I only meant to prove that the lords of the soil should be allowed to defend the produce of their soil from competition and depreciation.—And that passage pleases you?
BLOUNT.
Pleases me! if I say, delights me, will you doubt of my sincerity? No, my Lord; I am sure you will not.
LORD WORRYMORE (with affected modesty).
Why, I must frankly confess that I think it a tolerable specimen of parliamentary eloquence.—But here is something farther on, which has, perhaps, superior claims on your attention, if you will honour me with some portion of it.
BLOUNT.
With it all, my dear Lord: can it possibly be better employed?
LORD WORRYMORE (spreading his right arm, and assuming dignity, as before).
"I am free to confess, my Lords, that the fruits of the earth have been given by the bounty of Providence for the sustenance of man."
BLOUNT.
That, the noble lords will certainly assent to; and, so far, the speech must be effective.
