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condemned , as the piously cheerful , zealotis , and obedient farmer , is strengthened and exalted . But tnis ad ^ mirable d ^ course of Bprd Ashburton ' s , to the farmer , is applicable , also , to tb ^ e landlord . It is only by obedience to the lavrS thdigive life , that the landlord , like the farmer ; can justify bis tenure and maintain his place ; if he departs from that law , assuredly the ground will give way from under him . The landlords of our country too often forget the origin of their tenure—too often forget that , in calling
themselves " landowners , they are claiming a usurpation . Their tenure to the land , indeed , is often justified by the representation , that it is " a trust" winch they hold for the welfare of the community ; and the plea will be received , so long as their actions prove that they fulfil the trust—that they act as honest trustees , and , while representing the government of society , by their authority over the surface of the soil , secure that their dependents get subsistence out of the earth , by the sweat of their brow ; secure that the land be made to yield its riches for the siip-—__ . !_ &f i . 1 ^ « vi am « i f n ^^ >" k » % n « " » r \ ctt ^ nt ~ i ^ in n I Of \ ThOT T . h 0
_ TjOlv vL 1 / iltJ y \ juu . iCLvyjUf auu oci ^ mc , auov > ¦ . " »» wj . ^ reaping of the present day leave seed and growing vegetation for our descendants . The landlord who does not perform these trusts is a wasteful and a dishonest landlord , and he will pay the penalty -. first in " incumbrances" to the mortgagee , until at last , by the inexorable laws of € k > d , of nature , and of society , his land will be forfeit , and he will then , in the bitterness of his heart , charge against the usurer , or against the trading spirit of society , the natural retribution of his own laches .
If agricultureis so innocent and honourable an occupation , It is because it brings man , in the daily business of life , directly in-contact with the elements primarily necessary to life , and primarily illustrating the great laws by favour of which we live . The good landlord , the landlord whose tenure nobody would disturb , is the landlord who fulfils his trust , by rendering close obedience to those laws . There is a life going on even in the mute vegetation which the land is made to bear—a life carried forward by the plant , for the benefit of future generations ; and
it has always been , b y a rough instinct , felt that a special act of sacrifice was demanded from the landlord of the present generation , to keep up that tranquil life . The first duty of the landlord is to plant . Let nothing be carried off the land unless so much , at least , if not more , be replaced . Such a landlord was the one whom the people of Somersetshire have lost , —Mr . John Hugh Smyth Pigott , of whom it is said that he planted more trees than any other landlord in the
kingdom . " We believe we are not overstating the amount , when we say that he planted 4 , 000 , 000 of trees . It was natural that a man who performed his duty so well , to that abstract and unseen posterity , in which it is sometimes said we can feel no interest , should not less zealously perform his duty to those around him ; and , on this point , we copy the testimony of a contemporary , itself backed by that of another contemporary , with full local knowledge : —
" To the poor he whs a generous and enlightened benefactor , seeking , upon all occasions , to advance the independence and character of the labourer , by showing him the respectability and comfort of industry . Tho poor are quick-sighted judges of those who have a sincere intercut in their welfare , and right thoroughly was ho understood , by the numerous labourers kept in constant ; employment , on the extensive lordships of Brock - ley Manor . Those who have seen Mr . Pigott converse with his workmen , ( and he wan acquainted with tho name , condition , and mental state of the numerous
occupants of his extensive property , and also of those in his immediate employ , ) have noticed , with deli ght , tho way in which tho countenance of the humblest of his Horvants was ' lit up / when tho squire addressed to them his few words of kindness . His sympathy , in all thd ' affairs of his tenantry and dependents ^ was very precious to them , and his advice was coveted , and hold Bacred . Long before the gentry of Groat Britain had begun to manifost liny deairo to improve the condition
of tho humbler classes , Mr . Pigotfc was organizing plum for rendering them moro happy , by increasing their comforts , and providing means for their instruction , and avnuBomont ; and all who could , by lectures , publications , or private teaching , aid hia benevolent intention , mot with hearty co-oporation . Literature and all the liberal arts bad , in Mr . Pigott , a munificent patron . ¦ No ones fluid with moro prompt liberality every variety ot talent Mr . P ^ ott delighted to patronise paintora , cuiptoh ., architects , engravers , and many other
branches of art . Science als 6 shared Mr . Pigott s munificence : he was a member of many learned society , and , for the encouragement of obscure talent , he _ advanced large sums , not only ungrudgingly , bat without bond ; or , indeed , any intention of deriving benefit . — ( Bath and Cheltenham Gazette , quoted by the Westonsuper-Mare ' Gazette ?) This true gentleman , who could revive the classic kymbblisinsof mythology antid his native trees , xvhd borfe among his dependents the spirit of a sound Christianity which derived not fear , but strength arid certainty in its deepest truths ,
frbm the light of science—who brought science to Strengthen agriculture , and carried back nature to strengthen art and life , into the towns ,--this excellent instil was carried to the grave , by his 8 M household , —a " walking funeral , "—through his own . garden , and laid m the earth , m the ground of the church near which he lived . A few of the unbidden tenantry standing around , not to swell the pageant , but to breathe a last farewell to the brother whose higher station had been used for the benefit of all ; and thus , amid the murtbiirs of prayers deeper than forms , mingling with the life-giving wind among the trees around ; tlie good landlord was laid back amongst the elements , as obedient , as simple , as pure as themselves . If there were more such landlords we
should hear less of political or social questions 5 for , after all , that man , be he stationed where he may , shall pass all challenge , who holds his tenure from God , and performs suit and ( Service faithfully . Thobnton Hunt .
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"A STRANGER" IN PARLIAMENT . ¦ Mp . Heney DBtrMMOND gave expression to a universal feeling in the House of Commons when he , last evening , suggested that there was no particular reason , beyond the traditional custom , why the Senate should have its session in summer . That is an opinion which the alternate oven heats and lukewarm shower-baths of this present metropolitan July inevitably provoke ; and though Mr . Druinmond was intercepting the talk about the Turkish imbroglio , he was yet cheered when he succinctly pointed out that rational people generally contrived to live in the country in the summer , and in towns through the cold season . There were even , from ambitious but exhausted Senators , cries of " Why not all the year round ? " when Mr . Drummond
was proffering the alternative of winter to summer , and these cries . surely told how extensively the remarks made in this place , last week , on the subject have influenced House of Commons opinions . Mr . Drummond took the air of a man who was being emphatically logical—who had made a strange discovery , and had no doubt that he had only to suggest to lead the reform . But he was very incomplete ; and managed , first , by the awkward moment he selected for his essay , and secondly , by the narrow views lie represented , $ 0 to subordinate what should have been a great subject , that Lord Jolui , as " leader , " was enabled to snub him , and to cut the topic in three minutes' jesting allusions . Now , the suggestion , good because tho most advanced of the kind yet made , should not be slighted nor overlooked . The Reformers tiro bound to consider
whether one point in their charter should not refer to tho inconvenient system of the " sittings" of Parliament . Mr . Drummond is quite right—tho whole of the summer should not he spent by the governing classes in the most sultry and bakey city in Europe . But it doos not follow that if you don't take the whole sinrimer you must take tho whole winter . Tho question , as put bore last week , is this—why should not the legislative body sit like the administrative power ?—why should not Parliament sit like tho law courts—through tho year , with several short vacations ,
and one long summor recess ? A self-governed people , as the great British people invariably represent themselves to bo to benighted and oppressed foreigners , are interested in a question , tho duo discnusion of which might lead to a new system , whereby thero would bo a conwtnnt visible senate—not 11 mere spring and Hummer senate , coming in with tho exhibitions , —and a eonato which tho solf-governcd peoplo would have tho perpetual liberty to petition , which our uclf-governed peoplo obviously cherishes as a great constitutional privilege .
It w a rare pnvilogo , as wns illustrated in Mr . Layurd ' s interpellations hist night , —a privilogo which tho French arid Russians don't enjoy , though they do nppcar to have Executives which aro confidential with their respective nationalities—to bo able to ask questions of a responsible Government , —although the rosponBiblo Government niay not ; choose to answer tliom . People who wore not Groat Britons regarded Mr . Layard'ft attitude , and the attitude of the inquisitive HouiiO ) last evening ; as pre-eminently ludicroun t
general war ? It is eight or ten weeks since Mr Lavard—who has been at Nineveh , and was-so , week ? at the Foreign Office , and consequently is supposed to know all about the Divan , and European , as well as Asian , secret influences—on the sarne ^ pnnciple which justified the Irish soldier ' s choice of the 1 st reffiment , that he would have access to the commanderin-chief—first gave notice of his intention to insist on explanations , for the benefit of a free people , from a responsible Government . Once Mr . Layard ^ name was on the paper for that questioning ; ifc was etiquette that he should riot be disturbed , and that there should ,
but then , perhaps , they cannot . apprecaate the spmfc of the Constitution . For a whole summer have Rus « and England , and Russia arid France , and _ Russiai aj Ske ^ been quarreUirig ; for a fortnight has ther * teeri V war ~ since , war- was commenced whea Slari troops crossed the Pruth : it is acknowledged S ^ enera ! war , in which , this ¦ i « Wg £ engaged ! and for which we would have heavily to pay is a very possible-nay , a very probable event j Svet thejrejt British peop le remains , in profound arid respectful ignorance what the quarrel is aboutwhv there is a Russo-Turkish war --what are the chancesand what would be the justifications , of a
be no competition in curiosity ; and the result was that , a friend having occupied the position an enemy might haye taken up , Mr . Layard kept off awkwardnesses from a Government at once divided and perplexed , and that , while the Governriient has been floundering its way to a settlement—in . other words , a submission to Russia—the self-governed nation lias had its funds fling up and down , great departments of its trade
y blocked up , and its general enlightenment all amazed in afllicting bewilderment and innocence . The ¦ . interpellations last night were a solemn farce . Mr . Layard , elaborately , hut timidly rotund , went well through his affectations of eager interest and parenthetical indignation with Russia- —after the enormous preliminary , in which patriotic impertinences to Russia were discreetly uttered , the great question
merely ' resolving itself into the standing interrogation—when would the no"ble lord , the member for the city of London , be good enough to . name a day ? Deep silence—solemn silence : the noble lord rises , puts bis hat on the table , crosses bis arms , and announces—( as he talks in a low voice , some one cries , " Speak up ! " ) —that the negotiations ( St . Petersburg being such a distance from Downing-street !) had in reality only just commenced , that in these circumstances her Majest y ' s Ministers asked for the confidence of the House—that France
arid Russia might appeal to their nationalities if they liked— " ostentatiously , " said Lord John , thinking he was sneering—but that it was the eustom of the British Government never to consult the British nation till the matter was settled ; that the best preparation for war was an exhaustion of entreaties for peace—( Cheers , the House thinking they had gofc a mot )—and thai ; the British Government had not yet nearly done entreating . But , concluded Lord John , tightening his arm » , broadening his words , lifting his voice , and looking confidential , if we fail in preserving peace , and
war becomes inevitable ( he was gliid to 6 ay France was on our side ) , why then her Majesty ' s Ministers would appeal with confidence to tho House to defend tho national honour—otherwise pay for what they couldn't help ! It was a melancholy exhibition for a British Senate and a British statesinan , who was once a great , hearty , Englishman ; but the House cheered , cheered loudly , and broke up into the lobbies and dining-room , and passed on to orders of tho day with complacent satisfaction that this great nation was going oh " all right . " " See what it is , " members
said , " to have a . broad-bottom Government , including so inany reliable men ; see what trust can bo placed in them . Why , if Derby was in we couldn't rest in our beds . " Doubtless Lord Derby would have been moro rash thah Lord Aberdeen ; but that might bo because after all he would ho moro English . It is remarkable that Russia only consents to negotiations when she ascertains Lord Palmerston has seized a predominance in tho Cabinet—a now fact for Mr . Urquhnrt , Weary , vory weary , has tho Session become ; heavy , very heavy , aro tho complaints of members , even tho committcolcss members , at the neveir ending , still
beginning , sittings . But for last night there would not have been an incident to relieve tho plodding monoton y of an over useful week ; and no ono feels dulpesH" mot < i than tho " business men "—those being the men . wlx > aro sitting tho Session out—who aro in their places hi twolve , aro available for discussion and division up / to lour , who , botween four and nix , got a trot to tlibir lodgingd or their clubs to keep abreast of thoir correspondence , who nro in thoir placed again nt six , asking or " hcar-hear'Mijg questions till seven , who then plunge dyspeptically , for » i cut nt a lukewarm joint , into tho dining-room , and who afterward * , between bight p . m . and two atthi iu th « morning , are iwelauonuly «« about "
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** - •* t * * ™ a r \ t ? n [ L Saturday , ? 12 THE LEADER , _____ __ _^
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), July 23, 1853, page 712, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1996/page/16/
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