The Sun.
London, England, 1848-12-05 00:00:00

THE RECLAMATION OF WASTE
LAND IN IRELAND.
LETTER I.

TO THE RIGHT HON. LORD JOHN RUSSELL, M.P.
My Lord,—ln again proposing to address your
Lordship upon the reclamation of waste lands as one
of the best means of alleviating the social condition of
Ireland, I think it would be more becoming if in this
first letter I were to refer to the observations which
fell from your Lordship in the House of Commons on
this important subject.
Your Lordship laid down the formidable objection
to the proposal That Government should employ the
People with your usual clearness; that proposition
which Sir Robert Peel would have taken a mortal
hour to announce your Lordship disposed of in a
sentence ; "It was unwise for the State to afford
employment to the people, because such conduct
interfered with the private employment of labour."
But I venture to submit to your Lordship and to
the country, that the enunciation of that principle had
nothing to do with the subject before the House, ex-
cept indeed it had been the herald of an argument
showing that it was essentially necessary for a wise
statesman to adopt this pernicious principle in the
present condition of Ireland.
Had such been your Lordship's intention, then
indeed the assertion of the correct principle, and an
exposure of the evils attendant upon its violation,
would have been a most graceful exordium to a
proposal for the adoption of so dangerous a remedy.
Your Lordship is well aware that the adoption of
a dangerous remedy is by no means an unusual prac-
tice with master minds. The physician often restores
the patient to health by the application of the most
subtle poison. A Lawrence or a Brodie never want
the moral courage to say to the friends of a suffering
patient, we recommend such a remedy although it is
of a most dangerous character, and is contrary to
the usual practice of the profession ; we cannot be
certain of a successful result. You see the deplorable
condition of your friend—say, shall we proceed ?
And this is just the difference between a statesman
and a red tapist—the latter contents himself with
quoting some wise saws, and leaves circumstances to
work out a cure, or a death, as the event may prove,
perfectly careless of the misery which is experienced
in either case—provided, forsooth, he has not violated
the rules of political economy; while the sagacious
statesman knows no other rule than to apply the best
remedy to the existing circumstances of every case.
Passing over Napoleon's opinion of the ruin which
would inevitably attend a country governed by poli-
tical economists, every day's experience proves the
correct estimate the late Dr. Arnold formed of their
character—he termed them " One-eyed men," and
" One-eyed men" they have undoubtedly proved them-
selves to be upon this, and every important, question.
The difference between the statesman and the
political economist is this—the former lays down
rules of action for each particular case, not consi-
dered in relation to that case alone, but on a wise
view of its extended ramification ; the latter lays
down general principles, the adoption of which he
forces into each case, totally regardless of their effects
upon most important objects. Hence the truthful-
ness of the appellation, " One-eyed men."
A more apposite example of the gaucherie of these
" One-eyed men" could not possibly be given than the
very case under consideration. They say it is ad-
mitted to be unwise for the State to afford employ-
ment to the people ; and, therefore, the State must
not afford employment to the people in Ireland.
The statesman admits in its fullest extent the truth
and the justice of the proposition—that it is unwise
for the State to afford employment to the People—
but he points to other elements which lead him to the
inevitable conclusion that it may be most wise for the
State to afford employment to the people in Ireland ;
or, more correctly speaking, to the people in certain
parts of Ireland.
Those elements arise out of the Poor-law—for the
people of this empire have determined that the firs

charge upon all property shall be a provision for the
poor, right or wrong, and in defiance of all come-
.

quences, this is the determination of an immense ma-
jority of the people in Great Britain.
But this principle applied for the first time to a
country situated as some parts of Ireland are, neces-
sarily involved the interference of the State; and, at
this moment, the State is in some unions distributing
the property of individuals towards the relief of the

glaring a violation of the abstract principle
of the duty of a State as it is possible to contemplate,
and yet one essentially necessary.
This duty having been forced upon the State, the
question surely is, what are the best means of perform-
ing it, with reference to the present emergency and to
future consequences ? _

The political economist says, feed the people in
idleness, because one of our rules will be violated if

you employ them; but the reply of the statesman
carries conviction to every mind—we are sorry to be
obliged to employ the people ; but we have been
forced to give them bread, and if bread is given with-
out work, the people will be so demoralized, that when
a better condition of things shall arise, and work can
be had, they will refuse it.
Who but " One• eyed men" would prefer feeding
people in idleness, to giving them work in exchange
for food ?

But, independent of the fact that Government have
been compelled to become the distributors of food,
there are other important considerations which would
render it most wise for the Government to disregard
the saws of the " One-eyed men," and these shall be
the subject of another letter.
I have the honour to remain, my Lord,
Your Lordship's most obedient servant,
RIGBY WASON.

COURT CIRCULAR.
OSBORNE, MONDAY.
tier Majesty and the Prince Albert have taken
their usual walks this morning in the grounds.
The younger branches of the Royal Family have
taken their accustomed exercise.
Lord and Lady John Russell left Osborne this
forenoon for Southampton, in her Majesty's yacht, the
Fairy._

Lord George Lennox is expected to arrive this
afternoon.

Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of
Cambridge and the Princess Mary arrived at their
residence at Kew yesterday,. from Brighton.
The state apartments in Windsor Castle are open
gratuitously to the public on Mondays, Tuesdays,
Thursdays, and Fridays.
The Lord Chamberlain's tickets may be obtained
in London, gratis, of Messrs. Paul and Dominic
Colnaghi, printsellers, 14, Pall-mall East ; Mr. Moon,
printseller, 20, Threadneedle-street; Mr. Mitchell,
bookseller, 33, Old Bond-street ; Messrs. Ackermann
and Co., print,ellers, g 6, Strand; Mr. Wright, book-
seller, 60, Pall-m:11. Of whom also Guide Books
may be obtained, for one penny each.
The tickets are available for one week from the day
they are issued. They are not transferable, and it is
contrary to her Majesty's command that payment
for, or in reference to them, be made, to any per-
son whatever.
The hours of admission to the State Apartments
are, from the Ist of April to the 31st October, be-
tween eleven and four, and from Ist November to 31st
March, between eleven and three.
Mr. Bernal, Mr. Tiodges, with some gentlemen,
forming a deputation from Rochester, had an interview
with Sir George Grey yesterday at the Home-office.
Mr. IL A. llerbert, M.P., had an interview with
the Chancellor of the Exchequer yesterday. Mr.
Pressly, Secretary to the Board of Stamps and
Taxes, had also an interview yesterday with the
Right Hon. Baronet, at his official residence in
Downing-street.
Lord and Lady John Russell returned yesterday
afternoon to Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park, from
her Majesty's marine residence, Osborne, Isle of
Wigh t.
The Right Hon. Fox Maule, Secretary at War,
and the H
Hon. Mrs. Fox Maule, have arrived in town
from Scotland.

INSURANCE ASSOCIATION FOR THE INSURANCE OF
IRON SHIPS AND STEAM-BOATS.—We understand that
in consequence of the refusal of underwriters to insure
iron ships on equitable terms, the iron ship proprietors
and others interested in the manufacture of iron vessels,
have determined to institute a mutual insurance com-
pany, to be called the London Liberal Insurance Asso-
ciation, for the Insurance of Iron ships and Steam-boats,
for the purpose of effecting mutual insurances on iron
ships, vessels, and steamers, on such a basis as must be
satisfactory to all owners of iron vessels. Mr. Thomas
C. Gibson, of Gracechurch-street, has prepared a set of
tables for this purpose, and in a short time we hope to
see the " London Liberal Asiociation" in full operation.
DREADFUL FlRE.—Last night at a late hour a
conflagration took place in the llackney-road, Cam-
bridge-heath, by which one house with its contents were
destroyed, and another nearly so. It originated in the
shop of a linen draper, and although only a few minutes
elapsed before several engines had arrived, the flames
had spread with such rapidity, that in two hours the de-
struction was complete. Both parties are fully insured
in the Royal Exchange and Guardian offices. The loss
sustained is about 500/.
WEST RIDING ELECTION.—Mr. Denison was to
have addressed the section of electors of the Sheffield
polling district last evening, but was prevented from
carrying out his intention by an attack of the gout.
PoST-OFFICE NOTlCE.—Yesterday notice was
issued at the General Post Office, St. Martin's-le-Grand,
that mails would be made up this morning, the sth inst.,
for Minorca, Palermo, and Naples, to be conveyed by
her Majesty's sloop Rosamond. Letters ls. 6d. the
half-ounce, and so on. Newspapers to Minorca free ;to
Naples and Sicily 2d. each. All correspondence, &c., to
go by this vessel must be specially addressed "By her
Majesty's steamer, Rosamond."
Robert Houdin, we understand, resumes his enter-
tainments at the St. James's Theatre early in the en-
suing week. During a stay of sumo weeks in Paris he
composed and perfected a variety of new and most ex-
tro9rdilaory experimout3