industry. That the material condition of the Flemings is withal satisfactory M. de Lavergne attests when he says—
'Each of these peasant proprietors manages his own farm, and under the shadow of his fruit trees enjoys in security what he earns by the sweat of his brow. This is a kind of rural opulence due not to the possession of large capital but to the abundance of rural produce. No one is rich enough to live in idleness; no one so poor as to want.'
And the same eminent economist also shows that the obstacles to the well-being of parts of Belgium 'are not the number of small properties, but the number of small tenants.' The condition of the Belgian peasant also proves that this form of agricultural economy favours largely the increase of the elements of agriculture, creates its own capital, does not exclude the employment of machinery, even of the most costly description (such as steam ploughs, &c.), and is not attended with an excessive increase of population. In fact I may remark en parenthese, that this stock objection to peasant proprietary is quite exploded—thoroughly contradicted by the experiences of every country.
As to the working of the plan in Norway, where the system is, according to Mr. Mill of oldest date, a few observations from Mr. Laing will sufficiently explain the situation:—
The extent to which irrigation is carried on in these glens and valleys shows a spirit of exertion and co-operation to which Scotland can show nothing similar. The people feel as proprietors who receive the advantages of their exertions. The excellent style of the roads and bridges is another proof that the country is inhabited by people who have a common interest to keep them under repair. There are no tolls.'
Coming nearer home and taking a look for a moment into the little isle of Guernsey, what do we find? Speaking of it, Sir George Head says:—
No matter to what point the traveller may choose to bend his way, comfort everywhere prevails.' 'The happiest community,' says Mr. Hill, 'which it has ever been my lot to fall in with is to be found in this little island of Guernsey. Beggars are utterly unknown, pauperism, ablebodied pauperism at least, is nearly as rare as mendicancy.'
