15
Waltham, from the King to the peasant, would
be benefitted by a disafforestation and a partial
enclosure, I meant to confine myself to this one
object; but in the tour which I have taken
through the different parishes in this Forest, or
in the vicinity of it, in order to qualify myself
for redeeming the pledge I have given to the
public, I have seen so much distress, and heard
such loud complaints, as well from the employers
as the employed, that I have found sufficient
reason to extend my address far beyond my
original intention. Besides, I apprehend that by
extraordinary circumstances which have lately
occurred, but on which I do not mean to give
any political opinion, the Country is placed in
such a perilous state, that every man, whether
young or old, is called upon to give his opinion,
not sparingly but boldly and openly, unconnected
with party or political prejudices ; and to sug-
gest any remedy which appears likely to avert
the storm, which seems to hang over our heads.
I have, therefore, felt it my duty to investigate the
situation, not only of the labouring poor, but of
the agriculturists by whom they are employed.
I have compared the state of the peasantry
with what it was in the time of their ancestors,
and have also considered the capability of their
employers to ameliorate their condition, should
it turn out that it is not what it ought to be.