e industry of its lower orders, is retarded. I have
always maintained, that this assertion likewise is distinctly
refuted, and not only that it is refuted, but the very contrary
established, by statistical facts; that it is indeed made in face
of the demonstrable fact, that the nations most celebrated for
industry have long enjoyed a legal protection against destitution;
that the people of England, speaking generally, are probably, to
use the words of Lord Abinger,--'the most trustworthy and
effective labourers in the world,' and that the greatest degree of
idleness to be seen on the face of the earth exists among people
who have no such protection; whose only resource, therefore, when
destitute, is mendicity."

Dr Alison endeavours to show that wherever the _labour test_ is
applied, an able-bodied Poor Law is disarmed of its apparent dangers.

"Where the bounty dispensed by Dr Boyter and Captain Eliott has
been combined with 'strict attention to the rules laid down by the
Central Relief Board,' (which are exactly similar to those which
would be adopted by any experienced official Board dispensing
legal relief to the able-bodied under the safeguard of the labour
test,) its effects in stimulating the industry of the people, and
improving the prospects of the country, appear to have been
uniform and decided. And when it is remembered that,
notwithstanding the failure of the potato crop, and consequent
destitution of so large a population in the Highlands, the Relief
Committees have been not only able to prevent any death by famine,
but to open in so many places a fair prospect of improvement of
the country, and of reformation of the manners of the people, at
an expense in all not exceeding L100,000, it is surely not
unreasonable to expect, that in ordinary seasons, and after some
further assistance shall have been given them for the purpose of
emigration, the proprietors of the Highlands and Islands will be
perfectly able to bear a similar burden to that _which the
legislature has now imposed on Ireland_.

"I observe with the utmost satisfaction that the principle of a
Poor Law, skilfully imposed and judiciously regulated, and
extending to _all kinds_ of destitution, being a useful stimulus,
both to the industry of the people, and to the exertions of the
landlords and other capital