INTRODUCTION. XXXIU 



mane eftabllfliment, reckoning the moft ftriiflly, would 

 be only the difference between four per cent, for a fmall 

 fum of money, and what it might be fuppofed to pro- 

 duce by other common means, out of trade! Suppofe 

 one per cent, on the average were loft : this, in figures, 

 makes a fmking on ten cottages, of 5I. per annum ! — Sup- 

 pofe, in the extreme, that two per cent, can be loft ; this 

 would not amount to half the expence of one unneceflary 

 horfe — or one foot-boy in livery ! But when we confider 

 the advantages of poffefling fuch a fet of tenants, as labour- 

 ers, and the fuperior pleafure of beholding their happinefs, 

 the fcale will abundantly turn in favour of our objedl. 



Examples of publick fpirit, and of found benevolent po- 

 licy, not only excite notice but imitation. And if one gen- 

 tleman of fortune in a neighbourhood were to fet, or begin 

 fuch an example as this, we need not defpair of feeing that 

 example foon followed, or indeed of its becoming generally 

 imitated. Such philanthropy and found policy would have 

 their moft happy effefts : and become the means of gra- 

 dually exalting a ufeful country life into that fimple and pro- 

 per dignity which really belongs to it. It would not be 

 laying a foundation for indolence, pride, or arrogance : thofe 

 inconveniences to fociety are not to be expected from ren- 

 dering laborious men comparatively eafy and happy. Con- 

 ftant labour is annexed to this diffufive plan of comfort ; 

 and it is too neceffarily a main part of the fyftem, and a re- 

 gulator of the whole, to admit the ufurpations of eafe and 

 independence. 



The benevolence of many gentlemen may induce them 

 to accede to this general reafuning -, but fome will objeft to 

 therifque of entailing the expence of a number of poor on 

 their manors by fettling them on their own eftates. So far 

 as this objection is founded, even in local circumftances, it 



muft 



