2792. a voyage to the Hebritles. 57 
with another in other taxes; and it is fully <s 
much as they can afford ;—they are computed to be 
four hundred thousand in number. The great pro- 
prietors, from the extent of their property, and the 
number of their people, may be considered as so many 
princes. Quere, would it not be of advantage to them- 
selves, to give the inhabitants a constitution, a Magna 
Charta, to secure them, in the absence of the pro- 
prietor, in the enjoyment of some privileges? Their 
lands might be measured and valued, and the tenants 
secured for a term of years in their pofsefsions, as 
long as they paid the rent punctually ; revolutions 
to take place at stated periods: All personal services 
might be abolifhed ; a baillie might be appointed to 
preside over the justice of each barony, and settle 
disputes among the tenants by jury. Is there any 
_ thing in our law to prevent a baron baillie summoning 
a jury of the tenants, letting them try causes through 
the whole extent of his jurisdiction, instead of trying 
them himself, and adopting the verdict of the jury as 
his own decree ? The people are so far removed from 
the county courts, as not to be able to attend them, 
but at a great expence of time and money. 
' Tt isa good custom some great proprietors in the 
‘south of Scotland adopt, particularly the late duke 
of Queenfbury, to name two or three friends to 
act as his commusioners, and with salaries for their 
trouble. Nothing would afford greater protection te 
tenants in the proprietor’s absence, ‘ 
To be continued. 
WOL, ix. K + 
