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weft Wiltfhire, the firft comprehending the chalk- 
hills, ufually called Wiltfhire Downs, whofe general 
application is to corn-hufbandry and fheep-walks ; 
and the latter being remarkable for its rich pafture- 
land on the banks of the Lower Avon and the 
Thames, fo famous for the feeding of cattle, and 
ftill more fo, for the production of one of the moft 
excellent kinds of cheefe this ifland can boatft. 
As the difference in the foil, fituation, and pro- 
ductions of the two diftricts is fo very great, it will 
be neceflary, after premifing fome general remarks 
on the whole county with refpect to its property, 
to treatof them as two diftinct and feparate diftricts. 
GENERAL STATE OF PROPERTY. 
Tue greater part of this county was, formerly, 
and at no very remote period, in the hands of great 
proprictors. Almoft every manor had its refident 
lord, who held part of the lands in demefne, and 
granted out the reft by copy or leafe to under- 
tenants, ufually for three lives, renewable. A ftate 
of commonage, and particularly of open common 
fields, was peculiarly favourable to this tenure. 
Inclofures naturally tend to its extinction. 
The North-weft part of Wiltfhire being much 
better adapted to inclofures, and to fubdivifion of 
property, than the fouth, was, inclofed firft; while 
I'2 the 
