1815.] Smithson Tennant, Esq. 83 
eulture; but the sight of these great improvements afforded much 
gratification to his feelings, and was highly interesting to his 
curiosity. His attention was very naturally directed to the system 
of cultivation itself; and the knowledge and experience of his Lin- 
colnshire friend, who had himself practised the new husbandry 
with great intelligence and success, atforded him the best means of 
information relative to the whole of this subject. Under the in- 
fluence of his example and advice, and after having satisfied him- 
self that the speculation afforded.a reasonable prospect of advan- 
tage, Mr. Tennant shortly afterwards purchased several allotments 
of unenclosed ‘land in that neighbourhood, and began to cultivate 
them on his own account, entrusting the chief management of the 
concetn to the skill and judgment of his friend. At subsequent 
periods he purchased other allotments, and made considerable addi- 
tions to this property. 
From the time of making his first purchase in Lincolnshire, Mr. 
Tennant paid great attention to the study of rural economy; and 
his attachment to this new pursuit gradually increasing, he became 
desirous of engaging in some agricultural concern upon a more ex- 
tensive scale. It was with this intention that about the year 1798 or 
1799 he purchased a considerable tract of waste land, newly allotted 
under an Enclosure Act, on the Mendip hills in Somersetshire. 
The purchase was originally made in conjunction with a particular 
friend, who for some time resided on the spot, and personally 
superintended the concern. Buta partition of the estate afterwards 
taking place, a portion of land was assigned to Mr. Tennant, 
situated near the well-known village of Cheddar, which was re- 
tained by him in his own hands, and became the principal scene of 
his farming operations. Here he, built a small house, at which, 
during the remainder of his life, he passed some months eyery 
summer, besides occasional visits at other times of the year. 
London, however, still continued to be the principal place of his , 
residence ; since his passion for agriculture, however strong, had in 
no respect diminished his high relish for the pleasures of cultivated 
society, and for the interesting objects continually afforded by the 
metropolis. It must be obvious, however, that these Jatter tastes 
must have interfered very considerably with the due management of 
his farming concerns. Such undertakings, in order to be profitable, 
Fequire for the most part strict personal inspection, and a constant 
attention to minute details. This sort of vigilance it was impossible 
for Mr. Tennant to exert; but he kept up a constant correspond 
ence with his agents in the country, receiving from them such in- 
formation, and transmitting such instructions, as could be commu- 
nicated by letters. For a certain period (as it was reasonable to 
expect), owing partly to his own inexperience, and partly to un- 
rable seasons, and other accidents, his speculations were not 
Prosperous ; and he occasionally suffered some anxiety and disap- 
pointment. But in process of time he acquired more practice and 
information, and became insensibly habituated to many trifling 
F 2 
