THE ANTI -CORN-LAW LEAGUE. 



191 



can look with greater confidence than to Mr. Windham, whose 

 natural acuteness, partiality to agricultural pursuits, and con- 

 stant residence upon his estate, eminently qualify him to lead 

 the way in a movement of so much importance to the nation. 



As Mr. Windham is an example to landed proprietors, so 

 is his steward to all Anth whom similar trusts are reposed. 

 His inquiries and conclusions on my premises last week evinced 

 a thorough regardlessness to trouble, so long as there was 

 a prospect of advancing his employer's interest ; and I am not 

 without a hope, that the mention of this circumstance may 

 rouse other farm-stew^ards to a sense of their duty. 



The time has arrived, when the fcirm.er's profit neither can 

 nor ought to depend on a high price for wheat. It cannot, 

 because of the rapidly increasing population, the major part of 

 which, being born to poverty, must necessarily be maintained 

 on cheap bread. — It ought not, because it is the duty as Avell 

 as the interest of the farmer, to meet their wants by increased 

 production ; his duty, because the soil is a talent committed 

 to his charge for the benefit of others — his interest, because 

 the more he can make the earth produce the greater wdll be 

 his gain. 



The legislature aimed at obtaining cheap provisions through 

 the corn bill and the tariff, not being aware, I suppose, of the 

 immeasurable resources of this coimtry, or why offer a stimulus 

 to foreign, rather than to British, agriculture ? 



The Anti-Corn-Law League point to the half-cultivated 

 fields, and tell the starving population that the landlord 

 and tenant are cumberers, not tillers of the ground. HoAvever 

 just or unjust this reproach, I strenuously maintain that a 

 sufficient supply of the common necessaries of Hfe for the popu- 

 lation of the kingdom can be obtained from our own resources, 

 provided the system of grazing double or triple the number 

 of stock were carried into effect ; because it is but reasonable 

 to infer that double or triple the quantity of mxanure would 

 necessarily increase production. Besides, the vast additional 

 supply of meat would lessen the demand for wheat — equalize 

 the price of each — enable the poor to purchase one as well as 

 the other, and obviate the necessity of foreign aid. To 

 whatever quarter w^e turn, the price of meat in particular is 



