186 Misery greatly increased by the Absentees. 



thing radically wrong in this country human- 

 ity proclaims it, and appearances justify the 

 assumption. Where is the proprietor of the 

 place ? the traveller exclaims, his presence 

 would soon lighten the weight of misery that 

 presses his dependants to the earth. Though 

 pleasures and wealth from other sources render 

 his interest here unworthy his thoughts, yet 

 humanity could not fail to exert itself, and me- 

 liorate the condition of his dependants. Alas ! 

 vain is the inquiry unavailing the appeal : it 

 belongs perhaps to some absentee whose utter 

 ignorance of his property here, and complete 

 indifference to the hapless condition of the pea- 

 santry on ifcj paralyzes all efforts of industry, 

 blights the harvest of hope, and produces po- 

 verty and misery all over the domain. The 

 waters of oblivion can never wash out the stains 

 which the scenes of woe witnessed this day 

 have impressed on my mind ! 



The occupier of the cabin I first visited said 

 he paid a rent of twenty shillings a year for his 

 miserable dwelling, and a few yards of ground 

 behind it. As there were not any fences, he 

 was obliged to lodge his pig with his family. 

 When he could get work his wages were ten- 

 pence a day, but the greater part of the winter 

 he could find no employment. 



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