no contributor recorded

“ In 1824 Thompson held a public discussion at Cork with one who had acquired a considerable local reputation for ' his skill in the controversies of political economy.' In the result Thompson published in the same year his chief work, 'An Inquiry into the Principles of the Distribution of Wealth most conducive to Human Happiness.' A second edition appeared in 1850, and a third in 1869, edited by William Pare [q. v.] Thompson starts with the assumption that all wealth is the product of labour, which is the sole measure as well as the characteristic distinction of wealth. ”

“ His life was one of unresting public activity, characterised throughout by a certain eager and warm-hearted combativeness, but characterised too by a modest estimate of the range of his own capacities, and by unselfish desire that good work should be done, whether he or another got the praise. ”

“ Up to his time political economy had been rather commercial than industrial' (Foxwell) .
According to Professor Menger, 'from Thompson's book the later socialists, the Saint-Simonians, the Proudhons, and above all Marx and Rodbertus, have directly or indirectly drawn their opinions' (The Right to the whole Produce of Labour, Engl. trans. 1899, p. 51) . Marx quotes Thompson, although he fails to give him credit for the discovery of the theory of surplus value.
In his 'Distribution of Wealth' Thompson incidentally advocated the equal economic and political rights of men and women. ”

“ After the general election in July 1892 Mundella became once more president of the board of trade, with a seat in the cabinet. He then further strengthened the labour department, and began making its information more widely useful by the publication of the 'Labour Gazette.' A most characteristic act of his administration in the same office was the appointment of two railway servants as inspectors of accidents on railways. ”

“ Mundella to the confidence of any man.'
Nevertheless a suffering, poignant in proportion to his keen sense of honour, shook the health of his robust frame. In the succeeding general election of 1895, which proved so disastrous to his party, his constituents returned him unopposed, and his former colleagues invited him to take his place again upon the front opposition bench. His energy in and out of parliament returned; in particular he took a prominent part in debate on the education bills of 1896 and 1897. ”

“ With this work must be associated his principal, though not his only, contribution to factory legislation. In 1874 he introduced a bill to reduce the hours of labour for children and young persons in textile factories from sixty to fifty-four hours a week, to raise the age at which 'half-time' may begin from eight to ten, and the age for 'full-time' work from thirteen to fourteen, to shorten the duration of half-time work, and otherwise to strengthen the law in question. ”

“ By the introduction of a 'merit grant' designed to reward other forms of excellence than those which could be tabulated in an examination schedule, and to encourage the inventiveness and independent efforts of good teachers. ”

“ BUCK, ADAM (1759–1833) , portrait painter, elder son of Jonathan Buck, a silversmith of Castle Street, Cork, was born there in 1759. With a younger brother, Frederick, he studied art from an early age, and acquired some repute in youth in his native city as a painter of miniature portraits in water-colour. Coming to London in 1795, he settled at 174 Piccadilly, and soon gained popularity. He not only continued to paint miniature portraits in water-colour, but produced many portraits in oil and crayon of larger size. ”

“ By one of the Idle Classes,' London, 8vo, 1827 (see Graham Wallas, Life of Francis Place, pp. 268-9) ; and 'Practical Directions for the Speedy and Economical Establishment of Communities on the Principles of Mutual Co-operation, United Possessions, and Equality of Exertions, and of the Means of Enjoyment,' London, 8vo, 1830. ”