Though one Wizard that I knew took up the art long ago, and became as
skilful in it as in all other things that he put his mind to.'
     

     3. Of the Ordering of the Shire
     

     The Shire was divided into four quarters, the Farthings already
referred to. North, South, East, and West; and these again each into a
number of folklands, which still bore the names of some of the old
leading families, although by the time of this history these names
were no longer found only in their proper folklands. Nearly all Tooks
still lived in the Tookland, but that was not true of many other
families, such as the Bagginses or the Boffins. Outside the Farthings
were the East and West Marches: the Buckland (see beginning of Chapter
V, Book I); and the Westmarch added to the Shire in S.R. 1462.
     The Shire at this time had hardly any 'government'. Families for the
most part managed their own affairs. Growing food and eating it
occupied most of their time. In other matters they were, as a rule,
generous and not greedy, but contented and moderate, so that estates,