chap. XVI. THE COUNTY OF FIFE. 363 



quate return cannot be expected, during many 

 years. 



What may be the profits of farming in Eng- 

 land, I know not. But I am confident that few 

 farmers in Scotland make above 10 per cent, of 

 their capital; numbers of them, not above 5 ; 

 and, in many cases, the most unremitting in- 

 dustry, and the most rigid economy, are neces- 

 sary to enable them to pay the landlord, and 

 maintain their families ; so high are the rents 

 at present, and so great, of late, has been the 

 rise upon the price of labour. 



But all the hardships felt by the tenants un- 

 der the assessed tax act, are now completely re- 

 moved by the new act, laying a tax upon Income : 

 An act which exhibits a plan of taxation, the 

 most unexceptionable, and, at the same time, 

 the most productive, that human wisdom, per- 

 haps, ever devised. Indeed, to contrive a scheme 

 of taxation so complex in itself, and so exten- 

 sive in its operation, and, at the same time, to 

 frame it in such a manner, as to bear equally 

 and proportionally upon all, is an effort of poli- 

 tical wisdom, perhaps, beyond the reach of the 

 human mind. Objections have, accordingly, 

 been urged against the scheme, some upon the 

 the ground of inequality, some, probably, from 

 the mere wantonness of opposition ; and others, 

 I doubt not, from the best intentions. But 

 when these inequalities are of trifling conside- 

 ration, and not materially or extensively hurt- 

 ful, I must esteem that man a narrow mind- 

 ed, churlish being, who will venture to com- 

 plain at such a time as this. The crisis is aw- 

 ful and deeply interesting. We are struggling 



Z 2 



