chap, vil] THE CULTURE SYSTEM. 151 



equal to that of all places where European competition has 

 not artificially raised it — was paid to the labourers engaged 

 in clearing the ground and forming the plantations under 

 Government superintendence. The produce is sold to the 

 Government at a low fixed price. Out of the net profits 

 a percentage goes to the chiefs, and the remainder is 

 divided among the workmen. This surplus in good years 

 is something considerable. On the whole, the people are 

 well fed and decently clothed ; and have acquired habits 

 of steady industry and the art of scientific cultivation, 

 which must be of service to them in the future. It must 

 be remembered, that the Government expended capital 

 for years before any return was obtained ; and if they 

 now derive a large revenue, it is in a way which is far 

 less burthensome, and far more beneficial to the people, 

 than any tax that could be levied. 



But although the system may be a good one, and as 

 well adapted to the development of arts and industry in a 

 half-civilized people, as it is to the material advantage of 

 the governing country, it is not pretended that in practice 

 it is perfectly carried out. The oppressive and servile 

 relations between chiefs and people, which have con- 

 tinued for perhaps a thousand years, cannot be at once 

 abolished ; and some evil must result from those relations, 

 till the spread of education and the gradual infusion of 

 European blood causes it naturally and insensibly to dis- 



