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 altered; the families of the great landed proprietors are almost all commingled with the general mass.

In the State of New York, which formerly contained many of these, there are but two who still keep their heads above the stream, and they must shortly disappear.

The sons of these opulent citizens are become merchants, lawyers, or physicians.
Most of them have lapsed into obscurity.