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like this which we are holding here, the debate is going on, 

 and the question may be said to be the one which divides the 

 popular mind more distinctly than all others, and more con- 

 stantly occupies the thoughts of the leaders of public thought 

 and the guides of public affairs. 



In reply to the opinions expressed by Mr. Gladstone and his 

 associates, Lord Derby long ago attempted to show by figures 

 that the distribution of land among the people of the United 

 Kingdom was as liberal as that to be found anywhere on the 

 face of the earth. More recently, however, Lord Hartington 

 has taken up the question, and has most earnestly pointed out 

 the dangers which lie in the way of continuing a system which, 

 according to him, " exists in no other country in the world." 

 As the leader of the opposition in the House of Commons, and 

 as one who " not only from his character and high position," 

 but " from the social post which he occupies as the eldest son 

 of one of the great proprietors of the soil," " must necessarily 

 exercise a great influence over public opinion," his views are 

 looked upon as of the highest importance. It is charged upon 

 him that, in a very remarkable speech recently delivered, he 

 has " prepared the country for the belief that the system of 

 English agriculture is not formed on what he calls a natural 

 principle, but supporting three classes of the community, is 

 one which has failed in consequence, and will never be re- 

 stored ;" these three classes being, first, the proprietors of the 

 soil ; second, the farmers, an important portion of the great 

 middle class ; and third, the agricultural peasant. 



In replying to this extraordinary statement. Lord Beacons- 

 fiield declares that there is no tenure of land which can be de- 

 vised except on the condition of famishing three incomes. 

 Compared to " peasant proprietorship," which means small 



