per lb. was: beef 1 and 1/8d.; mutton, 2 and 1/4d.; pork, 3d.;
venison, 6d.; hares, 7d.; rabbits, 6d. The weight of flesh-meat
consumed was 398,000,000 lbs., it being 72 lbs. 6 oz. for each
person, or 3 and 1/6 oz. daily. I shall have occasion to contrast
these figures with those lately published when I come to deal with
the present; but a great difference has arisen from the alteration
in price, which is owing to the increase in the quantity of the
precious metals.

The reign of the last sovereign of this unfortunate race was
distinguished by the first measures to inclose the commons and
convert them into private property, with which I shall deal
hereafter.

The changes effected in the land laws of England during the reigns
of the Stuarts, a period of 111 years, were very important. The act
of Charles II. which abolished the Court of Ward and Liveries,
appeared to be an abandonment of the rights of the people, as
asserted in the person of the Crown; and this alteration also
seemed to give color of right to the claim which is set up of
property in land, but the following law of Edward III. never was
repealed:

"That the king is the universal lord and original proprietor of all
land in his kingdom, and that no man doth or can possess any part
of it but what has mediately or immediately been derived as a gift
from him to be held on feodal service."

No lawyer will assert for any English subject a higher title than
tenancy-in-fee, which bears the impress of holding and denies the