418 Mr. IVimpey on the Impropriety of allowing 
contemplate with pleafure; but rarely be in¬ 
dulged with the fight of. Legiflators, like 
Judges, fhould be incorrupt: their ears fhould 
be open to no voice, but that of truth. But 
where fhall we find thofe, who have no intereft 
in the laws they enadt; or thofe, who can dived 
themfelves of the influence of fuch intereft ? 
Unhappily, the landed intereft of the country 
is placed in oppofition to that of commerce, and 
they contemplate each other with an evil eye. 
This has a pernicious tendency ; fince they are 
connected together, like links in a chain, and 
fince their fafety and intereft depend upon their 
union. Neither could fubfift long without reci¬ 
procal aid.—But to proceed to fadts. 
One of the calamities of the civil war was, a 
fcarcity and dearnefs of provifions. When peace 
was reftored, men betook themfelves to their 
civil occupations, and agriculture was encouraged 
by men of ability. In 1687, wheat was at a 
lower price, than it had been at any time in the 
century; fomewhere from three fhillings, to three 
and four-pence a bufhel. The circumftances of the 
farmers, of thofe days, were very different from 
the prefent. If the prices were low, they were, not- 
withftanding, obliged to go to market: nor could 
they keep large flocks, for a change of times, and 
an advance of price. Therefore, when corn fold 
low, their rents were ill paid, and the land-owner 
was affedted by, and partook of, the diftrefs of his 
tenant. 
