and selfish system by which they seek to enforce
those claims, and the imaginary fears with
which they are continually alarming us, on the
score of our agriculture, from the extension of
the other branches of our national industry,
against which he protests.

That these are their principles, as a body, it
would be in vain to deny; but it would be ab-
surd to assert, that every individual among
them entertains the same opinions. There may
be many who support them though convinced
of their fallacy; and others, because they are
incapable of detecting it: and in a body con-
taining so many enlightened individuals, it
would be strange if there were not many ho-
nourable instances of such as disdain the arti-
fice of the one, as much as they despise the
ignorance of the other. It is from the influ-
ence of such that we must look for the total
extinction of a spirit, as disgraceful to the age,
as it is injurious to the community.

CONTENTS.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION

Page

1

CHAP. 1.

The Effects of the Pastoral and Martial

Character of the Saxons on the State of

the Country, from the Subjection of the

Britons to the Conquest.

CHAP. II.

The Change produced in the Country by the

Introduction of the Feudal System, and its

Effects on Agriculture, from the Conquest

to the End of the Wars of the Houses of

York and Lancaster

CHAP. III.

The Conversion of Land to the Growth of

raw Produce, as an Object of Commerce,

on the breaking up of the Feudal System;

from the Union of the Houses of York

and Lancaster, in Henry VII. to the End

of the Reign of Elizabeth

CHAP. IV.

21

1

34

85

The Exportation of Grain matured into a

System, under the Stewarts

115

CHAP.

CHAP. V.

The forced Exportation of Grain, by Means

of a Bounty, from the Revolution to the

Beginning of the Reign of his present

Majesty.

Page

130

CHAP. VI.

The Decline of the Exportation of Grain,

and the Increase of Agricultural Produce,

Manufactures, and Trade, from the Be-

ginning of the Reign of his present Majes-

ty to the Consolidation of the Corn Laws

in 1791 .

CHAP. VII.

Occasional Bounties on the Importation of

Grain, and the further Enhancement of

Price, during the still more rapid Im-

provement of the Country; from the Con-

solidation of the Corn Laws, in 1791, to

the End of the Year 1803

CHAP. VIII.

The Imposition of further Restrictions on

Importation, by the Act of 1804; and an

Examination of the Grounds assigned for

that Measure

163

. 187

212

CHAP.

CHAP. IX.

The Inefficiency of the Act of 1804, in ex-

cluding the Competition of the foreign

Grower; and the Mode of effecting that

Object pointed out.

CHAP. X.

Page

238

The actual State of the Consumption and

Production of Subsistence in the Country 261

CHAP. XI.

The critical and dangerous Situation of the

Country, in respect to Stocks and Supplies

of Grain.

282

CHAP. XII.

The probable Consequences of a Continuance

of the present Situation of the Country;

and her Prospects on the Re-establishment

of Peace.

294

CHAP. XIII.

The Conclusion; with some Remarks on Dis-

tilleries, as a Resource against Scarcity

APPENDIX.

314