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CHAPTER XXY. 



THE FAMINE AND EXODUS. 



THE year 1846, so disastrous throughout Europe, was 

 particularly fatal to Ireland. The potato disease, which 

 had some time before made its appearance, became very 

 virulent that year, destroying three-fourths of the crop. 

 Oats, the other resource of the poor cultivator, were 

 equally short. On the news of this terrible disaster, it 

 was very evident what would be the result. The Eng- 

 lish Government, alarmed at the prospect, took the most 

 active measures for bringing supplies from all quarters. 

 Although it had to concert measures at the same time for 

 England, which was also suffering from scarcity, but in a 

 less degree, the Government made extraordinary efforts 

 to provide work for the Irish. It took half a million of 

 labourers into its pay ; made arrangements for employing 

 them upon government works; and spent, in relief of all 

 kinds, ten millions sterling. 



The proprietors, too, very different in this respect from 

 their forefathers, who would have looked upon these 

 sufferings with indifference, made in their turn every 

 possible sacrifice on behalf of their tenantry. In case of 

 need, the law forced them to do it, for the poor-rate rose 

 in an enormous proportion. In 1847, neither rent, taxes, 

 nor interest on mortgages, were paid. 



