156 



the estates of noble nd knightly tenure. It does not therefore 

 come here into consideration. 



9. What proportion does the nett surplus of produce bear 

 to the whole production ? 



This question does not admit of a general answer. Some 

 information is however given by the author of the Agricultural 

 Notices, in his Statement, No. 11, by which he shows, that out of 

 a lot of estates, comprehending about 12,600 acres, with about 

 ?,000 souls, a stock of 10,000 Sheep, with a proportionate number 

 of agricultural and grazing Cattle : the produce of Grain to have 

 been 10,000 quarters, the quantity sold 3,040, of which 1,820 

 quarters remained, consequently, as the surplus quantity for 

 the markets. 



It must be observt-d : 



1 . That the quantity of Grain mentioned in this Statement, as 

 being brought in, was supplied to the breweries and distilleries, 

 and refers therefore only to those estates where that branch is 

 still cultivated. 



2. That this surplus cannot be considered as the nett surplus 

 growth of the district, but that the towns first provide their own 

 supply out of it. 



1 0. What proportion do the public taxes of every des- 

 cription bear to the surplus production ? 



The public taxes, under which denomination is probably meant, 

 not only those that are paid to the Government, but also for 

 churches, schools, the poor, repair of roads, and other similar 

 institutions of public utility, have no determinate relation to the 

 production. Even of such as are levied upon the land itself, the 

 taxation was made in former times, and so far rendered permanent 

 upon public grounds, that no subsequent changes had produced 

 any alteration on it. 



The other taxes extend partly to trade and industry, partly to 

 luxury, and even to the good-will of the individual, and cannot 

 therefore be estimated. 



Thus much however can be asserted as obvious, that when 

 once a more open intercourse connected the nations together, and 

 reciprocal assistance from the various productions raised and 

 promoted each other's activity, yielding to it in unrestrained 

 course an encouraging remuneration, all those taxes, so far from 

 having been found oppressive, allowed even to the lower classes 

 the means of providing themselves with the produce and manu- 

 factures of nearer and remoter countries, 



It is also obvious, that as an individual, from whom his former 

 commercial connections withdraw, will retire more and more 

 within himself, and rely more upon his own means, so a nation 



