IMPEDIMENTS ARISE. 



55 



advantage. On these grounds, said the Lord Bishop, I return 

 thanlis on behalf of this meeting to Captain Rous^ and most 

 heartily do I wish success to any experiment whatever, that 

 may tend to promote the agriculture of Norfolk and the 

 interests and advantages of the lower orders. (Applause.) 



The Hon. W. R. Rous begged to return thanks for the 

 handsome compliment^ and particularly to the Lord Bishop for 

 the manner in which he had proposed the vote, and could 

 assure him that there was no occasion on which he (Capt. 

 Rous) would so gladly receive the compliment, especially from 

 one in his lordship's station, as head of the Church in this 

 district. He believed the cause in which they were all engaged 

 was not merely for the benefit of landowners and tenants, but 

 also for the interest and advantage of the poor ; and when he 

 saw the head of the church in this diocese, with the Dean and 

 others of the Clergy present, coming forward to support the 

 Society, he could not help thinking that their presence and 

 sanction was an important recommendation. (Applause.) 



The meeting then dispersed, and I thought that I had been 

 the happy instrument of laying the foundation of a system, 

 which, as years rolled on, should add to the wealth, indepen- 

 dence, and prosperity of our country." But the foundation 

 itself was already being undermined ; and I soon experienced 

 the disappointment too commonly inflicted upon the advocate 

 of a good work." For, on the following morning 1 discovered 

 that my chief corner-stone had been removed from its place, 

 and that I could neither build upon, nor restore to its former 

 position. That is to say^ the Hon. Mr. Rous refused to carry 

 out the principles upon which the Norfolk Flax Society was 

 formed^ and in which he had taken so conspicuous and praise- 

 worthy a part. 



We met to form a committee of management, assisted by 

 the Hon. and Rev. Robert Wilson. The first proposition was, 

 that I should accept the office of secretary, at 50/. a-year, 

 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, 



