THE ENGLISH SYSTEM. 73 



suffrage in counties is believed to be not far off, 

 and thus the hitherto paramount political in- 

 fluence of the landowner in the counties is 

 gradually being replaced by the wider basis 

 of the representation of each of the three varied 

 interests. The first result of the latest extension 

 of the constituency, and their protection by 

 ballot, has been a strong agitation on the part 

 of the farmers to obtain a legal right to be 

 compensated, on removal, for their unexhausted 

 manures and improvements. Simultaneously 

 with it, a labourers' league has been formed 

 in some districts to concentrate the latent power 

 of the dispersed but numerous body of agricul- 

 tural labourers. Both of these movements have 

 been attended with a moderate measure of 

 success. The Agricultural Holdings Act, passed 

 in 1875, recognises for the first time a legal 

 right in the English farmer to compensa- 

 tion for unexhausted improvements, cumbered, 

 indeed, with conditions which have made it 

 unsatisfactory to both parties. A considerable 

 step has, however, been gained, as all parties are 

 brought to look carefully into their position, 



