1810.] 
** that it was a pity gentlemen could not 
take pattern from their inferiors, and end 
their quarrels without bloodshed.” 
Let us quit this polluted dell, (which, 
if pastoral deities ever inhabited it, they 
niust have long since forsaken in disgust,) 
amd proceed on our walk. A shaded 
lane, on whose hedges the wild honey- 
suckle hangs in grateful profusion, while 
the song of the husbandman (his bosom 
happily a stranger to that refinement of 
senument which leads to deliberate 
slaughter) chears the traveller as he 
pursues his path, conducts us to the an- 
cient seat of the Comptons, now the 
enviable residence of candour, urbanity, 
and science. ‘The agricultural records 
of the county bear testimony to the suc- 
cess of the present proprietor of Hinton- 
house, in experimental farming*; his 
plulosophical, acquirements are known 
io the few, who consider: them of the 
highest description; his philanthropy 
and good sense are familiar to the whole 
neighbourhood, and possess the singular 
felicity of being venerated by all classes. 
Directly before the gates of Hinton 
house lie spread the rich lands, lately 
inclosed, which formerly belonged, in 
right of commonage, to the parishioners 
of Hurst. So much has been zaid by 
able investigators respecting the pro- 
priety of inclosures, that I forbear to 
suggest those objections which once had 
miuch weight with sny mind, but whichit 
is possible arose from too narrow and 
¢ontined a view of the subject. Yet I 
cannot help believing that the common- 
nights of the ancient Englishman were 
a source of comfort to his humble family, 
aud served to endear to him the laws and 
well-being of his native soil. It is cer- 
tain that no positive good can be attain- 
ed without an alloy of attendant -evil. 
I do not seek to deny that society may 
derive some real benefits from the cul- 
tivation of fresh lands; but I must 
think that the inclosures which now so 
generally prevail, inflict an injury equally 
iidubitable, by destreying much of that 
independent spirit, and fervid simplicity 
ot character, which have been accus- 
tomed to invigorate the British peasant, 
and to render him invincible when armed 
in the cause of his country. 
Thisis not a time to encroach, without 
* Dr. Mavor, in his ** View of the Agri- 
oulture of Berkshire,” bestows a just eulogy 
on the spirit and ingenuity of Dr. Nicholls ; 
and there gives a sketch of the ‘* Hinton‘ 
plough and scuffler,” implements inventea by 
that gentleman. 
Walks in Berkshire. * 
329 
much reflection, on the privileges of the 
poor, Whatever may have produced 
the alteration, the English peasant is 
certainly not in so eligible a situation as 
that possessed by his forefather. If he 
be, what causes his frequent attendance 
on the alms-giving table of the parish 
officer?—Three-fourths of our country 
labourers cannot, I hope, be termed 
indolent, deceptive, and vicious; yet 
three-fourths (or perhaps a darger pro- 
portion) are pensioners of the overseer. 
Theheve that, on candid investigation, 
it would be found that the wages of the 
peasant have not increased in a due 
ratio with the price of every article 
necded by his frugal household. At any 
rate, 1t is obvious, that the farmers have 
grown rich, while their servants have 
become poor. 
But if the labourers have really sunk in 
sclf-estimation, and are indolent and 
deceitful on principle, how much it is to 
be lamented that men of large landed 
estates do not endeavour to rouse the 
spirit of the inferior classes, by proposing 
periodical rewards for industry, and pro- 
priety of deporument! Surely the idea 
is neither romanuc nor visionary. The 
peasants are not altogether insensible ta 
honorary distinctions; for they will 
wrestie with ardor at a wake for the ril< 
bon, or laced hat, that is named as the 
barren recompence of their valour or skill. 
Sull less can it be supposed, that they 
would look with indifference on the 
solid remuneration of such valuables ox 
privileges as it might be desirable for the 
country-gentleman to hold forth, for the 
encouragement of frugality, and a perses 
verance in laborious habits. 
Although local influence and exertion 
are chiefly calculated for the underta- 
King, it appears that government inight, 
with entire satety to the agricultural in- 
terest, doamuch towards the amelioration 
of the peasant’s destiny. I will briefly 
mention one instance, in which it appears 
that the legislature might interfere, with 
marked advantage to the labouring couns 
tryman. The duties on malt absolutely 
prevent the inhabitant of the cottage 
‘from retaining our wholesome national 
hiqwor as a part of his family-aliment, 
Tea, (or rather streains of warm water 
coloured with indigenous herbs, and dig- 
nified with that name,) supplies the place 
of beer in his impoverished household ; 
and undermines his own vigour, while it 
more hastily enervates the little race 
expected tu ull the ground tor a succeed- 
Ing generation, — 
hh 
