such an immense importation and de- circumstances, whenever material disposit take place, to obtain that price tinctions and differenees exist, in order on the advance, that it must necessarily to arrive either at fair premises or just keep it down to the lowest possible ad- conclusions. It is a species of the comditional advance that would ensure an monest craft used in vulgar controversy, equal chance of sale, which must be to confound all distinctions. It would connived at, otherwise there would pro- be equally mischievous, and not a jot bably be wanted a protection or indem- more injurious, to assume distinctions nification bill, in behalf of the interested that are frivolous or unfounded. In ven→ parties, and of the foreign proprietor. turing therefore to state that the farThus it is obvious that if importation is mers should be considered as differently to take place in any way, it must produce interested in point of claims in the present the same competition between the fo- instance, and in adding that the indivireign and British growers of corn, which duals appear to me to form in Great now exists between the British and Irish; Britain three distinct and nearly equal and unless the two latter are first upon parties, with very different pretensions, a fair footing, to oppose it in such a de- it is proper to explain, that this is my gree as must eventually produce their private view of their case, and also that ruin, or call for absolute prohibition in it is not grounded upon very intimate their behalf, a remedy which we have knowledge with, or extensive information been led to suppose, might if this coun- on the subject, but merely derived from try once relied principally on foreigners a few residents in different parts of Engfor its consumption, in its application, land, in several of which very dissimilar occasion as great a fall, in the prices of customs prevail in the letting of estates, corn throughout the exporting and corn and consequently in the circumstances growing nations of Europe, as might and claims of the landed tenantry. In probably produce a general revolution, some parts of the country nearly the or lead to a war with this country to pre-whole of the tenantry are without leases, vent it. But, Sir, what good is the and many of them have now been so, for grower of corn, and the agricultural many years past; and as the custom has labourer of this country, to derive from very much increased, it is probable that a measure that will always ensure a rival the persons thus situated, amount to one at his protecting price, seeing that go-third of the whole number of farmers. vernment is determined that whenever high prices or large demands prevail, the foreigner is then to close in, and to reap the greater advantages, for it is evident that the cheap grower who must in this ease reap a large profit, has the decided advantage in holding back to engross such a market. The next class of farmers are those wi:o hold either long or short leases at an exorbitant rent, taken during the high prices of every species of produce, and the limited supply of the importation of foreign corn. Several of these persons it is said, occupy a number of estates or very large farms, but I do really believe But having allowed the partial accu-that neither in number nor in point of recy of the statement of our opponents the quantity of land which they occupy in behalf of the farmer and his servant, that they form more than a third of the I would advocate their cause as earnestly interest in question. Certainty the emas I would that of any other class of in- barrassments of the farmer at the present dividuals. For elicitating their particu- time, are not exclusively among these lar cases, I shall proceed on the present persons. The last division consists of occasion, by giving the master the pre-those farmers who have been cedence, though only on account of the tions and successful, and are now living courtesy due to him from his superior upon and cultivating their own property, situation, for as men and members of adding to those the gentlemen farmers society, I know no difference in their(a term by no meaus novel) who perhaps relative importance, or in their claims to have cultivated under their own inspec hamanity. To ap peciate the interest, tion a small part of their estate, for the abclaims of the farmers collectively, or sake either of amusement, or improve tker body of men, or of societyment and discovery, rather than by way obviously necessary to of competition with the more dependent their distinct states and farmer. These two descriptions of persons, cau with those tenants who have long old leases, or who have contracted prudently with liberal and uninformed Cits for renewals, beyond doubt comprise a full third of the parties interested in the growth of corn and the farming business. The first class of farmers which I have instanced, are those who have no leases. These persons have been considered as mere vassals of the landlord, but I think very improperly, and that the term is inappropriate, and totally inadequate to appreciate their situation and wretched Dess. that these persons do not pay so much rent per acre, as the farmer in some other districts; this objection is allowed to be correct, and even in several instances where the farmers will be gainers by their present leases. But this only makes the practice more intoler able. It is evident that those per. sons cannot pay a rack rent equally as high as the leasehold tenant of a well managed and conditioned farm, in the first instance; because the security of rea ping the advantage of his improvements, and expenditure of property, on the esIt is very obvious, that in the pre- tate, during his enjoyment of the lease, sent state of society these persons receive would have induced him to cultivate and no particular protection nor equivalent stock it, to the utmost of his ability. advantage, neither are they to be fairly But no farmers of property would take reckoned tenants at will. The farming land to do the same, upon an uncertain business is the only employment they terms, nor is there any probability of are adapted to follow, and if they profess persons without property becoming ademoral principles and integrity, desiring quate to such an expenditure, unless by to live by their exertions, and duly and certain possession at a moderate rent, for fully to discharge the just demands, a given number of years. This is a how small soever of their servants and chance that certain landholders, for the others, they must continue to make the sake of enjoying a most arbitrary power, best of it. If they have none they must or for the gaining of a few pounds more still do the same; without character, in the first instance, appear determined credit or property, their profession is to continue denying them. In passing the sole medium of their existence. The from this subject, 1 would hazard a conwhole of these do not probably pay a jecture and venture to suppose, that if this rack rent, but it is notoriously other-increasing practice should become genewise with the majority; they are doomed ral throughout Great Britain, as the whether corn is high or low, to pay the face of the country recovers its mili tary exactions of their landlords, to the utter-population, it would approach that state most farthing. This class of farmers therefore are not at all interested in protecting prices, but they want, and so does agriculture, as far as connected with them, this innovation suppressed; this growing imitation of Irish customs put a stop to; this unnatural association with civilization broken down. It is also obvious that the protection of agriculture by an enhancement of prices, would not as far as it is connected with this class of farmers, contribute to the enrichment and employment of the other classes of society: no, their poverty would still remain, and they would ecntinue in this respect, the least useful body of the community. Having no inducements for exertion, they would also continue to be very inferior agriculturists. They may sign their landlord's petitions for protecting prices, but it is evident the protection they want, is from high and fluctuating rents, in connexion with more certain tenure. It may be said of anarchy, so often prevailing in the sister kingdom; of which country I would venture to add, that under similar cir cumstances, more serious troubles and difficulties must occur than any hitherto encountered. Government ought, however, to interpose and fine both landholders for letting, and tenants for occupying, farms without leases; and that also, if not contracted for between the resident tenant, and the real proprietor, when such. This would, in some defend the unwary, of the latter order, from those speculators in the taking of farms, who deal in leases, and the farmer from the same; and also from the obnoxious class of interloping overseers in the management of large estates. measure, The next class of farmers, in behalf of whom pretensions are made for corn protecting prices, are those who have taken leases during the extreme high price of Corn, and other provisions; but the $031 participated in the fall of the price of animal food (the consequence of the failure of government contracts) in the London markets (which I must conclude very unfair, though I hold the middle man in equal respect and worthy of eficient profits) yet it is notorious that it has generally taken place to a very great extent, and that the lease occupiers of large farms, whether men of properly or not, are at their wits end, both from the fall in value of their stock, and the unconditional obligation of their leases. Now, Sir, are not the persons thus ruined or likely to be so, entitied to assistance? and would it not be politie in the country te grant it in behalf of agriculture. If the statement before you is a correct one, it would be most impolitic and most unjust in the government to require it. But should not the landlords be compelled, or rather ought they not voluntarily to lower their rents? The latter is for their With proprietors and monopolizing far- private consideration, but were I a landmers, the contest of the system for large lord thus situated, I should not choose to or for small farms, is simply, does the comply with any suggestion to that latter, or the former, produce the most effect, unless in such peculiar case where money, not the greatest quantum of com- it became my interest to do so, or unless modity. Thus, does the produce of any I could be assured that land-raiders given quantity of land, in 60 small farms, throughout the country would do so gein fruit, vegetables, poultry, pork, butter, nerally. But, Sir, I completely deny that cheese, corn, and pasture; sell for as much government have any right to interfere with a limited or equivalent demand, as between the parties in this case, attho' I the produce of the same land, divided am prepared to allow that they have preonly into three farms. The value in cedent in interfering to regulate and requantity and price, of the two last men- strict the importation of corn, or rather fioned branches of agriculture, being in the present instance in intending and equal in both instances, and it being pos- attenpting to do so, and as has been forsible for the three farms to supply the cibly shewn, a very bad precedent, yet I demand for the former commodities, do not think that government can interthought not to raise the quantities of the fere even in an indirect way. It has CO farms; it is therefore pretty obvious, however been surprised by some essayists that the large farm system has well paid on the subject, that by taxing those landthose who succeeded in jostling their lord's estates which are let at a high rent, neighbours out of house, home, and ear and by relieving the occupying tenant, ployment; and that the large land-holders' paying such reur of his taxes, flat somepurses have been filled thereby; and that thing might be doue, But I do not they both would continue to prosperthink that the body of land holders; with while the two principle departments of all their preachings to the populace ont> agriculture remained as lucrative as be the subject of passiveness, would be fore, or unless some other uncontrolable | Brought to submit ; and I also think that circumstances should proscribe the sys-if they could, it would ever at present, fem. Such an occurrence may pabbably and assuredly hereafter, be found totally be a natural effect of a continuation of peace; but independently of any such fufare event great deductions have already fake place in the prices and profits of the other leading department of agriculfore, aut altho we have pof properly inadequate. It appears to me, that the situation of these distressed and worthy persons is irretrievable, and that more of them will become bankrupts, for the afriction of their creditors: both just and usprious, or to the parting with ་་་ their accumulations faster than they port of this argument, my Lords, in the heaped them together, setting one mor hands of the little farmers, an immense example to monoj clizers and speculator increase of food is brought to the public, or rather as trese classes are incorrigible, from as it were the lap of the farmer's furnishing one more argument to sen wife. In a little farm, where there is a future legislature for interfering to pr dairy, the produce is not only the calves, hibit all such practices es are likey to Lut an immensity of butter and cheese; become either set or pubkely injurious. the refuse of a dairy will support a pig The practical anc public economy of gery; that kind of animal food is reared lar faims has Lowever made some in a very short time in immense quanti the world, and a dozen farmishes. Again, when a litue farmer and have frequent y during the late war becois family will raise from the little prome tute one, to no better apparent Cuce of his small farm, a dairy, the rereason than to save a little horse keep; fuse of which supports a piggery, then but whoever has been persuaded by such comes the poultry. Where there is a cowan aigen ent, has cerally swallowed a yard and a piggery, vast quantities of bank Cur ancestors ate as geed beeicuitry indeed are produced with very ander utton as their children; the inter-ittle care, reared almost in the lap of the mistice of foreign breeds of sheep my possibly have improved the wools Ci the country, and the case would have been sitter if the small farmis had not Leen Licken up; but large ions in the posession of opulent persons, enable then to withold the supples, and raise the markets, and with reedy tenants are unproductive. lce.cie smali ilce.ore small farmers are the Lest eco emists on behalf of the putlic; andersine the most prompt supplies. farmer's wie, nourished in her kitchen corner; I am not speaking theoretically now; mentioning only one parish will serve as a strong instance for the whole Lingcom; among all these different faimers, every labourer had a comfortable master, and every tradesman comfortable employ: now, hundreds or the usands in & parsli are pauperised, wherever there is a family of chudien; the milk-pails, which were principally the nutriment of families, are done away." 2 If any one should think that the fore- Mark reader the desolating consegoing strictures on the large farm system quences and progress of this execrable: are too severe, I would refer him to the system, both upon town and country following extract from "The Lord's Ee- markets, and upon the small faimer and port of evidence," for which I am in the labourer, and the fend-like proceed-, delted to the letter of a valuable corres-ings connected therewith; "the milk-pails Forcent of "The Times" paper, in which appeared on Monday the 6th inst. It is taken from the evidence of Mr. Phillips, land surveyor, and civil engi néer, who has been much employed in the southern part of the kingdoin. which were principally the nutriment of families, are done away;" the pig-styes are done away, they are not permitted. What then have individuals either gene- : rally or collectively dared to prohibit their dependents from contributing in these ways to the supply of the marketsand their own maintenance? Yes, it is notorious that conspiracies of both kinds have existed in several districts, and that under their operation the miseries, privations and moral degradation of the “Restrictions on the Corn Laws must have this effect; it will at once reuder permanent the most terrible system of onepolising the occupancy of lands. I now beg to give evidence upon the effects it has upon society generaliy. In miany places where I have been survey-labouring classes, have exceeded whatever ing, where there were 30 or 60 faimers has been before experienced in this in a parish, it has been reduced to the country, except in times of absolute small number of four or five, and some dearth and inteinal war. There being parishes occupied by ene man; large but one state of society in which the districts of country in the occupancy of Fimmédiate or rather apparent interest of the possessor; where there were formerly andholders, collectively as rent receivers, a great many farm-Houses, there is pro-is mere in favor of again dividing their bably only a bailiff. The horror this sys-lands into small farms, rather than refenr creates among mankind generally, maining of the present enlarged extent, ana in parishes, is inconceivable. In sup- viz. where the population is principally THE INQUISITION. Since my last remarks upon Spanish affairs, I have read in the Morning Chronicle the subjoined extraordinary article.-I have inserted it at full length; there certainly is not a man living that would believe, without such evidence, that, in the nineteenth century, such wretched ideotism could have been suf agricultural), it would appear to me that! Government should interpose in this instance to adjust the system as far as the convenience of the population and the interest of the public require. It might be done by a tax per acre, upon owners and tenants of estates, beyond a given size, when let beyond a certain price, increasing also upon larger estates, when let high. A temporary measure of this kind thus modified, would lead rich land-ferred to have occurred. I wish King holders to divide their large estates Ferdinand had been allowed to remain where these high rents prevail. Such a quietly where he was, amusing himself measure should certainly not extend to with embroidery, rather than exercising, those less populous parts of the country as he has done, despotical power against where rents are comparatively low, as it the poor people who had restored him. might occasion a too rapid increase of It is indeed a melancholy reflection, the people. To ensure utility, Govern- that there should exist in civilized Eument should also make it illegal for any rope a human being capable of such man to farm more than one estate, which extreme folly. The priests, it seems are would for ever crush the monopoly of about to marry the beloved Ferdinand the tenantry, and benefit the proprietor to one of the Infanta's, as they are called, more than any other measure of insuring of Portugal. Are we to suppose that a an adequate number of practical farmers, wife was rendered necessary for his and eventually a facility in obtaining health, from the recollections of " the tenants, or a certain though limited certain signs" which these holy men saw source of competition for the taking of to arise, on the indecent exposure of farms. Landlords probably also, in ad- the persons of Buonaparte's harlots 3-A dition to this irregular competition for correspondent will have it, that this is unlimited occupancy, which raised rents done in imitation of a certain King of in consequence of its pernicious effects, Jewish celebrity, who was unquestionhave been led to neglect their perma-ably of an extremely amorous temperrent interests, in upholding the farmature, and indulged very freely in the houses, and preserving that previous carnal lusts of the flesh, or, as Ferdidivision of their estates which had nand's confessor terms it," the seventh marked the 'progress of society and com-deadly sin." I shall not give any opinion fort, by the inducements of large inter- on this; nor do I pretend to understand ests and certain income for their savings in what way this ghostly father "admoin the funds; but although this source of nished "his royal pupil; but admonish artificial accumulation in reference to so-him he did, and it seems to have had the ciety is like the gates of the broad way that leadeth to destruction, to remain of widened entrance, the immediate and permanent interest of landholders ap pears now in this respect completely ob vious. salutary effect, for a season at least, of It |