THE IRISH LABOURER. 109 



reparation of the body under severe exercise. 

 It is therefore physically impossible for Ireland 

 to undergo the hard labour of England and the 

 Lowlands of Scotland, and hence obtain the 

 same rate of wages until this deficiency has 

 been supplied by means of proper food and 

 clothing. 



About the commencement of digging the new 

 potatoes, where two or three hundred of 

 labourers are collected together at one job, the 

 quantity of excrementitious matter surrounding 

 the work presents a sight sufficient to make the 

 most obtuse observer relinquish his favourite 

 theory of exclusive potato- feeding. The case 

 of a labouring man under such circumstances 

 is truly deplorable. Those only can under- 

 stand his condition, moral and physical, who 

 have experienced the cravings of hunger, and 

 the racking sensations occasioned by the over- 

 exertion of the muscular system. The chas- 

 tisement with which it has pleased Providence 

 to visit the country since Lady Day 1845, will 

 greatly tend to modify the peculiar notions of 

 Irishmen relative to feeding their labourers so 

 exclusively upon potatoes. Master and servant 

 are justly suffering together. The punishment 



