AND THE DVEES OF RICHMOND. 179 



because the farmers cannot employ them with present 

 prices ; and we find also, and we deeply regret it, 

 that our workhouses are full, or fast filling with 

 these honest men, who only ask for employment that 

 they themselves may maintain their families. Not 

 only are the labourers placed in this miserable and 

 degrading situation, but at the same time this fast 

 filling of the workhouses, and the increased number 

 of out-door recipients of relief, have augmented the 

 poor rates, which the owners and occupiers of real 

 property have to pay. These are evils which we 

 feared from the first would result from the doctrines 

 of the mad theorists of Manchester, and which, I 

 believe, must interest all classes in this country, as 

 all are in the deepest state of depression, the ship- 

 owners, the ship-builders, and all other classes of 

 domestic industry alike sufi'ering ; and I think that 

 all will agree with us, that as Englishmen we are 

 bound to come forward and call upon the Legislature 

 to retrace its steps, and restore Protection, and thus 

 check the sufi'ering and distress which at present 

 exist." 



In the Smithfield Club, and the Royal Agricultural 

 Society, the Duke showed the greatest interest, 

 occupying the chair for several years at the annual 

 meeting of the former at the time Earl Spencer was 

 President, the Duke of Richmond having been elected 

 one of the Vice-Presidents in 1832. Upon the death 



