19 DECEMBER 1891, Page 13

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."

Sm,—May I, as one of the "selfish taskmasters " and "natural enemies" of the "weary British peasant," make a mild protest against the very low estimate of the characters both of the tenant-farmer and of the agricultural labourer given by your correspondent "R. S. Philpott " ? I venture to suggest that he is entirely in error, at any rate as far as North Warwickshire is concerned, in his assertion that labourers are sent home if the day is wet. Employers not only allow their labourers to work, but do their best to find them work under cover on all wet days ; and I have found that for honesty and straightforwardness, the farm-labourer will compare favourably with any other class in the Kingdom, not- withstanding Mr. Philpott's opinion.

Is Mr. Philpott correct in saying that the " squire " and the farm-labourer "have pretty well shared the loss since the de- pression set in" P My opinion, formed on an experience of eighteen years as an employer, is that the labourer's position has gradually improved all through that time, and was never

better than at the present moment. Can this be said of the farmer P More I should like to say, but fear to trespass on your 'valuable space.—I am, Sir, &c.,

"An UNIMAGINATIVE PERSON."