FRANCE. 7 



cxpence of a fallow ; confequently the foil 

 yields as much weeds as clover. From thefe 

 circumftances the reader will perceive, that 

 the agriculture here is in general very bad : 

 taxes are very irregular. Though Lorain 

 is exempted from the great curfe of the 

 French hufbandry, the arbitrary taille, yet 

 is the provincial fubfidy levied in a manner 

 not much fuperior to that tax. Every dif- 

 tric~l receives the requifition of the fum 

 which is to be paid by way of land-tax, 

 and, inflead of the intendant, their own 

 magiftrates affefs the proportions ; but for 

 want of fome fuch rule as is followed in 

 England, the farmers arc almofl as much 

 opprefled as if they were in the hands of 

 the intendants ; not to fpeak of the capita- 

 tion, which is levied here with all the fe- 

 verity of the French government. Thefe 

 circumftances, with the want of leafes, 

 would be fufficient to keep down the in- 

 duftryof the people; yet is there another that 

 opprefles them as much, which is the want 

 of a market. The quantity of wafte land is 

 very great, yet is the price of the fa/mer's 

 product very low ; fo that, for want of ex- 

 portation, which is prohibited, they could 

 B 4 not 



