viii PREFACE. 



THAT which has happened in the few days since 

 the above was written throws so much light on the 

 whole question, that I think it is right to tell it. 

 My rent-day, as usual, was December 7. This was 

 well known to all. It was thought, if I could be 

 driven to accept Griffiths' valuation instead of the 

 rent due, it would be a great triumph, as all knew 

 how well off my tenants are, and the punctuality 

 and ease with which they pay their rent, especially 

 in a thoroughly good season like this. . 



If I had to give way, others might be more easily 

 coerced. 



So a systematic attempt was made. For a week 

 or two before reports were common that my tenants 

 would only pay Griffiths' valuation, and meant to 

 come in a body on the rent-day, to say so. 



But as it was known so many were very friendly 

 with me and my family that they were sure to pay, 

 the first step taken by the Land League was to send 

 a notice to the tenants by post, ordering them not to 

 pay more than Griffiths' valuation. On the morning 

 of Friday, December 3, market-day, a threatening 

 notice was found stuck on my hall door, and a hole 



