40 PROBLEMS OF VILLAGE LIFE 



the early nineteenth century placed the land- 

 lords in an artificial position, which could not 

 reasonably be secured to them in perpetuity. 

 If such wealth and such power could ever be 

 rightly confided to so minute a section of the 

 people, it could only be in return for some 

 great and outstanding service, such as the 

 feudal landlords rendered, before the seven- 

 teenth century, by bearing the whole burden 

 of the national defence. The change was 

 inevitable. But we cannot disguise from 

 ourselves the hardships which have accom- 

 panied it. 



Much controversy rages round the merits 

 or demerits of our country landlords. There 

 are certain things which are alleged in defence 

 of their social ideal. They are expected to be, 

 and often are, dispensers of charity on a large 

 scale. They help to support churches and 

 schools, subsidise local societies, distribute 

 food and clothing. They man the magisterial 

 bench. They render laborious and unpaid 

 service on the local councils. Where they 

 have resources other than those derived from 

 their land itself, they put a considerable 

 amount of capital into the soil, often without 

 receiving or expecting a commercial return 

 for it. About one-fifth of the net agricultural 

 rent of England and Wales is, it is said, 



