CH. I.] CONDITION OF THE PEASANTRY. 131 



visited; in many they found absolutely nothing at all. 

 Nothing can exceed the dirt and misery in which the 

 people live ; in order to keep themselves warm, they lie 

 by the side of the pig. 



The most wretched dwellings are found on the bogs, 

 where those take refuge who have been forced to quit their 

 farms upon the consolidation of the lands, which system at 

 the present time causes the greatest discontent and suffer- 

 ing in certain baronies. 



The Archdeacon of Meath says that, whilst travelling 

 through Europe, he made a point of examining into the 

 condition of the people ; that he has found nothing at all 

 similar to Ireland, and that it is a mystery to him how the 

 Irish are able to endure so much cold and hunger. 



REMARKS. 



This picture of the state of things throughout 

 Ireland merits the more attention, as the inhabit- 

 ants of France and a great part of Germany are 

 advancing more or less rapidly toward the same 

 state cold and famine ; and the only difference 

 between these countries and Ireland is, that their 

 inhabitants have not like the Irish a sense of their 

 sufferings and perils. In addition to this, the 

 division of lands, which is the cause of all the 

 calamities, is honestly regarded by them and by 

 their governments as a source of prosperity. 



K2 



