essays-1-第62节
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breaking out of a war； upon which occasions they are always dear； and sometimes not to be had for money。
It may perhaps be objected； that the money being laid out so long before the horses are wanted； the loss of the interest of the purchase…money ought to be taken into account； but as large sums of money must always be kept in readiness in the military chest； to enable the army to take the field suddenly； in case it should be necessary； and as a part of this money must be employed in the purchase of horses； it may as well be laid out beforehand； as to lie dead in the military chest till the horses are actually wanted； consequently the objection is not founded。
I wish I could say； that this measure had been completely successful； but I am obliged to own； that it has not answered my expectations。 Six hundred mares only were at first ordered to be purchased and distributed； but I had hopes of seeing that number augmented soon to as many thousands； and I had even flattered myself with an idea of the possibility of placing in this manner among the peasants； and consequently having constantly in readiness； without any expence； a sufficient number of horses for the whole army； for the cavalry as well as for the artillery and baggage； and I had formed a plan for collecting together and exercising； every year； such of these horses as were destined for the service of the cavalry； and for permitting their riders to go on furlough with their horses： in short； my views went to the forming of an arrangement； very economical； and in many respects similar to that of the ancient feudal military system； but the obstinacy of the peasantry prevented these measures being carried into execution。 Very few of them could be prevailed upon to accept of these horses； and in proportion as the terms upon which they were offered to them were apparently advantageous； their suspicions were increased； and they never would be persuaded that there was not some trick at the bottom of the scheme to over…reach them。
It is possible that their suspicions were not a little increased by the malicious insinuations of persons； who； from motives too obvious to require any explanation； took great pains at that time to render abortive every public undertaking in which I was engaged。 But be that as it may； the fact is； I could never find means to remove these suspicions entirely； and I met with so much difficulty in carrying the measure into execution； that I was induced at last to abandon it； or rather to postpone its execution to a more favourable moment。 Some few mares （two or three hundred） were placed in different parts of the country； and some very fine colts have been produced from them； during the six years that have elapsed since this institution was formed； but these slow advances do not satisfy the ardour of my zeal for improvement； and if means are not found to accelerate them； Bavaria； with all her natural advantages for breeding fine horses； must be obliged； for many years to come； to continue to import horses from foreign countries。
My attempts to improve the breed of horned cattle； though infinitely more confined； have been proportionally much more successful。 Upon forming the public garden at Munich； as the extent of the grounds is very considerable； the garden being above six English miles in circumference； and the soil being remarkably good； I had an opportunity of making； within the garden； a very fine and a very valuable farm； and this farm being stocked with about thirty of the finest cows that could be procured from Switzerland； Flanders； Tyrol； and other places upon the Continent famous for a good breed of horned cattle； and this flock being refreshed annually with new importations of cows as well as bulls； all the cows which are produced； are distributed in the country； being sold to any person of the country who applies for them； AND WITH PROMISE TO REAR THEM； at the same low prices at which the most ordinary calves of the common breed of the country are sold to the butchers。
Though this establishment has existed only about six years； it is quite surprising what a change it has produced in the country。 As there is a great resort to Munich from all parts of the country； it being the capital； and the residence of the Sovereign； the new English garden （as it is called）； which begins upon the ramparts of the town； and extends near two English miles in length； and is always kept open； is much frequented； and there are few who go into the garden without paying a visit to the cows； which are always at home。 Their stables； which are concealed in a thick wood behind a public coffee…house or tavern in the middle of the garden； are elegantly fitted up and kept with great care； and the cows； which are not only large； and remarkably beautiful； but are always kept perfectly clean； and in the highest condition； are an object of public curiosity。 Those who are not particularly interested in the improvement of cattle； go to see them as beautiful and extraordinary animals； but farmers and connoisseurs go to EXAMINE them；to compare them with each other；and with the common breed of the country； and to get information with respect to the manner of feeding them； and the profits derived from them； and so rapidly has the flame of improvement spread throughout every part of Bavaria from this small spark； that I have no doubt but in a very few years the breed of horned cattle will be quite changed。
Not satisfied with the scanty supply furnished from the farm in the English garden； several of the nobility； and some of the most wealthy and enterprising of the farmers； are sending to Switzerland； and other distant countries famous for fine cattle； for cows and bulls； and the good effects of these exertions are already visible in many parts of the country。
How very easy would it be by similar means to introduce a spirit of improvement in any country！ and where sovereigns do not make public gardens to bring together a concourse of people； individuals might do it by private subscription； or at least they might unite together and rent a large farm in the neighbourhood of the capital； for the purpose of making useful experiments。 If such a farm were well managed； the produce of it would be more than sufficient to pay all the expenses attending it； and if the grounds and fields were laid out with tasteif good roads for carriages and for those who ride on horseback were made round it； and between all the fieldsif the stables were elegantly fitted upfilled with beautiful cattle； kept perfectly clean and neat； and if a handsome inn were erected near the buildings of the farm； where those who visited it might be furnished with refreshment； it would soon become a place of public resort and improvements in agriculture would become A FASHIONABLE AMUSEMENT； the ladies even would take pleasure in viewing from their carriages the busy and most interesting scenes of rural industry； and it would no longer be thought vulgar to understand the mysteries of Ceres。
Why should not Parliament purchase； or rent such a farm in the neighbourhood of London； and put it under the direction of the Board of Agriculture？ The expence would be but a mere trifle； if any thing； and the institution would not only be useful； but extremely interesting； and it would be an inexhaustible source of rational and innocent amusement； as well as of improvement to vast numbers of the most respectable inhabitants of this great metropolis。
In former times； statesmen considered the amusement of the public as an object of considerable importance； and pains were taken to render the public amusements useful in forming the national character。
An Account of the Measures adopted for putting an End to USURY at MUNICH。
Another measure； more limited in its operations than those before mentioned； but which notwithstanding was productive of much good； was adopted； in which a part of the treasure which was lying dead in the military chest was usefully employed for the relief of a considerable number of individuals； employed in subordinate stations under the government； who stood in great need of assistance。
A practice productive of much harm to the public service； as well as to individuals； had prevailed for many years in Bavaria in almost all the public departments of the state； that of appointing a great number of supernumerary clerks； secretaries； counsellors； etc。 who； serving without pay； or with only small allowances； were obliged； in order to subsist till such time as they should come into the receipt of the regulated salaries annexed to their offices； to contract debts to a considerable amount； and as many of them had no other security to give for the sums borrowed； than their promise to repay them when it should be in their power； no money…lender who contented himself with legal interest for his money would trust them； and of course they were obliged to have recourse to Jews and other usurers； who did not afford them the temporary assistance they required； but upon the most exorbitant and ruinous conditions； so that these unfortunate people； instead of finding themselves at their ease upon coming into possession of the emoluments of their offices； were frequently so embarrassed in
