e logic is indisputable. What
is more, they acted up to it. In agricultural districts it is not
uncommon even now to find men of diametrically opposite political views
to the candidate at an election voting for and supporting him, simply
and solely because he is the local man. It is natural and right that he
should represent them. That one word "right" is the key to the whole
ethical system of the agriculturists. They cherish and maintain their
belief in right, and in their "rights"--by which they understand much
the same thing--even when unaccompanied by any gain or advantage. In
brief outline, such is the creed of the agriculturists as a body. It is
neither written nor spoken, but it is a living faith which influences
every hour of their lives.

This faith must ever be borne in mind by those who wish to understand
the movements of the agricultural world. Without making a proper
allowance for it, the farmers will be easily misjudged.

The labouring class are imbued to a great extent with the very same
ideas. They stick to their rights. They will not give up an old pathway
that their fathers used, not if one twice as convenient be offered in
lieu of it. They have a right to go that way, and go that way they will.
They are brutally tyrannical over their children. I use those words
deliberately. He who spares the rod spoils the child, is the practical
rule of their conduct. They seem to look upon their offspring as merely
slaves. They are fond of them in their way, no doubt, but the law of
implicit obedience is maintained by dint of blows and stripes. The
children are kicked, punched, and thrashed perpetually. A good
ground-ash stick is the gospel of the labouring man. They carry the same
plan into their work. How many carters have been severely fined and
imprisoned for whipping, and sometimes even maiming, the boys under
their commands? And yet the old practice still continues, only a little
checked by wholesome terror of the law.

Despite of all the teaching of the Radical papers, all the whispers of
the Methodist itinerant preachers, despite the hatred which the
Labourers' Union agents endeavour to sow between the labourer and the
farmer, still the great mass of labourers at the last election,[1]
wherever they had a vote, supported the local candidate--the man who
represented the soil--and declined to do more than listen to the
brilliant promises held out by the party of change. So strong above all
things is the for