Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

gence, and in mutual goodwill. There is no agitation any where, save that of OPINION, which of itself strongly denotes that the natural wants of man are tolerably satisfied. Amidst all this, it is pleasing to think our own country keeps the foremost place. One of the noblest indications of moral and intellectual worth, is the love of justice and humanity, and of this we are about to afford a splendid example. It has long been the boast of the Christian over the heathen world, that it was the first to establish asylums for indigence and misfortune. The second, and not less brilliant triumph of modern over Greek and Roman civilization, will be the extinction of slavery, by the emancipation of the African race.

I am,

My dear Sir,

London, June 12, 1833.

Truly yours,

J. WADE.

Monopolies-Absence of Police, and Dreadful Disorders-
Manners and Education-Diet and Dress-Abortive Efforts
to fix Price of Labour-Compulsory Assessment for the
Poor forced on the Legislature after the Failure of other
Expedients

CHAP. VI.

44

Act of the 43d of Elizabeth-Provisions of the English Poor-
laws derived from Scotland-Curious Expedients for Relief
of the Poor-Act against the Erection of Cottages-Alarm
about the Increase of the Metropolis-Excess of Population
-Pestilence-Comparison of the Elizabethan Age with
the present

CHAP. VII. '

54

Chronological Digest of Facts relative to the Industrious

Orders, from the Introduction of the Poor-laws to the 1

present time

-

64

PART II.

POLITICAL ECONOMY OF THE INDUS-
TRIOUS ORDERS.

CHAP. I.

LABOUR.

Subject Defined-Different kinds and Progress of Industry-
Labour the only source of Wealth

CHAP. II.

DIVISION OF EMPLOYMENTS.

115

Division of Labour-It saves Time-Improves Skill and Dex-
terity-Suggests the Contrivance of Tools and Machinery—
Lessens the Cost of Production-Applicable chiefly to
Mechanical Employments-Limited by Extent of the
Market

122

[ocr errors]

with Chance of Success in Employments---Gains of Literary
and Professional Men---Inadequate Pay of Soldiers and
Sailors---Motives to a Naval and Military Life---Effects of
Long Apprenticeships, the Poor-laws, and Immunities
of Corporations on Freedom of Industry---Combinations
of Trades, like Monopolies

CHAP. VII.

WAGES OF LABOUR.

184

Reduction of Wages increases Supply of Labour---Effects
of Speculation on Wages---Legitimate and Illusive Specu-
lations---Agricultural Speculation during the War, and
Mercantile Speculation of 1825---Rate of Wages determined
by the Unemployed, not Employed Workmen---Conse-
quence of a trifling Excess of Labour---High Wages depend
solely on the Conduct of the Working Classes---Futility
of various popular Expedients exposed---Government im-
potent, as respects Condition of Labouring Classes --- Cannot
relieve an Overstocked Labour Market---France in 1830---|
Taxation---Lavish Public Expenditure indefensible---Home
Colonization

CHAP. VIII.

CAUSES OF HIGH WAGES.

205

Effect on Wages of an Increase in the Incomes of Individuals
---Wages increase with the increase of national Capital---
State of Society most favourable to the Working Classes---
Population increased faster than Capital in Ireland---De-
mand for Labour increased by Security of Property ---Neces-
sity of Freedom in the Employment of Capital and Indus-
try---Effects of War and civil Commotion on the Condition
of the Industrious Orders

CHAP. IX.

GENERAL CONCLUSIONS ON WAGES.

226

Wages can only be settled by Competition of Workmen---
Wages of Farm Servants and in Factories---Distinction
between skilled and unskilled Labour--Standard of Living---
High Wages not a source of Idleness and Vice---Necessity
of Relaxation---Effects of Arts, Trades, and Professions, on
Health --Danger of low Diet and degrading Habits---Con-
trast of a Potato and Wheat-fed Population---Opinions of
M'Culloch and Adam Smith--- Government not less than
Society interested in the wellbeing of the Working
Classes

[ocr errors]

236

« AnteriorContinuar »