INDUSTRY OF MASTER AND SERVANTS. 79 



introduction have upon the price of labour? 

 We have already assumed that a taskman shall 

 make 2s. per day. Is there any probability of 

 an advance taking place under those changes ? 



Xo definite answer can be given to such a 

 question, as the issue entirely depends upon 

 circumstances, the effects of which cannot be 

 estimated. We can see no reasons for an 

 advance, but many reasons for the contrary. 

 We are doubtful if the prices of provisions are 

 yet at the lowest level, to which they ulti- 

 mately may be reduced. The price of food 

 will always exercise a two-fold influence 

 upon the money expense of spade husbandry. 

 First, by directly affecting the wages of the 

 labourer ; and second, by diminishing or in- 

 creasing the expense of horse-work, which will be 

 found less or more to counterbalance any extra- 

 ordinary demand for manual labour of this kind. 



We can hardly estimate the amount of labour 

 to be spent in draining, trenching, and other 

 extra improvements of this kind, to exceed 

 that which is at present expended in the form- 

 ation of railways ; so that the diminution in 

 the latter may, in all probability, keep pace 

 with the increase of the former. If the evils 



