112 A LIFE'S WORK IN IRELAND. 



men will not live within their incomes they can do 

 nothing good, and are only a sort of showy paupers. 



As to the tenants, though they farm better than 

 their neighbours, and have quite given up the worst 

 bad practices — such as two corn crops running ; and 

 though many have sufficient capital to farm well the 

 quantity of land they hold ; they are still very far 

 from being good farmers, or making the most profit 

 from their land. It is quite certain, however, that 

 they are far before any small proprietors in Ireland. 

 The profit they are able to make in good years, and 

 are known to make, is very large. If Parliament 

 gave them a large part of the interest in the estate 

 that now belongs to me, there is no doubt they would 

 prefer it. But there could be no advantage to any 

 one from such a change of property. The land was 

 all bought by me and those from whom I have 

 inherited. The tenants agreed freely to hire it, and 

 have all had the benefit of their bargains. The 

 majority have made, and are making, good profit, 

 and those who have failed have done so from their 

 personal faiilts. If the same system is persevered in, 

 there is no doubt, that as the tenants' knowledge, 

 skill, and capital increase, they will be able fairly to 

 pay higher rents for the land and make a larger profit 

 for themselves besides. 



All the draining on the estate has been done by 

 me ; and none, except one bog, on which turf is still 

 cut, remains to be done. Sometimes I have drained 



