1839] 



iji periods of Famhie. 



211 



true character of Indian droughts;* and I believe it a^so to be cer- 

 tain, that they do, vritbout any adventitious cause save what may 

 be found in the existing condition of societr, of themselves con- 

 stantly occasion the most desolating fcimines. If this be denierl, and it 

 is contended, as Dr. Smith is disposed, though v/ith some hesitation to 

 contend, that the droughts of India are not so intense, nor so univcr^-al as of 

 themselves to occasion famine — I would ask, how has it then occurred, that 

 tens and even hundreds of thousands have perished by actual starva- 

 tion under British rule, whilst it is certain, that there has been no tam- 

 pering on the part of Government with the grain trade of the country^ 

 and the people have been left to the freest use of their own resources. 

 In opposition to Dr. Smith's supposition " that the drought is scarce 

 ever so universal as necessary to occasion a fimine if the Go= 

 vernment would allow a free trade." I should maintain, that no 

 fact is now perhaps better established in Indian statistics,— that not 

 scarcity, but absolute famine in all its severity, is caused by the fault 

 of the spcison alone, and that it is not brought on by any improper regu- 

 lations on the part of the Government. t 



Should this be conceded, it appears to me to strike at the root of the 

 doctrine of non-interference in tropical countries, and consequently that 

 we are not warranted in applying, as the circular oider of Government 

 does. Dr. Smith's principle without limitation to Southern India : but 

 must confine its application to cases, similar in their character to 

 scarcities in Europe. To seasons for example of very partial drought or 

 of dearth, where, either from the previous stores of grain in the pits of 



♦ The difference between the bad season of the tropical and the temperate zone, is 

 Strongly marked in the following report of the out turn of the late bad season in I808 

 in Great Britain and Ireland. — Results of the Harvest in Ireland. In this country the har- 

 vest is at an end, with the exception of isolated moiantain districts. The result may be 

 thus shortly Si ated. Wheat is generally speaking, fully one-third short of an average 

 crop, and the grain is deficient in yield. As far as the farmer is concerned, the price will, 

 to some extent, make up for what is wanting in quality and quantity. But the super- 

 abundance of the oat crop is admitted in all quarters and barley and potatoes are, with 

 very few exceptions, also beyond an average crop. In fact, allowing fur the partial 

 feilure of wheat, this yrar will be one of the best the Irish farmeis have had for a long 

 time. We are much better off than our neighbours either in England or Scotland.— 

 Dubl'in Post, Tuesday week. 



+ In rice countries, where the crop not only requires a very moist soil, but where, 

 *■ in a certain period of its growing, it must be laid under water, the effects of a 

 *' drought are much more dismal. Even in such countries, however, the drought is 

 •* perhai)s, scarce ever so universal as necessarily to occasion a famine, if the Government 

 " would allow a free trade. The drought in Bengal, a few years ago, might probably 

 *' have occasioned a very great dearth. Some improper regulation, some injudicious 

 " restraints imposed by the servants of the East India Company upon the rice trade 

 *' contributed, perhaps, to turn that dearth into a famine."— //-Va///< of Aations Book IV 

 chap, Digression concerning the corn trade and corn laws^ 



