58 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK I. 



difficulties wishes to emigrate to America, he instantly finds 

 some one to pay his voyage, on condition of the lease 

 lapsing to him. 



In the province of Leinster the answers were the same. 

 In the barony of Moyfenragh it was added, that the pea- 

 sants have a very strong attachment to the soil, chiefly 

 because a small farm gives them a habitation. In the 

 barony of Portnahinch, even if the tithes and taxes were 

 abolished, the small farmers would not be better off, be- 

 cause they are ruined by the competition. 



In the provinces of Munster and Ulster these statements 

 were confirmed and enforced by the following facts. In 

 the barony of Decies-without-Drum it was said that, 

 even if permanent employment were assured to each of 

 these little farmers, yielding 5s. a week, they would 

 be most anxious to get land, and would sacrifice part of 

 their wages to obtain it, from the habit they have of pos- 

 sessing it. In the barony of Fews, no one can form any 

 idea of the attachment of the peasants to the soil. They 

 had rather be in want of everything than quit their na- 

 tive places ; and, in spite of the excessive price of rents, 

 leases sell at corresponding prices. A lease of a farm of 

 7J acres was sold for 1231., and for another of 6^ acres 

 45 1. was given, besides 8/. Os. Sd. rent additional. Although 

 many sons of farmers are taught weaving, that trade is 

 never looked on as an exclusive means of support; the 

 weaver is also a farmer, and retains the same anxiety for a 

 small portion of land. In the barony of Iveagh it was 

 found, that when the landlords do not receive their rents, 

 they themselves pay the tenant to quit the farm, and that 

 another person directly offers the landlord double what 

 he gave to the tenant, on condition of the lease being 



