THE CORN LAVWS, s

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The Norman conqueft, by the frefh diftrefles of war, and the change of property, retarded its recovery; and, except im the royal domains, or thofe of the dignifed clergy, of the gréat barons, or of religious orders, agriculture for a long time after that period, appears to have been left to the feeble ex- ertions of fuch people, as by their infirmities or age, or their inferior fituation in life, were not called for in war. By de- grees, however, the Englifh and Norman families came to be fo much incorporated, that the diftinétion was loft; the bold and independent fpirit of the Englifh Nobles again appeared,

and the fields began again to receive cultivation.

It would appear that at fome diftant period, agriculture had been in a higher ftate of perfection in Scotland, than it now is, and that the country had been more populous than at prefent. The ftraight and equal ridges ftill appearing upon extenfve fields and high grounds, in every part of the country, which muft have been barren for many centuries; and even the penalties in fome of the old Scotch laws having been paid in wheat,

feem to point out a more plentiful and populous era,

Malcolm IL. gave great fupport to agriculture; but in the year of his death(1034) a few days after the fummer fol- flice, there were fevere frofts and deep fnow, which deftroyed the fruits of the earth, and a great famine enfued”.

In the beginning of the reign of Malcolm[V. a great fa- mine raged over all Scotland, by which great numbers of men and cattle were deftroyed.

* Buchanan’s Hift. Scot, L. 6. Jub finem. Tibet

CHAP. I Cu)