364 APPENDIX. 



on the culture of the root. The tendency to resort to the 

 potato when it is abundant is so very strong, that in the long 

 run it is almost sure to prevail ; but this resort, is necessarily 

 productive of so many evils, and places the very existence of a 

 people in such imminent hazard, that no means should be left 

 untried by which it may be averted." 



Sentiments like these are worthy of our attentive consi- 

 deration, for we must allow that a total dependence on the 

 potato crop is a great evil. Should past calamities result in 

 teaching the Irish and English peasantry to exert them- 

 selves earnestly to obtain a better food, it will indeed be 

 another proof of the mysterious workings of Providence, by 

 which the temporary sufferings of a portion of the nation 

 have been made subservient to the lasting benefit of the 

 whole. May He who has the wills and affections of men within 

 his power enable us to derive such lessons from the chastise- 

 ments we have received in past years, and such motives lor 

 industry and thankfulness, as may render seasons of deficient 

 food times of abundant instruction and solid improvement ! and 

 in looking forward to the future, may we never forget that the 

 times and the seasons are in the hands of One whose blessing 

 miraculously multiplied The food of His followers, causing five 

 loaves to feed " five thousand men, besides women and 

 children," and seven loaves to feed "lour thousand men, 

 besides women and children." By the same Divine compassion 

 our harvests are multiplied, and our wants supplied ; and 

 for our individual comfort we have the gracious promise lhat 

 although " the young lions do lack and suffer hunger," yet, 

 " they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing." 

 Ps. sxxiv. 10. 



