AGRICULTURAL SURVEY Of chap. Xf* 



pie funds provided, the principal roads may be 

 completed in a few years. If the work be exe- 

 cuted in a sufficient manner^ the roads, for se- 

 veral years after, cannot require very general or 

 expensive repairs. During this period, the debts 

 contracted may be extinguished, and then the 

 revenue, arising from the toll-gates, the conver- 

 sion of the statute-labour, and other provisions 

 made by law, will be able, not only to keep the 

 great roads in repair, but also to furnish some 

 effectual aid towards making the by-roads and 

 keeping them in good order. 



As prejudices are commonly entertained a- 

 gainst such practices as are new and unusual, e- 

 specially if they shall touch the pocket, the erec- 

 tion of toll-bars was, at first, unpopular, and still 

 continues, with some, to be a cause of grumbling 

 and complaint. But, surely, of all complaints 

 this is the. rhost unreasonable. Few public ad- 

 vantages can be equally enjoyed by all ; and 

 where these advantages are to be paid for by the 

 community in general, it is impossible to propor- 

 tion the burden exactly to the particular share 

 of the advantage which each individual enjoys. 

 There is, however, no public good more gener- 

 ally felt than good roads ; and no good of equal 

 magnitude purchased at so easy a rate. When 

 good roads are made through a country ia eve- 

 ry proper direction, travelling becomes safe, 

 pleasant, and expeditious. Social communica- 

 tion is promoted, and the necessary intercourse 

 of life rendered easy. Farmers and traders can 

 carry their grain and goods to market in less 

 time and at a cheaper rate. The same horses 

 and carts can transport a much greater load, with 



