382 Subdivision of Land highly desirable 



contribute to an extended cultivation and the 

 general prosperity of Ireland, by the introduc- 

 tion of gradations in society, which at present 

 do not exist. The distance now between high 

 and low the few and the many, is so great as 

 to preclude the practices or habits of the one 

 from influencing or producing any benefit to 

 the other. The first change likely to create 

 emulation, and awaken the subordinate classes 

 to improvement, will be that of seeing those 

 of their own order daily acquiring an augmen- 

 tation of comforts, by the profitable results of 

 their own exertions. 



To the subdivision of the land in Great Bri- 

 tain, among all ranks, may be referred that inde- 

 pendence of character in the people, and that 

 general improvement over the face of the 

 country, which excite the admiration of fo- 

 reigners. This distribution is not less contri- 

 butory to the support of the state, than it is 

 beneficial to the subject. 'The possession of 

 property, and particularly of this description, 

 is ever accompanied by an honest pride, which 

 stimulates the owner to be a fit successor to 

 that station in society he may hereafter fill. This 

 happy disposition is amply rewarded by acquire- 

 ments in the rising generation by a tenacious 

 regard to character, and a cheerful submission 



