INTRODUCTION. 7 



property from all indefinite demands upon it, of a feudal 

 nature ; leases are interpreted, by the courts of law, favour- 

 ably to the tenant; and the occupiers of land, in general, 

 are not subjected to any arbitrary burdens, under the name 

 of Poor-rates.* 



13. The establishment of banks, and the extension of 

 paper money, have certainly materially contributed to the 

 improvement of Scotland, f Enterprising farmers have 

 thus been supplied, when necessary, with aid to carry on 

 their operations, and have obtained a better price, and a 

 readier payment, for their commodities ; no small induce- 

 ments to exertion. Where the public banks, or their 

 branches, also, are established, the savings of tlie prudent 

 and economical farmer, have not only been safely deposited, 

 and borne an interest of from 3 to 4< per cent,, but were al- 

 ways ready at his command. 



14. In the last place, the character of the Scots, indus- 

 trious, economical, intelligent, and persevering, and their 

 habits of life, calculated to maintain that national character, 

 would naturally enable them to reach a considerable degree 

 pf excellence, in any art or science, to which their attention 

 might be peculiarly directed. 



Other causes, as will appear in the course of the follow- 

 ing investigation, may have also indirectly contributed to 

 the improved state of Scotch Husbandry; but the circum- 

 stances above detailed, will, it is believed, sufficiently ex- 



* I say in general, for there .are exceptions to this rule in several of 

 the southern counties. 



f The celebrated Sir James Steuart, in his Political Economy, (last 

 edit. vol. iii, p. 197) says, " To the banks of Scotland the improvement 

 of that country is entirely owing" Without going so far, it may be 

 safely asserted, that to the improvement of Scotland they have materially 

 contributed. 



