THK MINISTRY, THE ARISTOCRACY, AND THE PEOPLE. 245 



not even now too late,, for unless this is done, it requires not the 

 discernment of a prophet, to predict that the days of the Irish church, 

 are already numbered. 



When, however, we take into consideration the numerous diffi- 

 culties which beset the question of Irish Church Reform, ministers 

 are, in our estimation, less deserving of censure, for having neglected 

 to bring forward a really efficient Church Reform Bill, than for 

 having omitted to prepare other measures much more indispensable, 

 and much more calculated to promote the permanent welfare of 

 Ireland, and to remove evils which are not only fatal to the present 

 peace and happiness of Ireland, but fraught with danger to the whole 

 empire. We are well aware that Ireland can never enjoy internal 

 and permanent peace, until some means are found to check those 

 religious animosities by which she is distracted, and to remove the 

 numerous abuses of the church establishment; but certain we are, 

 that although both of these important objects were gained, she would 

 still remain restless, disturbed, and dissatisfied, unless some effectual 

 remedies were applied to the inherent evils which affect her social 

 condition. In a word, does not every man, who is not blind to the 

 plainest dictates of common sense, clearly perceive that all the mi- 

 series of Ireland arise from one source the existence of an ignorant, 

 overgrown, and starving population ; and that until the great original 

 cause of agitation is taken away, agitation will never be removed by 

 any concessions however great, and however often repeated. Long 

 indeed before the present period, their accumulated wrongs and ag- 

 gravated misery must have driven the Irish peasantry into open 

 rebellion, had not the influence of the Catholic priesthood, united 

 with that of Mr. O'Connell, preserved them from a course which 

 would only have forged new chains for their country, and increased 

 tenfold their own sufferings. But it is ruin to expect that any in- 

 fluence can permanently restrain the excesses of a population groan- 

 ing under privations, the bare thought of which sickens the heart ; 

 and we may rest assured, that unless some means are instantly em- 

 ployed to improve the condition of the lower orders in Ireland, that 

 country will, at no distant period, be laid waste by a social revolution 

 of the most terrible and remorseless character. 



But we will now be met by the question What plan do you 

 recommend for the removal or mitigation of this 'great evil which 

 affects Ireland ? We answer, without hesitation, the establishment of 

 poor laws. We are not insensible indeed, for who can be so, to the 

 injurious effects of which the poor laws have been productive in 

 England ; but surely these effects may be traced to a particular sys- 

 tem, without invalidating the general principle, that it is the duty of 

 every community to make legal provision for those of its members 

 who, by age, sickness, or any other cause, are unable to supply their 

 own wants. If it suited either our present limits, or our present 

 object, we would therefore be prepared to maintain this general prin- 

 ciple as applicable to every country and every community, but in the 

 meantime we are willing to take lower grounds, and to rest satisfied 

 with fearing that it is absolutely necessary, as a matter of expediency, 

 to provide subsistence for that portion of the Irish population which 



