http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8721 2013-05-24T10:05:29Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8380 Title: Report of the council read at the opening of the seventh session Abstract: We now enter on the commencement of a new session, and it may not be uninteresting to the members of our society to take a brief survey of the labours of the past. Description: Read November 28th 1853 1854-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8362 Title: Statistics of poor relief in England and Wales for the year 1851 compiled from the fourth annual report of the Poor Law Board Author: Cheshire, Edward Abstract: The expenditure for the relief of the poor in England and Wales during the year ended Lady-day, 1851, amounted to £4,962,704, being a decrease of £432,318, or 8 per cent, as compared with the expenditure of the preceding year. The sum expended in the year ended Lady-day, 1851, amounted to 5s. 6d. per head on the population, and in the preceding year to 6s. Id., being a decrease of 7d. per head. Description: Read Monday March 21st 1853 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8340 Title: On the best means of raising the supplies for a war expenditure Author: Cairnes, John E. Abstract: The question respecting the raising of the supplies for a war expenditure, by what means they can be most efficiently obtained, and with the least inconvenience to the community, has been of late years allowed to fall in some degree into abeyance; owing, perhaps, to the small probability there seemed of there being any occasion for bringing it to a practical decision. It appears, however, that it is not likely to enjoy this exemption from discussion much longer. On the contrary, there seems now to be little doubt that the financial problem of a war expenditure will soon assume a character of formidable and pressing importance; and under these circumstances, a brief notice of this question, and of some of the arguments and statistics applying to it, may perhaps possess some interest for this society. Description: Read March 20th 1854 1854-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8325 Title: On the agricultural statistics of Ireland Author: Lawson, James A. Abstract: Here is a vast mass of information, and it is surely worth while to endeavour to elicit the truths contained in it; and while this remains to be done, none of us need complain of a deficiency of materials for valuable statistical papers. It was this train of thought which induced me to attempt, in a hurried and imperfect manner, to bring before you some matters connected with the Irish Returns of Agricultural Statistics; and I may mention that a very interesting publication, illustrative of the view I have put forward, has appeared : "Cheshire's Results of the Census of Great Britain in 1851," which gives some of the most striking results of the census, presented in a mode likely to attract, and which has attracted popular attention. If the same kind of work were performed with respect to the Irish census, it would be found to repay the labour which it would require. Description: Read April 27th 1854 1854-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8320 Title: On the importance of reformatory establishments for juvenile delinquents Author: Pim, William Harvey Abstract: The treatment of the juvenile portion of the destitute and criminal classes appears to be one of the most pressing social questions of the day—one in which our national prosperity and individual welfare are both intimately concerned; and the object of this paper is to show that, notwithstanding acknowledged improvements in the discipline of many of our prisons of late years, our present system of making no distinction between juvenile and adult delinquents, and our mode of dealing with the former class, are great errors in our social policy; that it is not only cruel and unjust, but unwise and prejudicial to the welfare of the community, being utterly abortive, promoting the very evils we wish to guard against, and productive of an enormous expenditure; and that it is due not only to the unfortunate class referred to, but to the community at large, to take steps to remedy this evil, and thus to wipe away the stain which attaches to this country for having so long neglected a paramount duty. Description: Read February 20th 1854 1854-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8200 Title: Trade unions and combinations in 1853 Author: Leslie, T.E. Cliffe Abstract: Being desirous of obtaining authentic information with respect to the present character and prevalence of combinations among the working classes, I have endeavoured to possess myself of it by personal inquiry from persons who had the advantage, or disadvantage as it might be, of practical experience on the subject; and I have found it impossible to lay before you in half an hour both the results of my inquiry, and the conclusions they have suggested to my mind. I must, therefore, in this paper, present you with the evidence I have collected, without a report upon it; or, at least, I must follow the example of some parliamentary committees, and report only the evidence. There only one whom it would be proper to particularise by name) whose observations upon the subject of my investigation I thought entitled to some notice in this paper, from a different reason than that which has led me to submit to your consideration the testimony of the other witnesses. The exception I refer to is the literary traveller Mr. Laing, whose statements and opinions deserve some attention on the part of this society, not only in consequence of his popularity as a writer, but because he travels and writes as a social inquirer. Description: Read May 16th 1853 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8199 Title: On a decimal currency Author: Galbraith, Joseph A. Abstract: In many essays which have lately appeared on the subject of a decimal currency, the distinction has not been sufficiently observed which exists between a decimal coinage and a decimal currency; between a system of coins proceeding by decimal gradations, and a decimal system of denominations in moneys of account. It cannot be denied that a coinage founded on such a principle would be most convenient, if decimal denominations were once adopted; but it should be clearly understood that any coinage may be used consistently with a decimal system of accounts, provided that no piece shall contain a fractional part of the lowest denomination. In the United States of America, for example, where a decimal system prevails, the coins in common use are gold pieces of ten dollars, five dollars, and two and a half dollars, and silver pieces of one dollar, a half dollar, and a quarter dollar. In France and Belgium, where accounts are kept according to a decimal system, the gold coinage consists of pieces of ten francs, twenty francs, and twentyfive francs; the silver of pieces of five francs, two francs, francs, half-francs, and quarter-francs, which latter consist of 50 and 25 centimes respectively. Description: Read May 16th 1853 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8162 Title: On partnerships with limited liability Author: McKenna, P. J. Abstract: If any apology, further than the importance of the subject, were required for a paper such as the present, after the very able and carefully written pamphlet of Mr. Colles, it would be found in the report of the select committee, appointed to consider the law of partnerships in these countries:—'"Your committee, considering the vast extent and importance of the proposed alteration in the law, are unwilling to proceed in such a matter without the greatest caution. They find that the best authorities are divided on the subject, and that it would require great care to devise the checks and safeguards against fraud, necessary to accompany such a general relaxation or change in the law." Having due regard, then, to the difference of opinion on this question, as to the propriety of introducing into this country the system of limited liability, as also to the danger of rash or ill-considered legislation upon any subject; bearing in mind that any radical change can only be justified by a strong case being made for its necessity, let us consider the disadvantages which the present law of partnership imposes, and the objections which present themselves to a continuance of the system. Description: Read June 20th 1853 1854-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8160 Title: On the relation between landlord and tenant in Ireland Author: Greer, Samuel M. Abstract: In venturing to direct the attention of this Society, for a short time, to certain provisions of law which now regulate the relation between landlord and tenant in this country, I feel that I am dealing with a subject which some may consider hackneyed and ill-chosen. It is so important, however, to the agricultural classes of this country, that I am willing to run this risk, in order to discuss some branches of the subject which have not yet received an adequate share of public attention. Indeed it would be utterly impossible, in a single paper, to give even an outline of the question in all its bearings; and this is the less necessary, because certain great leading principles are now pretty generally admitted on both sides; and the points to which I refer lie more in the debatable ground, which has not yet been so accurately surveyed, or mapped out by statesmen or or economists. Without further preface, then, the proposition which I maintain is this:—That when there is no specific contract making a different provision, a tenant should be bound to deliver up his tenement at the end of his tenancy in as good condition merely as he received it in; and if beyond this he have added to its letting value, during his tenancy, by his own industry and capital, he should be allowed to possess a legal interest in that increased value so long as it shall subsist. Description: Read April 18th 1853 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/2262/8159 Title: The wine duties, with reference to their effects on the commercial relations between the British dominions and France Author: Ingram, Thomas Dunbar Abstract: In the following paper I propose to lay before you a summary of the history of the wine duties, and of the present condition of the trade, chiefly with reference to our commercial relations with France. Although these duties interfere with our intercourse with nearly all the nations of Southern Europe, I have considered only their effects upon our trade with France; partly because our commerce with no other nation has been clogged with so many impolitic restrictions, but principally because a trade with that nation, if free, would be of far greater importance to us than that with any other country. Description: Read April 18th 1853 1853-01-01T00:00:00Z