It was accordingly given, all in order, when the last carriage had driven off, the next morning, and Henry and Letitia shut themselves into the library, to enjoy the uninterruptedness of the first fall of snow. This was no day for the approach of deputations, for the visits of clergyman, lawyer, lady callers, gentleman loungers, or even petitioners from the village. The guests had been urged to stay for finer weather; but, as peremptory in their plans as people of real business, provided change of place is the object, they could on no account delay an hour; and, to be sure, the snow signified little to any but the postilions and the horses. “Well, now, the speech, the speech!” cried Letitia. “I told the people that nobody doubts that changes are wanted, in order to remedy the evils so large a portion of society is justly complaining of; and that the thing needed is a wider agreement as to what those changes must be, and therefore a sounder and more general knowledge of the causes of existing evils. I led them, as an instance, into the consideration of the common complaint of low profits and low wages, and showed them, I hope, that proportional wages are much higher at present than some complainers suppose; the fact being lost sight of from the enormous increase of those among whom the wages-fund is divided. However little each labourer may, from this cause, obtain for his own share, the division of produce between capitalist and labourer,—that is, the proportion of profits and wages, is more equable than is supposed by capitalists who complain of their low profits, and labourers of their low wages. Neither of them will gain by demanding a larger share of the other, which neither can afford. They must look elsewhere for a remedy; and I directed them where to look by giving them the example of Holland and its commercial vicissitudes.” “Rich to overflowing in the fifteenth century; since, well nigh ruined. How was this? From too much capital leaving the country?” “From the causes which led to such transfer of capital. While Holland was accumulating its wealth, profits were first high, and then gradually lowered in proportion to wages, though still increasing in total amount. It was not till heavy taxation reduced the rate of profits below that of other countries....” “But does not taxation affect wages too?”