at the audit they do not cry for confiscation.  But it is characteristic of common sense to remain silent, as it is of extravagance to make a noise.  Thus the opinion of the majority of tenants is not heard; but the restless minority write and speak; the agitating labourer, through his agent, writes and speaks, and the anti-landlord party in cities write and speak.  A pleasant position for the landlord this!  Anxious to meet reasonable wishes he is confronted with unreasonable demands, and abused all round.

Besides the labour difficulty, which has been so blazed abroad as to obscure the rest, there are really many other questions agitating the village.  The school erected under the Education Act, whilst it is doing good work, is at the same time in many cases a scene of conflict.  The landlord can hardly remain aloof, try how he will, because his larger tenants are so closely interested.  He has probably given the land and subscribed heavily—­a school board has been avoided; but, of course, there is a committee of management, which is composed of members of every party and religious denomination.  That is fair enough, and the actual work accomplished is really very good.  But, if outwardly peace, it is inwardly contention.  First, the agitating labourer is strongly of opinion that, besides giving the land and subscribing, and paying a large voluntary rate, the landlord ought to defray the annual expenses and save him the weekly pence.  The sectarian bodies, though neutralised by their own divisions, are ill-affected behind their mask, and would throw it off if they got the opportunity.  The one thing, and the one thing only, that keeps them quiet is the question of expense.  Suppose by a united effort—­and probably on a poll of the parish the chapel-goers in mere numbers would exceed the church people—­they shake off the landlord and his party, and proceed to a school board as provided by the Act?  Well, then they must find the annual expenses, and these must be raised by a rate.

Now at present the cottager loudly grumbles because he is asked to contribute a few coppers; but suppose he were called upon to pay a heavy rate?  Possibly he might in such a case turn round against his present leaders, and throw them overboard in disgust.  Seeing this possibility all too clearly, the sectarian bodies remain quiescent.  They have no real grievance, because their prejudices are carefully respected; but it is not the nature of men to prefer being governed, even to their good, to governing.  Consequently, though no battle royal takes place, it is a mistake to suppose that because ‘education’ is now tolerably quiet there is universal satisfaction.  Just the reverse is true, and under the surface there is a constant undermining process proceeding.  Without any downright collision there is a distinct division into opposing ranks.