real, as well as of the personal property — a principle, which 

 was afterwards incorporated in the Napoleonic Code. Under 

 the operation of this laM' the land of France has been broken 

 up into millions of small parcels, belonging to almost as many 

 millions of small owners. These little patches, which, in 

 some parts of the country, average less than half an acre in 

 extent, are generally unfenced, and, for the most part, with- 

 out roads or means of access, unless it be over the grounds of 

 others. It is plain enough that such a state of things, what- 

 ever may be its political bearings, is unfavorable to agricul- 

 tural progress. 



A similar change in regard to the subdivision of landed 

 property has taken place in the countries which lie north of 

 France — in Prussia, and some other parts of Germany, — in 

 Switzerland, and Northern Italy. 



Very different was the effect, or, at least, the consequence of 

 this great Revolution on the condition and ownership of land 

 in England. There were, at the time referred to, many small 

 farmers in that country — men of moderate means, who owned 

 and cultivated the ground on which they lived. As a direct 

 result of the long and costly war waged by the British govern- 

 ment in behalf of royalty and the Bourbons, the taxes of En- 

 gland, and especially on landed property, were enormously 

 increased. The small farmers, whose agriculture was none of 

 the best, soon found it difficult to live. So they sold their 

 patrimonial acres to the rich nobles and gentry around them. 

 With the means thus obtained, they were enabled to lease and 

 carry on farms, much larger and more profitable, than those 

 which they relinquished. In this way the small English 

 farmers gradually died out, and as a class, no longer exist. 



It is undoubtedly true that many of those who now occupy, 

 as tenants, the five hundred and thousand acre farms, are men 

 of thrift and substance. Their wealthy landlords are, in the 

 main, wisely liberal, not only giving long leases, but generally 

 aiding in the outlay required for permanent improvements. In 

 draining, for instance, they usually bear part of the expense. 



