82 EFFECTS OF AGRICULTURAL 



already adduced, relative to Irish workmen in 

 our employment, prove that there can be no 

 doubt whatever as to the practicability of the 

 advancement of labour and wages to the 

 English level, provided the necessary steps are 

 taken to accomplish it, and that, too, at no 

 distant period. 



We have already stated the present wages of 

 the Irish agricultural labourers, at 1 0,400,0007. 

 per annum, their increased wages to the 

 English level, 31,200,0007., giving a balance in 

 favour of manufacturing industry of 20,800,0007. 

 The result, however, would be much greater 

 than this figure represents : for the Irishman's 

 potato neither goes to the mill or bakehouse. 

 If we suppose that potatoes to the value of 

 2,000,0007. only were consumed, and that the 

 balance of the 10,000,0007. was spent in the 

 purchase of bread, then it is obvious that 

 8,000,0007. would pass through the hands of 

 the mealmonger, miller, and corn merchant, 

 before its return to the pocket of the farmer, 

 as it does in this country. The difference 

 therefore would be 28,000,0007. instead of 

 20,000,0007. ; and the difference in the circu- 

 lation of money, 28,000,0007. multiplied by 



