187 



XII. 



On the Potato as an Article of National Diet, and 

 the Potato Disease in connexion with Distress in 

 Ireland. By J. E. Bicheno, Esq., F.E.S., F.L.S., &c. 

 \Eead \Uh March, 18-19.] 



EoR some time past political evils have been but a small 

 element in determining the condition of Ireland. The one 

 great evil has been the almost exclusive cultivation and 

 adoption of the potato as an article of national diet, with 

 a rapid increase of population upon this low and degenerate 

 food. The fearful calamities which have been witnessed of 

 late years in Ireland had long been foreseen by the physiolo- 

 gist and economist as the inevitable results of such a national 

 diet and system of cultivation, and have stamped the potato 

 as the worst species of food for a people. As an adjunct to 

 other and better food, the potato is beyond all praise ; but 

 as the chief article of consumption, and sole dependence of 

 the inhabitants of any country, it becomes politically and 

 economically a curse. 



The scourge of famine and pestilence which swept Ireland 

 during the years 1845-6-7-8, while it roused England and 

 the British public to the most gigantic efforts at relief, 

 awakened the warmest sympathies of the civilized world, 

 and drew from countries and people alien in race and 

 religion, and in political and social institutions, — from 

 Europe, Asia, Africa, and America — from the Christian, the 

 Moslem, and the Hindoo, — large and repeated contributions 

 in aid. It was, perhaps, the first instance of the treasury of 

 the world being poured into the lap of one unhappy land. 



