of 3,785,400 in 1882, than she did the 1,625,000 in 1801. With no less land than in 1801, but without the help of the -modern productive power," we find Ireland is not so well able to maintain her population of 5,097,730 in 1882 as she was 5,216,329 in 1801. Can there be a better proof that what we have to do is to think over what Nature has enabled us to "produce produce best and cheapest," and to exchange the same for the "food and necessaries of life" that other nations can produce cheaper than ourselves ? To lessen poverty, and ensure progress, our policy is to strive for the intelligent co-operation of capital, skill, and labour, to produce a greater quantity and a better quality of work than heretofore, and to have the most economical system of production and distribution that capital, experience, and thought can supply.

Mr. George asks: " Why, in spite of increase in productive power, do wages tend to a minimum which will give but a bare living ? " The reply is obvious. The price of labour, like any other commodity, is regulated by supply and demand; if in any given branch of labour there be a scarcity of labour in propor? tion to the demand for it, employers will bid against each other to get it; if, on the contrary, there be an excess of labour, although the labourers may by their unions, prevent A from offering to work for less than B, still the fact, known to employers and employed, that there is an excess of this particular kind of labour, must reduce the price paid for its use. Mr. George recognizes this principle when he tells us that the rate of interest for money is high when wages are high, and low when wages are low. High wages in any branch of labour