FRANCE. 69 



old farms lying in the hands of the landlords 

 for want of tenants, I am of opinion that 

 then the nobility, and great men of the 

 kingdom, would think more of their own 

 interefls than they do at prefent, and would 

 ferioufly endeavour to perfuade the King 

 and his Minifters, that they might have a 

 much greater revenue, without burthening 

 the poor farmer fo much as at prefent. I 

 Jiked the farmer's notions of thefe matters 

 very much ; for I have little doubt but this 

 noble kingdom might yield greater revenue 

 to the Sovereign than at prefent, at the 

 fame time that the people fhould be greatly ' 

 eafed. 



I afked him if he thought all the wade 

 lands that he had feen capable of improve- 

 ment, fufficient to pay the expences, with 

 due profit ? He replied, Doubtlefs : that 

 he had been over the greateft part of Cham- 

 pagne, Burgundy, Franche Compte, Alface, 

 and Lorain, and that, through all thefe 

 provinces, he never faw any waftes, not 

 not even mountains, but what were capable 

 of fome fort of cultivation ; nor mould he 

 fear being able, if fixed upon the word, to 

 make the work anfwer well. There is, 

 F 3 faici 



