696 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



this desirable end will generally be obtained. For, in that state a man not only enters 

 upon it with pleasure himself, but he will generally find his opponent in the same 

 temper of mind. Whereas through delay, misunderstandings, idle tales, and groundless 

 surmises, are liable to intervene ; the minds of both to be soured ; a distant coolness to 

 take place between them ; and a barrier to be raised, which, though altogether imaginary, 

 nothing but the mystic wand of the law may be able to remove. 



4298. There are three distinct methods of conducting business. The first is that in 

 which the parties meet, with fair intentions, to find out the point of equity, and there to 

 close. In the second, they enter upon business, guarded with cunning, and armed with 

 trick and artifice, as gamblers draw round a table, to take every advantage, fair or 

 otherwise, which they can effect with impunity. The last method lies in the courts of 

 law and equity. 



4299. A business founded on honorable intentions is the only one in which a man of 

 honor can voluntarily appear. Here honest men come as indifferent persons to arbi- 

 trate the matter in reference. In every settlement between man and man, there is a 

 point of equity and right, which all good men are desirous to find ; and when men of 

 liberal minds fortunately meet and join in the search, it is seldom difficult to be dis- 

 covered. Should some little difference of opinion arise, let them call in an umpire to 

 decide between them ; or leave the whole to the decision of three capable and dis- 

 interested men. 



4300. A man of strict integrity may become entangled in business with a man of 

 looser principles. In this case, it behoves him to be upon his guard ; but still to enter 

 into the negociation with temper and civility. There is even a politeness in affairs of 

 business which cannot be departed from on any occasion. Interruptions and schisms 

 frequently arise, especially between men who are of keen sensibility, and who (though 

 passably honest) are tenacious of their own interests, from mere matter of punctilio. 

 The mind of either being once soured by neglect, or ruffled by disrespectful behaviour, the 

 smooth path of peaceful negociation is broken up, a spirit of warfare is roused, and 

 advantages are taken, or attempted, which calm reason would not have suggested. Hence, 

 when men of unequal degree are brought together in business, it is incumbent on the 

 superior to set the example of liberality and civility of demeanor. 



4301. In extreme cases there is no resource but the law; and here the most that an 

 honest man can do is to procure, without loss of time, the best advice ; and to spare no 

 exertion or useful expense in bringing the dangerous and tormenting business to a 

 speedy conclusion. Not only is a man's property endangered, while it is tossed on the 

 troubled sea of the law ; but his time and attention are led astray ; and his peace of 

 mind is liable to be broken in upon ; thus deranging his ordinary concerns, and disturb- 

 ing the stream of life. How much legal disputation might be prevented by a timely 

 attention to business ! 



4302. Informing connections in business, select the man who has a character to lose. 

 This principle should be invariably acted on. For if a man cf established good cha- 

 racter be properly treated, and determinately closed in with, in case he demur, or 

 swerve from the right line of conduct, he will not forfeit his good name by doing a 

 disreputable action ; and must therefore come forward to the point of equity and justice. 



Sect. II. Of the Management of Tenants. 



4303. The general treatment of tenants and cottagers may be considered as the most 

 important part of every land-steward's occupation : it includes the mode and conditions 

 of letting lands; and the time and manner of receiving rents. 



SuBSECT. 1 . Of the proper Treatment of Tenants. 



4304. On every large hereditary estate, there are established customs and usages, to which 

 the proprietor and the occupiers consider themselves mutually amenable, though no 

 legal contracts may subsist between them. Even where imperfect leases, or other legal 

 agreements exist, still there is generally much left for custom and usage to determine. 

 Though some of these may be improper, yet they ought to be strictly observed by its 

 superintendant, until better can be placed in their stead ; not merely on the score of 

 moral justice, but, in the same observance, to set an example of integrity and good faith 

 to the tenants. If a superintendant imprudently break through a custom or a covenant, 

 what can he say to a tenant who follows his example ? 



4305. A manager ought to set an example to the tenants under his care, of liberality 

 and kindness. This is more especially applicable to tiie case of cottagers and others 

 who rent small holdings. There are numberless small favors which he can bestow 

 upon them without loss, and many with eventual advantage to the estate. A spirited 

 improving tenant should be refused nothing that he can reasonably ask should have 

 favors voluntarily conferred upon him ; not merely as a reward for the services which 

 fee individually is rendering the estate, but to induce its other tenants to follow his 



