Mr. MISFIELD TERRA:ID renewed his attack on the manufacturers, with
a motion for inquiry into frauds in the preparation of manu- factures and into the truck system. He showed himself in a, new and better light, and might have made a very respectable figure if The House could have forgotten his past escapades. As it was, though he could not be put down, he was subjected to a mortifying kind of avoidance, even on his own side : Ministerialists spoke of their "honourable friend" in a tone of distance and repulsion. Although disfiguring his statement with a few indecorous sallies, he made out something of a case, supported by a mass of evi- dence of more or less value. As to the frauds, indeed, he could bring no proof, except that certain manufactures are ill made and dressed up for sale with paste and other appliances ; a sort of practice common in all branches of trade, in all countries, and in all ages. Coupled with his evidence, the admissions of several Members show that the truck system does prevail to a great ex- tent. How far it is practised, how far injurious, and how far it is to be prevented, the Committee, whose inquiry, at Sir JAMES GRAHAM'S suggestion, is limited to that part of the subject, will perhaps be able to discover—and perhaps not.
