HUNTING IN IKELAND. 177 



that the galloping of horses is in no way 

 injurious to pasture lands, I shall proceed to 

 the consideration of other matters connected 

 with the subject in question. 



If hunting in Ireland were abohshed, then 

 indeed might the cries of her children ascend 

 heavenward, for I know not what would 

 become of her ! The gentry who are now 

 resident landlords, maintaining large and 

 costly establishments, would migrate to other 

 countries and more genial climes. Servants 

 would seek in vain for employment. Boot- 

 makers, clothiers, saddlers, harness-makers, 

 would find no custom. The farmer would sigh 

 vainly for a price for his corn. Hay and 

 straw would be a drug in the market. Hunting- 

 lodges would remain unlet, growing mouldy 

 with time and damp. Butchers, bakers, 

 poulterers, butter-makers would be ahke 

 involved in one common ruin ; for the houses 

 of the gentry would be empty, and desolation 

 would overspread the land ! No buyers then 

 for high-priced hunters and promising colts, 

 which now command so high a figure; no 

 merging of grades and mingling of classes in 



