244 ON THE STATE OF IRELAND. [BOOK III. 



state of the people has become the most wretched, 

 as is seen by the following abstract of the replies 

 from 1568 parishes to the following question put 

 by the Commissioners : 



" Since the peace, has the condition of the poorer 

 classes in your parish been improved, deteriorated, 

 or has it remained stationary ? " 



In 100 parishes which furnished replies, there 

 were in Connaught 19 improved, 63 deteriorated, 

 18 stationary: in Ulster, 13 improved, 62 dete- 

 riorated, 25 stationary : in Leinster, 22 improved, 

 55 deteriorated, 23 stationary: in Munster, 28 im- 

 proved, 39 deteriorated, 33 stationary. 



