The Tacksmen of Col seem to live with less dignity and convenience
than those of Sky; where they had good houses, and tables not only
plentiful, but delicate. In Col only two houses pay the window
tax; for only two have six windows, which, I suppose, are the
Laird's and Mr. Macsweyn's.
The rents have, till within seven years, been paid in kind, but the
tenants finding that cattle and corn varied in their price, desired
for the future to give their landlord money; which, not having yet
arrived at the philosophy of commerce, they consider as being every
year of the same value.
We were told of a particular mode of under-tenure. The Tacksman
admits some of his inferior neighbours to the cultivation of his
grounds, on condition that performing all the work, and giving a
third part of the seed, they shall keep a certain number of cows,
sheep, and goats, and reap a third part of the harvest. Thus by
less than the tillage of two acres they pay the rent of one.
There are tenants below the rank of Tacksmen, that have got smaller
tenants under them; for in every place, where money is not the
general equivalent, there must be some whose labour is immediately
paid by daily food.
