[82] The rise in wages and prices about 1851 was mainly due not to “Free Trade,” but to the influx of newly discovered gold. In 1842, when Peel was revising the tariff, bread was actually cheaper than it had been for many years previously, or till 1849 afterwards. In 1851 corn had sunk to about 40_s._, nearly 8_s._ lower than Peel had contemplated as possible. The immediate results of repeal were not the cheapening of bread; but the sudden cheapening of commodities _was_ effected by Peel’s revision of the tariff. In 1851, however, all other agricultural produce but wheat was at fair prices, and Disraeli then wrote, “It is possible that agriculture may flourish without a high price of wheat or without producing any” (_Correspondence_, p. 262). [83] “... A large system of commercial intercourse on the principle of reciprocal advantage.” [84] The land was promised compensation, but received none worth the name. It was deluded by vague promises of actual benefit under the new system. Peel even asserted that corn would never fall under forty-eight shillings per quarter. It is often forgotten that in 1843 Peel favoured a preferential tariff for Canada, and that both he and Gladstone were then for Canadian “retaliation” on America. [85] It is only the old evil of over-production and “glut in the market.” While England was still the main manufacturer and exporter, she herself periodically “dumped,” and suffered from the process. [86] A satirical passage in his very early _Popanilla_ may be compared. [87] These he had long before predicted, and his forecast that they would cause some of the prosperity of manufacture, apart from “Free Trade,” has come true. [88] “History of Israel,” vol. iv. p. 286. [89] That the Church was “a main obstacle to oligarchical power,” Disraeli pointed out as early as in his _Runnymede Letters_. [90] Answer to “Eikon Basilike.” [91] “The Ready and Easy Way to Establish a Commonwealth.” [92] Here we find an early beginning of “the Venetian oligarchy.” [93] These paradoxes, like “Sidonia’s,” have been constantly proved true. I may mention a fantastic description of a sculptured Eastern cavern, which recent discovery has confirmed. [94] _Cf._ _Vivian Grey_. This idea is derived from Bolingbroke’s philosophical works. [95] A very favourite idea of Disraeli’s, and the source of his disbelief in any “equality of man.” _Cf._ “All is race” in _Coningsby_, and the passage already quoted in my second chapter from _Contarini Fleming_. So again in the Preface to _Lothair_, “One of the consequences of the Divine government of this world, which has ordained that the sacred purposes should be effected by the instrumentality of various human races, must be occasionally a jealous discontent with the revelation entrusted to a particular family.... The documents will yet bear a greater amount both of erudition and examination than they have received; but the Word of God is eternal, and will survive the spheres.”