Human Physiology. 4.61 



absolutely, but in fee, for some service or consideration. The 

 land was to be cared for, cultivated, pay something to the sove- 

 reign, and furnish soldiers for the general defence. This lease, 

 or limited 'ownership, can be transferred to another, with the 

 sovereign's consent that is, by legal conveyance ; and the 

 great lord, in like manner, leased portions of his estate to his 

 vassals. The so-called owner of an estate is therefore an officer 

 of the State, a steward of the property committed to his charge, 

 and he is morally, and should be legally, bound to administer 

 it and expend its revenues for the welfare of his tenants and 

 of the general public. Hence the inequities or iniquities of 

 exorbitant rents, rack rents, and the grinding oppression of 

 farmers and labourers ; hence the real and great grievance of 

 landlords who do not live on their estates, but spend all the 

 revenues they can draw from them at a distance, and often in 

 foreign countries.. In this way Ireland has for centuries been 

 drained of the wealth that should have been expended upon 

 the dwellings, comfort, and education and industry of the 

 people. The right to receive rent for property is limited, as is 

 the right to the property itself- It is a question not of demand 

 and supply, which is the right of might, the struggle of greed 

 and want, or what strength can exact of weakness, but of equity ; 

 equal and exact justice. So much should every man receive; 

 more he has no right to demand. 



