416 Letter on Affairs in general. [Qcar. 
any--Philip the [Vth of France, who had a great, many. Jows; and 
hanged them very freely, always hanged his with a dog, (by way of 
accompaniment) on each side of them. Now I don’tlike this, because 
I hate wanton cruelty: I should recommend hanging our’s Be 0 
pair of breeches on each side of them. since vain aia 
.. Irish affairs haye exhibited a glimmering of improvement. , Earl Fitz- 
william, ina Jate speech at.a Catholic Meeting, adverting to the re 
state of what they call the existing “ Political restrictions, in Ireland,”, 
avowed broadly, that “all the privileges which could be granted to, the 
lower classes, had been granted. The lower orders of the people vid 
every power which they could possess,” Now there is nothing new. in 
any of this to reasonable people; but still—it does seem a pity that 
Earl Fitzwilliam should not have endeavoured to promulgate the same 
truth in Ireland before? Because we all know—though perhaps 
his Lordship himself will scarcely credit it—there have been persons, 
using the authority of his name and party, trying to persuade these 
very amply gifted “lower classes,” that they were degraded, powerless, 
trodden upon, slaves; and that the “ Emancipation” . which they 
were exhorted to seek through crime and wretchedness, and riot, was 
not, a question of double fees toa handful of barristers,’ or seats in 
parliament to some twenty gentlemen who wish to perpetuate speeches in 
the House of Commons; but a question of “powers,” of « privileges,” 
nay, of Political existence, between themselves and. their, English. op- 
7 ESSONS« 
After this declaration from Earl Fitzwilliam, Mr. O«Connell, made .a 
speech, as usual, about “hills,” and “streams,” and.‘ feelings,” and the 
“rights of Ireland,” and other not very material or_ original, poetical 
topics. But there are meetings taking place upon the, subject, of intro- 
ducing Poor laws into Ireland ; a project which I hope ;to. see persevered 
in ; and which may have a chance to. secure to the inhabitants of. that 
country, a meat and drink existence—convenient at least in the way of 
preparation for a “political” one. “ Emancipation,” if, it, were carried 
to-morrow, would not give the peasant of Ireland—who, with, all his “ pri- 
vileges;”-is the real sufferer—a single additional potatoe. , The poor law 
system, with all its evils, wil/ do this. Let those who hold property in 
ae and who now make speeches for her prosperity, find that,pro- 
perty actually taxable for the support of those of her population. that, are 
starving; and they will then find an ¢nterest, and if any thing. can 
impel,them, interest will, in keeping the peasantry of that country, 
a et of talking to them about.“ Emancipation”) as far as possible, 
rom tumult and distress. 
The Hereford Journal says, on, the. subject, of “horse stealing:”— 
“We understand that fifteen stolen horses have. been. regained by their 
owners in consequence of a recent discovery, at Stroud. .. The.greater 
part of them were discovered in the possession of little, farmers. in) the 
vicinity of Stroud, who accounted for such possession by stating.that they 
purchased them ; but the prices which they gave, and the characters they 
Aealt with, attach considerable suspicion to many of. them, and. weshould 
hope the affair will not be suffered to rest here... From one. person,,his 
whole team of four horses was taken, which had been stolen ;,and whieh 
he had bought under these questionable circumstances,” ¢{se94: soon 
shall take occasion, shortly, to say a few. words upon the very, consi- 
-derable extent to which this sort of half felonious receiving is.carried on. 
r bs : inoagR 
J 148 
yr be 7 Ma 
