282 A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



tenant ? Is it contract, express or implied ? or is it a 

 haK feudal relation — a partial relic of lord and vassal, 

 with undefined benefits on the one side, and as unde- 

 fined returns on the other ? 



It is plain in these days, whenever the question 

 is seriously asked, the answer must be. The relation 

 is one of contract only. Yet the idea that the rela- 

 tion is a half feudal one constantly appears in the 

 minds both of landlords and tenants. It influences 

 men's minds continually. In many districts (and in 

 part in many more) it is the true nature of the rela- 

 tion. Families hold their farms for generations. 

 Eents are fixed, not at the true value of the farm, 

 but with consideration of the person. All sorts of 

 landlord's improvements are made on the same prin- 

 ciple, and with little regard to the return they yield 

 to the landlord. Tliis is the true cause of undue 

 expectations by the landlord of a return in the matter 

 of game, and the tenant's vote at elections. 



But when such a question as whether tenants for 

 life or owners in fee are the best landlords is to be 

 considered, this semi-feudal idea must be whoUy put 

 aside. The relation of landlord and tenant must be 

 treated as one of pure contract, and with all the in- 

 cidents of a contract wliich obtains in the case of any 

 other subject-matter. 



When, therefore, it is asked whether a tenant for 

 life or owner in fee is more likely to spend money on 

 improvements in the land, it must be understood to 



