The agricultural speeches of the year are drawing to a
close. They have been rather more dull than usual, though the Due d'Aumale made a really fine speech in Worcestershire, Mr. Henley gave the farmers of Oxfordshire some regrets for protection, Mr. Bentinck told the Norfolk men to ask for an increased representation for counties, and Mr. Walter sensibly defended agricultural associations. It is easy to gather from them, however, the general sense of the agricultural mind. The lapdlords are obviously delighted with the harvest, and contented with their rents, aware that farming must become a profession, and very anxious for steam ploughs, disposed to wish for a reduction of the malt-tax without much hope of getting it, and disturbed in mind about the condition of their labourers' cottages. Next year, perhaps, they svill arrive at the conclusion that those cottages must be improved, and in about seven years more will compel the Government to apply the principle of the Drainage Act. When two masters are seeking one man, the " impossibility " of rebuilding will very soon disappear.
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