VII DECLINE OF SMALL LANDOWNER 135 



In Kent, in 1753, out of 40 parishes, 10 with no owners 

 occupying, and 13 in which the number was under 6. 

 In Hants, in 1772, out of 3 parishes, 2 in which the 



I number was under 6. 

 In Norfolk and in Lancashire the percentage of these 

 denuded or partially denuded parishes is smaller. In Nor- 

 folk, in 1712, out of 25 parishes, 2 in which there were 

 no owners occupying, 7 in which the number was under 6. 

 In Lancashire, in 1781, out of 24 parishes, none where 

 there were no owners occupying; five in which the number 

 was under 6. 



III. 



But further, there is some evidence, not indeed so con- 

 clusive as I should wish, that the really critical period was 

 somewhere after 1688. Thus, you will see that in the case 

 of Queensborough, Table II, there has been a decrease of at 

 least 6 in 30 years (19 to 13), and several of the owners of 

 1772, who do not occupy, may well have purchased lands 

 on the demesne; whereas the demesne is not included in 

 the survey of 1704. 



This opinion is further confirmed by referring to Table IV. 

 Here, in 8 Oxford parishes, the number of landowners 

 has, between 1760 and 1785, been reduced from 69 to 41, 

 or 3 per parish in 25 years. 



