The Agricultural Holdings {England) Act, 1883. 3 
made with a view to exclusion often incorporated some of these 
provisions, as to compensation, as to notice, fixtures, or pro- 
cedure.* Thus, as its authors foresaw, the indirect effect of the 
Act of 1875 was very considerable, and was invariably exerted 
in the tenant's favour, securing to him some, at any rate, of the 
liberal concessions provided for in the Act, by the very agree- 
ment which, in terms, excluded the Act. Such an influence, 
even if it made slow way, was a thoroughly sound and healthy 
influence, consistent with the best English traditions. By force 
of example, by common usage, by experience of its beneficial 
working where custom and agreement provided no better code, 
that contained in the Act of 1875 had already done something 
to improve the relations of landlord and tenant, and would 
gradually have done much more.t Meanwhile it kept in con- 
stant view a liberal and an authoritative series of provisions, 
conceived in the tenant's interest, and to which he might altvays 
appeal with reason in entering upon or renewing any holding. 
It reversed the presumption of law, too, in his interest, by giving 
to him instead of to his landlord, under certain conditions, the 
proprietary right in improvements. Moreover, it paved the way 
lor more substantial changes. English legislation, as a rule, 
has hitherto moved by steps, each step justified more or less by 
experience of the last. Under the old conditions of tenure, 
British agriculture, notwithstanding many shortcomings, had, 
taken as a whole, shown more skill and enterprise, and had 
developed the soil to better purpose than the agriculture of any 
other country. Those persons whose position and livelihood 
depended on the results showed some natural hesitation in 
departing from the ancient ways. The Act of 1875'proved that 
some, at least, of the old conditions might be safely relaxed 
in view of social and economic changes which had made them 
onerous and unreasonable. Thus, great as was the repugnance 
with which many persons viewed, and still view, the new 
principle that tlie State should force certain arrangements upon 
owners and cultivators of the soil, this feeling would have been 
far stronger had it not been for our experience of the beneficial 
* See Eeport of Eoyal Commission, and evidence of 3Ir. Sturge, Mr. E. C. 
Squarey, and others. 
t As to the indirect effects of the Act of 1875 mentioned in the text, see also 
the discuKions, December 3 and 17, 1883, and January 14, 1884, on an able paper 
on the new Act read by Mr. Willis Bund, barrister-at-law, before the Iiistitutioa 
of Surveyors, a body of men upon whose intelligent interpretation and working of 
the compensation clauses in the new as in the old statute its success must largely 
depend, and whose practical experience as law agents and valuers in all parts of 
England, gives the highest value to their opinions on this subject. — ' Transactions,' 
vol. xvi. ; Session 1883-4. The Siuveyors' Institution is now incorporated by 
Boyal Charter. 
B 2 
