LARGE AND SMALL ESTATES. 2^ 



The subsistence of the laborer without property is never 

 certain ; the frequent diminution or suspension of labor in 

 manufacturing establishments reduces him to misery, and 

 promotes the developement of all the vices which result 

 from it; the labors of the country vary with times and 

 seasons, and do not offer constant employment to one not 

 attached to the farm. His lot is then always variable and 

 precarious. 



The man without property who is single, commonly leads 

 a dissolute and intemperate life : he who would have a family 

 commonly becomes more unhappy ; he cannot give his chil- 

 dren a suitable education, and they soon contract all the vices 

 of a depraved society. 



The condition of the small proprietor is very different 

 from this ; he is rooted to the soil, and thence derives all the 

 advantages of his situation. He works on his own land in 

 his leisure moments, and devotes the rest of his time to 

 earning wages on the estates of others. This double source 

 of profit abundantly secures his existence and that of his 

 family. His children and his wife cooperate in the culture 

 of his little farm ; idleness is banished from their household, 

 and good morals, which are always the result of a laborious 

 life, prevail there. 



The small proprietor is interested in the maintenance of 

 public order, because he would be a loser by trouble and 

 disorder ; he loves the institutions and the government which 

 protect his property ; he regards the welfare of others, be- 

 cause he would have others regard his own. His interest, 

 his affections, his fears, his hopes, are concentrated and 

 repose in that little spot of earth whose safety and 

 prosperity are his only wish. He has in truth a country, 

 whilst the other is a true cosmopolite, a stranger to all social 

 interest. 



Some appear to be alarmed at the increase of population 

 attendant upon small proprietorship; but this increase of 

 population is a certain sign of an increase of the means of 

 subsistence and of the wealth of the inhabitants, whilst the 

 diminution of population announces public misery. 



In proportion as the population of the country increases, 

 manual labor becomes more abundant, and produce increases 

 in quantity and is reduced in price. 



Thus, stripping the question of all that is connected 

 with certain political considerations, the division of land- 

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