CONSTITUTION OF PROPERTY. 97 



ing two-thirds. Under this apparent similarity there 

 lies an inequality, inasmuch as the revenue per hectare is 

 much higher in England than with us ; but, all things 

 taken into account, the real difference is not what is sup- 

 posed. In France there are about one hundred thousand 

 landed proprietors who pay upwards of 300 francs of 

 direct taxes, and whose fortunes average those of the 

 mass of the English proprietors. Of these, fifty thou- 

 sand pay 500 francs and upwards. Estates of five hun- 

 dred, one thousand, and two thousand hectares are fre- 

 quently to be met with, and territorial fortunes of 25,000 

 to 100,000 francs and upwards of rent are not altogether 

 unknown. We may have probably about one thousand 

 large proprietors, who for extent of domain rival the 

 second grade of English landlords, by far the most 

 numerous of the class. It is true, we have propor- 

 tionably fewer of them than our neighbours, and im- 

 mediately following our chateaued gentry swarm the 

 host of small proprietors, whilst the English gentry 

 have at their back the immense fiefs of the aristocracy. 

 To this extent, but only to this extent, it is correct to 

 say that property is more concentrated in England than 

 it is in France. 



This concentration is favoured by the law of succes- 

 sion, which, in default of will, transmits real property 

 to the oldest son ; whilst in France, real property comes 

 to be equally divided among the children. But these 

 two laws, so opposed in principle, are not so different 

 in their practical effects. The parent in either country 

 may devise his property as he chooses, and this is fre- 

 quently done ; besides, other common and more urgent 

 reasons induce a deviation from that appropriation which 

 is provided by law. 



In France, dowries to married daughters reconstitute 



G 



