226

ON THE RURAL ECONOMY

pable of ascertaining its real value, namely, the buyer andthe seller; and the condition of the labourer, naturally takesthat form, the most agreeable to the wishes, and to the in-terests of the respective parties.

In discussiug the subject to which this chapter relates, itis proposed to consider the state, 1. Of servants hired by theyear, or for any other period of time; whether married orsingle ; 2. Of those who are hired by the day, or who workby the piece; 3. Of cottagers attached to farms, and whoare bound to assist in rural labour; 4. Of the mode of livingadopted by labourers in Scotland ; 5 . Of the relative priceof provisions and rural labour; 6. Of the price of fuel, as con-nected with the rate of labour; and, 7. Of the expence ofraising the different sorts of grain cultivated in Scotland .

SECT. I.

OF SERVANTS HIRED BY THE YEAR, OR ANY OTHERPERIOD.

In every nation the welfare of the lower classes of the peo-ple is an object of peculiar importance; more especially as-those who must subsist by the produce of their daily labour,compose a great majority of every political society. It is totheir patient industry, indeed, that the higher ranks of societyare every where indebted for their principal enjoyments; andit is chiefly on them, that the public must depend for its secu-rity and strength. But of all descriptions of labourers, thoseemployed in husbandry are by far the most valuable. Theyare constantly employed in providing food for the whole of thecommunity, and they rear a hardy and numerous race, whonot only supply the demands of agriculture, but also replace