CHEAP BREAD 235 



has a higher appreciation of the value of the agri- 

 cultural labourer than I have. His honest, hearty, 

 co-operation in all matters, and at all times, in the 

 work of the farm always excites my greatest admira- 

 tion. Even in the science of politics he is no block- 

 head. I remember at a political meeting, in that 

 aboriginal village of Lee, in Bucks, held just before 

 the Parliamentary election for the borough and hun- 

 dreds of Aylesbury, that the questions of protection 

 and of wages were mentioned, when an old fellow 

 got up, and with the greatest confidence addressed his 

 brother farm workers. ' Look here,' he said, ' you may 

 take my word for it, that cheap bread isn't every- 

 thing in favour of the poor man ; it's regular work as 

 he wants ; it's never no good for us when bread is 

 under 6d. for the 4 lb. loaf. Now, when I was a 

 young man, forty years ago, I went a thrashing in 

 the barn for 9^. a week, and when I got home on 

 Saturday night my wife would meet me and say, 

 "John, I beat you," and she'd hold up a half sovereign 

 which she had taken for her week's work for straw 

 plaiting, making between us igjr. Well then, my 

 friends, I now get 14^. a week, and all as she can 

 earn by plaiting is, 'cos o' this free trade and China 

 plait, about \s. 6d. or 2s., so we get 15^. bd. now 

 against igs. then.' Here was good common sense, 

 and it made a great impression on me, as I am a 

 thorough free trader and am dead against protection. 

 Yet there are circumstances of such importance 

 acting against the best interests of the agriculturist 

 that I cannot be blind to their injustice. I may 



