ALLOTMENT SYSTEM. 93 



affecting examples of indefatigable industry, of severe economy, 

 and of grateful and religious contentment, which I have ever 

 witnessed, said, with their eyes flooded with tears, that they 

 had been saved from the workhouse a fate which many of the 

 poor seem to dread almost as much as death itself only by the 

 kindness of their beneficent proprietor in leasing them the land, 

 and in furnishing them with tools and with cows to commence 

 their operations. Besides supporting themselves and their child, 

 they had also supported an aged father and mother ; and had 

 nearly paid a debt of twenty pounds to the physician, incurred 

 by a sickness of three years, of the man himself, before he had 

 the allotment ; and the whole of which they were determined 

 fully to discharge. They expressed themselves but too happy 

 in being able to assist and succor their aged parents, who, in 

 time of his illness, took the kindest care of them. In no condi 

 tion of life have I seen a brighter example, without any preten 

 sions and without ostentation, of some of the highest virtues 

 which can adorn the human character. An inflexible rule with 

 them was, not to incur even the smallest debt for any thing. 

 The matter of medical relief must, of course, form an exception. 

 This same man, living in a poor village, where it would seem 

 that education was never more wanting, had proposed, after the 

 plan of the others, to keep a school, and assist himself by the 

 labor of the children ; but a principal farmer in the neighborhood, 

 disconcerted by the extraordinary success of this humble family 

 in sustaining themselves independent of his aid, had threatened 

 his laborers, if they sent their children to this school, they should 

 be dismissed from his employment, and so prevented it. It is to 

 be hoped, for the honor of human nature, that examples of such 

 sold brutality are rare. 



Three of these tenants have been kind enough to furnish me 

 xvith their accounts of the products of the last year, (1843,) which 

 will, I think, not be without interest to my readers. 



Mr. Crittenden has five acres of land, of which the following 

 is the produce for the year 1843. He adds, in respect to it, &quot; I 

 have not put in the corn, roots, and hay, which the cows and 

 pigs consume, as they answer to them in their milk and flesh.&quot; 



