Page:The reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the Comforts of the Poor (IA b21971961 0001).pdf/88

56 Although the prejudices of the poor against the inclosure, were very great before it took place; the moment they saw the land inclosed, and let as the poor's estate for twenty-one years by auction, at the rate of £.50 a year (although only estimated by the commissioners at £.20 a year) they were highly gratified; and they have indeed great reason to rejoice, being now most amply supplied with that great comfort of life. This has been so apparent, that some neighbouring inclosures have followed the example, and it appears to me to be adviseable, that such a plan should be generally made known.

The first idea was to sell the land, and place the money in the public funds, in order to produce a larger income; but I found that was not understood by the poor: they said they might at any time be deprived of the money, and they had no interest in the land inclosed; whereas, in the mode pursued, they considered themselves as having a permanent and