[116.4] 
the South-eaft or Down diftrict, for many reafons 
that will hereafter be given, has undergone few in- 
clofures, and ftill fewer fubdivifions; and during 
the fame period that a great deal of the property 
of the former diftrict has been divided and fub- 
divided, and gone into the hands of the many; 
property in the latter diftrict has been bought up 
by the great landholders, and it is now in fewer 
hands than it was in the laft century. 
There are undoubtedly many exceptions to this 
general remark, and there is in both diftricts a great 
deal of property in mortmain, belonging to churches, 
colleges, fchools, and other pious and public foun- 
dations, which neceffarily remains in its original 
ftate; but, generally fpeaking, it may be faid, that 
a great part of the North-weft diftrict of the county 
_ is poffeffed by fmall proprietors, and that by far the 
greateft part of the South-eaft diftrict is the pro- 
perty of great landholders. 
Reafons will hereafter be adduced to fhew, that 
this difference is the natural effect of a number of 
caufes, immediately refulting from the relative dif- 
ference in the nature of the foil, and fituation of 
the two diftricts, and which effect muft have been, 
and undoubtedly is, uniformly produced in all parts 
of the kingdom where the fame caufes exift. 
I. SOUTH- 
