392 ADVERSITY, 1874-1912 



and enduring sources of interest which make b'ght of external con- 

 ditions. If this ever becomes the influence of elementary education, 

 it may help to repeople the country districts which it now tends to 

 depopulate. 



The general record of English farming during the last seventy 

 years is a legitimate source of pride to all who have contributed to 

 its advance. It shows a marvellous progress in every department 

 of agriculture, effected in the face of heavy sacrifices and innumerable 

 difficulties. High farming has lost the buoyancy and enthusiasm 

 of youth ; its later years were soured by losses and disappointments ; 

 to-day, in spite of improved conditions, it views the future with 

 alarm. Whatever the future may have in store, it has made land- 

 lords and tenants better equipped to profit by prosperity or to 

 combat misfortune than they have been at any previous period of 

 history. 



