On the condition of the Irish labourer

Abstract

I propose in this paper to submit to the consideration of the society, the results of some applications of economic principles to an investigation of the causes on which the condition of the Irish labourer depends. The chief results are ?first, that the condition of the Irish labourer at present depends chiefly on the state of agriculture in Ireland ? secondly, that any artificial interference to promote native manufactures would be injurious instead of beneficial to the labourers ? and thirdly, that it is unscientific and erroneous to describe the population of Ireland as excessive.