Domestic Notices. — Ireland, 407 



sometimes such as they do not want, and at other times at unfair prices. 

 This will be felt by the poor creatures as a grievous oppression, and per- 

 haps the more so as none of them dare mention it to the loi'd of the soil, 

 on account of the risk of the personal severity of the steward or overseer. 

 Twopence or threepence gained by an overseer in this way, is a grievance 

 which preys upon the mind of the labourer, and lessens all his exertions. 



I had not been at Farnhara above a month, when the labourers became 

 so attached to me that they would do any thing for me; and so docile, and 

 even clever, that I could easily teach them diiFerent sorts of country work 

 to which they had not been accustomed. So much gratified were they at 

 my not interfering about their religion, that the Catholic clergyman soon 

 called upon me to thank me on their parts, and the Protestant clergyman 

 expressed himself equally satisfied. These two gentlemen are most ex- 

 emplary and conciliatory in their manners, and much respected and esteemed 

 by all classes of both religions. How much the late Earl Farnham was 

 valued, was evident from the immense concourse of people from Cavan and 

 the adjoining counties who assembled at his funeral. I believe, if I had not 

 come away almost secretly, some hundreds would have assembled to take 

 leave of even me. I am led from all this to believe, and to suggest to you, 

 that much improvement may be eifected in Ireland, by the proprietors of 

 estates there treating their dependants with kindness, seeing that they have 

 justice done them, and respecting their religious feelings. As many exten- 

 sive proprietors do not reside on their estates, they cannot attend to these 

 points personally; but I conceive it to be their duty and their interest, to 

 insist on such treatment and conduct, on the part of their agents of every 

 description, from the highest to the lowest. Kind treatment appears to me 

 to be more sensibly felt by, and consequently productive of more happiness 

 in, the labouring classes in Ireland, than in those of either England or 

 Scotland ; and the reverse may be said of harsh treatment. I am. Sir, &c. 

 — Robert Thompson. Lyne Grove, December, 1S26. 



The improvement of Ireland is going on, notwithstanding the many dis- 

 advantages under which it labours ; but if, as our correspondent mentions, 

 non-resident proprietors would once feel their estates to be their homes, 

 the progress of amelioration, both agricultural and moral, would be rapid. 

 We wish some patriotic English gentlemen would set the example of visit' 

 ing their Irish estates once a year, and see that every cluster of houses has 

 a Madras school and a labourers' institution and library. Having placed 

 the means of improvement within the reach of the population, the next 

 thing would be to induce them to make use of these means, by holding out 

 the certain future advantages, and by offering immediate marks of dis- 

 tinction, presents of books, trinkets, plants, seeds, &c. (Vol. II. p. 80.), both 

 to parents and children. But it is needless to point out the 7neans ; let 

 Irish proprietors only determine on effecting the end, and all the means will 

 soon suggest themselves. Let them not shelter their consciences under 

 the cover of subscribing to public establishments for improvement, the 

 Dublin Society, Cork Institution, &c., or of returning so much per cent 

 on their rentals. These acts are all good and commendable, but their 

 effect is trifling compared with that which would result from each indivi- 

 dual's using his utmost exertions on his own estate. 



But reformation seldom takes place, either with individuals or public 

 bodies, from any other cause than that of necessity ; and there can be little 

 doubt that the best thing Government could do for Ireland would be to 

 establish there the poor laws of England. — Cond. 



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