THE LAND AND TARIFFS. 187 



some national type. The classic fable of 

 Antaeus, who, on being overthrown and coming 

 down to his Mother Earth, had his strength 

 renewed, pointed at a truth which is founded 

 on obscure as well as clear causes, but which is 

 inescapably a truth : that rural life has some 

 special qualities to impart which are necessary 

 to a sound nation. The human plant must 

 have its roots in the soil. History may show 

 instances of a city or a state flourishing in some 

 magnificence for a time without the backing of 

 an agricultural population, as hyacinths may be 

 grown for a time in a vase of water. But for 

 permanence a race must have its farms and 

 pastures at the back of its cities. Just as soon 

 as a nation, coming to greatness, has turned its 

 back on the soil, it has begun to dwindle and to 

 decay. 



If, then, there were actually some stern law of 

 economics at the back of the Free Trade faith — if 

 it were true that to interfere in any way by tariffs 

 or bonuses with the currents of trade and the 

 growth of manufactures is to inflict a loss — there 

 might be yet, I maintain, a sound case for agri- 

 cultural protection, whilst Free Trade was main- 



