126 WHAT I HAVE SEEN WHILE FISHING 



corner were sacks of meal, the narrow circles 01 

 white round their base proclaiming their contents. 

 In the firelight and amidst the reflections that 

 came back from numberless reflectors, were the 

 old couple's happy faces. The lady's age I had to 

 guess ; but no matter, of a certainty they are lovers 

 still. 



Mr. Ryan's opinion may impress some, but is it 

 not a fact that Ireland had many grievances of long 

 standing which sorely needed the agitator's agita- 

 tion ? I heard a much-respected English M.P. tell 

 a deputation to " Agitate, agitate, agitate." Their 

 grievance was not so very great, but they agitated 

 and got their way. Animals that make the most 

 noise when they are in trouble get relief the 

 soonest. A poor sheep may hang by its wool in 

 a thorny thicket until it rots, while the noisy pig 

 will get immediate attention. When a man has 

 acquired all he needs he is apt to get quickly out of 

 patience with tales of woe ; he is full, so let there 

 be no more discordant voices. 



Agitation has done much for Ireland, so much 

 indeed that every Englishman should be grateful 

 that at last there is a prospect of the agitators- 

 many a noble man amongst them losing their 

 occupation, for the best of all reasons, they will 

 have finished their work as near as may be. 



It was by the purchase of hosiery that I satisfied 

 myself I had paid for the bowl of milk which was 

 given me at Mr. Timothy Sarly's cabin. The Irish 



