The poors' rates in this county are very various : in many of the parishes merely agricultural, as in the vale of Belvoir, and in many other farming and grazing districts, that have kept clear of manufactures, the poor's rates continue low, not exceeding at the present, from one shilling and sixpence to two shillings in the pound, upon the real annual value of the property.
But in the manufacturing districts, and in some distressing seasons, the poors' rates have risen to an enormous height. In 1801, as I have been informed, the poors' rates of Barrow on Soar, containing about 3000 acres, amounted to £2000, which is thirteen shillings four pence per acre. The parish contains, besides farmers and their dependants, a good many lime men, and stocking weavers.
Also Mr. Watkinson of Woodhouse stated to me, that poors' rates in his parish had risen within his memory, from £100 to £1200 per annum, at which amount they were in 1801, upon about 1200 acres, being full 20 shillings per acre : a good many stockingers reside in the parish. According to returns made to Parliament, August 1803, and as published in the Monthly Magazine, November 1805, the poors' rates of Leicestershire were in 1776, £26,360
And in 1803, advanced to - £107,568
being in the latter state, upwards of five shillings in the pound, upon an estimated rental, but probably not much more than three shillings in the pound, upon the real annual value of all property.
In this lapse of time, from 1776 to 1803, being 27 years, the value of money, (i.e.) the proportion it bears to the value of the leading necessaries of life, has been depreciated one half ; the real advance of poors' rates in that time is, therefore, that they have once doubled, instead of quadrupled ; the further apparent advance being ideal only.
Also it may be observed, that of the money collected by the poors' rate, one-fifth is applied to other purposes, as county rates, or constables, and churchwarden levies, overseers expenses and law suits being included ; so that deducting that proportion from the above, the real expense of the poor is now about £86,000 per annum.

The poors' rate of Leicestershire has therefore increased rather more than the same, upon the average of the kingdom ; thus,
Increased in Leicestershire, from
1776 to 1803 - - As 10 to 403/4
Ditto in the whole kingdom, ditto As 10 to 31, nearly.
Hence it should seem, that the stocking trade in this county has sustained a greater depression, than the average of the manufactures of the kingdom ; and that the wages of those therein employed, have not advanced in proportion to the advance in the price of provisions, which is doubtless one principal cause of the advance in poors' rates.-See Poor, Chap. XVI.
The sum actually annually expended upon the poor, being as above, £86,000, is about thirteen shillings and four pence per head, upon the whole population ; and as Mr. Rose's pamphlet has stated 12 in a hundred to be paupers, it is rather more than five pounds ten shillings per head per annum, upon those receiving it.

Mr. Ainsworth says, leases are often granted, and they have a tendency to promote improvement. A farmer cannot exercise his skill and industry, with that spirit which is necessary in all important undertakings, without some probable security for the enjoyment of the fruits of his labour ; death may perhaps take from him a landlord on whom he could depend, and whose word is equal to his bond, and the estate devolve to another, who regardless of engagements of his predecessor, may give him notice to quit, or may raise his rent. He may be so unhappy as to differ with him in politics ; or his dog may unfortunately kill a hare, which has bred on the farm ; the consequences of such slight offences are well known. It has been justly observed, that the cultivation of small or moderate sized farms by their owners, is generally productive of the best and most improved modes of agriculture, as the farmer finds himself doubly encouraged by interest, and the security of enjoying the fruits of his labour.
Mr. Marshall states, that although a very laudable and commendable confidence between landlord and tenant often exists, and the security from which may be considered as good as a lease, yet off-estates are sometimes sold by the most respectable of families, in which case the expense of improvements by the tenant may be in a great measure sunk, and he gives an instance.-Midland Counties, Vol. II.
In occupations from year to year, an agreement has sometimes been entered into, for the tenant to be reimbursed, in case of quitting, for such real improvements : and although some difficulty may arise in ascertaining what ought to be paid in such a case, yet as there are men in every district, who are adequate to the task, it is better for a landlord to give that security, than to let the farm go unimproved ; and for a tenant to accept it, than to run the risk of sinking, or losing money so expended.
The clauses of such leases as are granted, vary according to the nature of the soil, and custom of the county ; they are often longer in form than necessary, and contain much useless matter. Some modern ones have been simplified and brought into less compass. But according to my observation, there exists amongst gentlemen, residing in the midst of their tenants, a repugnance to grant leases, under the idea of keeping the occupiers more dependant upon the will and pleasure of their superior. For Mr. Monk's observations on leases,- See Chap. XVII, Obstacles to Improvement.

Respecting the expense and profit of farming, as applied to individual cases, it can only be estimated, as a person would be suspected of more curiosity than decorum, who should press any questions tending to discover individual profits, and would receive (or could expect) none other than evasive answers. Theoretic calculations are easily made, but would not always be realized in practice, and the success of all extraordinary exertions must depend upon a combination of causes : with respect to the industrious and careful, small and moderate sized farmers of this county, it may be said they have the necessaries of life about them, and such part of its comforts as are adapted to their station ; and if they rear a family, and place them decently in the world, little more is expected. Respecting those upon a larger scale, they are often men of property, and by employing large capitals in the breeding and grazing speculations, conducted with judgement, attention, and perseverance, considerable profits are sometimes, and ought to be gained. It has however been justly remarked, that the profits from land, however judiciously managed, though sure are slow, and not to be compared in rapidity of accumulation to those, from successful commercial speculations.
Mr. Marshall complains much of the precarious nature of farming, and thinks the profits more uncertain than even those of the merchant, who depends upon wind and weather, as he can insure against losses ; "while the farmer is left at the will of the elements, without any surety ;" and gives instances of stock starving, and crops failing from drought. However, I am of the opinion, and always was that from attention and experience, the profits of farming are but little affected by the seasons ; if the weather be wholly favourable, universal plenty must ensure low prices ; if excessive drought, or excessive rains occur, they are public calamities, and their consequences must be born by the public ; and if such be general, high prices are sure to ensue. A difficult or critical season opens a field for activity and exertion, and those whose management has been, and is above par, will generally be gainers by it. In 24 years experience, upon a considerable scale, I always made the most money in difficult seasons. I state these circumstances, as a stimulus to exertion and improvement. Land the most improved, is the least injured in inclement seasons.