Star.
London, England, 1830-12-31 00:00:00

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STATE OF THE IRISH POOR,
1111417 *port of the Committee of the House of Commons
upon this interesting subject has just been printed, in three
folio volumes. The following is an extract :
STATE OF THE PEASANTRY GENERALLY.
Your committee have felt it their duty to make the most
minute and laborious inquiry into the actual state and con-
dition of the Irish poor, considered in all points of view, mo-
ral, political, physical, and economical. Although they are
fully aware that for a close and accurate investigation of
these several subjects, embracing as they do the entire state
of Ireland, it will be necessary to examine accurately the
details of the evidence, they still feel it their duty to lay the
results before the House in a more condensed and accessible
shape. They regret to be obliged to state, that a very
considerable proportion of the population is considered to
be out of employment. The number is estimated differently,
and by Mr. Smith is supposed to be as much as one-fifth of
the entire population. By Mr. Ensor it is carried still fur-
ther, and is calculated to amount to one-fourth. From this
want of demand for labour necessarily ensues very severe
distress among the labouring classes. This, combined with
the consequences of an altered system of managing land, is
stated to produce " misery and suffering which no language
can possibly describe, and which it is necessary to witness
in order fully to estimate." This distress is stated to exist
in its greatest severity in the suburbs of cities and towns.
Dr. DOYLII describes the condition of this suffering class in the
strongest and most impressive manner. He states a cue of some of
the ejected tenantry, who, seeking a refuge in the towns, " after their
little capital is expended, become dependent upon charity. They next
give up their house, and are obliged to take, not a room, but what they
call a corner. Four of these wretched families are sometimes accommo-
dated in one small apartment of a cabin, and three in another. I
have not myself seen so many as seven families in one of these
cabins, but I have been assured by one of the officiating clergy.
men, that there are many instances of it. Their beds are merely a
little straw spread at night on the floor, and by day wrapped up or
covered with a quilt, or with a blanket. In thaw abodes of misery
disease is often produced by extreme want ; disease wastes the people,
for they have no food or comforts to restore them ; they die in a little
time."

Such is the striking picture given of the deplorable suf-
fering existing among certain classes of the Irish poor ; but
it is most gratifying to your Committee to consider, that
though such cases do unhappily exist, it appears from the
evidence that it would be contrary to the facts if they were
to be considered as so much the rule as the exception. The
wages of labour do not appear to have fallen very consider-
ably. By returns made from the County Treasurers through-
out Ireland, the rate of day labour appears to average 10d,
as charged in the accounts of Presentment work. During
the last five years, it does not appear that the wages of la-
bour paid by the Board of Works, the Government En-
gineers, or the Directors-General of Inland Navigation
have fallen. A very extensive contractor, Mr. Mullins,
considers, " that there is rather a tendency to increase the
rate of wages than otherwise ;" and in comparing the present
wages with what was received during the war, the same
witness adds, " that the labourers can now purchase as
much pitivisions for 6s. as they could formerly for 12s.
" Clothing," he further states, "is less than one-half
cheaper ; linen is to be had for one-half the price ; cottons,
calicoes, and checks, those kinds of fabrics which the
poorer class of females wear, are now to be had for one-
fourth." References are given in the margin to the testi-
mony of witnesses from all parts of Ireland, tending to
prove that no very considerable fall in the wages of labour
has taken place.
" Mr. Mahony observes, " that the state of the peasantry has im.
proved very rapidly of late years ;" " that the country has greatly
altered for the better ; that the peasantry are better clothed, and in
every way seem to be more comfortable, and their houses are im-
proving. He adds, " that agriculture has improved ; the mode of
ploughing, the description of carts and other farming implements." A
practical farmer states, that " the quality of agricultural produce has
improved, and the quantity has increased ; that the description of
stock hi husbandry has improved since the increased intercourse with
England ; the Hereford, Ayrshire, and Leicester breeds being brought
over.'

More land is cultivated, and the people are considered to
possess more comforts than formerly, and on Sundays and
holydays to be better clothed.
Among the better class of farmers, Mr. Musgrave considers " that
very great improvement has taken place, and that the number of slated
houses is increasing very considerably ; that the repeal of the Union
Duties has produced a great cheapness of calico, and dress of that kind ;
and thitt in country villages there Is a much greater number of bakers
than there were a few years ago." The House will at once perceive the
importance of this last observation. The peasantry, who by means of.
the facilities of steam navigation, carry their produce to the English
market, are said to " acquire information and good habits by their in-
tercourse with England ; the fruits of which are becoming more and
more manifested in Ireland."
In the county of Wexford, Captain Owen states, that
agriculture is in a state of very rapid improvement, evinced
in " a superior ;node of ploughing, better agricultural imple-
ments, improvement of stock, and a better management of
farms." Roads of all descriptions Lave improved, and the
facilities of transport and of conveyance have been aug-
mented ; a striking example of which is given in the esta-
blishment of day cars by Mr. Bianconi, in the south-east of
Ireland. These vehicles, chiefly used as conveyances by the
middle classes, were only introduced in 1815 ; and at the
present moment have so widely extended as to travel over
1,600 miles daily, This establishment yields support to
more than 100 families; employs 200 horses, and creates a
demand for 8,000 to 10,000 barrels of oats, and 600 to 700
tons of hay. In like manner, in the county of Mayo, Mr.
Livingstone, a merchant of Ballina, observes, that " the
habits of the peasantry, their clothing, and their houses, are
all improving." Mr. Weale, an officer of the Department
of the Land Revenue, considers, " that in every quarter, in
every corner of Ireland, there are perceivable evidences of
growing and rapidly growing prosperity." There is an ex-
tension of the growth of clover and vetches. Iron ploughs
of an excellent description, are purchased ; and the common
log, or block wheel, formerly used, is now superseded by the
spoke wheel, introduced almost every where.
Mr. Barry, an Inspector-General of Fisheries, states, " that the
clothing, furniture, and comforts of the fishermen have improved de-
cidedly within his observation ; and that the progress of improvement
in Ireland, moral, and practical, has been, during the last ten years,
exceedingly rapid." It is observed by the same witness, that wherever
the coastguard establishment, which is almost exclusively English ar
Welch, has been fixed, the most obvious improvement has taken place
in the n.ighbourhood ; the example which those men have shown being
productive of most beneficial consequences."
The intercot:rse by steam between the two countries has
given such a value to many of the lesser articles of farm-
ing produce, formerly almost e ithout a market, such as
eggs, poultry, honey, &c. These matters are now brought
into the British market, and produce almost a " new cre-
ation of property, which is laid out in manufactured
goods, dress, and articles of furniture." The inhabitants
of Liverpool are stated by a resident in that town to be
quite aware of the altered appearance even of the Irish
reapers, who "no longer come in the tattered clothes
they formerly appeared in ; they are ashamed of their
r ga, and are apparently a different class of persons." " I
speak from a great deal of examination into the state of
Ireland," observes Mr. Blake, the Chief Remembrancer
of the Court of Exchequer, " Ireland is becoming from
day to day more prosperous : capital is spreadiug through-
out Ireland, and in proportion as it spreads, so will the
general state of all classes be improved." In the county
of Armagh, Mr—Greer observes that the consumption of
wheaten bread has considerably augmented ; and that at
Lurgen, so far from there being a considerable mass of
the people out of employment, the witness did not know

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any man able to work that cannot get work then. The
statement made by Mr. Wiggins, an English land-agent,
in describing the south-west of Ireland, is equally satis-
factory :
“ A very great improvement has taken place in all respects during
the last twenty-two years • with regard to food there is not much change;
but in the habits of cleanliness, and order and regularity, in their
clothing, and sense of propriety in all respects, I conceive in their
moral character and conduct altogether, the improvement has been very
striking." In a subsequent part of his nomination he adds, " I think
the improvement:of Ireland has bees moms rapid than any improvement
I ever saw in England in any largo tract of country." " For-
merly," observes Mr. J. D. ?dullen. " ths labourers of the county
of Dublin wore a coarse kind of cloth called Mess, now they uni.
formly wear a cloth which is dearer, and is evidence of an improved
notion of comfort."

However consolatory is this accumulation of testimony, it
would lead to a false inference were it to induce a disbelief
in the existence of very great distress and misery in Ire-
land. The population and the wealth of a country may both
increase, and increase rapidly ; but, if the former proceeds
in. a greater ratio than the latter, an increase of distress,
among the poor, may be concurrent with an augmentation
of national wealth. The state of the labouring classes
must depend on the proportion existing between the number
of the people and the capital which can be profitably em-
ployed in labour ; and your Committee agree in the obser-
♦ations made by a witness of great acuteness and observa-
tion, that " the operation of natural causes, and the im-
proved spirit of social life are the true and efficient sources
from which the prosperity of Ireland may be anticipated.
The foundations of her prosperity are laid," concludes Mr.
Roe, " and time will complete the structure,"

'
SEAL BEFORE HILARY 14ItIV, AND TERM PAPER, 1831,
Before the LORD CEANCRLLOR,

AT LINCOLN'S INN.
Monday, January 10th—Seal before Hilary Term.
AT WESTNINSTIER.
Tuesday, 11th—Motion..
Wednesday 12th, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednesday—Re-hearings and Appeals.
Thursday, 20th—Motions.
Friday 21st, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday—Re.
hearings and Appeals.
Thursday, 27th Motions.
Friday 28th, and Saturday—Re-hearings and Appeals.
Monday, 31st—Motions.

SEAL BEFORE HILARY TERM, AND TERM PAPER, 1831,
Before the Vices CHANCELLOR,
AT LINCOLN'S INN.
Monday, January 10th—Seal before Hilary Tam.
AT IVESTIIINSTIR.
Tuesday, 11th—Motions.
Wednesday 12th, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday,
and Wednaday—Pleas, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further
Directions.
Thursday, 20th—Motions.
Friday 21st, Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday—Pleas
Demurrers, Causes, Exceptions, and Further Directions.
Thursday, 27th—Motions.
Friday, 28th—Plus, Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes, and Further
Directions.
Saturday, With—Short Causes, Pleas,Demurrers, Exceptions, Causes,
and Further Directions.
Monday, 31st—Motions.
N.B. A day will be named by the Vice Chancellor for hearing Cause
Petitions in next Term.
In the interval between the end of next Term and the First Seal, the
Vice Chancellor will hear Bankrupt Petitions and Motions.

ASIA

CE.

WINCfiESI, Drc. 29.

John Cobb, William Hoare, Tho Mas Hoare, Henry Bone, John
Newland, William Bicknell, John Trimming, Beamin Smith,
and Robert Bennet, wit put to the bar, charged with having,
with divers others, riotously assembled at Selbourne, on the
22d of November, and there, by threats and violence, compelled the
Rev. Win. Cobbold, the rector of that parish, to sign a paper agreeing
to reduce his tithes to 300 L This was a case arising out of the pro-
ceeding of the mob which met at Sclboume and attacked the workhouse
at that place, the particulars of which have already appeared in our re.
port of this commission.
The Rev. Mr. Cobbold was asked the value of his tithes, and he re.
plied lit wu more than double 9001.
Mr. Edward Fitt, a farmer wu called to speak to the character of
Bennett. He was a servant to witness, and was a quiet, honest man.
Mr. Baron ViiIOIIIANI hope you are not one of tlleatralltrtners
who were present inciting the mob to make the demand on the cler-
?
gyman
Witness—My Lord, I was present at Mr, Cobbold's, when the mob
was there.

Mr. Baron VAUG nAx—Sir, you ought to be ashamed of your con-
duct. You who, from your station, should know better, first incite
these poor men to commits very serious offence, and then you appear
here to give one of them a character.
In answer to a question from the Attorney. General, witness said
that he was one of the farmers who signed the agreement as a wit.
ness.

Mr. BARON Vouonest.—Then, Sir, I must tell you, that you
may atwitter yourself very lucky that you are not standing In that
dock, charged with this offence. I think you merit it as much, or
more, than any of those poor men, who now stand before me. It
Is really disgraceful to see such a transacdon as this by men in your
condition.

It was here stated, that this witness bad afterwards distinguished
himself by his activity in preventing the mob from doing mischief.
Mr. Baron VAUGHAN said, that that was some redeeming of
his conduct on this occasion, but it was well for him, and the
other farmers who were present at that meeting, and who signed the
agreement, that they had not been indicted for their conduct. Those
farmers who, to their disgrace, had entered into this son of under-
standing with the labourers—" We will undertake to raise your wages,
but you must undertake to obtain a reduction of the tithes "
bad as little right to take that course as they had to urge the same
mob to go and take the money from the clergyman's pocket. The
learned Judge then proceeded to point out the evidence as it affected '
each of the prisoners ; and the jury, after consulting together for a short
time, returned a verdict, finding John Cobb, Wm. Hoare, Thomas
Hoary, Henry Bone, J. Newland, John Trimming, and Benjamin
Smith, Guilty; and W. Bicknell and Robert Bennett, Not Guilty.
Robert Mason (who has been tried several times on other charges
and acquitted was put to the bar, charged with having, on the 18th of
November, with several others, assembled around the house of
the Rev. ames °Hire, at Barton Stacey, and by threats and violence
obtained from him the sum of be. his property.
The prisoner in his defence said that the mob had passed his door,
and he was forced to go.
The Jury, after consulting together for a abort time, returned a ver-
dict of guilty, but strongly recommended him to mercy in consequence
of his previous good character.
W. Adams,aged 36, W. Barnes, 42, J. Hoare, 19, J. Fussell, 20,
W. Bores, 24, J, Boyer, N. From/link, 30, were indicted
for having on the 23d November last, at the parish of Owslebury, felo-
niously made an assault on one Moses Stanbrool, and put him in bodily
fear, and feloniously stole from his person one note of the firm of
Knapp and Co. of the value of M. and monies of the said M. Stanbrook.
The Jury found Adams and Fremantle Guilty, and acquitted the
other prisoners.
WINTER HOME CIitCUIT.--Kurat 9 erou Dzc. 30.
The Judges came into the town about eleven o'clock, aad hnmodiately
proceeded to open the commission. The calendar, though not very
numerous, contains many *MOW OfftliCell r three for murder, three
anon, five riotously assembling, one threatening letter, seven horse-
stealing, and a majority of the remainder for burglaries.
After the Grand Jury were impannelled, Mr. Justice ISOPANQUET
proceeded to deliver the following address :
" Gentlemen of the Grand Jury,—Upon viewing the catalogue of
the offences for trial, I have observed, with unfeigned concern, that
your county has not been exempt from those disgraceful trans-
actions which have occurred more frequently and extensively in
other counties. I have great reason to believe that many of the out-
rages have been suppressed by the laudable and vigorous conduct
of the Magistracy. We all know that promptitude and early vigour
are efficacious in the suppression of disorder, and we have learned,
even from our childhood, that one man of character and decision
can often sway a multitude nom their mischievous purpose.—.
It must, however, essentially depend (under the providence of
Gore) on the vigilance of the Magistrates, aided by the personal ex.
ertions of the gentry, whether the tumults be effectually repressed.
That distress does exist, I readily admit ; but I must also assert that it
has been much exaggerated. Discontent also is prevalent, but t;tecrat
and wicked pains have been taken to foment it, by the evii.dhls
unquestionable. The result of the trials on the present Citeult, and of
the Special Commissions, have clearly shown that the leaders of the tu.
mul tuous and unlaw fulassanWages have been totally uncontected with the
cause of complaint, their occupations not being agricultural, and in must il
instances in the receipt of ample wages. Attempts have also been made,
both by language and writings, addressed to the passions of the multi.
tude by artful emissaries, for the purpose of promoting divider. To
such all admonition will be useless t but to another class, net criminal,
though perhaps mischievous, 1 will offer a ward of advice. There am
many persons who sincerely wish the welfare of their country, and the

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restoration of tranquillity, yet, in the ardour') enforcing-their opinions,
indulge in language which in other times would be of no consequence,
but In these times of excitement, rouse the passions of the ignorant and
misinformed. I would urge such persons to weigh well the awful
responsibility, and also the consequences, which may arise from
intemperate speeches or writings. Let them reflect on the upbraiding.
of their consciences, when they tee offenders exiled from their country,
who have been led into crime by their incautious conduct. I trust when
order prevails, that these gentlemen present will feel it their duty to lend
a kind ear to the wants and complaints of those below them, and when
distress manifests itself, the best of your ability will be exerted to relieve
it. Wherever there appears mismanagement in the poor laws let it
have early attention and redress—but also ever bear in mind
that no eoncesaion is to be made to intimidation and vio-
lence. That man must be ill read in the hia:ory of hie
or any other country, who does not know that tranquillity purchased by
violence can never last • but that fresh demands ins short time will :re-
turn in an aggravated shape. All attempts at intimidation are to be
repressed, all acts of violence resisted, and the laws under all circum-
stances to be strictly enforced. The learned Judge here reviewed the
calendar, pointing out the law applicable to the various offences, and
concluding by expressing a hope that the gentlemen present would see
the necessity of impressing on the poorer classes the opinion, that
their wants were not ditzd, and that Government having searched
out the cause of the dis, would promptly provide measures of al-
leviation."