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324 ECONOMIC 11IlQUIRIES AND STUDIES
nearly 200 per cent. (se~ITableXI.), cannot but attract
observation.· ,
The great increase of the consumption of tea and
sugar has already been adverted to, but the figures as
to consumption of meat and other articles in the sup-
plementary tables are equally instructive, and it is un-
necessary to repeat them in detail. The evidence is,
moreover, cumulative, the facts as to revenue support-
ing the other evidence as to the growth of wealth, and
being themselves explained by that growth as they
could not otherwise be explained. Nor is another fact
apparent on the face of the supplementary tables and
of the income tax returns, viz., the fact of a decline or
stationary condition of agriculture and of some other
industries, inconsistent with this conclusion. There is
always an up and down in every sort of industry.
New industries are continually starting up, and no one
can foresee from year to year in what new directions
we are to advance and where it is inevitable we should
recede. The point is to have an increase of wealth
and income on balance, and not set too much store on
special changes.

Summary and Conclusion.
This paper has extended, I fear, beyond the modest
limits intended by my friends. Let me hasten therefore
to summarize what has been said, and add a word or
two of comment, if not exhortation.
I. The expenditure of the Imperial Government of
the United Kingdom has increased since the comple-
tion of Free Trade reform in 1861, and mostly since
1891, from an initial figure of about 70 million £ to
the present total of 180 million £ or thereabouts, of
which about 150 to 160 million £ may be considered
of a permanent character.
2. No pH of this increase is due to the increase of
the debt charge, which has rather diminished.
3. Further, the increase is only due in small degree