144 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK II. 



witnesses state that, if religious orders were to be esta- 

 blished, all the difficulties would be removed. 



In the barony of Ophaly a union of Catholic parishes 

 has been made for orphans and foundlings, which con- 

 tains twelve orphans and three deserted children. Two 

 of these latter are supported by private contribution, and 

 one by a grant of grand jury presentment, and no great 

 difficulty is found in collecting it. This union of parishes 

 has been made, because a single parish is not rich enough 

 to pay the cost attending the application to the judge of 

 assize for permission to levy a rate. 



In many parishes the witnesses state that the charity 

 of the Catholics takes the place of the Protestant law, 

 and does much more good. 



BASTARDY. 



Province of Connaught, county of Galway ; examinations taken by F. 

 Diggens, Esq., and W. T. M'Cullagh, Esq. ; parish of Headford, 

 barony of Clare. Sixteen witnesses. 



Bastards are never supported by the parish except in 

 cases of desertion. Feelings of honour frequently induce 

 marriage before the birth of the child. 



An allowance has usually been granted to the woman at 

 the petty sessions for the last twenty years : the amount 

 varies from 21. to 4/., according to circumstances, for three 

 years. The woman's oath is the only evidence'required; and 

 her having been a bad character does not affect her claim. 



Unless married to the fathers of their children, women 

 who have had bastards seldom get husbands; and the 

 witnesses are persuaded that, by the influence of a ma- 

 gistrate and a clergyman, any man might be forced into 

 marriage. 



