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.