More convincing proof that emigration is, for the most part, the result of general distress, and that the intensity and wide spread of that distress is to be measured by its increase, cannot possibly be imagined. In the next place, the criminal records for the same period, since 1822, demonstrate, in a manner equally decisive, that amidst all our advances in civilisation, wealth, and productive industry, the causes producing an increase of crime have been equally active; and that, abreast of the distress which drove such prodigious and increasing multitudes into exile, have advanced the social evils which have, in an equal ratio, multiplied the criminals among those who remain at home. From the table quoted below, it appears that, since the year 1822, serious crime, over the whole empire, has advanced fully 300 per cent; while the numbers of the people, during the same period, have not increased more than 30 per cent, which of itself is a very great and most surprising increase for an old state. It has advanced from 27,000 to 75,000. In other words, serious crime, during the last twenty-five years, has advanced TEN TIMES as fast as the numbers of the people.[5] [5] TABLE showing the commitments for Serious Crime in England, Scotland, and Ireland, from 1822 to 1849, both inclusive:-- +------+---------+---------+---------+--------+ |Years | England |Scotland | Ireland | TOTAL | |------+---------+---------+---------+--------| | 1822 | 12,241 | 1,691 | 13,251 | 27,183 | | 1823 | 12,263 | 1,733 | 14,632 | 28,628 | | 1824 | 13,698 | 1,802 | 15,258 | 30,748 | | 1825 | 14,437 | 1,876 | 15,515 | 31,828 | | 1826 | 16,164 | 1,999 | 16,318 | 34,481 | | 1827 | 17,924 | 2,116 | 18,031 | 30,071 | | 1828 | 16,564 | 2,024 | 14,683 | 33,273 | | 1829 | 18,675 | 2,063 | 15,271 | 36,009 | | 1830 | 18,107 | 2,329 | 15,794 | 36,230 | | 1831 | 19,647 | 2,451 | 16,192 | 38,290 | | 1832 | 20,829 | 2,431 | 16,056 | 39,316 | | 1833 | 20,072 | 2,564 | 17,819 | 40,453 | | 1834 | 22,451 | 2,691 | 24,381 | 49,523 | | 1835 | 20,731 | 2,867 | 21,205 | 44,803 | | 1836 | 20,984 | 2,922 | 23,891 | 47,797 | | 1837 | 23,612 | 3,126 | 14,804 | 41,452 | | 1838 | 23,094 | 3,418 | 15,723 | 42,635 | | 1839 | 24,443 | 3,409 | 26,392 | 54,244 | | 1840 | 27,187 | 3,872 | 23,883 | 54,892 | | 1841 | 27,760 | 3,562 | 20,796 | 52,118 | | 1842 | 31,389 | 4,189 | 21,186 | 56,684 | | 1843 | 29,591 | 3,615 | 20,126 | 53,332 | | 1844 | 26,542 | 3,575 | 19,448 | 49,565 | | 1845 | 24,303 | 3,537 | 16,696 | 44,536 | | 1846 | 25,107 | 4,069 | 18,492 | 47,668 | | 1847 | 28,883 | 4,635 | 31,209 | 64,677 | | 1848 | 30,349 | 4,909 | 38,522 | 73,780 | | 1849 | 27,806 | 4,357 | 41,982 | 74,162 |