INTRODUCTION. XXIX 



ish a nation more than one of fifty, and, beyond the 

 amount of ten milHons, become a scourge ; for, the 

 government which stifles reproduction, opposes the de- 

 velopement of industry, and, being reduced to live upon 

 its capital, -will very soon partake of the public poverty. 

 By whatever impost the tax upon salt may be replaced, 

 I doubt whether one can be found more injurious in its 

 effects. All the complaints that are made in regard to 

 the revenue ought to be directed against this duty ; 

 and in order to hasten the suppression of it in the coun- 

 try, the tax might be kept up on the consumption of 

 the. towns, where salt forms but a small part of the 

 expense of each household. 



There is, at this day, much inquiry whether the divi- 

 sion of landed property is favorable or injurious to agricul- 

 ture. This division is the necessary consequence of the 

 partition of successions in a direct line, and of the sale 

 of detached portions of great estates. The question of 

 the division of property has its supporters and its op- 

 posers ; but I believe that it is from not 'having viewed 

 the subject in its true light, that opinions in regard 

 to it are still divided. Wherever labor is abundant; 

 wherever the cultivation of grain and of artificial fodder 

 cannot be carried to its full extent ; wherever the nature 

 of the soil admits only, or mostly, of the cultivation of 

 the vine, there the division of property is advantageous. 

 The impossibility of feeding animals for labor, in such 

 situations, calls the arm of man into use to supply their 

 place; and the husbandry on a small scale thus prac- 

 tised, fertilizes a soil, which would otherwise remain 

 sterile. A small estate, placed in the hands of an in- 

 dustrious and intelligent man, will always produce more 

 c 



