nd in great measure on their own limited resources, a itely more liable to the chances of famine.

is of as much importance to the peace and good ord ɔciety, as to the comfort and happiness of individua wages should be maintained at a high elevation. T er the notions entertained by the labouring classes t is necessary for their support, and the greater t ber and the intensity of their artificial wants, the mo re is their position. When a revulsion takes place great department of industry, or when the crops fa kpeople who have been in the enjoyment of a conside amount of luxuries, may, by parting with them, st in a sufficient supply of necessaries. But those who a sted of all artificial wants, who neither drink ale nor u cco, who care neither for comfortable clothes nor co able lodgings, and who are satisfied if they have as ma toes as will suffice for their support and that of the lies, can make no retrenchments. Such people cann with what is convenient to obtain what is necessa ir subsistence having been reduced to a minimum, fami t unavoidably follow any reduction of its quantity. We do not, however, mean by anything now stated, to s insinuate, that artificial wants, however different, ally advantageous. Some of them, such as the prevale e for gin and tobacco, especially the former, cannot much regretted. Intemperance is the bane, the leadi of the lower classes of this country. They are impo

rished by the loss of the immense sums lavished on this miserable gratification, at the same time that indulgence in it leads to idleness and crime, undermines the constitution, and brings on wretchedness and premature old age. Nothing, therefore, would be so likely to be advantageous to the labouring class as the substitution of some other and less exceptionable taste, such as the desire to have better houses and furniture, better clothes, or better food, for the taste for gin and tobacco. But, bad as the latter is, still it is better than none. Were the labouring class to relinquish the taste for gin and tobacco, without substituting some one else of equal potency in its stead, their wages would be reduced accordingly. And when a period of distress came they would be still less able than at present to retrench, to abandon superfluities or luxuries, that they might acquire necessaries. And if they had' nothing on which to fall back when there was a want of employment, or the crop happened to be deficient, what would then be the fate of the richer class of citizens, if there were any such in the country? It is justly observed by Lord Bacon, that “of all rebellions those of the belly are the worst." Is it possible for human beings without food to be quiet, orderly, and to respect the rights of others? Is it to be supposed, that those who have nothing will submit to be starved without previously attempting to seize on the property of others? Whatever may be said to the contrary, famine and the virtues of patience and resignation are not on. very companionable terms. Much, unquestionably, of the crime and bloodshed with which Ireland has been disgraced and deluged, must be traced to former oppression and the character of her people. But mach also has been owing to the recklessness and despair occasioned by their abject poverty, and their habitual dependence on the potato. The right of property will never be respected by those who are destitute of all property, and whose wages are totally incompetent to afford them the means of its acquisition. Such persons are disposed to regard it rather as a bulwark thrown up to secure the interests of a few favourites of fortune, than as

ADVANTAGE OF HIGH WAGES.

being essential to the public welfare. It is only where la is well rewarded, and where the mass of the people hav ability to save some portion of their earnings, and acqu stake in the hedge, that they become interested in the su of the great fundamental principles necessary to the exis of society. These they otherwise regard either with ind ence or aversion, and attack them on the slightest provoc

It has been contended by Arthur Young, Franklin, many other philosophers, of whose benevolence and zeal i cause of humanity no doubt can be entertained, and to opinions on most subjects great deference is due, that wages, instead of encouraging industry, become a fr source of idleness and dissipation. It is, indeed, a con allegation, that if the poor can earn as much in three or days as will support them during the week, they will a themselves for the remainder of it from their employ and indulge in all manner of excesses. Nothing, howeve be more incorrect than to apply such representations t poor generally. In every country and situation of life, bers of individuals will no doubt be always found wh careless of the future, and intent only on present enjoyn and where wages are low, and employment is subject to fluctuation, the improvident class becomes comparatively But unless the population be at once exceedingly poor their ideas of what is necessary for their proper suppor ceedingly degraded, the principle of accumulation always dominates in aggregate bodies over the passion for exp Wherever wages are so low as to render it impossible f ordinary increase of exertion to make any material additi the comforts and conveniences of the labourers, they inva sink into a state of sluggish and stupid indifference. Bu desire to rise in the world, and to improve our condition, deeply seated in the human breast ever to be wholly e cated. And if labour be rendered more productive, if a crease of industry bring along with it a proportional inc of comforts and enjoyments, indolence gives place to exer

a taste for convenienecs and enjoyments gradually diffuses itself; increased exertions are made to obtain them; and ultimately the workman considers it discreditable to be without them.

"The liberal reward of labour," says Adam Smith, as it encourages the propagation, so it increases the industry, of the common people. The wages of labour are the encouragement of industry, which, like every other human quality, improves in proportion to the encouragement it receives. A plentiful subsistence increases the bodily strength of the labourer; and the comfortable hope of bettering his condition, and of ending his days perhaps in ease and plenty, animates him to exert that strength to the utmost. Where wages are high, accordingly, we shall always find the workman more active, diligent, and expeditious, than where they are low; in England, for example, than in Scotland; in the neighbourhood of great towns than in remote country places. Some workmen, indeed, when they can earn in four days what will maintain them through the week, will lie idle the other three. This, however, is by no means the case with the greater part. Workmen, on the contrary, when they are liberally paid by the piece, are very apt to overwork themselves, and to ruin their health and constitution in a few years. A carpenter in London, and in some other places, is not supposed to last in his utmost vigour above eight years. Something of the same kind happens in many other trades, in which workmen are paid by the piece, as they generally are in manufactures, and even in country labour, wherever wages are higher than ordinary. Almost every class of artificers is subject to some peculiar infirmity, occasioned by excessive application to their peculiar species of work. Ramazzini, an eminent Italian physician, has written a particular book concerning such diseases. We do not reckon our soldiers the most industrious set of people among us: yet when soldiers have been employed in some particular sorts of work, and liberally paid by the piece, their officers have frequently been obliged to stipulate with the undertaker, that they shall not be allowed to earn above a

rally

not restrained by force, or by some strong necessity, is a resistible. It is the call of nature, which requires elieved by some indulgence, sometimes of ease only, but mes, too, of dissipation and diversion. If it is not com with, the consequences are often dangerous and some atal, and such as almost always, sooner or later, bring o eculiar infirmity of the trade. If masters would always o the dictates of reason and humanity, they have frequ ccasion rather to moderate than to animate the applic f many of their workmen. It will be found, I belie very sort of trade, that the man who works so moderat o be able to work constantly, not only preserves his he longest, but; in the course of the year, execute greatest quantity of work.”

If an increase of wages ever discourages industry, it be the industry of those who have previously been stra every nerve to obtain mere subsistence, or the forced ind of the indolent and the dissolute. And even to produc effect on them, the increase must be sudden and trans not gradual and permanent. We are warranted in affir hat a steadily high rate of wages never has had, and will have, any such effect. It is nugatory to pretend, t work-people be capable of earning, by an ordinary deg application, more than is sufficient for their decent su they alone, of all the various ranks and orders of the co nity, will waste the surplus in riot and debauchery. have the same common sense, and are actuated by the

1 Wealth of Nations, p. 37.