20 REPORT OF COMMISSIONERS. 



interest is not sufficiently extensive to permit them to look 

 beyond present gain, whilst the interest of the head land- 

 lord is too remote to induce him to lay out capital, the 

 benefit of which could scarcely accrue to himself, even at 

 a very distant time ; others respect the conditions upon 

 which the tenantry hold the land and buildings ; others 

 respect the means of communication, their absence or 

 their imperfect condition as creating an impediment be- 

 tween the grower and his market. 



We are also about to inquire into the actual condition 

 of the agricultural labourer as to food, clothing and habi- 

 tation ; and the terms upon which he possesses con-acre 

 ground, or holds as a cottier tenant. We feel that in en- 

 deavouring to prevent the existence of destitution, we 

 shall more strictly fulfil Your Majesty's Commission, than 

 if we merely devised means for alleviating misery after it 

 had arisen. We shall feel deep pain should we ultimately 

 be compelled to leave to any portion of the peasantry of 

 Ireland a continuation of distress on the one hand, or a 

 mere offer of charity on the other. Far more grateful 

 would be the office of recommending measures by which 

 the industrious labourer might have the prospect of a con- 

 stant field for his exertions, with a remuneration sufficient 

 for his present demands, and admitting of a provision 

 against those contingencies which attach to himself and to 

 his family. It is our anxious wish to do more than dimi- 

 nish the wretchedness of portions of the working classes ; 

 we are most solicitous to place the whole of those classes 

 in the greatest state of comfort which it may be within 

 the reach of the legislature permanently to provide, con- 

 sistently with the good of the rest of society. 



But even were there not that necessity which we are 



