76 



forming a part of that stated to be exported from 

 Austria, (see Appendix, No. 20.) 



It was difficult in such a country as Poland to attain 

 to any accuracy on the Rent of land ; the owners 

 generally occupy themselves their domains, and cul- 

 tivate them by the hands of their peasants. 



The lands of the Crown are differently circum- 

 stanced ; they comprehend one-third of the whole 

 surface, or about ten million acres ; somewhat more 

 than two millions of these are woods, which are ma- 

 naged by a department of the Government. The 

 remainder is chiefly arable land, and is leased to 

 tenants. The labour of the peasants is a part of that 

 which is leased. The tenants of the Crown are exempt, 

 as well as their peasants, from some taxes, to which 

 all other occupiers of land are subject, and in conse- 

 quence of it the estates are better stocked with pea- 

 sants. Hence, as I was assured by the chief of 

 the department, the peasants on the Crown lands 

 form nearly one-fourth of the w hole population of the 

 kingdom. To the farmers of these, this must be a 

 great advantage, which but few, and only the richest 

 and most humane lords, can partake with them. 



With this freedom from taxation and ample supply 

 of labourers, the lands are let very low ; the nominal 

 rent of eight millions of acres of land, is stated in the 

 public accounts to be four millions florins, or about 

 ninety-five thousand pounds sterling, or somewhat less 

 than three-pence the English Acre. In the average 

 are included many acres literally of no value. I was 

 informed, that the land actually under cultivation 

 might be fairly stated to . be worth from eight-pence 

 to fourteen-pence per acre. It is however found that 

 the present rent cannot be afforded, that the tenants 

 are falling into Arrears, that the hope of recovering 

 some parts must be abandoned ; and in other cases, 

 the rent can only be paid in Corn. The Woods be- 

 longing to the Crown, consisting, as before stated, of 



