254 PEASANT PROPRIETARY AT HOME 



actual profit to be derived therefrom, might be willing 

 to accept tenants at a moderate rent for certain portions, 

 thus retaining the aforesaid social advantages and also 

 complete control, whereas they would be averse to 

 reducing the area of their estate, and especially to selling 

 to individuals who, when once in possession, would be 

 free from any control whatever, however badly they 

 might manage their farms, or however undesirable they 

 might prove as neighbours. In many instances, again, 

 the landlords could not sell, though willing to let, by 

 reason of the land being held in entail. Here, there- 

 fore, we get two further reasons for the limitation of 

 the amount of land available for sale as small holdings, 

 for the consequent higher proportions of price, as 

 compared with rent, and for the preference which, as I 

 submit, small holders, speaking generally, should show 

 for tenancy over ownership. 



