538 NOTES.

This is a fine obje& for benevolence to delight in contemplat- ing; but the unceafing exertions of a beneficent owner are necef- fary to be continued, or the induftry muft flacken. In few fitua- tions, perhaps none, could the exertions of men in thefe circum- {tances be fufficient to maintain their families, even without pay- ing any rent. Where they are furnifhed with employment fo as to enable them to earn as many days wages as they incline, they will be enabled to benefit themfelves by their own exertions upon their little field. This employment Mr. Dernpfter has furnifhed them, by fetting on foot certain manufactures in their neighbour- hood for that purpofe. The ground, in this cafe, comes to be cultivated in confequence of the manufactures: and, in a few par- ticular fituations, this may become praéticable; but fituations of this kind are fo rare, and the requifite exertions of the proprietor fo great, though, perhaps, under judicious management, not ex- tremely expenfive, that it’s influence muft always be confined to fuch narrow bounds, as fcarcely to deferve to be taken into the account as a national object: neither can it be confidered as farm- ing, in the{triét appropriated meaning of the word. All the ob- fervations in the text, it is evident, refpect land under the manage- ment of a farmer properly fo called.

(¢, Page 73.) I am inclined to think, that the general preju- dice which prevails among the vulgar againft large farms, and rich farmers, may be referred to the fame fource. In the flate of fo- ciety to which I allude, there were no claffes of men who were thought to be entitled to enjoy the advantages to be derived from wealth, but landed proprietors alone: for lands were originally ap- propriated by the fovereign to thofe who had diftinguifhed them- felves by their military prowefs; and military prowefs in thofe days, being the only criterion of merit, whoever difcovered that they poffeffed that merit in an eminent degree, were immediately

invefted with Jands to exalt them above the yulgar. Witnefs the