i8oo. durifig a Tour through England. \^\. 



patient agriculturift in the three kingdoms. To have 

 luch fine land lying in ridges and baulks alternately, the 

 one half unproductive, and the other half wafte, was 

 fuch an inftance of high treafon aiiainfl the good of the 

 community, that the poirefTors deferve to be indi£led as 

 publick nuifances to the State. To fee what may be call- 

 ed the capital ftock of the country, fo grofsly mifma- 

 naged, vi^hile the inhabitants are ftarving for vi^ant of 

 provifions, furely calls aloud for legiflative interference, 

 without which no efFedlual remedy can be provided. 



But ought the blame to be folely placed to the account 

 of the polteflbrs ? or rather. Is not the fupreme autho- 

 rity of the country cenfurable for not ufing the means of 

 rooting out the caufes which neceffarily produce fuch 

 abje£l and deplorable economy ? Individuals may wifli 

 to reform the radical defefts which prevail in the legal 

 polity of the country, refpecfling the tenures or condi- 

 titions upon which property is held and poiTefled, but 

 very often the means are out of their power. A deci- 

 five a£l: of the Legiflature is neceflary for correding 

 thofe evils, which muft be founded upon liberal and 

 public-fpirited principles. If the intereft of individuals 

 (hould, in fonie inftances, be facrificed in confequence 

 of fuch a flrong meafure, this affords no weightier ob- 

 je6lion than what may be urged againft almoft every 

 road or canal-bill, or other bills for promoting improve- 

 ment. 



If an a61: of Parliament was pafTed for limiting the 

 growth of grain in England, it could not be more inju- 

 rious to the public good, than what is fuftained in con- 

 fequence of fuch immenfe and valuble tratls of ground 

 being left in a com.mon-field ftate. It muft be remark- 

 ed, that they are ufually of the bell kind of foil where 

 they are fituated. And the reafon is obvious; they were 

 firft cultivated, and people would undoubtedly take pof- 

 feffion of the moft fertile fpots, before they attempted 

 to meliorate and improve thofe of a more fterile and ob- 

 durate nature. I was told, that fome of thefe fields had 

 been cultivated in a fimilar way for five or fix hundred 

 years, probably for a longer period *, and that no devia- 

 tion could be introduced into the cuftomary courfes of 

 cropping^ eflablifhed in the different tov/nfliips, without 

 the exprefs confent of every perfon concerned, unlcfs 

 an a-Sl of Parliament is pa'Jed for dividing, inclofing, 



ansi 



