The Washington herald., 1909-02-07

Prom HarpeT's Weekly
Britons are the inheritors OF some .
strange relics OF the Middle Ages in the
shape OF leases There are many curious
features 10 be found among the various
ieasehold systems in force In different
parts OF the British Isles.
For instance, the Duke Of Marlborough
holds his estate Of Blenheim on condition
that he shall present each year Tag
70 his sovereign. q condition which also
applies to the estate Of Strathheldsaye,
held by the Duke Of Wellington. Akin TO
these old lease provisions is that per
tanning TO the estate Of the Marquis Of
Aylesbury. stipulating that the marquis
must, or the occasion OF visit from
royalty. present the royal parsonage with
an ivory drinking cup
The occupant Of the Bury house. an es-
tate in the New Forest. now held Dy the
NH family, finds that by the terms OF
his leasehOld he must. upon the entrance
Of the King into the New Forest. pre-
sent for the rulers acceptance a brace
OF white greyhoundS. a breed Of dogs that
has been carefully preserved By the fam
Iv mentioned. This queer condition has
been pictorisuy set forth by the artist
Lawrence. whose painting shows George
III in the act Of receiving brace OF
these dogs. The legal term for this form
OF tenure IS petit sergeantTy.
Must Give King Rose
Another interesting instance Of petit
/ serSeaatry is the stipulation that the
Dukes OF Athol must. by way q rental
for their estate. hand 10 the King a
white rose whenever his majesty shall
visit them
/ odd conditions attend the holding OF
church lands in England For the most
part these lands are still held b. the
curious form of tenure called frank
I aImoigne.~ OF free aims. In such cases
tenants are not bound 10 allegiance &c
their lords. inasmuch as Il is contended
that their prayers and aims release them
from such service.
Borough English. stil in existence II
parts Of tthe United Kingdom. IS the
\ term applied 20 the right OF succession
OF the younger son. instead Of the eldest
20 real property IN the event Of the fathel
diving intestate In one county, Sussex
not the youngest son. but the younges
daughter, inherits the property thus left
This odd form OF tenure IS found II NAM
PARTS of Europe, except IN spain an'
Italy. and. according TO the opinion o
the best continental lawyers, dehes a.
attempts at explanation
In one court OF England there is form
Of tenure called "gaveIkind, the chic
provision OF which IS that land descend
not 70 the eldest or the youngest but &
} all the sons collectively
Rentals on shops Small.
Some Of the strangest Of British lease
; hold systems are found IN the heart
; London itself.
, For example. there may be cited n
case OF shops in the fashionable distric
where the rentals average from $4,000 {
= $500 a year. It would. Of course. sppea
4 20 the stranger that ali rents in that Il
% eaHtv would average about the sam
3 price. Nevertheless. there are shops
= the locality mentioned the rents OF Whic
are but so TO Ss5 yearly.
This curious situation arises from n
u fact thst they are Cor the most part N
- property OF the city corporation, an
|, have come down attended with many 90
!, lease features. These leases must De II
= newed by their holders after perio
4 Of seven OF Of fourteen years. as n
- case may be. and on every such occs
{. sion there must be paid fine" the x
s tai amount OF which IS equal 10 a0oI
: seven tines the rental
d II follows. therefore, that these ques
. lease are. to ar intents renewable 10
ever. the result invariably that whe
the shop held under a lease from II
city corporation is sold It brings almo
+ the actual market value Of a freeho
Il property.