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Famine in Ireland
Todays Mail Bag is almost entirely taken up with the Famine in Ireland
SIR,– An unfortunate accident occurred in this neighbourhood on the night of Monday the 4th Inst., and, as no statement to that effect has appeared on any of the public Journals, perhaps you would be kind enough to give insertion to the following.
Mr. Redmond Joyce took a large farm from Mr. M’O’Boy of Stumphill on the 25th of last March, with an understanding that he was to get a lease for a term of years; and though Mr. Joyce is an improving tenant, and a solvent mark, Mr. M’O’Boy changed his mind, refused to give the promised lease, and instituted law proceedings in order to eject him, in consequence of which Mr. Joyce was deterred from laying out any money on the farm; but as he was inconvenienced for want of a cow-house, he erected a temporary one to the rear of the dwelling house by throwing some spans of firs across three or four old walls that ran parallel to each other, on which he erected a large hay rick, which was shaken by a strong gale of wind, and the mortar having lost its adhesive qualities, gave way.
Ten very fine milch cows, worth on an average from nine to eleven pounds each, were killed on the spot, one woman’s leg was broken, and another poor creature lay between the backs of two cows for six hours, but fortunately escaped unhurt. If we take into consideration the damage done to the hay, Mr. Joyce sustained a loss equivalent to one hundred and fifty pounds owing to his landlord’s breach of faith.
Surely, the above is a strong argument in favor of tenant-right, and clearly demonstrates if we had a fair compensation for an outlay of capital, Mr. Joyce would have built a proper cow house, and necessarily escaped this heavy loss.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
JAMES FITZGERALD.
Letters to the Editor
WORKHOUSE FARE.
A Correspondent from London sends an advertisement of the Dartmouth Union, to show how much the English paupers are better fed than the Irish poor. It is sufficient to say that the list of articles set forth exhibits a state of things truly enviable. The comparison suggested excites the most patriotic aspirations for the happiness enjoyed there. There are few of the Irish population who would not rejoice to be poor in the same signification, as they are in Dartmouth, with beef, cheese and bread, for every man among them.
Such a document as this comes seasonably to promote a Christmas dinner of meat for the paupers in workhouses. The boon is small, but one, the absence of which must be felt most keenly. There are probably none of them so forlorn, but can remember better times past; and the present is the occasion when they must be reminded most feelingly of their condition. It would be hard if the festivity, universal at this season, even with the very poorest, should not be extended also among the inmates of the workhouse, by granting them, if only for a day, the semblance of a better lot. A hope is entertained that guardians generally will not deny this one gleam of comfort to those to whom comfort is strange. Over and above the good feeling of such an indulgence, manifest propriety directs that the great festival of the year should not be undistinguished even in the most despised condition.
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant,
JAMES Russell
THE LANDLORD’S PROTECTIVE GARMENT.
A Dublin tailoring establishment makes the following announcement:– “The daily melancholy announcements of assassination that are now disgracing the country, and the murderers permitted to walk quietly away and defy the law, have induced me to get constructed a garment, shot and ball proof, so that every man can be protected, and enabled to return the fire of the assassin, and thus soon put a stop to the cowardly conduct which has deprived society of so many excellent and valuable lives, spreading terror and desolation through the country. I hope in a few days to have a specimen garment on view at my warerooms.”