AND THE DUKES OF BICHMOND. 169 



it appeared tliat there were then between eleven and 

 twelve thousand agricultural labourers in Ireland, 

 whose average earnings did not exceed from two 

 shillings to half a crown a week : that one half of 

 that number were destitute of work during nine 

 months of the year, and that these with their 

 families made a total of nearly two millions and a 

 half of human beings in distress nine months in the 

 year. In the south and west the population greatly 

 decreased, mainly from starvation. This lamentable 

 state of affairs caused a large increase of crime, 

 agrarian outrages, burglary, and highway robberies. 

 Notwithstanding two bad harvests in England, to 

 aggravate the then prevailing distress of the agri- 

 culturist. Committees were formed under the sanction 

 of the Government to levy rates and to receive 

 subscriptions. To carry out this scheme a Queen's 

 letter was issued in January for making collections 

 for Ireland and Scotland, an appeal which was cheer- 

 fully responded to by all classes, from donors of 

 thousands of pounds down to the widow's mite. 



Upon the death of O'Connell at this time (the 

 uncompromising champion of the Roman Catholic 

 body, the daring leader of the Repeal of the Union 

 party), the following epigram was written — 



" ' Do justice to Ireland,' bold Wellington cries, 

 To his country thus constant and true. 

 ' Do justice to Ireland,' O'Connell replies ; 

 ' Arrah ! then, I'll be hanged if you do ! '" 



