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It is observable that Swift here speaks of labour, by which he means the sale of labour, as a source of income, on which alone a labourer ought not to rely in venturing upon marriage. Hence it seems reasonable to infer, that in his time the number of small capitals, small properties, or small holdings of land, all of which would operate in the nature of a houseman's place in Norway[1], was much greater, in proportion to the population, than at present, and extended, perhaps, to the great
- ↑ With respect to small holdings, see note in p. 39; to which it may be added, that the reasons there given were applicable in greater force a hundred years ago than at present. The difference arises, partly from the various laws, to facilitate the recovery of rent, which have been passed during the last century, and partly, from the circumstance, that the cost of verification is necessarily greater, in proportion, in small than in large holdings.
Small holdings, however, of land, the property of another, at a low rent, if in the hands of persons naturally inclined to indolence, are apt to foster and perpetuate it. Not being saleable as property, they cannot be squandered: but, being valuable in possession, they will be retained so long as share existence can be supported. Were they held in actual property, and saleable, they would soon pass into the hands of the industrious, and their late indolent owners, who had been insensible to any less powerful motive, would be compelled to exertion by the stimulus of necessity.
