20 Rents, Wages, and Profits in Agriculture 



produce is now sold for consumption in the 

 towns, which had increased at the expense 

 of the country in population. The farming 

 is carried on more for profit and less for 

 consumption on the estate. We observe 

 also, that at the end of this reign (1603) 

 complaints begin to be frequent that land- 

 lords are absentees from their estates, and 

 that their rents are expended in London 

 and not in the country. So much was this 

 the case, that on the accession of James II. 

 a royal proclamation was issued, stating 

 that the King will be justly offended with 

 those who stay about London or the Court 

 unless they are ordinary servants of the 

 King, and thereby neglect their duties in 

 the country. 



Additional rates were often imposed on 

 absentees, and generally it was impressed 

 on the landlords that they had certain 

 duties in the way of local government to 



