122 AGRICULTURAL SURVEY 



Section xx. 



THE ADVANTAGE OF LEASES. 





JL HE ancient feudal tenures had undoubtedly a 

 ftrong tendency to enflave mankind, by fubjedt- 

 ing tenants to the controul and power of an arbi- 

 trary lord ; but, like all other things, there were 

 fome advantages to be found in the fyftem. Every 

 man, who held land, had a certainty in it, as the 

 tenant generally held his pofleffion for life. 

 When thefe tenures were difcountenanced, by the 

 liberal fpirit of modern law, fome new compact 

 became neceffary, and terms of years were fub- 

 ftituted in lieu of the former ; for as land, pro- 

 perly managed, requires great expence, and fel- 

 dom anfwers that expence in one year, it was but 

 reafonable that the man, who applied his judg- 

 ment, devoted his labour, and ventured his capi- 

 tal, mould have fome reafonable time allowed him 

 to reimburfe himfelf, and derive fome propor- 

 tionate reward for what he had done. 



In 



