The Landlords and the National Income. (W. H. Allen and
Co.)— it is difficult, without illustrations, which are not included in the plan of the Spectator, to give an idea of this brochure. It describes itself as "a Chart showing the proportion borne by the rental of the Land- lords to the Gross Income of the People," and is designed to correct popular misrepresentations and misapprehensions. We do not pretend to vouch for its facts and figures, but we can certify that they are pre- sented in an effective way. First comes a "Chart of the Gross Rental of Great Britain." "Mr. Bright's View," presents a column in which about 104 millions out of 118 are coloured purple, as belong- ing to great proprietors. "The Real State of the Case" is a column in which the purple proportion sinks to 36, estates of 700 acres down to 20 occupy as much more, and the "small urban and suburban freeholders" have the balance of 46. The second table is of "Gross Income of the Kingdom." Here, pictured in the same way, is Mr. George's estimate, giving 2950,000,000 out of 21,200,000,000 to the great proprietors. (Surely this is a burlesque of Mr. George.) Side by side is shown the reality, which may be exhibited in the following table, which we feel is sadly less vivid than the colours and visible proportions of the pictures (i.e., a retired merchant, a factory, a railway engine, a ship, &c.) of the original :— Arittocracy— X37,001,000
Small Landed Urban and Suburban Proprietors ... 81,000,000 Irish Proprietors (all °lasses together) ... 13,000,000 Dividend on Capital of Licensed Classes ... ... 115,000,000 Income from Agriculture (after Payment of Rent), Farmers and Labourers ... 249,000,000 Income from Manufactures, &e. 388,000,000
With the last five heads (as with agriculture) must be understood "all persons employed in." London, the author tells us, is not included in the ground-rental.
Previous page
