landlord, and wealth to the country, which arises from increase
of produce.

The second error to which the landlord is liable, is that of
mistaking a mere temporary rise of prices, for a rise of
sufficient duration to warrant an increase of rents. It
frequently happens, that a scarcity of one or two years, or an
unusual demand arising from any other cause, may raise the price
of raw produce to a height, at which it cannot be maintained. And
the farmers, who take land under the influence of such prices,
will, in the return of a more natural state of things, probably
break, and leave their farms in a ruined and exhausted state.
These short periods of high price are of great importance in
generating capital upon the land, if the farmers are allowed to
have the advantage of them; but, if they are grasped at
prematurely by the landlord, capital is destroyed, instead of
being accumulated; and both the landlord and the country incur a
loss, instead of gaining a benefit.

A similar caution is necessary in raising rents, even when
the rise of prices seems as if it would be permanent. In the
progress of prices and rents, rent ought always to be a little
behind; not only to afford the means of ascertaining whether the
rise be temporary or permanent, but even in the latter case, to
give a little time for the accumulation of capital on the land,
of which the landholder is sure to feel the full benefit in the
end.

There is no just reason to believe, that if the lands were to
give the whole of their rents to their tenants, corn would be