iR erent t(d= Bo.

M0ſ-

y be {10- PU-

ture;) lation

a O

: of LANCASHIRE. 227

CHAPTER XVI:

OBSTACLES TO IMPROVEMENT

Including General Obſervatims on Agricultural Legiſlation and Police.

HE obſtacles to improvements are ſo many, that*t 1s doubtful whether the whole can be here enumerated. The grand obítacle is the want of a general incloſure

The great expence in obtaining particular ads, for certain diſtricts; the odium, and ill-natured refleQions, caſt upon indi- viduals vrho take an aËUVe P rt 1n promoting theſe goad works, with the vexatious delays of îrivolous MS and many other cauſes, are obſtacles of ſuch magnitude, as to prevent even an attempt at an incloſure-bill, by the means of which many thouſand acres of land, which lie waſte and unprofitable, either to individuals or the public, might bear the richeſt grains, or fatten the choiceſt bullocks.

The corn laws have hitherto operated moſt eſſentially againſt improvements. If theſe matters were left to the ſimple ope-

ration of merchandiſe, and to find their own level by abundance, or deficiency, the farmer and the public would generally be benehted. E D of famine, under the preſent enter- prifing ſytem of merchants, 1s entirely vaniſhed. There wil always be people bold enough to ſpeculate in ſuch an article of univerſal conſumption, as to prevent a ſcarcity.‘The laws have hitherto afforded no afliſtance to the farmer. If there be a general failure of crops, the loſs falls totally upon himſelf; te cannot avail himſelf of advancing the price, as a recompence for the failure of guantity*.. The ports are opened for farmers or merchants to fend in their produce from foreign nations

ZUL GcUViliDs

*# The queſtion under confideration at preſent, is not what may moſt be conducive to the general go od ot the community, but what may be moſt advantageous to the farmer and fair trader. It i 18, 1n general, ſome'adven- turous ſpeculator who reaps the moſt adyantage, by artfully evading, or turning the law to his own favour,;

whoſe