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Observer, Volume 2, Issue 37, 28 May 1881, Page 400

Another system is that of France. It was was designed for the same purpose as that of Germany, but, being conceived in a time of revolution, avus more rapid and more sweeping in its operation. The owner of land may, in France, do what lie likes with it during life ; but if in his possession when lie dies, it must be dealt with in a prescribed way. He must divide it into a certain number of equal shares, in all one share more than the number of children lie leaves. With the extra share he may do what he likes, but the others must go equally among his children. In practice the estate is sometimes sold and the proceeds are divided. Sometimes the land is divided, and each takes his portion by amicable arrangement. More frequently there is a family council, and the estate is taken by one or two at a fixed sum, which is gradually paid to the rest. This system has worked admirably in France. It has covered the country literally with smiling homesteads and diffused comfort throughout the people. It has taught them habits of industry and frugality, and, as Sir George Grey eloquently puts it, has created five million homes, which furnish the retreat in times of temporary distress that the workhouse alone offers to the English labourer in his need. The French, too, are deeply attached to their system, and in the lihine provinces it still prevails, although they have been Prussian and Bavarian territory for the last seventy years.