Notes

1 In the progress of the European system of landed property, three stages may be distinguished -- the domestic, the feudal, and the commercial. In the first, the condition of the cultivator was secured from any great oppression, by the affectionate sympathy of the chief of his clan.

In the second, it was still secured, and almost as effectually secured, by that need which his lord had of attachment, assistance, and support, in the frequent military enterprises and dangers in which he was engaged.

But in the commercial state there is no natural check which may establish the security of the cultivator; and his lord has hardly any obvious interest but to squeeze his industry as much as he can. It remains, therefore, for the legislatures of different countries to establish some control for protecting the essential interests of their common people. It is an object which deserves, and will reward, their care. In the dark and disorderly ages the oppression exercised over the cultivators could not be reduced to a system. Their landlords depended on their assistance and military services, and would not, therefore, hazard the diminution of their attachment. If at any time the landlord endeavoured to exert more than they were inclined to give, means of concealment and evasion were not wanting, by which his rapacity might be effectually eluded. But in the present times there is no reciprocal dependence, and all means of concealment and evasion are rendered by the order of our laws uncertain, or, indeed, vain.

In those disorderly times, whatever oppression, or chance of oppression, the cultivators of the field were exposed to, they saw their landlords exposed to others perhaps greater and more frequent; there was common to both an uncertainty in the possession of their just rights; and to compensate this, a chance of obtaining by address somewhat beyond these rights. In the present times, these common chances are removed by the protection of established government. The rights of the higher orders are rendered perfectly secure, while those of the cultivators are laid open to their oppressions

2 The illustrious situation of a monarch, placed at the head of victorious armies, might well inspire with generous sentiments any mind not ignobly formed, and waken a magnanimous desire of promoting the general welfare of mankind. In this manner it has operated, even on the breasts of men, numbered with barbarians, whose names and characters can with difficulty be rescued from the obscurity of Gothic annals (see History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. iii. p. 250). To save from oblivion such authentic examples of true heroism is one of the most pleasing tasks which a historian can have to perform: to record them for the instruction of the great and powerful, in the pages of a work which may be long and often revolved, is one of the most essential services that can be rendered to mankind.