General Disposition of the People. 281 



former place a respectable corn-market. The 

 high price which wheat has lately borne has 

 induced the growth of it on all kinds of land ; 

 and as moderate crops only have indemnified 

 the farmer, such practices may ultimately prove 

 injurious to his interest. 



We have been continually subjected to in- 

 quiries as to the general disposition of the peo- 

 ple to turbulence or tranquillity. Although, 

 as I observed in a former letter, we had no 

 reason to suspect any meditated disturbance of 

 the present repose, yet we were unqualified to 

 pass a general opinion on the real state of the 

 public feeling. Privations to the extent en- 

 dured in Ireland must produce discontent, the 

 parent of disloyalty and disaffection ; and how- 

 ever the great, the glorious work of reform in 

 this most beautiful island may be deferred, it 

 must be seriously undertaken to prevent those 

 fatal consequences which await procrastination. 

 The experience of every hour persuades me 

 that there are no other means of accomplishing 

 this arduous task, and of establishing an unequi- 

 vocal and perfect satisfaction in the country, 

 than by improving the condition of the working 

 classes. Of the manner in which to a certain 

 extent this blessing may be conferred, I have 

 already offered an opinion, which subsequent 

 3 



