[ ^n ] 



therefore, no doubt, grumble at the exchange, though 

 for the better to all parties. The cottagers of Afli- 

 well, though numerous, are by far too feeble to 

 refift the force of an aft of parliament; but the cot- 

 tagers (the poor) of the kingdom, are the many ; 

 therefore a general fcheme of inclofure mufl: be ma- 

 naged with more dexterity to prevent mifchief. 



The increafe and employment of the hardy pea- 

 fantry of the kingdom, are objefts of firfl-rate im- 

 port, and therefore I humbly conceive, that a publick 

 aft warranting the inclofure of commons and waftes, 

 in a way lefs expenfive than that hitherto adopted, 

 requiring, as a preliminary, the confent of three- 

 fourths of the cottagers in the parifli or place to 

 be inclofed, and guarding, with the energy of patri- 

 otifm, the interefts of the fons and daughters of the 

 foil, would be attended with the happieft effefts; as 

 I am fatisfied that this confent of three-fourths of 

 the many may be eafily obtained, provided they are 

 fairly and honeftly dealt with. 



As the county of Hertford is by far too narrow 

 and unproduftive a field on which to invefligate the 

 aftual ftate, and determine the claims of cottagers at 

 large, I mull beg leave to refer to what experience 

 has taught me of the aftual ftate of cottagers, as 

 far as that experience has reached. Where waftes ' 

 and commons are moft extenfive, there I have per- 

 ceived the cottagers are the moji wretched and worth- 

 lefs : accuftomed to rely on a precarious and vaga- 



voL. VIII. N bond 



