538 
Rural Economy of France since 1789. 
of the sugar manufacture the growth of loheat has been 146,180 
quarters, and the mimbcr of oxen 11,500." 
It must not, however, be overlooked that this agricultural pros- 
perity is accompanied by a very serious drawback — over-popu- 
lation, which, according to M. Lavergne, " is not a necessary 
consequence, but a natural concomitant of small occupations." 
The excess is estimated at one-fourth, or even one-third of the 
whole population. Even M. Lavergne is driven to seek for some 
economical, not arbitrary, limit to the subdivision of holdings, 
and hints that hijed farms might, with probable benefit, com- 
prise a minimum of 25 acres, and properties held by the owner 
of 12 acres. It must not be overlooked that this over-population 
has arisen in a district where thriving and increasing manu- 
factures have provided a considerable outlet for the surplus 
increasing rural population. 
Among the interesting provinces comprised in the North- 
Western district is Normandy, so closely allied to England by 
the ties of race and history, and hardly less so by its scenery 
and pastoral features. " If," says M. Lavergne, " I were asked 
which is the most happy and prosperous part of France, I should 
witliout hesitation point to Normandy ;" and yet we here find 
the strange anomaly of a decreasing population, and most im- 
pervious obstinacy in rejecting almost all agricultural improve- 
ment. Normandy is the land of meadows and pastures, one of 
the dairies of France ; another of its distinguishing features is 
its breed of merino sheep, which of late has been most success- 
fully crossed with the Leicester. Paris is largely supplied by 
its poultry, eggs, &c., which also make their way into the London 
market. 
The system of tenure here in use is that of long leases ; there 
is scarcely a single instance to be found of metayage, which is 
so prevalent elsewhere, especially in the southern provinces. 
The average of wages for agricultural labour are about 9^. ^d. 
a week. 
2. North-Eastern Division. 
This region comprises <at least two most interesting provinces, 
Champagne and Burgundy : names not only familiar from their 
connexion with famous wines, but also illustrious from their his- 
torical associations. Nothing can exceed the contrast that exists 
between the North- Western region and this. Besides the great 
difference which, on a reference to the foregoing tables, will be 
noticed in the number of their inhabitants, and the amount of 
revenue they pay to the public exchequer, they are still more 
remarkably distinguished by the topograpliical aspect of the 
