THE QUEEN.--And why can they not have it?
SIR ROBERT.--I have consulted with the Duke of Richmond upon the subject,
and he says it is impossible.
THE QUEEN.--But why?
SIR ROBERT.--Wheat must be lower before bread can be cheaper.
THE QUEEN.--Well!
SIR ROBERT.--And rents must be less if that is the case, and--
THE QUEEN.--Well!
SIR ROBERT.--And that the landowners won't agree to.
THE QUEEN.--Well!
SIR ROBERT.--And, then, I can't keep my place a day.
THE QUEEN.--Then the majority of my subjects are to be rendered miserable
for the advantage of the few?
SIR ROBERT.--That's the principle of all good governments. Besides, cheap
bread would be no benefit to the masses, for wages would be lower.
THE QUEEN.--Do you really believe such _would_ be the case?
SIR ROBERT.--Am I regularly called in?
THE QUEEN.--You evade a direct answer, I see. Granting such to be _your
belief_, your friends and landowners would suffer no injury, for their
incomes would procure them as many luxuries.
SIR ROBERT.--Not if they were to live abroad, or patronise foreign
manufactures: and _should_ wages be higher, what would they say to me
after all the money they have expended in bri--I mean at the Carlton Club,
if I allow the value of their "dirty acres" to be reduced.
Pages:
557
558
559
560
561
562
563
564
565
566
567
568
569
570
571
572
573
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581