7 JANUARY 1843, Page 16

FREE TRADE: THE SCOTCH LANDLORD AGAIN.

TO TUE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR.

Sin-1 have to thank you for the attention you have paid to my communi- cation of last week, in your full discussion of " a Landlord's Case.' I am not so unreasonable as to claim more of your time and attention, and therefore shall not argue seriatim your five sections; in some part of which I concur, but to most 1 demur.

If high prices and high wages would be maintained, I think the working classes would be richer than by the proposed cheap loaf; which here as every- where will regulate the price of labour. This, however, cannot be therefore : agriculturists must lay aside bigotry suited to the old regime, but now inappli- cable ; and I believe very many are prepared for this, provided some equitable arrangement can be effected by which their loss shall not be greater than the proportionate depreciation of other property. If there be no duty on foreign corn, then let all other edibles be duty-free, and let us have the advantage at the same time of the low-priced foreign garments, furniture, &c. &c. without which "free trade" is a misnomer. You think 25 per cent excessive for ten years bygone prices. This deed of settlement which hampers me was executed more than a quarter of a century ago ; 25 per cent is not too much for the expected fall since that date.

If the spirit of your No. 5 were followed up, I do not believe there would be much opposition to a total repeal of the Corn-laws, but at the same time with a repeal of the duty on all other foreign necessaries of life.

Why, after the Tariff has begun to work fairly, should employes be paid as hitherto ? The Army, Navy, and officials of every class, should be percented. Christmas bills have not shown themselves much affected by the Tariff, and

those' who look after the menage scarcely know in what quarter to expect the cheap articles. If your City correspondent were to give a list of them, it might be worth the candle which he burnt for so doing. .

I remain, Sir, your obedient servant, PATERFAMILIAS.