Book IV. LAND STEWARDS. 693 



an enemy to himself, to his family, and to the community. As unpardonable it would 

 be in the possessor of a kingdom to be ignorant of state affairs, and unmindful of the 

 ministers who reside about his court ; or in the commanding officer of a regiment to be a 

 stranger to his men, a jjriest to his parishioners, or a shepherd to his flock ; as for 

 the possessor of a tenanted estate to be ignorant of territorial concerns, and a stranger to 

 his lands and their occupiers. 



4266. Though it be an essential part of the duty of a nian of fortune to be intimateh/ 

 acquainted with his own affairs, it does not follow that he should be absorbed in them, and 

 neglect his duties as a superior member of society. In all matters of government and 

 command, subordination is essential to good order and success. A commander in chief 

 does not act as pioneer, nor does a naval commander reef his sails, or heave his anchor. 

 Each has his subordinate officers to convey his commands, and men to execute them. 

 But it is essentially necessary that the former should be well acquainted with nyilitary,, 

 the latter with naval affairs. Every heir apparent, therefore, to a large landed property, 

 should be regularly, or at least more or less, bred up in the knowledge of rural afFairsy 

 so as to till with honor and profit the high station he has in view. But if the possessor 

 of an estate has not been fortunately initiated in the knowledge which belongs to his- 

 station, the task of acquiring it is far from great. "' 



4267. On a large estate we generally find a resident manager, a land steward, a man who 

 has some knowledge of what is termed country business, and who acts under the control 

 of his employer, or of a confidential friend, who is more conversant in rural concerns^, 

 or perhaps of a law agent, who knows less of them ; or such residing steward, espe- 

 cially of a detached estate which lies at some distance from the residence of its proprietory 

 acts without control. In the last case, if he is a man of judgment, it is fortunate both 

 for the landlord and tenant. But, on the contrary, if such possessory manager wants- 

 those requisite qualifications, the consequence becomes mischievous to the lands, their 

 occupiers, their proprietors, and the community. 



4268. The requisite acquirements of an acting manager, according to Marshal, are a' 

 knowledge of agriculture, surveying, planting, some knowledge of mechanics, natural 

 history, and a master of accounts. Agriculture is the only firm foundation on which 

 the other required attainments can be securely reposed. It is not more essentially 

 valuable in the superintendence, than in the improvement of an estate. It is difficult 

 to become an accurate judge of the value of lands without a practical knowledge of 

 their uses ; nor can any man without it, properly appreciate the management of occu- 

 piers, much less assist them in correcting their errors, and improving their practice. 



4269. Land-surveying is a requisite qualification. Not so much however, for the purpose of measur-- 

 ing and mapping an estate, at large, as for checking and correcting the works of professional men, as well 

 as to assist in laying out its lands to advantage. 



4270. Planting, and the management of woodlands, are acquirements that cannot be dispensed with.. 

 Nor should his knowledge and attention be confined to the surface of the estate entrusted to his care ; 

 he ought to have some acquaintance with natural history, chemistry, and experimental philosophy, to 

 enable him to form just notions on the subject of the subterrene productions which it may contahi. 



4271. Some knowledge of mechanics, and other sciences that are requisite to the business of an engineer,, 

 may be highly useful in prosecuting the improvements incident to landed property. 



4272. A competent knowledge of rural architecture, the doctrine of the strength of materials, and the " 

 superintendence of artilicers, may be said to be of daily use. 



4273. A thorough knowledge of accounts is essentially requisite to the manager of a landed estate. 



4274. He should be a mm of good character, of upright principles, and conciliatory manners ; to set an 

 example of good conduct to the tenants, and to become their common counsellor and peace-maker, in 

 those trifling disputes which never fail to arise among the occupiers of adjoining land ; and which too 

 frequently bring on serious quarrels and lawsuits, that end in the ruin, not only of themselves, but of 

 the tenements they occupy. A proprietor has, therefore, an interest in checking such disputes in the 

 bud. And no man can do this with so much effect, as a manager in whom they have a proper cbnfidence j 

 and who possessies a due share of popularity on the estate. 



4275. The acting manager requires certain assistants on a large estate ; especially if it 

 lies in a detached and scattered parts. Tho.se in general use, are a ground officer and 

 clerk. 



4276. ^ land-reeve, woodward, or ground officer, is required on each district or de- 

 partment of a large estate ; to attend, not only to the woods, and hedge-timber, but tO 

 the state of the fences, gates, buildings, jjrivate roads, driftways, and watercourses;^ 

 also to the stocking of commons (if any), and encroachments of every kind; as well as 

 to prevent, or detect, waste and spoil, in general, whether by the tenants of the estate, or 

 others ; and to report the same to the manager. 



4277. The office clerk, book-keeper, or under steward, is employed to form registers^ 

 make out rentals, &c. and keep the accounts of the estate ; as well as to assist the man- 

 ager in his more active employments ; also to act as his substitute in case of sickness, 

 or absence ; and to become his successor in the event of his deatli, or other termination 

 of his stewardship. 



4278. A law assistant, solicitor, or attorney, may next be considered as requisite to 

 the good management of a landed estate. For although much is to be done by judicious 

 regulations, and the timely interposition .ind advice of a resident manager, such are the 



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