable fituatlon. 



The fubjeft of Tithes is confidered in a juft light, and 

 treated in a more manly way than by feveral other furveyors, 

 who, notwithftanding they difapprove of this tax, feem airald 

 to point out its pernicious confequences. We extract the 

 following paflages with pleafure : — 



*• The parifh of Hutton, In Eflex, was much occupied by the 

 fuckling of calves. The clergyman infifted on taking the tithes in 

 kind. The inhabitants were willing to fet out one tenth of every 

 meal's milk ; and It was the only means they had of continuing the 

 fuckling bufinefs. 



" This, however, would not content the parfon. — No ; he infifted 

 on having a// the milk of every tenth day, though he mull know that 

 it would ruin their fuckling fyftem. They of courfe refilled ; the 

 parties were feveral years at law, and at lail an unreafonable compo- 

 fition was obtained from the farmers. 



" The fuccefs of thefe, and like cafes, (llmulated a vicar of 

 Batterfea to draw the tithes of that parifh in kind, which was con- 

 tinued for two or three years ; during which time, nothing was more 

 common than to meet his carts in the ftreets, retailing his tithes, 

 with a perfon In each, vociferating, <* Come, buy my afparagus !— - 

 •< oh rare cauliflowers ! " &c. &c. 



" A few Inftanceg, equally oppreflive with thefe, have happened 

 in every county in England ; and the neceffary confequence is, that 

 they have feverally put a ftop to fome expenfive, but promifing im- 

 provements. Every matter of this kind becomes a fubjeft of general 

 converfatlon among farmers ; and, of courfe, prevents their makmg 

 the like attempts. In JJjorty an aEl of Parliament to prohibit the 

 improvement of land by any conjiderable expenditure, ivould not more 

 effeclually do it than the tithe lazvs. 



" Had tithes never been eftablifhed, happy would It have been for 

 this country, and flill more fo for the clergy. They are a powerful 

 caufe of many quitting the church, and of creating and fupporting 

 fedlaries : they are the never-ending fource of ill-will, quarreUIng, 

 and litigation ; and are, unqueftionably, one j^reat caufe of the conti- 

 nuance of fo much common and uncultivated land In thefe kingdoms. 

 Within the narrow limits of my own knowledge, feveral premeditated 

 bills of enclofure have been given up, rather than the land fhould be 

 fubjefted to yield tithes In kind, after the great expence of the a£l, 

 the commiflion, the furvcy, the making of new roads, the building 

 of bridges, the fencing and erecting new buildings, and cultivating 

 the land — ihould be incurred. 



" A meeting was lately held, for the purpofe of confiderlng an 

 application to Parliament for enclofing the commons above Pinner, 

 in this ccunty. It did not fuit the redor to attend the meeting ; l»e 



therefore 



