the text of this article. "Now, with reference to the probable remunerating price, I should say that, for the protection of the agricultural interest, as far as I can possibly form a judgment, if the price of wheat in this country, allowing for its natural oscillations, could be limited to some such amount as between 54s. and 58s., I do not believe that it is for the interest of the agriculturist that it should be higher. Take the average of the last ten years, excluding from some portion of the average the extreme prices of the last three years, and 56s. would be found to be the average; and so far as I can form an idea of what would constitute a fair remunerating price, I, FOR ONE, SHOULD NEVER WISH TO SEE IT VARY MORE THAN I HAVE SAID. I cannot say, on the other hand, that I am able to see any great or permanent advantage to be derived from the diminution of the price of corn _beyond the lowest amount I have named_, if I look at the subject in connexion with the general position of the country, the existing relations of landlord and tenant, the burdens upon the land, and the habits of the country." These opinions are quite distinct, and from them we gather that Sir Robert Peel, in 1842, considered that, on an average, 54s. was the lowest price at which the British farmer could raise wheat for the market--so long, at least, as he was liable to the same burdens as formerly, occupied the same position in the country, and paid the same rent to his landlord. Following out these views, Sir Robert Peel introduced his sliding-scale of duties, and the result would seem in a great measure to vindicate his sagacity. Let us take the averages for the six years immediately following:-- _s._ _d._ 1842, 57 3 1843, 50 1 1844, 51 3 1845, 50 10 1846, 54 8 1847, 69 9 --------- 6)333 10 --------- 55 7-2/3 It will thus be seen that the average price of wheat, during those years, _was within fivepence_ of the calculation made by Sir Robert as the fair and natural average for the preceding ten years, and that it almost hit the precise medium between the two extremes which he assumed.