31 



Now, in all such cases, the agent occupies a false posi- 

 tion. If the valuator were a stranger, the agent could hear 

 just complaints of tenants, and give them redress. And 

 many cases occur, in which the interference of an agent 

 with a valuation would he an act of justice to the tenant. 



If, on the contrary, an agent were disposed to interpret 

 his obligation to his employer in a more liberal spirit if, 

 seeing the poverty and struggles of the tenants, he were in- 

 clined to bear upon them with a gentle band, and that the 

 result of his labours was generally satisfactory to the 

 tenants he runs a serious risk of being accused of pan- 

 dering to popularity, and of sacrificing the interests of his 

 employer for a good name to himself. 



It is not less objectionable to make a man valuator who 

 is a mere farmer, and has not enjoyed opportunities of a 

 liberal education, to fit him for the proper performance of 

 his duties ; such a person, being identified and associated 

 only with one class, would be likely to lean to the wishes 

 of the people, to the prejudice of the interests of his em- 

 ployer ; or, if he were disposed to do what was fair, would 

 be quite incapable, from his imperfect knowledge, of doing 

 it in a proper manner ; his utmost attainments would not 

 qualify him to do more than attach an average acreable 

 value to each farm, no matter how many varieties of soil 

 it might contain ; and should he be resident on the pro- 

 perty of which he is valuator, he is necessarily more liable 

 to influences of favour or malice, than a stranger would be 

 who was professionally educated for the office. 



The office of valuator, therefore, to be accredited by 

 public opinion, should be held only by competent persons, 

 who made it their profession ; whose character, education, 

 and position would stamp their decisions with weight; who 

 would be above receiving bias from landlord or tenant ; 

 but who, as under the sanction of an oath, would do what 

 was right and only that between man and man. 



II. OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A VALUATOR. 



A competent knowledge of practical and scientific agri- 



