Of Mr. Mundella's very sagacious and instructive speech at Sheffield
last Monday—which should be read in a local report like that of the Sheffield Independent, to be understood at all— we have said a good deal elsewhere, but it is well worth while to add his illustration of the need for a reform of the land-laws. " Au honourable baronet said to me," remarked Mr. Mundella, " I am quite tired of the present state of things. I wish we had an Encumbered Estates Court in England, as well as in Ireland.' I said I was surprised to hear this language from him. Then he related this :—` I have a nominal rent- roll of 140,000 a year. My estates are pretty, heavily charged, for my father left me with mortgages at 3} and 81- per cent. to a very considerable amount. I am also charged for dowries, and for portions to younger eons, and the margin is my income. To meet the interest at 31. and 31- per cent., I have to let the laud at about 11- or 2 per cent. If I could sell half of my estate, I could double my income, and do my duty by the other half of my land. As it is, I am tied up, and I cannot sell. an acre, and I can spend nothing on the land.' " Mr. Mun- della should give a hint to Mr. Ooschen or Professor Bonamy Price to get that honourable baronet before the Commission on Agricultural Depression. Well might Mr. Mundella add that with the competition of cheap corn and cheap meat, this sort of mischief must soon be improved away.
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