THE TENANT-FARMER. 59 



county. A spirit of emulation exists among 

 them, elicited by county, provincial, and na- 

 tional exhibitions of agricultural stock, and by 

 a natural desire, in a country where everything 

 is open to comment, not to be behind their 

 neighbours in the neatness, style, and success 

 of their cultivation, or in the symmetry and 

 condition of their live-stock. They are brought 

 into the closest relations with their labourers, 

 and although, occasionally, feelings of keen 

 antagonism have arisen, there is generally a 

 very friendly understanding between them. The 

 farmer knows that it is for his interest that the 

 labourers should find their position made so 

 comfortable as to value it. 



To the farmer is committed the management 

 of the details of the parish, as those of the 

 county to the landowner. His intimate know- 

 ledge of the condition of the labourer, and 

 constant residence in the parish, fit him best for 

 the duty of Overseer of the Poor, member of the 

 Board of Guardians, Churchwarden, and Sur- 

 veyor of the Roads. He is frank and hospitable 

 to strangers, as a rule ; in favour of the 



