132 RELIEF WORKS. 



whose potato cultivation required no continuous labour, 

 but, on the contrary, induced a " precocity consequent 

 on an inferior amount of vital energy," now considered 

 by economists the condition most favourable to the rapid 

 increase of the population. 



When the potato failed, the whole system tumbled 

 to pieces. The people, no longer able to trust to their 

 potato garden, ceased to con-acre ; the tenant, deprived 

 of con-acre labour, had no money to pay wages in cash, 

 and his land became unproductive ; the landlord found 

 his rent disappearing, while a new order of things was 

 at the same time growing out of the confusion. 



To prevent the fearful consequences of famine, im- 

 mense sums were advanced by Government for the em- 

 ployment of the people in " relief works." These were 

 administered by the grand juries, on the understanding 

 that the money so advanced was to be expended in 

 reproductive works, and to be repaid by instalments in 

 a limited number of years. The pressure was so great, 

 however, that it was generally found impossible to con- 

 trol the expenditure in such a manner as to make it 

 reproductive ; and, accordingly, vast sums were squan- 

 dered on works, some of which, if completed, might be 

 beneficial, but very many can never, under any circum- 

 stances, be of the least value to the community. In 

 consideration of the exigency, parliament forgave half 

 the debt, but now insists on the repayment, by instal- 

 ments, of the other half. 



The famine brought disease and crime in its train. 

 Infirmaries, fever hospitals, dispensaries, and prisons, 

 were filled to overflowing. The expenses of these 



