Bishop of Meath a Friend to Agriculture. 167 



can derive from the land, wholly regardless of 

 all future consequences. 



I had great difficulty in believing that so ex- 

 traordinary a tenure could be practically ad- 

 mitted ; but I have heard so many instances 

 of it, that I cannot doubt the fact, though it 

 militates against all experience. 



The Bishop of Meath has been a warm and 

 zealous friend to agriculture : some years ago 

 he was a great tillage farmer, as well as an ex- 

 tensive breeder of the long horned cattle. The 

 disturbed state of the country, and his sub- 

 sequent absence, induced his Lordship to re- 

 linquish his farm : his return may, I hope, re- 

 novate the Agricultural Society which formerly 

 existed, and again encourage a spirit for fann- 

 ing and rural improvements. 



The attention paid by his Lordihip to the 

 comforts of the cottiers is highly pleasing j to 

 each cabin is attached an acre of meadow, half 

 an acre for the growth of potatoes, and an 

 acre for grazing a cow, equal to three English 

 acres : the rent of the whole, including the 

 cabin, is no more than four pounds fifteen 

 shillings. The wages in the six summer months 

 is one shilling, in the winter months ten pence 



