habitual among the laborers, a rise of the price of food, or any other disadvantageous change in their circumstances, may operate in two ways: (_a_) it may correct itself by a rise of wages, brought about through a gradual effect on the prudential check to population; or (_b_) it may permanently lower the standard of living of the class, in case their previous habits in respect of population prove stronger than their previous habits in respect of comfort. In that case the injury done to them will be permanent, and their deteriorated condition will become a new minimum, tending to perpetuate itself as the more ample minimum did before. It is to be feared that, of the two modes in which the cause may operate, the last (_b_) is the most frequent, or at all events sufficiently so to render all propositions, ascribing a self-repairing quality to the calamities which befall the laboring-classes, practically of no validity. The converse case occurs when, by improvements in agriculture, the repeal of corn laws, or other such causes, the necessaries of the laborers are cheapened, and they are enabled with the same [money] wages to command greater comforts than before. Wages will not fall immediately: it is even possible that they may rise; but they will fall at last, so as to leave the laborers no better off than before, unless during this interval of prosperity the standard of comfort regarded as indispensable by the class is permanently raised. Unfortunately this salutary effect is by no means to be counted upon: it is a much more difficult thing to raise, than to lower, the scale of living which the laborers will consider as more indispensable than marrying and having a family. According to all experience, a great increase invariably takes place in the number of marriages in seasons of cheap food and full employment. This is to be seen by some brief statistics of marriages in Vermont and Massachusetts. Year. Vermont Massachusetts 1860 2,179 12,404 1861 2,188 10,972 1862 1,962 11,014 1863 2,007 10,873 1864 1,804 12,513 1865 2,569 13,052 1866 3,001 14,428 1867 2,857 14,451 In Vermont, while the average number of marriages was reached in 1860 and 1861, it fell off on the breaking out of the war; rose in 1863, under the fair progress of the Northern arms; again fell off in 1864, during the period of discouragement; and since 1865 has kept a steadily higher average. In manufacturing Massachusetts the number fell earlier than in agricultural Vermont, at the beginning of the difficulties. 1856, July to Jan. 6,418 1857, Jan. to July 5,803 1857, July to Jan. 5,936 1858, Jan. to July 4,917 1858, July to Jan. 5,610