The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-18 00:00:00

TIIE LAND GRIEVANCE.

In approaching the land question, Lord Russell ()Indies
that we are met by theorists, some of whom suggest fixity
of tenure, which means the transfer of land from the owner.
to the tenant. " Yet," the pamphlet continues, "this
cannot be done with any regard to the rights of property
or the interests of the whole country." The question of
the tenure of land is one chiefly of prevailing customs and
of habit. In England the principal tenants, generally
speaking, do not hold leases by their own choice, and
yet they are ready to vote with their landlords. " There,
is very little actual compulsion in the casr,c4
says Lord Russell, " and I doubt whether
th
introduction
eof the ballot would make much
practical difference." In Scotland, the author maintains at the
risk of being suspected of political heresy, that the restric,,
tion of the franchise in counties to a limited number t
landowners from 1688 to 1831, tended to promote agritla.
tore. " The tenant having no vote, the landlord's sole
object was to obtain a good rent, and have his land im-
proved." In Ireland the political franchises were too far.
extended. This portion of the pamphlet appears to b;
digression, and the author returns suddenly to the utrict
question as between landlord and tenant. To divide the
country into small' independent holdings would be, he
maintains, a retrograde step. But the State should see,
that three general rules are observed :

"First, that property should hare its rights and perform
its duties ; second, that the tenants of landowners
should live in comfort and security ; third, that a producA
should be obtained from the land representing fair.
if
not very skilful cultivation. These conditions are the
result of good government and its proof. Looking to the
state of Ireland it is impossible to say that these conditions
are performed."

Lord Russell avows that he knows of no better ren:vy
for this complicated difficulty than that to be found
Mr. Chichester Fortescue's bill. In cases of arbitrary
eviction the • tenant is entitled to compensation for
hi
improvements. Gentlemen of the Dublin bar might r
as arbitrators to fix the amount, holding special ci;cuit
courts for the purpose. No schemeviolating the tights
of property ought to be adopted, and " even s plan
which, without violating the rights of property, proceeds
on the supposition that Irish tenants are what they are
not, and that they will do what they will not do, ought to
be rejected." From this Lord Russell proceeds to make
a further review of the condition of Ireland for a century
past.

QUEEN'S THEATRE, Long-acre.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. Alfred Wigan.

ThIS EVENING, HE'S A LUNATIC. Mr. John Clayton.
After which will be produced a New and Original Drama,
entitled DEARER THAN LIFE. Michael Garner. Mr. J. L.
Toole.
To conclude with (21st Time) the New and Original Operatic
Extravaganza, by Mr. W. S. Gilbert, called LA VIVANDIERE ;
or, TRUE TO THE CORPS. The Scenery by Messrs. W. and
T. Grieve, Johnson, and Assistants. Messrs. J. L. Toole, L.
Brough, and Sanger; Misses P. Markham, F. Addison, Jordan,
Montgomery, Heath, Sylvia, Et. Everard, and H. Hodson.
Doors open at Half-past Six, commence at Seven. Acting
anager, Mr. W. H. Liston.
Box-office open daily from Ten till Four.