262 Wretchedness of a Cottier's Family. 



pigs at the other end : contrary to the usual 

 disposition of the Irish, he was by no means soli- 

 citous of any intercourse. The most extreme 

 poverty and wretchedness were manifestly ap- 

 parent, with the absence of what we had every 

 where else constantly found, kindness and 

 hospitality. As a further proof of their de- 

 plorable condition, we evidently afforded them 

 relief when we quitted the cabin : even the 

 potatoes, as if distempered by poverty,, did 

 not seem to thrive. Whether this was owing 

 to the elevation of the ground, or to the want 

 of managment, I know not ; possibly it might 

 be imputable to both. 



There was but one other cabin beyond this, 

 before we entered on an immense tract, which 

 seemed to be desolate and wholly uninhabited. 

 As we advanced towards this dwelling, we ob- 

 served a female running, with her hair dis- 

 hevelled, in great haste along the high road, to- 

 wards us. When she reached the cabin she 

 stopped, and we were sufficiently near to note 

 what passed. She seemed much agitated, and 

 her information evidently produced great alarm 

 in the man and his wife, who came to the door. 

 The messenger had quickly told her tale, and was 

 proceeding on her way by the time we came up ; 

 on which, a conversation of a few seconds en- 

 3 



