labourers’ dwellings. 
363 
for the conveyance of stone, lime, gravel, marl, fuel &e., so as to be the 
cheapest mode of transporting such material from place to place, 
until rail-roads become more in vogue ? But above all, are there no 
waste lands that might render food for men P Yes, can it be believed, 
that while thousands are in want of food, there are in this country 
between fourteen and fifteen million acres of land of a fertile soil 
which have never been disturbed by spade or plough; and between 
thirteen and fourteen million acres of barren and boggy land, a great 
part of which might be made productive! True it is that much of 
this land is required for the support of cattle, but it is equally true 
that many of these cattle do no good direct or indirect to the commu¬ 
nity, and much of this land serves no useful purpose whatever. 
Again, are the houses of the farmers and peasantry in general not in 
want of repair ? Indeed, no part of the country offers greater 
scope for improvement than the dwellings of agricultural labourers. 
The accompanying design might be built, in a district where wood 
is abundant, much cheaper than the amount of the estimate, as I 
have already observed; but even if built of brick, the interest for the 
outlay of capital, supposing each occupier to pay as rent only £ 5 . 
10s. per annum, would be about per cent. 
In addition to what I have already said, a great deal might be 
done to employ the labourer by planting; this would be a great source 
of wealth to the inheritors of the estates on which it is extensively 
practised, as there is always a demand for timber; and ultimately we 
might produce that useful material as cheap as importing it from 
America, Norway, Memel, &c. Much might also be done by enter¬ 
prising landlords in combining together and forming rail-roads, com¬ 
mon roads, and extensive canals through the interior of the country, 
for the more speedy conveyance of manufactures. 
It may here be asked where the capital is to come from to effect 
all these improvements, but with enterprizing landlords this can sel¬ 
dom be an obstacle, as the majority of them are wealthy; and those 
who are not so fortunate can easily borrow money on their estates, 
which the improved condition of the latter would enable them to 
repay; and all estates left to minors should have the overplus of rental, 
after a moderate sum for their support, expended in improving the 
estates, until the heir comes of age. Enterprize and resolution are 
alone wanting to effect the whole. It is indeed a hard case when by 
misgovernment, and mismanagement one fellow being is obliged to 
“Beg a brother of the earth, 
“To give him leave to toil!” 
and yet his petition is rejected. It is for this reason we could wish 
