2 
Condition of the A(/ricuItuTal Labourer, tvith 
The general condition and habits of our labouring population 
at different periods would form an extremely interesting subject 
of inquiry, and if it were properly conducted, it would enable us 
to judge how far their present condition is improved or otherwise, 
as compared with their condition at any antecedent period. But 
to afford the means of accurate judgment on this point, the inquiry 
must extend to every class, in order that the relative position of 
the working class might be seen, as well as its actual position — 
relatively with respect to other classes, and actually as respects 
itself. There is neither time nor space for such an inquiry at 
present, but it mav be well to notice very briefly two or three 
facts bearing upon the question. 
The average duration of life, or what is called the probability 
of life, may be regarded as pretty certainly indicating the condi- 
tion of a people ; and measured by this test, there appears to 
have been a marked improvement in the condition of the English 
people in course of the last century, the probability of life having 
greatly increased within that period. It is now, according to the 
Registration Returns, forty-one years, whilst between 1735 and 
1780 it was estimated by Dr. Price at only twenty-five years, and 
other statists had estimated it at considerably less in the century 
preceding. It is true that at those early periods the estimates 
were founded upon less perfect data than what we now possess, 
and are most likely to some extent erroneous ; but they serve to 
show that the average duration of life has been progressively in- 
creasing, and we may infer that the increase has been a conse- 
quence of the generally improved condititm of the people. 
So in regard to the laws chiefly affecting the lower orders. 
The severity of these laws has been materially mitigated of late 
years, most of the harsher penalties having been abolished, and 
the others so modified as to deprive them of the severe and re- 
volting character which they previously bore. There is still, it is 
true, something to be done in this respect, of which the legislature 
appears fully sensible, a session seldom passing without some 
enactment expressly directed-to this ol)ject. 
So likewise as regards the relief of the destitute. The means 
provided for this purpose are more ample, and better organised, 
than at any preceding period. More money may heretofore have 
been expended, but the amount of relief afforded to the really 
destitute has never been so ample nor so accessible as at present, 
neither were the sick poor ever so well cared for. 
Having regard then to the increase in the duration of life, and 
to what has been done to lighten the pressure of the penal laws, 
and to ensure the administration of adequate relief to the really 
destitute poor, it seems impossible to doubt that the condition of 
the working classes in this country has been improved, and that it 
