Page:Dialogue between John and Thomas, on the corn laws, the charter, teetotalism, and the probable remedy for the present disstresses (sic) (1).pdf/2



T. Weel John what do you think is to come out o' thae terrible times ? I believe our kintra neer saw a time like this.

J. Really they are fearfu' looking times, and I am really at a loss what to think about them, or how to propose a remedy to better them.

T. Deed John I'm truly at a loss mysel' to ken what would be the best remedy, but it is plain we would need some remedy soon, for our miseries are every day increasing, and the starvation and destitution that is amang us is alarming. Hae ye nae idea ava' what can be the cause o' a' this bankruptcy and beggary that is come amang us?

J. It is often my first thochts in the morning, and the last at night, to fin' out the origin o' a' this distress; whiles I think the Corn Bill has a great effect to hurt our trade, and I hae nae doubt but it has had a bad effect, but how far it would remedy the evil now I'm no very sure, for wi' us no takin' their Corn, they wouldna tak' our Goods, and noo baith Russia, and Prussia, and Holland, and Belgium, and France, and America, an' a', has gotten Cotton Mills, and Thread Mills, and lots o' our Mechanics, and they are quite independent o' us and our goods. I think our landholders, if they had half an e'e in their head, micht see that.