[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.']
SIR,—In common with "A. G. 'W.," I fully recognise that the evils connected with our system of land tenure are at the bottom of the degradation and misery of the peasants. No one recognises this more fully than Mr. Joseph Arch and several of his brother leaders of our new social revolt. The reason that I am so hopeful of the good outcome of the labourers' movement is that it is press- ing the question of our land laws closer upon the attention of a landlord Parliament than any amount of town enthusiasm could achieve.
But I utterly fail to see how free trade in land can of itself alleviate in any way the condition of the labourer. What matters it to him whether an aristocracy or a plutocracy hold the land ? As a Radical, I am in favour of free trade in land to the fullest extent, but only as a means to an end. I hope that the land question will not be touched till the country is ripe for something further than merely making land as saleable as Consols.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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