IRELAND. 353 



attributed to the small amount of wages as distributed 

 over the whole, for not only did this item amount in 

 principle to half the gross produce, while in England 

 and Scotland it is only a fourth, but it was frequently 

 higher owing to the non-payment of the rent. Nowhere, 

 perhaps, was the share of wages greater ; whereas, com- 

 pared to the rent, it should have been less rather than 

 more. 



Finally, neither can we charge the blame to that por- 

 tion widen represents profit, for. this item amounted to 

 only one-twelfth of the gross produce, whereas in Scot- 

 land it reaches a fourth ; and, under a good system of 

 rural economy, it would have been far from adequate. 



The real defect as regards the rent was the way in 

 which it was spent. In place of helping to make capital 

 on the spot, it was remitted to England or the Continent, 

 and there lost as far as any benefit to Ireland was con- 

 cerned.""" This constant drain of rent was shown in the 

 continual export of agricultural produce. About half the 

 wheat crop, a fourth of the oats, the greater portion of the 

 animal produce upon the whole, about one-third of the 

 total rural production was yearly transmitted from Ire- 

 land to England, and went to pay either rent, or, what came 

 to the same thing, interest upon mortgages in the hands 

 principally of English capitalists. A country is enriched 

 through its exports when it receives something in ex- 

 change. This is the case with Scotland ; but when, as 

 in Ireland, there is a constant export, and no return, it 

 is ruinous. That island producing just the necessary 



* Many English economists, Mr M'Culloch in particular, whose authority in 

 these matters is great, have disputed the evil influence generally attributed to the 

 non-residence of proprietors. The reasons advanced in favour of this opinion are 

 purely theoretical. They would merit a careful examination if this were a didactic 

 exposition of the principles of the science ; but, as far as regards Ireland at least, 

 the question appears to me to be settled by the facts. 



Z 



