2U RURAL ECONOMY OF ENGLAND. 



the result ; but the old soldier persevered in this struggle, 

 as he did in former days upon fields of battle. He be- 

 longed to that class of large proprietors, more numer- 

 ous in England than elsewhere, who consider it a point of 

 honour, as well as duty, to be stronger than their land. 

 He was much beloved by his tenants and neighbours, 

 who benefited by his liberality. The Duke caused com- 

 modious and comfortable cottages to be erected for his 

 labourers, with about two perches of garden ground 

 attached to each. These he let at the rate of Is. per 

 week, payment for which he took in labour. 



Dorset is the next county to Hampshire, following the 

 coast line. Here the aspect of the country changes. 

 In place of the wooded hills and dales of Hampshire, 

 we find extensive calcareous downs bare, without trees 

 or shelter of any kind ;' possessing a scanty popula- 

 tion of about one to three acres ; few habitations ; very 

 few gentlemen's seats ; very extensive farms ; in point 

 of agricultural wealth, rather inferior to Hampshire, but 

 having a higher average of rent. This county being 

 dull and uninteresting, there is nothing to take attention 

 off production, which being obtained without much labour, 

 a larger return comes to the proprietors. 



Most of the county is in pasture. Agricultural occupa- 

 tions are principally the rearing of sheep for the butcher, 

 and the care of milch cows for the production of butter. 

 Upon this poor and dried-up soil, greatly resembling the 

 Downs of Sussex, any other system of culture would pro- 

 bably be attended with difficulty. Turned to account in 

 this way, it can afford an average rent of about 20s. per 

 acre. Dorsetshire, being little engaged in either manu- 

 factures or commerce, and having scarcely anything but 

 its agriculture to depend upon, is one of the parts of 

 England where wages are lowest, although the population 



