within the last hundred years, may be formed from the following table, the accuracy of which may be relied on.

FUEL.-P. 141. "Coal is in general use as fuel by as many of the inhabitants as can afford the purchase of it, except for the demands of the farmer's kitchen. The Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire supplies the south side of the county and the provincial metropolis; the Clee-hills of Shropshire furnish it for the northern and eastern parts; and the western procure it occasionally from Abergavenny. The town of Leominster has experienced some benefit in this respect from that part of the canal from Stourport which has been executed.

"The price of coal varies according to the distance from the pit, and the means of conveyance. When brought to Hereford in barges on the Wye from the Forest of Dean, it now sells at twenty-four shillings per ton; when conveyed by waggons, it brings three or four shillings more; and the latter mode is in favour of the consumer from the size and superior quality of the article, the refuse of the pit being generally mixed with the heap designed for the barges. A still inferior sort is sold for the

use of blacksmiths' forges, from twelve to fourteen shillings the tou."

MANUFACTURES.In the section, "Commerce and Manufactures," we learn-p. 146, that" unprovided with anv manufac'ure of general consumption (except that of gloves, which is carried on in the city on a very limited scale), the articles of commerce in Herefordshire must principaly be confined to those immediately concerned with agriculture.'

In the section, "Poor and Population," p. 148, we are informed that attempts have been made to introduce manufactures of different kinds, in order to afford employment for the lower classes (first, by Lord Scudamore of Home Lacy, and, since, by Mr. George Bradford of Hereford); but without the desired success. We are told, however, in p. 150, that a small manufactory for flannel is now established in Hereford, and it seems at present to promise that success which the proprietors so well deserve, and that employment, of which the industrious poor are in so much want."

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POOR RATE.-P. 40. Unprovided with manufactories, or other modes of employing women and children, so as to enable them to acquire their own maintenance, the County of Hereford must necessarily contribute largely to the plan adopted by the legislature for the support of the poor.

"That plan was doubtless founded on the most benevolent principle, and its provisious reflect honor on the

country.

"But the public manner in which relief is afforded under it, is attended with consequences injurious to the community, by destroying that spirit of independence, and those ideas of honest pride, which stimulate a man to use his utmost exertions in support of himself and his family. The rates or loans applied to this purpose are gradually increasing, and they are severely felt by the numerous class of small house-keepers, particularly in towns. During the unprecedented price of grain in the year 1801, more than one instance in the city of Hereford occurred, within the observation of the writer of this Report, when a housekeeper, with a shop and decent connexions, was compelled to dine frequently on potatoes and water, in order, that eighteen-pence might be saved to meet the demands of the overseer!

"The returns made under the act of 26 George III. report the net expenses for maintaining the poor throughout

the

the county of Hereford, in the year 1776, to have been 10,393ł. 7s. 2 d. The average of the years 1783, 4, and 5, as returned under similar authority, was stated at 16,727ł. 18 s. 2d.; at present they nearly amount to 20,000l. being in round numbers, double the sum raised thirty years ago."

In the chapter, "Rural Economy"! Mr. D. submits a plan for the melioration of the condition of "the Peasantry.

I insert the plan, at length; not, however as I think it altogether free from objections, or, indeed, altogether practicable; but because I am desirous to collect every thing on the subject, which is likely to furnish a probably useful idea, on a practical matter, so difficult as that which relates to the equitable maintainance of those who are unable to maintain themselves and their families. Mr. D. appears to have thought more upon this, than on most other subjects of his performance.

P. 138. "To improve the condition, and to increase the comforts of this valuable class of the community, must be deemed a most desirable object by every liberal and patriotic mind. According to the ideas of the writer of this Survey, the principle, on which friendly societies are established, affords the means of promoting this object. The interference of Parliament in these establishments has hitherto been viewed with a jealousy hostile to their success; but it is conceived, that the occupiers, or at least the principal occupiers of land, in every parish or larger district, in concert with the clergy, might patronize a society, to consist of all the labourers and male servants within its limits.

"The general obligation should consist in the contribution of one penny per day from the wages of each member, to be left in the hands of their employer. A fund would thus be created, which should be considered as the sole property of the contributors, but liable to be applied to no purposes but those of the society. After a certain period, and in all cases of illness, age, large family, or accident, the payments should suddenly or gradually cease,

and

* PEASANTRY.This is a hateful, because injuriously humiliating, appellation,-when applied to the country people of this island. Let it be confined to the live stock in human shape,-in Russia, and in other nations of demi-slaves. Is so degrading a distinction calculated to promote the honest independence of Englishmen," so much talked about, in the Board's Reports!

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and a certain allowance per week should become due to each subscriber. When members removed from one district to another, they might be entitled to a certificate of the amount of their property in the funds of the district quitted, and their allowance be made payable from those of the district in which they should reside. An annual adjustment of accounts, amongst the different societies in a county, would render this practicable without difficulty; and in cases of removal beyond the limits of the county, some similar arrangements might be adopted.

"The comfortable prospect of a provision in old age or distress, would probably afford sufficient inducement to the young peasantry to engage in a plan of this nature, if properly explained and encouraged by their employers. It would also stimulate, whilst it rewarded industry; and a decided preference, if not an increase of wages, would naturally be given to members of such societies, by those who are in the habits of employing labourers and servants.

"If made a national establishment, a parliamentary grant of a few thousand pounds would materially aid the funds in the infancy of the plan, and convince the lower class, of the attention of the legislature to their comforts.

"The reduction of the poor-rates would prove one of the beneficial effects to be secured by an institution of this kind; and the honest independence of an Englishman would be flattered and confirmed."

TITHES. On this topic, likewise, Mr. Duncumb has bestowed some attention, and on this, too, has offered his plan.

The

The following passage acquaints us with the existing state of tithes, in Herefordshire.-P. 36. "Most of the lands in Herefordshire are subject to the payment of tithes, and they are collected in kind in very few instances. average composition in lieu of them varies from three shillings and sixpence, to four shillings for every pound of money paid in rent.

"This is certainly less heavy than the compositions for tithes in many other places, although they have been much increased since the enormous price of grain in the years 1800 and 1801. They are still however paid with reluct ance, and invariably considered by the occupiers and proprietors of land, to be serious obstacles to agricultural improvements.

"Coppices are usually retained by the owner, and previous to the sale of their fallage by auction (which is generally practised), an agreement is made on the subject of

tithe, viz. one tenth of the sum they produce; and subsequent disputes are thus prevented."

The writer, next, produces a plan for a general commutation of tithes.-P. 37. "Of the various modes proposed to effect the desirable object of a general commuta ton of tithes, that of a corn-rent seems to have met with less objections than most others which have yet be n proposed; still however nothing has been seriously attempted, and the subject remains open to further discussion.

"It has not perhaps occurred to every one, that tithes in their present form, have a direct and powerful tendency towards increasing the prices of wheat and every other grain, by creating obstacles to its culture, and thus diminishing the quantity which would otherwise be grown. But the single fact, that, an acre of land under the culture of wheat, is liable to a deduction on account of tithe, in nearly a ten-fold proportion to an acre of land, grazed by cattle or sheep, is surely sufficient evidence that tithes must operate unfavorably to the culture of grain, and consequently to its abundance and cheapness. How desirable then is such a commutation as would render this payinent equally heavy on every acre of land according to its.value, whether it be applied to the culture of grain, or to the production of animal food!

"Under this impression, it is now proposed, that in lieu of tithe, a tax be imposed (on the principle of an equal land-tax) on every estate, according to its value, for the support of the clergy. The wisdom of parliment would easily determi e, how mauy shillings in every pound of rent would be equal to the revenues to which the clergy have a claim, and the measure would be much facilitated by the investigations occasioned by the income or property act now in force. The tenant might be made liable in the first instance to the payment of the duty proposed as a substitute for tithe, but in case of his defalcation, the landlord might be made uitimately responsible."

Mr. Duncunb then proceeds, with his assisting friend, "Mr. Andrew Knight," to point out the advantages of such a plan of commutation, and the evils of the present practice, of levying tithes; thus closing his strictures:P. 39. "The plan now proposed for a commutation would, it is presumed, counteract or prevent these serious evils; encouragement would be given to an extended culture of grain; and a new motive to industry and exertion would be found in the consideration, that the most indolent farmer

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must