A tour in Ireland; with general observations on the present state of that kingdom made in the years 1776, 1777, and 1778. And brought down to the end of 1779 / By Arthur Young.

Arthur Young

Date:: 1780

Credit: A tour in Ireland; with general observations on the present state of that kingdom made in the years 1776, 1777, and 1778. And brought down to the end of 1779 / By Arthur Young. Source: Wellcome Collection.

579/588 (page 167)

$Ardagh, Emly, Kilmore, Elphin, Rofs, Killala, Cloyne, Kilfenora, Dromore, Clonfert APPENDIX. 167 I. 1. 200 Leighlin, —• — — — 80 100 Ardmagh, — — — 150 600 Waterford, — — 400 250 Chrilt church, — — 2000 20 . Limerick, — ■— — — 600 150 Calbel, —• — — 200 220 Clogher, — 800 210 Tuam, — — — 300 400 Ferns, — — 300 20 Archdeaconry of Kells, — — 1200 IDLENESS. La fociedad economica de Dublin ha levantado enteramcnte de nuevo las lencerias de Ir- landa; cuyos habitantes ejlaban pofetdos de gran indolencia. Han extendido fu agricultura, en lugar que antes vivian de ganados y paftos, como los tartaros. See the Appendice a la Educa^ {ton Popular, Parte Qiiarta, p. 35. Madrid 1777> by Campomanes. FALL IN THE PRICE OF THE PRODUCTS OF LAND. Having in the preceding fheets, mentioned much diftrefs being felt in England from the great fall in the price of ail products, I think I may be pardoned one or two obfervations in defence of opinions I have formerly held, and which then fubjedled me to much cenfure from the pens of a variety of pamphleteers. ^ From the conclufion of the laft peace in 1762, to 1775 inclufive, the prices of all the produ£ls of the earth were at fo high a price, that complaints were innumerable. I have a fhelf in my ftudy almoft full of publications on the fubjeft, and parliament itfelf was em- ployed more than once in enquiring into the caufes. The fuppofitions oi the publick were endlefs, there was fcarcely an objecSl: in the kingdom, which was not mentioned as a caufe, jobbers, regrators, foreftallers, fample felling, export bounty, poft horfes, ftage coaches, hounds. &c &c. but fome refpedfable •complainants fixed on great farms and inclofures. During that period I more than once endeavoured to perfuade the publick, that the com- plaint itfelf was not well founded, that prices were not comparatively fo high as had been aflerted ; that the rife was not owing to any one of the caufes mentioned, and that a con- liderable increafe of national wealth was fully fufficient to account for it. In the years 1776, 1777, and 1778, prices fell confiderably ; and in 1779 fo low, that very general complaints have been heard of ruined farmers and diftreffed landlords, and at the time I am now writing the fact holds, that there is a very confiderable fall in all products, and great numbers of farmers ruined. 1 have the prices of wool now for forty years before me, and that which from 1758 to 1767 was from i8s. to 21s. a tod, is for 1779 only 12s. and was in 1778 but 148. We mull go back to 1754 to find a year folow as the laft. Wheat and all forts of grain are greatly fallen*. In addition to thefe fafts let me obferve, that great farms and enclofures are now as pre- valent as ever. If they were the occafion of high p ices before, how come they not to have the fame effedt now But it is quite unneceflary to dwell upon a fa£l, which at the firft blufti brings with it the moft complete convitSlion. • The comparifon in general mull Hand thus: Wheat, 3s. to 35. 6d. which 5 years ago was 6s. to 7s. Barley, as. ditto 3s. 6d. Oats. as. ditto as. 6d. Beans, 2S. lod. to 3s. ditto 3s. 6d. Wool, 12s. to 15s. ditto ]6s. t0 2is. Lambs, 6s. ditto 123. 2 year old wethers IQS. which were 20s, Cows, 5I. to 61. 7I. to 9I. Hogs, 20s. 26s. 4 year old fleers, 3I. los. to 5I. 7I. to lol. Oak timber, 3I. to 4I. 3I. 10s. to 4I. los. Alh ditto, 2I. to zl. 5s. 2I. ios. to 3I. After$