176 REroHT— 1873. 



Section. I believe it is usual for the President to refer in his address to the pro- 

 gress of Economic Science for the past year. Well, I think you will hardly expect 

 me to do that. If I were to refer to the progress of Economic Science, I should 

 have to show to what extent, amongst other ways, it has been put forward or not 

 in legislation ; I should have to defend the Government against charges that might 

 perhaps be made of its not having been put forward. Well, I believe Ihat you will 

 feel that I should be taking a very unfair advantage of the post I occupy, and of 

 the duty you have kindly imposed upon me, if 1 were to make this an opportunity 

 of defending the Government. And, in fact, I cannot forget that one very impor- 

 tant branch of Economic Science would be considered to be that witli which I am 

 myself connected — that of education ; and if I were to attempt such a review it 

 would necessarily partake of a much more personal character than I should desire. 

 I therefore resist the temptation, although I do not deny that it is a temptation 

 when I have before me such an audience as this, to vindicate the principles upon 

 which, on behalf of the Government, I have acted — or, at any rate, to explain (and 

 I think I should be able to explain with success) the fact that we have acted upon 

 principles, and not upon motives of expediency. But, talking of a review of pro- 

 gress, I should be exceedingly glad if I were able to make any full statement of the 

 progi-ess which has been made in the economic condition of the English people — 

 not for the last year only, for we cannot judge by such a short period, but for a 

 longer time, say from the time when this Section was first formed, which I believe 

 to be about forty years. Now what, after all, is the gi-eat object of our delibera- 

 tions in this Section ? Why do we collect and test and analyze statistics ? and why 

 do we study the principles of economic science, and the mode in which those prin- 

 ciples are and ought to be applied ? Many would reply mainly in order to promote 

 the economic well-being of the great mass of the community. Well, I should be 

 exceedingly glad if some member of your Association, well qualified to do so, would 

 consider whether, at some forthcoming opportunity, a careful comparison could not 

 be made as to the economic condition of the great mass of the English people at 

 this time as compared with what it was forty years ago. I have not made that 

 comparison, I have not had time to collect the necessary statistics ; but I think this 

 statement will hardly be challenged, that (take for example the condition of the 

 manual labom-ers of the country, which is after all the largest class of the com- 

 munity, and must continue to be so) there has been progress the most hopeful for 

 the future, and the most remarkable as compared with like periods in the past. 1 

 do not think it will be denied that the great body of manual labourers throughout 

 the country have a greater share of the comforts and enjoyments of life than they 

 had forty years ago ; that they are able to obtain more of the necessaries and com- 

 forts and even of some of the luxuries of life : that their wages are higher (on 

 which point I would refer you to the paper read j'esterday by Professor Leone 

 Levi, bearing in some measure on this matter) — not only higher in themselves, but 

 also as compared with the cost of living. There was great reason that they should 

 be higher. The higher rate, too, is earned with shorter hours, and by labour, gene- 

 rally speaking — 1 won't now speak of everj' trade, but generally speaking — under 

 improved conditions from those which existed at the former period. 



Passing from these purely material conditions, much as there is yet to do in 

 education, no one will deny that there has been progress in education. No one, I 

 think, will deny that there has been progTess in general culture ; and, speaking 

 generally, I believe there has been great progress in better and more kindly rela- 

 tions between this large and important class and other classes of the community. 

 Well, now, I should be very sorry if these remarks were misapprehended. Do not 

 suppose me to think that in stating my belief that there has been progress that we 

 have got to that point at which we can rest and be thankful. I should be very 

 sorry to be supposed for a moment to be suggesting apathy to ourselves in our 

 endeavours to improve the condition of the manual labourer, or suggesting or 

 advising content to him — if by content be meant a cessation of efibrts for his own 

 improvement. I believe there is much in the conditions of labour and the state of 

 manual labourers throughout the coimtry to which the word content would be by- 

 no means applicable. There is much for others to do for them, and still more for 

 them to do for themselves. I merely mention this progress as a stimulus for the 



