PREFA< xi 



it Mr. Comkr't account: Mr. Cholmondley hat converted aeveral 

 considerable Warn** and moors into good arable, patture and meadow, 

 and raited very good cjuu k-f. uces, with proper plantations of trees in 

 the hedge rows, so as to create a defence for the cattle on the bleak 

 heights; and his cultivation has been carried on with large quantities 

 une which answers very well on that fresh land. I mutt observe 

 that he chiefly plants the larger maples (plain and striped), and they 

 appear in effect to suit his toil well. I mutt add that be bat built an 

 exceeding good house, and laid out handsome gardens, and got removed 

 to a proper distance the church which is new built and bat a good 

 effect When I add, that he has a fine prospect of York-Xin**r and 

 the cultivated country around, I need hardly say, that BrambUy (tic) 

 is become out of the most improved places in the North Riding/ 



These improvements are, however, rather those of the 

 landowner than the cultivator ; and it must be con- 

 fessed that by the time this was written the evolution 

 of the improving agriculturist into the landlord was 

 complete. 



From this time the interest in the accounts lies entirely 

 round the social and domestic life of the family. We 

 learn of their visits to Bath, to York in the race week, 

 and occasionally to ducal houses. We read of a son 

 sent to Isleworth or to Douay to school ; of a daughter 

 living at home or sent in search of the health she seemed 

 fated never to procure. We learn of the deaths of 

 certain members of the family and their funerals, and 

 by various signs the advent of new members is fore- 

 shadowed or announced. In one period there is evidence 

 of expenses incidental to a honeymoon. What will, I 

 think, strike the reader of the accounts most forcibly is 

 the quiet, steady, honourable life they all led. They 

 consumed huge quantities of port it is true, and the 

 ladies gambled a little at cards, as all ladies did in those 

 days. But there was no excess, no debt after the first 

 expenses were paid off, and apparently nothing but the 

 best of terms with the tenants and workmen. The French 



