Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 edition. Excerpt: ... 163 CHAPTER VIII TBAVEL AND INTEKNATIONAL FBIENDSHIPS, 1788-89-90 The Wool Bill--Sheridan's speech--Count Berchtold--ExperimentsSecond French journey--Potato-fed sheep--Cost of housekeepingChicory--Burnt in effigy--Correspondence--Third French journey--With Italian agriculturists--Bishop Watson and Mr. Luther--Correspondence--Literary work--Illness--The state of France. EAbly in the spring I was deputed by the wool growers of Suffolk to support a petition against the Wool Bill ' which at that time made much noise in the agricultural world; and in which I united with Sir Joseph Banks,2 who was deputed by the county of Lincoln for the same purpose. I was most strenuous in the cause. By this Bill the growers of wool were laid under most insufferable restraints by its patrons the manufacturers, under the false pretence which had upon so many occasions been listened to by the Legislature, that immense quantities of wool were smuggled to France; on the gross fallacy of which they made good use, in taking those measures which answered their only design, that of sinking the price. 1 A Bill prohibiting the exportation of wool passed the House of Commons, May 15,1788. 2 President of the Boyal Society, and supporter of the cause of agriculture and science; died 1810. I applied to many of the leading members of both Houses of Parliament, but to very little effect. Those who deputed me were very desirous that I should see Mr. Fox on the subject; and Sir Peter Burrell, who was also greatly hostile to the Bill, and acted at that time as Lord Great Chamberlain of England at the trial of Mr. Hastings, recommended me to take an opportunity of the managers for the Commons, waiting at that trial to desire to speak with Mr. Fox in the manager's box; and with...