CORN LAWS

in England, State regulations of traffic in corn (7.e.) wheat. The principle of intervention in trade was approved in England until XIX. cent., and has been advocated in late years by Tariff Reformers. larliest legislation was directed against export in order to ensure home supply. In XV. cent. government had already to legislate against consumer in interest of producer; corn law of 14386, ist statute with avowed aim of raising prices allowed exportation when corn fell below fixed price; followed by statute, 1463, forbidding import when prices were below price at which export was permitted. Dearth of wheat, consequent high price and low rate of wages maintained by statute caused permanent discontent of laborers; social reformers of XVI. cent. preached against exploitation of poor consumer in favor of farmer and landlord. Statute of 1436 was reenacted, 1554, modified, 1562; export, almost prohibited, 1570, again allowed conditionally, 1603. High prices after Civil War compelled reduction of duties, 1663, but system of keeping up prices was subsequently reverted to. Great collapse of prices after Napoleonic wars caused Act of 1815, placing prohibitive duties.on imported wheat to relieve agricultural distre and with idea of making Britain _ self-sufficing in this nece ary article. Dearth, 1826, caused suspension of import duty and commencement of Anti-Corn Law agitation; Anti-Corn Law League formed, 1838, by Cobden and others; supported by Peel, who pa ed Bill, 1846, by which corn duties above 1s. ceased, 1849; all duties abolished, 1869. queen of Cyprus by bequest of husband, James III., who died 1473; Venetian republic compelled her to abdicate, and annexed Cyprus, 1489. netian writer on health. limestones forming thin band of rocks from Yorkshire to Weymouth, of rh aaa series of Eng. Jura ic formation.