TRACTS ON VARIOUS SUBJECTS, &c. HI 



SECTION XVII. 



On Adherence to Old Customs* 



" There is an unaccountable prejudice to projectors of all kinds ; for which reason, 

 " when I talk of practising to fly, silly people think me an owl for my pains." 



Addison. 



OooN after I took up my country residence in England, I scraped 

 acquaintance with some of the neighbouring farmers, who now 

 and tiien called in, to take a pot of ale ; and I received them with 

 civility. Our discourse naturally turned to agricultural subjects ; 

 and, whilst I reasoned on new plans, my practical guests very 

 soon betrayed they had not the smallest faith in " book-farming," 

 as they called it. 



" Their own practice," said they, " must undoubtedly be the 

 best, because it was that which had been handed down by their 

 forefathers." At one of our meetings, I very strongly deprecated 

 this conclusion, and plainly told them they were all wrong. I 

 had no doubt their practice was good : but nevertheless, said T, 

 from books many useful hints, and much valuable information, 

 might be derived upon the better practice of other countries ; 

 and which, in my opinion, would succeed equally in Sussex, as 

 in other parts of England. 



* I hesitated some tim.e before t determined to give a place to this and the succeeding 

 paper : but as this paper was calculated to overturn old prejudices ; and " Calculator's 

 confessions" convey a variety of accurate information upon points connected with the 

 old and new husbandry of St. Helena, and as the sentiments of the supposed Norfolk 

 farmer are precisely those which I entertain, in regard to the best modes of cultivating, 

 and improving, the island, it is hoped that these .considerations may appear sufficient 

 reasons, for having mixed papers of a ludicrous nature with those of a graver description. 



