31 MARCH 1849, Page 1

The county ineetiug at Lewes, called to petition for repeal

of the Malt- tax, only served to expose the distracted councils of the agriculturists. Major Curteis inveighed against the delusions practised upon farmers by their town leaders ; Mr. Sehnes brought free trade to the relief of agricul. tare; Mr. Jobh noun averred that low prices would cause reaction and bring back,protection; Mr. John Villiers declared protection to be " hum- bug "; Lord March insisted upon it; Lord Chichester called for compens satory measiiieti and an adjustment between landlord and tenant. Both sides seem to have carried their object: the Free-traders carried their re- solution against the Malt-tax ; the Protectionists tacked to it an assertion of their principle. But how will any body of men attain practical ob- jects while they exhibit themselves, before their antagonists, in conflict with each other upon principles and obsolete abstractions ? Leaderless, without concentrated purpose, without united strength, the agriculturists dream over the past, and supply subjects for newspaper satirists ; but they can realize nothing worthy of their own honour and importance as a great class.