CHAPTER IV. 



DISTRIBUTION OF LANDED PROPERTY. 

 Tendency THE distribution of landed property in England, 



of landed 



property to so far as ownership is concerned, is, by the 



diminution 



1 th ^ f growing wealth of the country, constantly tend- 

 smaii j n g to a reduction in the number of small 



estates. 



estates. This tendency is further promoted by 

 the law, which permits entails and settlements, 

 thus hindering the natural sale of land so 

 dealt with ; and also by rights of primogeniture, 

 which prevent subdivision of landed property 

 among the family in case of intestacy. Culti- 

 vation thus passes out of the hands of small 

 owners into those of tenant-farmers, causing a 

 gradual decrease of the agricultural population, 

 and a proportionate increase of the towns. This 

 has been much accelerated by a policy of Free 

 Trade, which has at once opened up the markets 

 of the world for our commerce, and for the 



