stance,
many of the applicants having been known to them for a score of
years or more. But if there is one thing a farmer dislikes more than
another it is meddling and interfering with other persons' business.
He would sooner put up with any amount of inconvenience, and even
serious annoyance, than take an active step to remove the cause of
his grumbling, if that step involves the operation of the law
against his neighbours. The guardian who rides to the board meeting
week after week may be perfectly well aware that the village which
he represents is suffering under a common nuisance: that there is a
pond in the middle of the place which emits an offensive odour; that
there are three or four cottages in a dilapidated condition and
unfit for human habitation, or crowded to excess with dirty tenants;
or that the sewage of the place flows in an open ditch into the
brook which supplies the inhabitants with water. He has not got
power to deal with these matters personally, but he can, if he
chooses, bring them before the notice of the board, which can
instruct its inspector (probably also its relieving officer) to take
action at law against the nuisance. But it is not to be expected
that a single person will do anything of the kind.

There is in all properly-balanced minds an instinctive dislike to
the office of public prosecutor, and nothing more unpopular could be
imagined. The agriculturist who holds the office of guardian does
not feel it his duty to act as common spy and informer, and he may
certainly be pardoned if he neglects to act contrary to his feelings
as a gentleman. Therefore he rides by the stinking pond, the
overcrowded cottages, the polluted water, week by week, and says
nothing whatever. It is easy to remark that the board has its
inspector, who is paid to report upon these matters; but the
inspector has, in the first place, to traverse an enormous extent of
country, and has no opportunity of becoming acquainted with
nuisances which are not unbearably offensive. He has usually other
duties to perform which occupy the greater part of his time, and he
is certainly not overpaid for the work he does and the distance he
travels. He also has his natural feelings upon the subject of making
himself disagreeable, and he shrinks from interference, unless
instructed by his superiors. His position is not sufficiently
independent to render him, in all cases, a free agent; so it happens
that the rural sanitary authorit