10 BRITAIN FOR THE BRITON 



works it to the best advantage of the commonweal without let 

 or hindrance from foreign States. It is regarded by one and 

 all as the common inheritance of the human race, and its 

 prosecution, even to the most successful results in each country, 

 excites neither jealousy nor the cupidity of other countries. 



Since, then, successful agriculture has been from the earliest 

 historical times, and is to-day, the ambition of statesmen and 

 the hope of all countries, the following questions naturally 

 arise : — 



1. What induced Great Britain to cast aside her agriculture 

 and so cut herself adrift from the congeries of nations ? 



2. Has so unique and perilous a step been justified by — 

 Kesults ? 



The answer to these questions will be found in succeeding 

 chapters. 



