DIFFERENT ELEMENTS. 37 



districts supplied this demand, then the latter 

 would be relieved of its surplus population, 

 and the result to the country would be, a 

 general benefit gained ; both by a diminution 

 of the amount of rates, as also of the burdens 

 sustained by private families of the poor peo- 

 ple in supporting their unemployed connec- 

 tions. 



The question may be asked, why does not 

 the existence of so many unemployed operatives 

 affect the agricultural labourers ? Why do not 

 half the idle hands in towns go to the country 

 and compete with the agricultural labourers, 

 and throw at least the inferior workmen out of 

 employment ? 



The fact is curious which prevents the 

 occurrence of such an event. The only pro- 

 tection which the agricultural labourers of 

 England and the Lowlands of Scotland have 

 at present, lies in this: that the idle townspeople 

 of both countries are devoid of physical strength 

 sufficient to enable them to perform the daily 

 amount of the heavy task-work of the country ; 

 and the moment that the country-people them- 

 selves fall short of their present strength, and 

 the execution of this amount of daily labour, 

 D 3 



