We have not, of course, yet heard Lord Pirrie's defence
of his action, and it would be most unfair to pass a final judgment until he has been heard. It is difficult, however, to see how his defence can in any way differ from that put forward, as we admit with perfect success, by the Scottish landowners. But that defence Lord Pirrie's political leader, Mr. Lloyd George, has told us to regard as wholly indmissible, and, indeed, as an exaggeration of the original cruelty and wickedness of prefer- ring game to men. Lord Pirrie is, of course, by no means the only Liberal who offends against Mr. Lloyd George's canons in regard to game-preserving and the proper use to which land ought to be put, i.e., golf links and agriculture. There are plenty of Liberals in the Cabinet and in the Government who are absolutely devoted to the culture of the pheasant, and who, if the secret of their hearts could be known, would say, " Perish the mangold-wurzel rather than that there should be one cock pheasant the less."
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