WCP2631

[1]

9 Old Sq. Lincolns Inn

19 May 1882

Dear M^r. Wallace

I thank you most heartily for your work on Land Nationaliization, and for the very kind & sympathetic words which you have prefixed to it. Nothing is a greater pleasure to me than to feel that I have been working with others, & that, even when we may differ our common purpose is to do some good.

Your book¹ is so clear & forcible an exposition of the Land question that I am sure it will do great [2] good. It sets forth what is most certainly the only form of private ownership of land which is tolerable, for the more we apply science to agriculture the more nesessary does full ownership in the cultivators become, while the more wealth extends the more necessary becomes its subdivision. Far from differing from you in ultimate object, I have thought over many ways of altering it, but I have been obliged to abandon them all as not practicable. Yours is I think the nearest approach to the practicable but there are still considerable difficulties attending it. 1^stly in the case, which I would say was very frequent [3] in Scotland, where the tenants right as provided by the landlord only — in buildings & fences & drains — exceeds the fee simple value of the property when the quit rent has been deducted — the result of which is that a tenant purchasing would have to pay his full present rent. 2^ndly in the case when the tenants declined to purchase[.] 3^rd in erasion of the law against subletting, which can always be done under colour of managing.

But I suggest without arguing these difficulties, because a pleasanter opportunity of arguing them would be found if you will during the present Summer pay us a visit in Guernsey, where we have resided for the last dozen years, & to which we hope [4] to return next week. I do not know if you are married, if so M^rs Boyd Kinnear desires me to say she trusts your wife² will accompany you. There you will see the actual working of very small ownership (not including letting) under conditions which are not to be correctly learned from any published accounts. You would also find some points of interest in relation to Island Life which I do not think you have noted in your book — for instance several animals — the male toad, viper. & glowworm being stopped at Jersey (I believe that some of them have searched Sark, which is halfway) & are not even yet to be found in Guernsey. I am not a naturalist myself but I could act as guide, while we discussed the Land Question. We both hope you will adopt this suggestion. Early in June is the pleasantest time of the year.

Believe me | from yours truly | Mr Boyd Kinnear³