CRATLOE. 91 



unrestrained grief, gave way to the feelings which 

 almost overpowered them. 



From Kilmallock by railway to Limerick, a continu- 

 ous line of fine country is passed through, stretching into 

 Tipperary, and then bending back into Limerick. This 

 land is chiefly in grass, and by no means in an exhausted 

 condition. But all careful management is unknown. 

 Fences, if they may be called so, of low turf walls, very 

 numerous and insufficient, and no farm-offices what- 

 ever. 



The same afternoon I proceeded to Cratloe, the resi- 

 dence of Mr Augustus Stafford, M.P., four miles west 

 of Limerick, on the north bank of the Shannon. Along 

 this road the land is very fine, and fairly managed. A 

 remarkable instance of the advantage of a workhouse 

 test was mentioned here, in the case of the two electoral 

 divisions of Limerick and Bunratty. The former has a 

 larger population and smaller rental than the latter, yet 

 the rates of the latter are one-third greater than the 

 former. Limerick possesses ample workhouse accom- 

 modation, and has never admitted out-door relief to the 

 able-bodied ; Bunratty has not sufficient accommoda- 

 tion, and, being obliged to give out-door relief, there 

 is no sufficient check on the increase of that ruinous 

 system. 



