Churchyard Pheasants 141 



system ; so that the resident in this retired spot may 

 communicate his wishes without a moment's delay to 

 any part of the world. 



In the gardens and pleasure-grounds near the 

 house all manner of ornamental shrubs are planted. 

 There are conservatories, vineries, pineries ; all the 

 refinements of horticulture. The pheasants stray 

 about the gravel walks and across the close-mown 

 lawn where no daisy dares to lift its head. Yet, with 

 all this precision of luxury, one thing is lacking — the 

 one thing, the keystone of English country life — i.e. a 

 master whose heart is in the land. 



The estate is in process of * nursing ' for a minor. 

 The revenues had become practically sequestrated to 

 a considerable extent in consequence of careless living 

 when the minor nominally succeeded. It happened 

 that the steward appointed was not only a lawyer of 

 keen intelligence, but a conscientious man. He did 

 his duty thoroughly. Every penny was got out of the 

 estate that could be got, and every penny was saved. 



First, the rents were raised to the modern standard, 

 many of them not having been increased for years. 

 Then the tenants were in effect ordered to farm to the 

 highest pitch, and to improve the soil itself by liberal 

 investment. Buildings, drains, and so forth were pro- 

 vided for them ; they only had to pay a small percent- 



