Page:Thoughts on the Corn laws, addressed to the working classes of the county of Gloucester.djvu/10

6 from year to year in the price of corn, and this, in truth, is what we feel the most acutely.

Let us now consider the effect of a permanent alteration in the price of corn. Let us suppose, for instance, that the average price of corn, one year with another, for the next twenty years, should be ten per cent. lower than it was during the last twenty years. Would the comforts of the labourer be affected in the same way by this permanent alteration in the price of corn, as they were by those of short duration?

At first the effect would be precisely the same; the labourer with the same wages would be able to purchase a greater amount of food for himself and family—their comforts and health would be improved—the enjoyment of a family fireside would be obtained at the expense of fewer personal privations. More would marry. The labouring classes would be in every respect improved in condition. They would enjoy greater abundance and more comforts, better health, and consequently prolonged lives. Many a man who before lived a negligent and cheerless single life, is now surrounded by the smiling countenances of those who love and look up to him.

But all this while, there are under springs at work which must eventually injure this pleasing picture, and bring the labouring man down at least to his former level. Observe, first, the annual number of deaths among the population is diminished.