Book I. AGRICULTURE IN THE BRITISH ISLES. 123 



tions of the political, professional, and literary history of agriculture in Britain, and sub- 

 mit a separate view of the progress and present state of agriculture in Ireland. 



Sect. I. Political History of Agriculture in Britain from the Revolution in 1668, to 



the present Time. 



742. That the agriculture and general prosjierity of this country were greatly benefited by 

 the revolution is an indisputed point. That prosperity, as far as respects agriculture, is 

 chiefly to be ascribed to the judicious corn-laws then promulgated. " In 1 670," a masterly 

 writer on the subject remarks, " exportation was permitted, whatever the price might 

 be ; and importation was virtually prohibited, by a duty of 165. per quarter, when wheat 

 did not exceed 53s. 4rf. ; of 8s- when above that, and not exceeding 80s. ; and when 

 above 80s. the duty of 5s. 4d., imposed by the act 1663, continued to be payable. Still, 

 however, as there was a duty payable on exportation ; and as importation, from some 

 defect in the law respecting the mode of ascertaining the prices at which the different 

 duties were exigible, still continued at the low duty, the system by which exportation was 

 encouraged, and importation in ordinary cases prohibited, was not completely established 

 till 1688 and 1700. In the former of these years, a bounty of 5s. a quarter was given on 

 exportation, when the price of wheat did not exceed 48s., and in the latter the duties 

 on exportation were wholly repealed. Under these laws, not only was the excess of 

 exports very considerable, but the prices of grain, down to 1765, were much 

 lower than during an equal number of years preceding 1688. This is not the place to 

 inquire how far these laws had an influence in producing this phenomenon ; but the facts 

 themselves are indisputable. Yet the mere circumstance of large exportations of grain 

 does by no means prove the prosperity of agriculture ; far less is its cheapness in the 

 home markets any evidence of the comfortable subsistence of the lower orders. Corn 

 seems to have been raised in such abundance, not merely because the market was ex- 

 tended by means of the bounty, but because there was little demand for other products 

 of the soil, which have, since that time, withdrawn a large portion of the best arable 

 land from the growth of corn. And the price was low, because neither the number nor 

 wealth of the consumers had increased in a proportion corresponding to the supply. 

 Before the accession of his present majesty, the number of acts for inclosure was only 

 two hundred and forty-four ; a clear proof that agricultural improvements proceeded 

 much more slowly than they have done since. And it cannot be disputed, that, owing 

 to the imperfect culture of that period, when ameliorating crops did not enter largely 

 into the courses of management, any given extent of land did not produce so much corn 

 as under the improved rotations of modern husbandry-" 



743. The exportation of wool was prohibited in 1647, in 1660, and in 1688; and the 

 prohibition strictly enforced by subsequent statutes. The effect of this on its price, 

 and the state of the wool trade, from the earliest period to the middle of last century, 

 are distinctly exhibited by the learned and laborious author of Memoirs on Wool, 

 printed in 1747. 



744. In nsSfthe corn-laws^estaUished in the end of the seventeenth century began to be repealed, and ex- 

 portation was prohibited, and importation permitted, without payment of duties, by annual acts, during 

 the seven subsequent years. " A new system was established in 1773, allowing importation when the price 

 of wheat yvas at or above 485. per quarter, at the low duty of &d. Exportation was prohibited when the 

 price was 44s. ; and below that, the former bounty of 5s. per quarter continued to be payable." 



745. By an act passed in 1791, the bomity on exportation, when the price was under 44s. per quarter, 

 remained unaltered ; but " exportation was permitted till the price was 46s. Importation was virtually pro- 

 hibited by high duties when the price was below 50s. ; and permitted, on payment of a duty of Qd., when at 

 or above 54s." 



746. In 1804, " the corn.laws were altered for the third time, and the bounty on exportation was paid 

 till the price of wheat was 48s. per quarter; and at 54s. exportation was prohibited. The high duty of 

 24s. M. was payable on importation till the price was 60s. ; above 63s. and under 66s., a duty of 2s. 6rf. ; 

 and above Q^. the low duty of 6rf. By an act in 1805, importation into any part of Britain is to be regu- 

 lated by the aggregate average price of the twelve maritime districts of England. Importation was 

 never stopt under the law of 1804, till February 1815. 



747. During the twenty-two years preceding 1821, about sixty millions of pounds sterling have been 

 paid for foreign grain. " In bad seasons the prices have been enhanced to a most alarming degree, not- 

 withstanding large bounties have been paid on importation. The average price of every successive period 

 of ten years since 1765, has risen considerably ; and since 1795, the price has been seldom less than 

 double the average of the first sixty years of the last century." 



748. The corn4aws have recently undergone another change, after much discussion in par- 

 liament, and a very general opposition on the part of the manufacturing and commercial 

 classes, with a great number of publications on both sides, which will probably be not 

 more lasting than those that have preceded it. By the 54th of the king, c. 69., (17th 

 June, 1814,) the exportation of corn, meal, malt, and flour, from any part of the 

 united kingdom, is permitted at all times, without payment of any duty, or receiving 

 any bounty; and by the 55th, c. 26., (23d March, 1815,) importation is prohibited, 

 (except for the warehouse, from whence it may be taken out for sale, when the prices 

 are such as would permit importation,) till the price of wheat is 80s. ; rye, pease, and 

 beans, 53s.; barley, bear, or bigg, 40s. ; and oats 27s. per quarter. Above these prices, 

 these difierent kinds of corn are admitted, without payment of any duty whatever. 



