INTRODUCTION 



as Rowland observes, he gets back in three 

 years. 



Though the hundred acres was " in the eye 

 of his house," and must have been unsightly 

 in its state of unculture, the neighbour re- 

 fused the offer. " He offered nothing, and he 

 hath done nothing" says Rowland, " therefore 

 this is but an accusation for negligence, setting 

 it forth in as friendly a manner as I may." 



Further on we learn that three moles, suf- 

 fered to live by a servant's carelessness, cost 

 him 20 a year in damage to the " stankes," 

 and there is an amusing little homily on the 

 sin of ingratitude to these little creatures, who 

 were the originators of all the vast system of 

 irrigation ; but though they are offered the run 

 of his pleasaunce, burrowing in the " Stanke 

 Royal" is high treason, and the moles are 

 doomed, in spite of qualms of conscience. 



Then, too, the saving of labour is slightly 

 touched on, but these facts are scattered all 

 about the book, and one can only guess that 

 the cost must have been immense, though 

 Rowland blames his neighbours for not fol- 

 lowing his example, in utter oblivion of the 

 fact that they may not have had any capital 

 to advance, as not to every one's share falls a 

 xiv 



