244 . A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



Landlords have a just claim to a share of such 

 increased prosperity according to what future prices 

 may prove to be. Every man of business is ot 

 course ready to adjust the rent accordingly with fair- 

 ness and consideration. 



The same common sense and judgment that pro- 

 duce a prosperous estate and contented tenantry 

 in England and Scotland will do so in Ireland. 

 Whether we are few or many who try to reach this 

 good state, we are doing our duty, and the best 

 hope of the permanent progress of the country rests 

 on our success. Why, instead of being helped, are 

 our hands to be tied and our efforts hindered by 

 what is really an effort to give protection to all the 

 bad habits and backward ideas that have made Ire- 

 land a byword ? Surely England has not so far lost 

 the qualities that made her what she is, as to be un- 

 able to say law and order shall prevail, and upright 

 honesty to all classes alike be maintained. Without 

 these nothing else is worth having, nor can any 

 people prosper. 



The difference between indolence and industry 

 is much greater than any difference of rent that any 

 landlord can propose. The difference between order 

 and the rule of the Land League is greater than that 

 between prosperity and ruin. 



At bottom the question is whether the dealings 

 between landlord and tenant are to be governed by 

 open free contract, as, since the principles of Free 



