LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

MR. AUGUSTINE BIRRELL AND COUNTY COUNCILS.

[To TRH EDITOR OP THY "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—Mr. Augustine Birrell told in the House of Commons- a story of some farmer who declared that the money spent on education would have been spent more profitably if it had been laid out in artificial manures. And he went on to say "most County Councillors are farmers." We may imagine him, after the manner of raconteurs, looking out "Education" in his commonplace book and finding this. anecdote. It looked admirably appropriate. There are many farmers in counties, and of course in County,Councils, and yet it is proposed to put education under their control. Now for the facts. I h we taken eight counties contained in two volumes of "Kelly's Directory" which happen to come firsb to hand :—

County Councillors. Farmers.- Berks

... 71 9.

Bucks ••• ... 70 15 Oxon

... 63 13.

Hants

... 83 5 Wilts

... 77 4 Dorset

... 76 14.

Kent

... 97 5 Surrey

... 79 1 616 66 —or rather more than one in nine.

But Mr. Birrell is not wholly ignorant, even though he is a, Radical talking about country matters. There are many farmers in counties, and if he will inquire into the personnel of District Councils he will find them numerous, still more numerous, often preponderating, in Parish Councils, more powerful, in short, the nearer he gets to direct popular con- trol, the ideal of his friends.—I am, Sir, &c.,

A WILTSHIRE RECTOR.