94 



and hem in the mercantile bodies, even if these 

 bodies could be supposed to be disaffected." It 

 would be well for the interests of society now, if the 

 manufacturing- bodies were as peaceable and loyal as 

 in the days of Lord Chatham, but unhappily such is 

 not the case. 



But there are other means besides legislative ones, 

 which though Government cannot directly controul, 

 yet which the great moral power of a British Go- 

 vernment may influence, and which should be called 

 into co-operation and contemporaneous action with 

 legislative means, in order to produce the full mea- 

 sure of relief and benefit to the country. 



If landlords generally, would, during a longer resi- 

 dence in the country, encourage agricultural, and other 

 natural improvements, which would benefit and adorn 

 their estates; if they would stimulate, by their appro- 

 bation and rewards, the good conduct and industry of 

 the cottager, they would soon perceive that these acts 

 of kindness were not bestowed in vain ; that they 

 had a salutary influence ; -that they reciprocated good 

 offices ; that they connected the now disconnected 

 links of the chain of society, and restored that respect 

 and attachment which the tenant used to bear to his 

 landlord, and the poor were accustomed to feel to the 

 rich. Then, habits of temperance, prudence, and 

 industry, would more generally prevail. If, in 

 addition to this influence, there were a general systern 

 of religious education put in operation throughout the 

 kingdom, and a vigilant moral and religious super- 

 intendence in every parish ; if religion were taken 



