按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
despair of arresting its motion endeavor to obstruct it by difficulties and impediments； they vainly seek to counteract its effect by contrary efforts； but it gradually reduces or destroys every obstacle； until by its incessant activity the bulwarks of the influence of wealth are ground down to the fine and shifting sand which is the basis of democracy。 When the law of inheritance permits； still more when it decrees； the equal division of a father's property amongst all his children； its effects are of two kinds： it is important to distinguish them from each other； although they tend to the same end。
In virtue of the law of partible inheritance； the death of every proprietor brings about a kind of revolution in property； not only do his possessions change hands； but their very nature is altered； since they are parcelled into shares； which become smaller and smaller at each division。 This is the direct and； as it were； the physical effect of the law。 It follows； then； that in countries where equality of inheritance is established by law； property； and especially landed property； must have a tendency to perpetual diminution。 The effects； however； of such legislation would only be perceptible after a lapse of time； if the law was abandoned to its own working； for supposing the family to consist of two children （and in a country people as France is the average number is not above three）； these children； sharing amongst them the fortune of both parents； would not be poorer than their father or mother。
But the law of equal division exercises its influence not merely upon the property itself； but it affects the minds of the heirs； and brings their passions into play。 These indirect consequences tend powerfully to the destruction of large fortunes； and especially of large domains。 Among nations whose law of descent is founded upon the right of primogeniture landed estates often pass from generation to generation without undergoing division； the consequence of which is that family feeling is to a certain degree incorporated with the estate。 The family represents the estate； the estate the family； whose name； together with its origin； its glory； its power； and its virtues； is thus perpetuated in an imperishable memorial of the past and a sure pledge of the future。
When the equal partition of property is established by law； the intimate connection is destroyed between family feeling and the preservation of the paternal estate； the property ceases to represent the family； for as it must inevitably be divided after one or two generations； it has evidently a constant tendency to diminish； and must in the end be completely dispersed。 The sons of the great landed proprietor； if they are few in number； or if fortune befriends them； may indeed entertain the hope of being as wealthy as their father； but not that of possessing the same property as he did； the riches must necessarily be composed of elements different from his。
Now； from the moment that you divest the landowner of that interest in the preservation of his estate which he derives from association； from tradition； and from family pride； you may be certain that sooner or later he will dispose of it； for there is a strong pecuniary interest in favor of selling； as floating capital produces higher interest than real property； and is more readily available to gratify the passions of the moment。
Great landed estates which have once been divided never come together again； for the small proprietor draws from his land a better revenue； in proportion； than the large owner does from his； and of course he sells it at a higher rate。 *b The calculations of gain； therefore； which decide the rich man to sell his domain will still more powerfully influence him against buying small estates to unite them into a large one。
＇Footnote b： I do not mean to say that the small proprietor cultivates his land better； but he cultivates it with more ardor and care； so that he makes up by his labor for his want of skill。＇
What is called family pride is often founded upon an illusion of self…love。 A man wishes to perpetuate and immortalize himself； as it were； in his great…grandchildren。 Where the esprit de famille ceases to act individual selfishness comes into play。 When the idea of family becomes vague； indeterminate； and uncertain； a man thinks of his present convenience； he provides for the establishment of his succeeding generation； and no more。 Either a man gives up the idea of perpetuating his family； or at any rate he seeks to accomplish it by other means than that of a landed estate。 Thus not only does the law of partible inheritance render it difficult for families to preserve their ancestral domains entire； but it deprives them of the inclination to attempt it； and compels them in some measure to co…operate with the law in their own extinction。
The law of equal distribution proceeds by two methods： by acting upon things； it acts upon persons； by influencing persons； it affects things。 By these means the law succeeds in striking at the root of landed property； and dispersing rapidly both families and fortunes。 *c
＇Footnote c： Land being the most stable kind of property； we find； from time to time； rich individuals who are disposed to make great sacrifices in order to obtain it； and who willingly forfeit a considerable part of their income to make sure of the rest。 But these are accidental cases。 The preference for landed property is no longer found habitually in any class but among the poor。 The small landowner； who has less information； less imagination； and fewer passions than the great one； is generally occupied with the desire of increasing his estate： and it often happens that by inheritance； by marriage； or by the chances of trade； he is gradually furnished with the means。 Thus； to balance the tendency which leads men to divide their estates； there exists another； which incites them to add to them。 This tendency； which is sufficient to prevent estates from being divided ad infinitum； is not strong enough to create great territorial possessions； certainly not to keep them up in the same family。＇
Most certainly it is not for us Frenchmen of the nineteenth century； who daily witness the political and social changes which the law of partition is bringing to pass； to question its influence。 It is perpetually conspicuous in our country； overthrowing the walls of our dwellings and removing the landmarks of our fields。 But although it has produced great effects in France； much still remains for it to do。 Our recollections； opinions； and habits present powerful obstacles to its progress。
In the United States it has nearly completed its work of destruction； and there we can best study its results。 The English laws concerning the transmission of property were abolished in almost all the States at the time of the Revolution。 The law of entail was so modified as not to interrupt the free circulation of property。 *d The first generation having passed away； estates began to be parcelled out； and the change became more and more rapid with the progress of time。 At this moment； after a lapse of a little more than sixty years； the aspect of society is totally alter