The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-06-06

The IRISH PEAsANTRY.--The follow
ing extract from work on Ireland, late
ly published in London, written by Jona-
than Binns, ''Assistant Agricultural Com
missioner Of the late Poor Law Inquiry
gives a graphic picture Of the miseries
which too frequently meet the eye while
journeying through Ireland, particularly
In the agricultural districts--and the
wretched cabins which constitute the
dwellings of the peasantry:
81 went into one, twelve feet long by
eight wide, the height being short of six
feet. This apartment was the only one
for man, his wife. and three children.
Two acres of poor land near the noun
tains were let with this cabin. The rent
of the whole was se2. The woman met
us at the door, and with cheerful smile
invited us in.-She and her children look
ed healthy and happy, though her hus-
band could not obtain work, and they live
on potatoes alone, frequently without even
salt. They were not worth a chair, and
the mother sat on the ground. The hap
ply countenance of this woman astonished
me; and feel that if were to call her
poor should do her an injustice. The
beds, if they deserve the name, consist Of
a little straw on a few poles, raised foot
from the floor, with scanty blanket and
some old rags. If poor family can pro-
cure a pennyworth Of buttermilk occa-
sionally, to be divided among six of them
they are satisfied; two shillings per an
mum supply them with tea and sugar,
which they only use on particular occa-
sions.-These poor Irish have frequent
ly not even potatoes sufficient to satisfy
hunger, and are compelled to seek subsis-
tcnce from the weeds of the field, and the
sea-weed on the shore. 1t is not unusu-
al to boil for food the weed called prasagh
sort of sinapis, or what in some parts of
England is called ketlock or runch and
where the hawthorn is allowed to grow,
they eat the berry or haws, which they
call ''skeehony." Yet their misery is
borne with cheerfulness; they are uni
formly polite and shospitable, and ever
ready to communicate any information
which it may be in their power to supply.
Although have travelled through most Of
the counties inyIreland, I never yet met
with All instance Of incivility on entering
their cabins, however abruptly; on the
contrary, hearty welcome was always
given--my call seemed to excite their
gratitude, and good wishes, warmly ex-
pressed, constantly attended my depar-
ture. The submission Of these poor crea-
lures to the hard destiny entailed upon
them, is remarkable. Upon one occasion
a woman observed to me that sthey had
hard fare and disappeintments, but God
prepared the back for the burthen.' By
way Of giving them some little comfort, /
frequently remarked, that they and their
children were far more healthy than the
rich. They would reply-sGod SO or
.dered it for the poor.''
OBSERVATIONS IN UPPER PERu.-Mr.
Pentland. an observing and scientific ira.
Weller, lately read paper before the Geo
graphical Society in London, giving an
interesting account Of his travels in Upper
Peru. Cusco, the capital, an ancient city
is place very little known to the inhabi-
tants Of other countries. 1t contains 3d.
900 inhabitants ~ he construction Of this
city, and indeed, the whole of the sur.
sounding country, furnish many remark
able specimens Of Cyclopean architecture,
displaying the very great advance which
the ancient Peruvians must have made in
civilizations The walls Of this city are
composed Of blocks Of porphyry, weigh