INTRODUCTION. 



15 



moment, with or without a reason, the attorney may dis- 

 charge him. Is it to be wondered at, therefore, that he is 

 cautious of saying or doing ought offensive, when it could 

 only lead to his own loss of employment, and attendant 

 injury ? Of course, it will be understood that there are 

 many attorneys who are exceptions to the above rule, which, 

 I am very sorry to say, however, is still but too general. 

 Nor do I intend to assert that a very strict supervision is 

 not necessary. On the contrary, I consider a proprietor or 

 agent cannot exercise too much vigilance, or interfere too 

 often, when he finds things going wrong on an estate. 

 But I think that an overseer should be brought to identify 

 himself with the property of which he is in charge — that 

 he should regard it as his comfortable and undoubted 

 home, which he feels is secured to him by the good feeling 

 and interest of the proprietor or agent. Were such a 

 feeling called into being, and carefully fostered, many very 

 great benefits would result. For instance, take an intelli- 

 gent and right-minded man, of education and experience, 

 and place him in charge of an estate, giving him an 

 honest account of its pecuniary position, a clear idea of 

 what is expected from him, and a genuine assurance of con- 

 fidence, security, and indulgent consideration, and I feel 

 convinced that he would study economy in the general 

 management of the estate, and employ the energies of his 

 mind in compassing its gradual improvement, instead of 

 speculating on the advent of a successor. At present, the 

 great aim of an overseer is, to keep his situation, which is 



