CHAPTER II 



THE PERIOD OF THE CORN-LAWS 



THE peace of 1815 did not put an end to the development of the 

 new form of agricultural holding which had grown up since the middle 

 of the eighteenth century. On the contrary, the extension of the 

 large farm system may be said to have continued well into the last 

 quarter of the nineteenth century. But from the time of the peace the 

 development went on quietly, without awakening the public discussion 

 and socio-political debates with which it had been accompanied from 

 1760 to 1815. Politicians, economists, and the working classes were 

 now occupied with other matters. England had become a predomi- 

 nantly industrial nation; and accordingly all questions concerning the 

 industrial population had attained a new importance. They now 

 absorbed much of the interest previously directed to purely agricul- 

 tural problems. The only agricultural question which was prominent 

 between 1815 and 1846 was the controversy over the effects and 

 justification of the corn-laws. Possibly, however, one reason for the 

 cessation of the discussion on the large farm system was that its 

 extension had become an everyday affair, too common for opposition 

 to seem of any avail. 



Nor was there any essential change in the condition of the market 

 for agricultural produce during the period 1815 to 1846 as compared 

 with that from 1760 to 1815. It might have been expected, and in 

 fact many did expect, that after the peace general well-being would 

 spread over the country, and that in consequence there would be an 

 increased consumption of those articles of fare whose use had become 

 uncommon during the dearth of corn. This certainly would have 

 meant a change in market conditions. But the expectation was not 

 fulfilled. Trade and industry, instead of expanding, suffered severe 

 depression after 1815. 



During the rule of the Continental System England's export trade 

 naturally could not develop. Quantities of unsaleable commodities 



