THE LANDOWNER. 57 



general prosperity and good management of his 

 estate, and in the welfare of those who live upon 

 it, with which his own is so closely involved. 

 He takes a lead in the business of his parish, 

 and from his class the magistrates who admi- 

 nister the criminal affairs of the county, and 

 superintend its roads, its public buildings, and 

 charitable institutions, are selected. Nor do his 

 duties end here, for the landowner, from his 

 position, is expected to be at the head of all 

 objects of public utility, to subscribe to, and, if 

 so inclined, to ride with the hounds, showing at 

 once an example to the farmers and tradesmen, 

 and meeting them on terms of neighbourly 

 friendship and acquaintance. The same ex- 

 ample is carried out in his intercourse with the 

 clergy and schoolmaster, and his influence, 

 where wisely exercised, is felt in the church, the 

 school, the farm, and the cottage. 



This class in the United Kingdom comprises their 



number, 



a body of about 1 80,000, who possess among and the 



immense 



them the whole of the agricultural land from capital 



value of 



10 acres upwards. The owners of less than 10 their 



property. 



acres each hold not more than one-hundredth 



