I say that a family can live very well on
seven shillings a-week, and on eight shillings very well
indeed. The poor are very well off,at least the agricultural
poor, very well off indeed. Their incomes are certain, that
is a great point, and they have no cares, no anxieties; they
always have a resource, they always have the House. People
without cares do not require as much food as those whose life
entails anxieties. See how long they live! Compare the rate
of mortality among them with that of the manufacturing
districts. Incendiarism indeed! If there had been a proper
rural police, such a thing as incendiarism would never have
been heard of!"
There was a pause. Lord Marney dashed off another bumper;
Egremont sipped his wine. At length he said, "This argument
made me forget the principal reason, George, why I am glad
that we are alone together to-day. I am sorry to bore you,
but I am bored myself deucedly. I find a letter from my
agent. These election accounts must be settled."
"Why, I thought they were settled."
"How do you mean?"
"I thought my mother had given you a thousand pounds."
"No doubt of that, but that was long ago disposed of."
"In my opinion quite enough for a seat in these times.
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