CONSTITUTION OF PROPERTY. 103 



of national agriculture by the Duke of Bedford, the Duke 

 of Portland, Lord Leicester, Lord Spencer, Lord Yar- 

 borough, and many others. When the will to do good 

 is united to the power which high rank and fortune give, 

 astonishing results may be effected. The Bedford family, 

 among others, has bestowed upon its country magnificent 

 agricultural works. It has reclaimed entire counties 

 from the sea ; other portions of country, formerly no- 

 thing but extensive moors, have been rendered rich and 

 productive. The representative of this noble house enjoys 

 100,000 or 2,500,000 francs of income from landed 

 estates ; and he is worthy, by the use he makes of it, to 

 succeed to his great agricultural ancestor, whose statue 

 adorns one of the squares in London. 



It is doubtless a matter of regret that we have not 

 this element among us, and the causes which have 

 destroyed our very large properties are to be regretted 

 still more than that destruction itself ; but we must learn 

 to resign ourselves to what cannot now be repaired, and 

 endeavour to guard against an increase of the evil. The 

 advantages of large property may be partly replaced by 

 the State carrying out a good administration of the local 

 imposts, and by a spirit of combination. This has already 

 begun to work in many parts. Even in England, where 

 the aristocracy have done so much in every respect for 

 national glory and prosperity, they, as a class, are not 

 those who have done most ; and, however striking their 

 services, these ought not to detract from those more 

 numerous and more efficacious services rendered by the 

 honourable body of gentry. 



In France, where habits of economy are more general 

 than in England, an average income of 25,000 francs 

 (1000) is not necessary. To keep up a moderate 

 property with us, an income of 5000 to 6000 francs 



