SIR,—May I direct your attention to the following words written
by Bishop Creighton in 1881? (See "Life and
Letters," Vol. I., p. 222.)—I am, Sir, &c., F. P.
"Things in general are not good : England is not healthy : she is going through a process of economical readjustment, of which no one can see the end : it may result in the development of new forces, or it may be the beginning of a quiet decay—not decay exactly, but subsidence. Trade and agriculture cannot any longer go on the old lines : will they find new lines, or will they collapse ? Already I see the doctrine of protection taking a strong hold of the mind of separate classes. I believe that separate interests will coalesce against the public good and against the voice of wisdom. This, by bringing in a fallacious solution, will suspend the real settlement of the question and make a mess."
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