which the repayment could be
much accelerated; _i.e._, by inducing the tenant of a cottage to pay
a higher rent, and so become, after a time, the possessor of the
tenement, in the same way as with building societies.

[3] This, of course, is upon the supposition that the materials
are obtained at a nominal cost, and the hauling not charged for.

It may, however, be considered preferable that the cottages should
remain the property of the village council--each member receiving
back his original payment. This is thrown out merely as a
suggestion; but this much is clear, that were there an organization
of this kind there would be no material difficulty in the way of
increasing the cottage accommodation. A number of gentlemen working
together would overcome the want with ease. At all events, if they
did not go so far as to erect new cottages, they might effect a
great deal of improvement in repairing dilapidated places, and
enlarging existing premises.

In thus rapidly sketching out the various ways in which a local
village authority might encourage the growth and improvement of the
place, it has been endeavoured to indicate, in a suggestive manner,
the way in which such an authority might be established. It is not
for one moment proposed that an application should be made to the
Legislature for a special enactment enabling such councils to act
with legal force. To such a course there would certainly arise the
most vigorous opposition on the part of all classes of the
agricultural community, from landlord, tenant, and labourer alike.
There exists an irresistible dislike to any form of 'imperial'
interference, as is amply proved by the resistance offered to the
School Board system, and by the comparative impotence of the rural
sanitary authorities. People would rather suffer annoyance than call
in an outside power. The species of local authority here indicated
must be founded entirely upon the will of the inhabitants
themselves; and its power be derived rather from acquiescence than
from inherent force. In fact, the major part of its duties would not
require any legal power. The allotment-garden, the cottage repair,
the common, the bathing-place, reading-room, etc., would require no
legal authority to render them useful and attractive. Neither is it
probable that any serious opposition would be made to a system of
drainage, and certainly none whatever to an improved water supply.
No force would be necessary, and the wh