第616页 / 共2651页

Without some increase of stock, there can be scarce any

improvement of land, but there can be no considerable increase of

stock, but in consequence of a considerable improvement of land;

because otherwise the land could not maintain it. These natural

obstructions to the establishment of a better system, cannot be

removed but by a long course of frugality and industry; and half

a century or a century more, perhaps, must pass away before the

old system, which is wearing out gradually, can be completely

abolished through all the different parts of the country. Of all

the commercial advantages, however, which Scotland has derived

from the Union with England, this rise in the price of cattle is,

perhaps, the greatest. It has not only raised the value of all

highland estates, but it has, perhaps, been the principal cause

of the improvement of the low country.