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CHAPTER THE FIFTH. 



3RoaD0^ 



jNIoTHING can more dearly evidence the value and 

 importance of good roads, than the great improvements 

 to which of late years they have fo much contributed, by 

 affording a more ready admiffion of manure, and a free 

 circulation of air, thereby materially improving the foil and 

 climate of Dengy Hundred. In many parts of the county the 

 difficulty and expence of procuring proper materials for making 

 good roads, is very great; but even in thofe places (and al- 

 though the materials may coft from one-penny to three- 

 half-pence a bufhel, and the road rates upon the rack rents 

 being occafionally from three to fout fliillings in the pound) 

 the exertions of the parifhioners are unceafing, feeing that 

 their health, comfort, and convenience, are fo much de- 

 pendant thereon. In this purfuit, however expenfive and 

 meritorious, the exertions of the tenantry are often weakened 

 and difcouraged, by the very unequal aiTefTment of the parifh 

 rates; and the yeoman and tenant are too often fubjedted 

 to, and aggrieved by the imports inflidled upon the carriage 

 and tranfportation of manure upon the adjacent public (and 

 often inferior) turnpike roads ; than which nothing ought to 

 be more carefully guarded againfl ; as in the general fcale of 

 rural improvements, imports of this nature muft be con- 

 fidered as the mofl invincible of all obftacles, to the 

 improvement of thofe lands which do not contain any 

 natural manure, as thereby a prohibitory tax is laid upon 

 the admifTion and application of that which is foreign or 

 artificial. 



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