On the Management of an Extensive Property. 41 

 No. X. 



ON THE MANAGEMENT OF AN EXTENSIVE PROPERTY. 



WHATEVER may be the case in regard to small properties, or those 

 of a moderate size, it is evident that a great estate, spread over dif- 

 ferent counties, and perhaps situated in various parts of the united 

 kingdom, is the most likely to be advantageously managed, when the 

 preprietor calls in the assistance of two or three intelligent friends, to 

 aid him in conducting so complicated a concern. No individual can 

 be equal to such a task, unless he is in the prime of life, dedicates his 

 whole time to the business, and gives up every other occupation ; 

 whereas, in this country, it is expected, that great landholders, should 

 direct their attention to public, as well as private matters, being he- 

 reditary members of the legislature, and hereditary counsellors of the 

 crown. 



Wherever an estate is of great extent, indeed, it has in general been 

 found expedient by the proprietor, to nominate two or three com- 

 missioners, to assist him in its management. It is necessary that such 

 commissioners should be men of prudence, possessed of comprehen- 

 sive minds, and particularly distinguished by their knowledge of agri- 

 cultural and rural concerns. They ought to make themselves thorough- 

 ly acquainted with all the affairs of the estate, by means of proper do- 

 cuments, such as reports on the boundaries ; the state of the farms ; 

 the nature of the leases, and covenants in them ; the number of 

 farmers ; cottagers, and live-stock ; the state of culture ; the ro- 

 tations adopted, &c. ; with such plans of improvement, as any al- 

 teration in the size of farms, and the boundaries of each, may render 

 practicable. 



They ought likewise to have correct reports regarding the titles to 

 the estate ; the political, and other privileges to which it is entitled ; 

 also detailed information, in proper documents, regarding the state of 

 the woods, fishings, mines, drainages, roads, bridges, &c. 



These reports, properly arranged, and inserted in books, accom- 

 panied by sufficient references, would give a view of a great estate, 

 capable of bringing every important particular, under the eye of the 

 proprietor, or of his commissioners, at a single glance ; whilst, at the 

 same time, a curious and interesting account, of a great portion of a 

 country, might thus he preserved, for future information. 



In conducting the business of such a property, every legal question, 

 and every demand of a tenant, or of a neighbour ; every question 

 about roads, bridges, churches, tithes, stipends, &c. will thus be 

 brought under the consideration of intelligent men, capable of derid- 

 ing, and judging impartially, on the points that come before them. 



Under the superintendence of such commissioners, the affairs of a 

 great property, would be as well conducted, as on the best managed 

 small or moderate-sized estates ; while the duties of the proprietor, 

 would principally be, to cany those exercises of true benevolence in* 



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