( 23 ) 



which I have referred, and from the ruinous habits 

 of subdivision which had been inseparable from the 

 improvidence which is at once the cause and conse- 

 quence of increasing poverty and of a low standard 

 of living. Sir John M'Neill points out that the whole 

 rental of the Island, if divided among its population 

 even at the reduced figure at which it stood in 1851, 

 would not have afforded crofts of a hio-her value than 

 ;^4, which is much too small for the subsistence of a 

 family. 



But although I was convinced of the necessity of a 

 further reduction in the numbers of the people, and 

 especially of a consolidation of the crofts so that they 

 should be of a comfortable size, I had an insuperable 

 objection to taking any sudden step in that direction 

 such as might be harsh towards the people. I thought 

 it my duty to remember that the improvidence of 

 their fathers had been at least seconded, or left un- 

 checked, by any active measures, or by the enforce- 

 ment of any rules by my own predecessors who had 

 been in possession of the estate. I regarded myself, 

 therefore, as representing those who had some share 

 in the responsibility, although that responsibility was 

 one of omission and not of commission. 



On the other hand, it seemed to me that if, for 

 the future, rules against subdivision were steadily 

 enforced, and if every opportunity were as steadily 

 taken to m.ake good use of the vacancies in crofts 

 which might arise by death, by migration, and by 

 emigration, some progress would be made by a slow 

 but sure process towards a better condition of things. 



Accordingly, I determined not only to avoid any- As a rule, no 

 thing like what has been called a " clearance," but, ^^^^ ^^"^ 



