238 JSCew Publications. [April, 



We pass over several chapters in succession and proceed to 

 take up the one on agricultural population. What is the charac- 

 ter of the agricultural population of England? How does it 

 differ from our own? It appears from Mr. Coleman's notes, that 

 the population is divided into three casts or classes. The land- 

 lord, the tenant, and the laborer. The landlord is the owner of 

 the soil. He is the nobleman and gentleman, and is looked up 

 to with great deference. His lands often consist of wide territo- 

 ries, and in truth is divided into farms of from 3 to 8 and even 

 1200 acres in some instances. They are rented to farmers who 

 pay from five shillings the five pounds per acre, according to cir- 

 cumstances. The rents are paid semi-annually, in money, though 

 sometimes in kind. 



The rent is estimated at a third of its products; but sometimes 

 a different rule is followed, which is, after paying the expense of 

 cultivation and the usual assessments, the balance is divided 

 equally between the landlord and tenant. But frequently no rule 

 is followed, and each party makes the best bargain he can for 

 himself. 



To us, Americans, it undoubtedly becomes a question whether 

 a country is benefitted by this great preponderance of landed 

 possessions in the few. It appears, however, whatever may be 

 the case, good or evil to the country, that great liberality prevails 

 with the landlords in the expenditures for the improvement of 

 their estates, and that every necessary aid is rendered to the tenant 

 in these investments. A drawback upon the profits of the tenant, 

 however, exists in the taxes, which in many cases amount to a 

 sum equal to the rent of the land. The tithes amount to one- 

 tenth of every article produced, and are not now taken in kind, 

 but in money. The poor rates are heavy, and are paid by the 

 tenants. 



2. The farmers. — The farmers are not Jike the farmers in the 

 United States; the latter labor with their own hands, the former 

 with the hands of others. They are described as a substantial 

 body of men, who are well informed, and even live in a style of 

 elegance and ease. They are indeed men of capital, as they 



