574 READINGS IN RURAL ECONOMICS 



war were due to the pitting of town-bred bodies and intelligences, 

 both of officers and men, against country-bred bodies and intelli- 

 gences. We laugh at the Boer for his rude manners and his 

 rusticity, but therein lies a strength which if he and his people 

 are wise they will not exchange for all the gold and gems in 

 Africa and all the most exquisite refinements of Europe. If they 

 can resist those temptations (which for our sake it is to be hoped 

 that they will not do) ; if they can continue to be content to 

 live roughly upon their farms and produce as many children as 

 nature gives them, then I am sure unless we British change 

 our ways that whatever flag flies over it, within two generations 

 its inhabitants of Dutch blood will, in fact, rule South Africa. 

 Moreover, having that vast country in which to develop, within 

 ten generations they will, I believe, be one of the great powers 

 of the world. For in Africa the Englishman does what he does 

 in Britain, forsakes his farm for the city, where there is more 

 life, and more money to be made. 



I have now tried to set forth generally what has been already 

 chronicled in much detail in these volumes, that the agricultural 

 interests in England are in no flourishing condition. I have 

 pointed out that, chiefly owing to the low wage which is all that 

 the land can pay them and their lack of prospects, the labouring 

 classes are in great numbers deserting the country for the towns, 

 where they hope, often vainly enough, to better their fortunes. 

 I have shown also in these pages that the race of yeomen is 

 becoming extinct, and that of the owners of land very much 

 impoverished. Further I have drawn the conclusion that these 

 unnatural developments are of most evil omen for the welfare of 

 our country, and have ventured to suggest several remedies (out- 

 side of protection, which I look upon as impracticable), whereby 

 they may be, if not arrested, at the least palliated. Can this be 

 done? I can only answer that I think so that at least as 

 much has been done in other lands. 



