RURAL ENGLAND OF TO-DAY 39 



classes. Distinct industries of an essentially 

 rural character, such as malting, are not 

 numerous enough to claim separate treatment 

 in a survey such as this. 



There is, indeed, one section, now increasing 

 with ominous rapidity, which deserves passing 

 mention. This is the class which ministers 

 exclusively to the pleasures of the rich, whether 

 by tending their horses, maintaining their 

 gardens and parks, or preserving the ever- 

 increasing stock of wild and hand-raised 

 game which occupies so prominent a place in 

 our rural economy. 



Free Trade, with the vast improvements 

 in cheap and rapid transit, struck a heavy 

 blow at the fortunes of the landlord class. 

 Since the days of the Corn Laws rents have 

 fallen 50 per cent, and more, and the houses 

 built, the style of living instituted, and the 

 social habits acquired, in a period of great 

 prosperity, have in some cases become a serious 

 burden. Proprietors of land which is entailed, 

 heavily mortgaged, or charged with family 

 payments, are often in a peculiarly hard case. 

 Like the rest, they are suffering from the rapid 

 changes brought about by the alteration in 

 our fiscal system ; but the improvidence of 

 their predecessors has closed to them the 

 means of escape. The inflated prosperity of 



