38 A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



They are neither worse nor better than any other 

 class. They have all the faults of the country and 

 the good qualities. There are the same good and bad 

 qualities among them in the very same proportions 

 and degrees as in the Irish M.P.'s, for example, whom 

 every one knows and can judge of. Personally, I 

 have much more good than bad to say of those I have 

 to deal with or am acquainted with. I know them 

 to be improving much in all respects, especially in 

 knowledge, though they have still much to learn. 

 In every district there are a number of thriving, 

 well-to-do, strong farmers (as they are called here), 

 whose numbers are steadily increasing. There are 

 many good fellows among them, and many also back- 

 ward and lazy, and some as thorough schemers as can 

 be found in the three kingdoms. 



One chief reason why few leases are now granted 

 is the impossibility of enforcing covenants against 

 tenants who have small means of payment. One 

 party is, therefore, bound by the lease, while the 

 other is not bound. As to covenants for good farming, 

 they would be just laughed at ; and what is the use 

 of other covenants when damages for their breach 

 cannot be realised ? To the more substantial tenants 

 who are growing up very few would refuse a lease 

 for twenty-one years. I have no leases, but every 

 good tenant (all mine, but a few) knows he may 

 have a lease for twenty-one years for asking. Tenants 

 would prefer thirty-one years very naturally; but 



