J 48 Mr. Curwen on the Means of 



dependence on foreign countries for bread, and reflect on the difSculties we 

 have so recently experienced, as well as the enormous drain of wealth that we have 

 sustained in consequence of it, they would cheerfully concur in the re-establishment 

 of that system, which not only procured abundance to the kingdom, but enabled it 

 to export grain to the amount of six hundred thousand pounds annually ; a sura 

 little short of a million of our present money. 



It is doubtless the interest of every member of the community to have grain 

 cheap, and subject to as little fluctuation in price as possible. To have it of British 

 growth appears the most rational way of accomplishing these desirable objects : but 

 this cannot be looked for, or expected, unless the prices of grain be such as will 

 enable it to be grown extensively, with a fair prospect of profit to the farmer. 



The agricultural and commercial interests are so united that they must stand or 

 fall together; to restore and maintain an equal balance between them appears rao3t 

 conducive to our national prosperity. 



As a matter of speculation, I should contend, that the landed interest had ulti- 

 mately more to apprehend, from the high prices of grain, than the manufacturer; 

 and that any material fluctuation of price does more immediately affect its interest. 



It must be allowed, that agricultural wages are regulated (in a great measure) 

 by the price of the prime necessaries of life: the late high prices of grain advanced 

 wages forty per cent. In the years of plenty which have succeeded, it has been 

 found impracticable to reduce them ; various other articles having also advanced, 

 over which the fall of grain has no coniroul. 



The labourer's scale of expence has kept pace with his wages, and he is as little 

 able as ever to provide against any additional pressure ; so that should an advance 

 take place in grain above the standard of common years (and his employer refuse 

 a still further increase of wages), his family must have recourse to parochial relief, 

 which ultimately brings a heavy burden upon the landholder. 



Manufactural wages have always been much higher than agricultural, and depend 

 in some degree upon the flourishing slate of trade. If the demands slacken, themanu- 

 facturer gets his work done at a lower rate rather than the hands should be out of 

 employ, or obliged to seek other situations. The mechanic (earning considerably 

 more wages) can bear a moderate advance upon the prime necessaries of life, either 

 by the sacrifice of some superfluities, or by the ex;tension of his hours, of work. 



