In March 1846, on the introduction of the measure (_9th and 10th Vict. cap. 2_) for enabling the Treasury to make advances on security of grand jury presentments, Mr. O'Connell, whose knowledge of Ireland must be admitted, declared that government had acted wisely in causing a quantity of maize or Indian corn to be imported, to replace the damaged potatoes, as by so doing they had added to the quantity of food for the people. [130] See ‘The Irish Crisis,’ by Sir Charles Trevelyan, reprinted in 1848 from the Edinburgh Review No. 175. ----- Although the potato had thus failed, not only in Ireland but in England and Scotland, and throughout the greater portion of Europe, the grain crops were generally abundant, and would in a great degree supply the deficiency caused by such failure, except where the potato constituted the chief or nearly sole article of subsistence, as was the case in many parts of Ireland. Here the void caused by the loss of the potato could only be supplied by imports from abroad, and this circumstance was adduced by Sir Robert Peel in January 1846 as one of the reasons for a reduction of the corn-duties, and led to Indian corn being admitted at a duty of 1_s._ per quarter, instead of being charged the same duty as barley, as it previously had been, and owing to which charge probably, it was little used or known either in England or Ireland. In the autumn of 1845, as soon as the prevalence of the “potato disease” had been ascertained, government deputed three gentlemen of high scientific attainments[131] to examine into its nature, and to suggest means for checking its ravages. But the result showed that the evil was beyond the reach of human skill, for notwithstanding the application of every remedy which science could devise or experience dictate, the decay of the root continued with undiminished rapidity. On the appearance of the disease, the Poor Law Commissioners entered into active communication with the several boards of guardians on the subject, and endeavoured to mitigate the consequences of the potato failure, by authorizing the use of other kinds of food in the union dietaries. These were for the most part modified accordingly, and bread, or stirabout prepared from Indian meal, was substituted for potatoes. ----- [131] These were Professors Kane, Lindley, and Playfair. ----- [Sidenote: A fourth commissioner appointed.] The circumstances of Ireland at this time, induced the government to exercise the power conferred by the _119th section_ of the Irish Poor Relief Act, and to appoint a fourth commissioner to act in that country. The gentleman selected was Mr. Twisleton, of whom mention has been made in connexion with the Scotch Poor Law;[132] and on his proceeding to Ireland, the powers previously delegated to the two assistant-commissioners[133] were revoked. ----- [132] See ‘History of the Scotch Poor Law,’ pp. 130 and 165. [133] Ante, p. 284. -----