THE LA W OF SETTLEMENT OF LAND. 285 



would be recouped in the course of the term, indirectly 

 if not directly. No doubt there may be chance cases 

 where even this small expense cannot be afforded. 

 But they can be very few, not really influential on 

 the country at large. 



When the question is thus brought to figures it 

 is plain enough that, whether settlements are right or 

 wrong, the objections urged against them are unsound. 

 In truth the proof is so simple, one is half-inclined 

 to doubt if it can be as cogent as it really is. 



I believe that ignorance on the part of both land- 

 lords and tenants sometimes the one, sometimes the 

 other the want of true skill and knowledge in deal- 

 ing with the land, has far more to do with neglect of 

 improvements than any question of the tenure on 

 which the owner holds it. The relation of landlord 

 and tenant is often not looked on as a matter of 

 contract. Often there are unreasonable expectations. 

 Neither landlord nor agent nor tenant thoroughly 

 understand their business, or one of them does not, 

 and past experience of improvements so managed 

 has not shown a profit. No doubt sometimes men 

 who have made money in business buy land and lay 

 out largely in improvements, sometimes without re- 

 gard to profit, sometimes with a keen business know- 

 ledge of what they are doing. Such outlay is not 

 caused by their being owners in fee. Again, residence 

 on the estate has much to do with the making of 

 improvements. 



