consideration of
such a committee--would be the method of raising funds. All
legally-established bodies have powers of obtaining money, as by
rates; but the example of the independent schools and church
restorations has amply proved that money will be forthcoming for
proper purposes without resort to compulsion. The abolition of
Church-rates has not in any way tended to the degradation of the
Church; perhaps, on the contrary, more has been done towards Church
extension since that date than before. A voluntary rate is still
collected in many places, and produces a considerable sum, the
calculation being made upon the basis of the poor-rate assessment.
The objects of such a village association being eminently
practical, devoid of any sectarian bearing and thoroughly local in
application, there would probably be little difficulty in
collecting a small voluntary rate for its support, even amongst the
poorest of the population. The cottager would not grudge a few
pence for objects in which he has an obvious interest, and which
are close at home; but in the formation of the association it
would, perhaps, be practicable to begin with a subscription of one
guinea each from every member, the subscription of one guinea per
annum endowing the giver with voting power at the meetings. If
there were five-and-twenty farmers in a parish, there would be
five-and-twenty guineas (it is not probable that any farmer would
stand out from such a society), and five-and-twenty guineas would
be quite sufficient to start the thing. Suppose the society
commence with supplying additional allotment-grounds. They rent,
say, eight acres at L2 10s. per acre, equalling L20 per annum; but
they only expend L10 on rent for one half-year, because the other
half will be paid by incoming tenants. The labour to be expended on
the plot in making it tenable can hardly be reckoned, because, in
all probability, it would be done by their own men at odd times.
Many places would not require draining at all, and it need not be
done at starting, and the generality of fields are already drained.
So that about L15 would suffice to start the allotment-grounds,
leaving L10 in hand to make a bathing-place with, or to erect a
pump, or purchase hose or tank for water-supply. Here we have a
considerable progress arrived at with one year's subscription only,
not counting on any subscription from the landlord, or clergy, or
resident gentlemen. The funds required are, in fact, n