yard to let them take the air in, in the daytime all is so formed that the grain may be put in at the back part; and the floors

are laid in such a manner, that the corn may be carried to the barn without the loss of one grain, or a single straw. This saves the thatching of stacks at the time when harvest is got in, or cellars to put turnips and potatoes in, to preserve them from frost. The stables for horses are so situated that, from the intended thrashing-floor, there is no occasion to go out into the wet or cold. The fences round the farm are made of cedar-posts and chesnut-rails, which, it is said, will last a hundred years. The land is rented at twenty shillings per acre, per year, as I remember, and is as good land for tillage as the greatest part of America. The stumps of trees are all taken out of the

land, &c.

I was introduced to the tenant, who is the son of a gentleman in the corporation in Philadelphia; and, therefore, one might imagine, not destitute of money to execute

his farming business in a proper manner. He told me of most extraordinary crops he had raised. He seemed to be doing great things he took in horses from Philadelphia, as a stable-keeper, for the winter, to eat the summer's produce, and in the summer to eat his clover or pasture in fact, every thing seemed to be done to the best advantage. He became a subscriber to my books. But he left this farm, after cultivating it some years, in distressed circumstances, even so much so as to pay me only two dollars when I delivered the books. I called on him several times for the remainder; but he never was able to pay it. I expected this result when I first saw the farm. It was in the beginning of January: there were none of those fine crops visible: the barn contained the produce; which did not appear very close stowed at that time: these fine offices had nothing in them. I had an offer of the farm: the gentleman told me that three hundred pounds a year

was the rent, and that was not interest for

the money laid out upon the estate, exclusive of the first purchase-money. I believ ed it to be true: and it plainly shews that there is no land which will bear these expensive improvements: nor is there any occasion for them; the produce is so small, it lies in a little compass. From the erections, on many improved estates in America, one might imagine that the Americans thought the buildings would raise produce: but that is not the case. I could enumerate many instances similar to that above mentioned but I shall forbear; thinking it unnecessary, as I have given sufficient examples to convince the reader of the intention of this work, which is to shew the real value of those cheap lands in America.

SECTION XXIX.

On Emigration; and its Consequences. Anecdotes of a most important Nature, respecting the Impositions and fraudulent Practices connected with this Subject.

It would be easy for me, as a speculator in lands, to have enriched myself if I chose, by accepting those lands of General Stone, purchasing others of him, returning to England, reporting up and down this country that I had two thousand acres, the best in the world, and there were more to sell; and thus, deluding as many families over into America as I possibly could, pocket all the money that I had obtained from them: for, whatever money I might receive for the land, would have been more than it was worth. There are often emigrants in America, who, having got into a very distressed situation, and not knowing how to release themselves, write to their

relations and friends, stating that great advantages will accrue, if they will come over to them. This is to get hold of some property from those people, to relieve their own embarrassments. I know of one instance, where the elder brother wrote to a younger, who was possessed of six thousand pounds sterling, accepting this young man into partnership as a merchant; and, in less than twelve months after, they became bankrupts; and the younger brother lost every shilling of his property. In the number of men in America from England, I do not know a single instance of an English farmer having prospered: but they live generally in the most uncomfortable manner, or what would be called in England distress. Some men in trade have succeeded, and are persons of real property but I made an observation, during the time I was there, that, from the tales which they themselves tell, their riches were not obtained by fair dealing.

It is usual with men who have risen