68 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK I. 



tation in stating, from very particular inquiry into these 

 circumstances, and the opportunities they have had of 

 learning the feelings of the lower classes, that, however 

 atrocious may be all these crimes, they have originated 

 in the conviction of the people, that the poor and humble 

 have no chance of justice or fair play in Ireland, when the 

 interests of the rich and influential are in opposition to 

 their own ; and that the comparative calm which has 

 reigned during the last twelve or eighteen months, is the 

 result of a general conviction among the lower orders, 

 that there is now a real and sincere desire to redress their 

 grievances and improve their condition. 



In the province of Munster, the barony of Corcomroe 

 has been the most disturbed part of the county ; and 

 the witnesses declared, that it was a class of men who 

 had first hired lands, and had become an intermediate 

 class between the landlords and the farmers, who insti- 

 gated the disturbances, with a view to protect themselves 

 from ejectment, and prevent the landlords from consoli- 

 dating the farms, which would destroy the existence of 

 those who sublet. 



In the barony of Iveagh it was stated, that in 1821 and 

 1822 the disturbances were so great that no rents could 

 be collected, no one venturing to demand them ; there 

 have been no disturbances since, and all has been paid. 



In the barony of Trughenackmy the landlords have in- 

 stigated the peasantry against the payment of tithes, be- 

 cause they would profit by augmenting the price of the 

 land if the tithes were suppressed. 



In the barony of Conello, a farm was leased upon several 

 lives, and a man murdered the last survivor in the lease 

 in order to possess it himself: he was hanged. In the 



