42 PROBLEMS OF VILLAGE LIFE 



ticular, provides a not inconsiderable section 

 of the people with interest and recreation. 



In estimating the usefulness, on public 

 grounds, of the large landowners, many things 

 must be taken into account which do not, 

 perhaps, appear on the surface. The whole- 

 sale distribution in one form or another of 

 food, clothing, and entertainment, is a poor 

 substitute for prosperous industry, though 

 over large parts of the country it wins 

 unbounded admiration for those who practise 

 it. Thousands of our poor village folk seem 

 unable to conceive any greater virtue in their 

 superiors than open-handedness, and nothing 

 but satisfaction is felt on either side. None 

 the less, the need for all this charity might be 

 avoided by a wiser policy ; and its effect is 

 to make the agricultural labourers year by 

 year less capable of standing by themselves. 

 The establishment of friendly relations 

 between different classes is a gain. But, on 

 the part of those who profit materially by this 

 great system of charity, the friendly relation 

 is too often largely inspired by gratitude for 

 past gifts and the hope of advantages to come. 



Such a social ideal reacts, naturally enough, 

 upon the business methods of those who live 

 under its influence. Unlike an ordinary 

 commercial enterprise, a great estate is not 



