396. Gave wealth to sway. Gave wealth the power to sway.
398. The wealth (useless ore) of the landowners was used to buy up the small holdings, and the labourers (useful sons) were turned adrift and forced to emigrate.
399. Britain’s successes in war have only helped to hasten destruction by bringing into existence a wealthy class of men.
401-2. See note on line 398 above.
403-4. The rich man lives at his ease on estates where villages once stood.
407. decayed. Worn out, on the decline.
411. Oswego. A river in the State of New York, flowing into Lake Erie.
412. Niagara. Note the pronunciation.
417. giddy. Whirling.
418. distressful. Causing distress.