AS A PROFITABLE EMPLOYMENT. 



121 



LETTER VI. 



"WHY NOT OURSELVES GROW THAT "WHICH "WE SPIN AND 

 MANUFACTURE. 



To the Editor of the "Leeds Intelligencer 

 "Sir, — I have frequently noticed articles in the public 

 journals from anonymous writers, who no doubt wish as far as 

 possible to promote the happiness of the working classes by 

 some permanent — because self-acting — measure, rather than 

 fall back upon the only remedy in law which involves the 

 separation of families in union workhouses. To those 

 benevolent-minded persons, the annexed paragraph, quoted 

 from the Belfast News Letters, may appear worthy of their 

 attention, if it has escaped their notice previously ; and as it is 

 there shown that lA. 3r. 16p. of land (Irish measure) has been 

 made to produce what gave constant employment to 217 

 persons for twelve months, at w r ages amounting to £2,2 17 6s. 8d. 

 I must request these gentlemen who pride themselves in 

 allowing their rich green valleys to remain scores of years 

 undrained and unploughed, and who take delight in bringing to 

 perfection at a heavy expense, the unfortunate animals that 

 are annually exhibited at our Smithfield shows, to consider if 

 there cannot be a change made in their system for their own 

 benefit as well as that of the working classes. When such 

 indisputable facts are brought before their eyes, 1 would, with 

 submission, ask them whether they, by their practice, or the grower 

 of this Flax field did most good for the country, for the benefit 

 of the farmers whom they profess to enlighten, and for the 

 working population ? I beg of them to go into a minute 

 calculation of the expenses of feeding to perfection one of those 

 over-fed animals. Will the produce of three statue acres do it ? 

 Then compare the real value of the animal with the £30 prize 

 and all added with the result of this Flax-field ; and above all, 



