AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY. 43 



the same hands. The mere advance of wages 

 lie iv paid to the English labourer was equal to 

 the entire average wages in Ireland at the same 

 period, although the difference of the expense 

 of provisions in the two countries was imma- 

 terial. To justify such an extraordinary dif- 

 ference in the incomes of our labouring popu- 

 lation is hardly possible. The united incomes 

 of the agricultural labourers of Ireland we have 

 already stated at 10,400,0007. Taking the 

 average wages of an English labourer in 1847 

 to be 15^. weekly, then the yearly income of 

 this class would be 39,000,0007., being an excess 

 over the same class in Ireland of the enormous 

 sum of 28,600,0007. annually during seasons of 

 scarcity like the last. It is very evident 

 that the incomes of Irish labourers must 

 be advanced 28,600,0007. before they can 

 stand upon equal footing with English labourers, 

 and enjoy the same domestic comforts. Such 

 being the case, the first question which naturally 

 suggests itself to the practical man is, from 

 what source is this immense sum to be obtained ? 

 From some source or other it must come before 

 the reformation of Ireland is effected. The 



