TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. 7 



themselves and families at home without purchasing and sending 

 for every sort of meat from James's Valley. Moreover, if the 

 island price were lowered, there would be a very considerable 

 sale to the shipping. 



What a vast field for improvement in the condition of the 

 planters, and what an incitement to industry does this hold out, 

 compared with their narrow views, in having hitherto no other 

 object or vent for the produce of the lands than what may arise 

 from the shipping that touch here ! — When disappointments in 

 their arrival or detention occur, it is not suprising there should be 

 complaints of" no cash being in circulation." These would un- 

 doubtedly be removed, if industry and agriculture were extended ; 

 which are, in every country, the most efficacious means of pro- 

 moting the prosperity of the people. 



In respect to the goats, it would be very unreasonable to ex- 

 pect that any considerations of a selfish nature, or the mistaken 

 prejudices of a few, should counteract what is obviously for the 

 good of the whole. That the exercise of the right or privilege 

 of the goat-ranges has ever been, and still continues, a most into- 

 lerable abuse, will not be denied. Those ranges were limited to 

 certain spots : but what has been the result ? The proprietors of 

 goats never trouble their heads about where they browse, and as 

 they are of course never looked after but on pounding days, they 

 are seen daily to range every where ; and thus a limited privilege, 

 to a few persons, has absolutely given them the range of the whole 

 island ! 



To attempt to confine them, as originally intended when that 

 privilege was granted, would be an endless labour: and, without 

 the most vigorous enforcement of this condition, the evils which 

 have happened were naturally to be expected. Wherefore, the 

 institution of goat-ranges must appear to every unbiassed person 



