LETTERS TO SIR ROBERT PEEL. 83 fallen in with English parties, travelling like ourselves for the sake of Swiss scenery, and we have almost always found them well-bred, agreeable people. In many instances, where we have had more than one meeting, and have become companions in difficulties, I should be sorry to think that we have not made friends. This has happened so often that the reflection forced itself upon me, that a taste for nature in her grandest and wildest forms is a pretty sure test of a liberal and cultivated mind. The class of Swiss travellers is wholly different from that one meets with at Brussels and Paris, where, I believe, there is as large a collection of adventurers, bankrupts, and vulgar low-lived people, who wish to talk of their extensive travels, as ever got together in the same place, except it were the inside of a prison. In 1819, Dr. Copleston published his two letters to Sir Robert Peel. The first being entitled, A Letter, &c. on the Pernicious Effects of a Variable Standard of Value, especially as it regards the Condition of the Lower Orders and the Poor Laws. The second, On the Causes of the Increase of Pauperism, and on the Poor Laws. I do not lay much stress upon the fact that a third edition of the first letter was very soon called for, since there are less questionable reasons for considering these letters to be instances, where the sparkles of a temporary controversy are concentrated with such power, as to produce a permanently useful light. The following notices of a debate in the House of Commons, soon after the publication of the first letter, are, I believe, substantially correct. Mr. Wellesley Pole having remarked, in the course of debate, that he had read pamphlet after pamphlet about bullion and cash payments, but was never the wiser, Mr. Tierney, who followed, said he would recommend the honourable member one more (giving the title of the first letter), which he had himself read that morning; and although he did not know the author, he knew it reflected honour (whoever it might be) upon the University of Oxford. Sir J. Mackintosh paid a still more pointed compliment in the same place, when he said, in a subsequent debate, that although the author concealed his name, he could not conceal his talents. The testimony to the second letter given by Mr. Baring, afterwards Lord Ashburton, is more particular, and therefore of still greater weight. The speech from which the following extract is given was delivered by Mr. Baring in the House of Commons, 19th March 1821, two years after the publication of both the letters: 'With respect to the national debt, at the time this subject was discussed before, a pamphlet was written by Dr. Copleston, which was undoubtedly one of the most able that has appeared on the question. Some arguments were there placed in the most prominent and striking point of view. The author stated himself to be a great advocate for the return to a sound currency. He delivered his opinion fully with respect to that return. Some suffering, he admitted, would be the consequence; but he argued that this suffering ought to be borne for the sake of the object that was to be achieved. His words were remarkable, and his statement could not have been more correct, if it had been written by a person after the event had actually taken place. But promulgated, as it was, at an earlier period, OPINIONS ON THE CURRENCY. 85 nothing could be more prophetic of the present state of the country. Stating what would follow the return of cash payments, he said (p. 7 of second letter)— "The prices of all commodities will in that case fall. Goods will be sold at a less price than they cost; and bargains will, with respect to one of the parties, be depreciated, but not with respect to the other. For instance, all contracts will be detrimental to the person who has to pay, but beneficial to him who has to receive. Trade will be cramped-the revenue abridged. More than all, agriculture will be checked, and the demand for country labour consequently be diminished.'-It was not possible'—Mr. Baring added to describe more clearly the result of the measure. The only prediction of the author to whom he had alluded which was not correct, was when he said that the revenue would suffer.' A letter to Archbishop Whately, though written many years after the period we are upon, may be suitably introduced here. My dear Archbishop, Deanery, St. Paul's, July 3, 1841. It grieves me to think that we have been long so near one another without meeting Senior sent me his Remarks, &c., in which he has made honourable mention of me. Gratified as I am by this, I still wish that more notice (in some form or other) was taken of my speculations on the origin and occasion of the first poor laws in this country. The depreciation of money I am persuaded was the main cause-wages not rising with the price of provisions and other necessaries. This led me to consider what commodities first adjust themselves to the altered value of money, and what last. Much will depend upon variable causes; but I think an instructive essay might be written on the general principles which govern this operation-a long time intervening between its commencement and its close; and during that interval, the seller of the commodity at the old price is often necessarily the buyer of the one at the new price, and, of course, suffers great distress and embarrassment. The order in which the change of prices reaches the successive articles might, I am sure, be traced with sufficient accuracy to make it practically useful, and, in the case of labour and provisions, to hold out important light to legislation about the poor. My grand discovery in those currency pamphlets, I hold to be the parallel drawn between the discovery of the American mines and the banking system, which was equivalent to the multiplication of the precious metals; and their respective effects on rent, prices, and, of course, on all the relative interests of life, were precisely similar-the poor, or the mere labourer, in each case being the greatest sufferer. Make my kind remembrances to Mrs. W. and my goddaughter, and believe me, &c. E. Ll. The two following entries in the diary for 1821 and 1822, have an obvious connexion with the same subject, and carry with them so plain an inference, that it is sufficient simply to insert them : 'May 22, 1821. Interview with Mr. Peel and Sir A. Baring on finance.' April 8, 1822. Interview with Mr. Huskisson, by appointment, on finance.' These entries for 1820 are also significant and illustrative in a different direction. April 14. Journey to High Cross, Northamptonshire. The intersection of the Foss-way and Watling-street, near Copstone, so called from the Cop-stone making the points of intersection.' 'October 10. On this day, I was elected at the Alfred. EXTRACTS FROM DIARY. 87 The mode of proceeding was singular. At the general meeting a committee were appointed, with full powers to nominate fourteen members to the vacant places, out of the whole number of candidates, which was near two hundred. The fourteen chosen were W. Freemantle, Esq. M.P. Dr. Copleston. Hon. Robt. Smith, M.P. Dr. Goodenough. Duke of Montrose. Haviland Addington. Lord Dacre. Rev. H. H. Milman. John Cotton, Esq. John Nicholl, Esq.' 'November 17. Visit from Sir James Mackintosh and family to the 20th.' The next and concluding entry for this year, 1820, is almost of a sacred character, and will, I trust, be read with those feelings of respect and tenderness which it is calculated to raise. Similar passages occur in the course of the diary, to remind me that it is a privilege and a responsibility to be entrusted with these records relating to the inner life of departed greatness. 'December. N.B. The whole of this year has been one of the happiest of my life-not, I believe, in consequence of any fortunate events, or unusual pleasures, but from improved health. Gracious God! when I compare this year of my life with the year 1815, how thankful ought I to be for the blessed change! Grant that the religious thoughts and resolutions which were my chief support and solace during that period of suffering, may not pass away and be forgotten in the time of my rejoicing. Grant that I may grow in grace as I advance in years, and that I may have |