Introduction
William Cobbett, MP for Oldham, was sometimes accused of being anti-trade because he criticised the cosy arrangement between Government, big banks and big business. He replied with his customary vigour, distinguishing clearly between two kinds of commerce, the free trade that promotes liberty and the cronyism that endangers it.
I HAVE always said, that, without commerce, and particularly commercial navigation, that this island could not possibly continue to be great; that it could not possibly retain its consequence amongst the nations of Europe. The real merchant, as I have a hundred times observed, is a person to be cherished; his calling is as honourable and as conducive to the good of the country, as that of the farmer.*
It is only when his calling is perverted; when his trade becomes a species of gambling; when he trusts more to craft than to industry, prudence, and integrity; when he, if he be so lucky, may become richer than a lord by the speculations of a few days; when his fortune may be made, when the means of bringing five or six members in amongst the representatives of the people,* may be obtained in consequence of one valuable hint from a minister, or a minister’s favourite. Then it is that the commercial system becomes dangerous to the liberties of the people and the throne of the king; and then it is that it becomes an object of my reprobation.
Abridged
Cobbett was a farmer himself. Much like St Paul in 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11, he admired people who laboured with their own hands.
Prior to the Great Reform Act of 1832, many MPs represented constituencies known as ‘pocket boroughs’ where the candidate was selected by one powerful landowner or businessman, or perhaps a small group of them. Getting rich enabled individuals to plant their own man in the Commons. Cobbett was in the habit of referring to them as ‘boroughmongers’, and to the whole system as The Thing.
Précis
William Cobbett MP was a severe critic of the way the Britosh Government managed the economy, leading some to accuse him being anti-trade. He defended himself vigorously, reminding them that he had always championed everyday commerce traders, and distinguishing them from the speculators and Parliamentary lobbyists whose activities he said threatened to undermine democracy. (54 / 60 words)
William Cobbett MP was a severe critic of the way the Britosh Government managed the economy, leading some to accuse him being anti-trade. He defended himself vigorously, reminding them that he had always championed everyday commerce traders, and distinguishing them from the speculators and Parliamentary lobbyists whose activities he said threatened to undermine democracy.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: about, besides, despite, may, not, otherwise, since, whereas.
Archive
Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Much. Observe. Then.
2 Conducive. Hundred. Rich.
3 Become. Good. System.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
