[ 2i6 ] 



fourth of the arable land, even when one-fifth is 

 allowed; but even then the improvements being en- 

 tirely the proprietor's, they have been obliged to 

 acquiefce. The a£ts of parliament allow the reftors 

 only to leafe for the firfl: twenty-one years, and after- 

 wards the tenants remain tenants at will;, in con- 

 fequence of which, all the lands fet apart for the 

 clergy become, in a great meafure, unproductive, as 

 the tenants take from them all they can raife, and 

 fet every improvement afide; and therefore they are 

 fo far neither beneficial to the clergy, or. the nation. 

 But were commiflioners appointed to value the tithes 

 of the pariflies, and alfo the landed eftates of the 

 clergy; and were they obliged, under that valuation, 

 to grant leafes, at the rent then fet on them, their 

 eftates would be improved, in proportion as other 

 lands ; and the tithes being fecured to thcoccupiers 

 for a term, not exceeding twenty-one years, they 

 could have no objection to the advance to be made 

 on them at the expiration of that term; and the dif- 

 ficulties now exifting would be done away, fo far as 

 refpe(5lo the occupiers and the nation. The rent to 

 be paid for the land would be of no confequence 

 in what proportion it was paid ; as the only fecurity 

 requifite to the occupiers is, that on laying out their 

 capital they may have from the impropriator an 

 equal term with that they have from their landlords; 

 and to put both on an equal footing. As the law 



now 



