bination with agents in Canada and the United States, would at any rate assist in bringing about this consummation. If Ireland (as it was once remarked to me) could be stretched out like a piece of india-rubber, the peasantry would be as tranquil and contented as that of England. But as this is impossible, we must strive to do what is possible. As we cannot make more land to the inhabitants, we must make fewer inhabitants to the land,"—Sir G. C. Lewis on Irish Disturbances, p. 332.
The Effect of Emigration on Population in Ireland.
(See supra, p. 19.)
Though 500,000 persons have emigrated since 1860 the actual decrease in the population has been only 216,441, showing that the natural increase by births over deaths has filled up nearly one half of the vacancies created by emigration during the same period.
| Population. | Deaths. | Births. | |
| 5,788,415 | 2,831,783 | 2,956,632 | 1861 |
| 5,784,527 | 2,828,357 | 2,956,170 | 1862 |
| 5,739,569 | 2,801,963 | 2,937,606 | 1863 |
| 5,675,306 | 2,765,504 | 2,909,803 | 1864 |
| 5,641,086 | 2,745,753 | 2,895,333 | 1865 |
| 5,571,971 | 2,696,722 | 2,875,249 | 1866 |
IMPORTATIONS OF WHEAT AND FLOUR. (See Supra, p. 32.)
| Quarters in the Year. | |
| Before 1846 (average of 7 years) . . | 127,958 |
| In 1860 . . . . . . | 1,383,609 |
| In 1861 . . . . . . | 1,412,809 |
| In 1862 . . . . . . | 2,112,715 |
IMPORTATIONS OF INDIAN CORN AND MEAL.
| Quarters in the Year. | |
| Before 1846 (average of 7 years) . . | 11,007 |
| In 1860 . . . . . . | 1,317,514 |
| In 1861 . . . . . . | 1,970,988 |
| In 1862 . . . . . . | 1,773,255 |
