42 



which I refused, offering my services gratuitously, and, as 

 honorary secretary, to co-operate with a committee composed 

 only of gentlemen of intelligence, I required, as the first step, 

 according to the recommendation of Lord Wodehouse, " that 

 branch societies should be formed, in order that the whole 

 county might adopt the cultivation of flax systematically, and 

 contribute to the funds of the parent society." Upon this, my 

 original design, as will be seen by referring to the speech of 

 the noble lord, I grounded my hopes of success, knowing that 

 it would be impossible to introduce flax-culture extensively 

 without branch societies, and funds to defray the expenses of 

 instruction. 



An individual more celebrated for conceit than for good 

 sense, observed, that " If farmers were to reap all the benefits 

 that I promised, they were not entitled to pecuniary assistance 

 for instruction, and that subscriptions were therefore unne- 

 cessary." Mr. Rous also opposed the extension of the Asso- 

 ciation, wishing to confine its operations to the immediate 

 neighbourhood of North Walsham. 



It was in vain that I urged the dishonourable position in 

 which we should both be placed with all who had taken part 

 in the proceedings of the previous day. It was in vain that 

 I warned him against the expending of money in a locality 

 that was subscribed expressly for the county. In vain I 

 referred my ardent supporter of yesterday to his early inves- 

 tigation of my plans, and to his intimate knowledge of every 

 circumstance connected with my advocacy of the Flax Cause : 

 to his letter addressed to the "Nobility, Clergy, Gentry, Yeo- 

 manry, and others interested in the prosperity of the County 

 of Norfolk ;'' and to his speech so lately delivered in St. An- 

 drew's Hall. 



These, and many other arguments, I employed to induce 

 Mr. Rous to resume his original position, I repeat, in vain. 



The Hon. Gentleman had, unfortunately, over-night, fallen 

 into company prejudiced against the flax movement, whose 

 suggestions and influence over a nervous frame and vacillat- 

 ing disposition, operated too powerfully to be counteracted by 

 my remonstrance. 



Subsequently, the President requested me by letter to con- 



