THE RELATIVE DEPRESSION OF THE LANDED INTEREST 843 
they had succeeded till 1773; but the history of English ps a 
agriculture, since the Peace, appeared to show that they were ’ 
succeeding no longer. In so far as the British agriculturist, 
with protection, failed to supply the British nation regularly, 
with sufficient food, on terms that were not exorbitant,—in 
so far protection was a failure; and according to this, the 
deeper test, which was but little argued at the time, the 
Corn Laws were completely condemned; they had failed to wi de 
provide the nation with a sufficient food-supply of its own a failure, 
growth. 
In ceasing to rely for our food-supply on our own soil, 
and in deliberately looking to trade as the means whereby 
we might procure corn, we were throwing aside the last 
elements of the policy which had so long dominated in the 
counsels of the nation, and were exposing our very existence 
to a serious danger’. A home-grown food-supply was a chief 
element of power?; since no enemy, however strong his 
navy might be, could succeed in cutting off our supplies. 
It gave the opportunity for maintaining a large population, 
accustomed to out-door exercise and in good condition for 
fighting ; but these elements of power were now forgotten, in 
the desire to have food, in as large quantities, and at as low 
rates, as possible. We reverted from the pursuit of power in 
our economic policy to the pursuit of plenty? This object 
was put forward not merely with regard to the luxuries of 
the rich, as had been the case under Edward IIL, but was 
forced upon us by the requirements of the labourer and 
the artisan, 
The nation, in abandoning the traditional policy of relying and the 
for its food-supply on the corn grown within its boundaries, Janie 
deliberately relegated the landed interest to a subordinate bi 
position in the economy of the State. Under the fostering secondary 
care of the State, the landlords had enjoyed a great deal of the state. 
I See above, p. 684, on the corn supply in the Napoleonic Wars. 
? Compare Strafford’s effort to keep Ireland politically dependent by making 
her economically dependent for clothing, and for salt to preserve meat, her staple 
product. Letters, 1. 193. See above, p. 868. 
8 See above, Vol. 1. p. 416. The trinmph of this policy was comm#&morated by 
the Anti-Corn-Law League with a medal, which is figured on the title-page, by the 
kind permission of the authorities of the British Museum, from the example in 
their possession.