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PREFACE.

bringing together these various articles in one book by writing this Preface, a great and well-conceived measure, instituting a complete system of democratic government throughout rural England, is being introduced into Parliament. Parish and District Councils form another step towards the realisation of that England which has been the ideal of thinkers and seers. A day, as joyous as those in the past have been sorrowful, seems about to open for "the Agricultural Labourer, oppressed and depressed for a thousand years."

Richard Heath.

March 21st 1893.