The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-10

FRIGHTFUL DBsTITUTIoN IN IRELAND.-The Catho-
lie clergy of Donegal, some time ago, issued an
appeal on behalf of the peasantry of certain parts
OF that county, amongst whom, they alleged great
destltution and distress existed. In consequence
Of the truth of their statements having been ques
toned, special reporter, at the request OF the
relief committee, has been sent down by the pro-
prietors Of the Dnbin Evening Post to make in
vestigati0n on the spot, and In a communication
to that paper of Tuesday, the 10th. we find the
result of his visit and inquiries.
Gweedore and Cloughaniely, the districts in
question, embrace a territory of mountain and
bog with an occasional strip of arabic land, lying
on the north west OF Donegal. The weather at the
time of the visit was very severe, and the ground
covered with snow. On reaching the scene of dis
tributob, says the reporter, 81 perceived perhaps
one hundred or one hundred and fifty persons.
male and female, waiting with their petitions and
memorials in hand, to be presented for relief or
these the majority were natrous barefooted and
without stockings, and some Of those who DOS
sessed the luxury of stockings had not shoes or
brogans. The bare limbo OF these women ap-
peared to be swollen and covered with chilbIaius,
lie visited some of their houses-if houses thew
can be called Here is description ~ entered
one on all tours through hole in the wall, and
there found an aged matron. Father Doherty pre-
ceded and led the way, or dare say / ould have
been denied admittance to that abode of modesty
and destitution. She was seated before fire on
the hearth, the turfof which had been dug by the
male members of the family. There was no win
dow or aperture to admit the light of day sayo the
hole by which i entered. There, and elsewhere
there was no time to be lost. The inquiry was
proceeded with by Father Doherty, who show ed
me the bed ou which some of the family law and
here Is a true description:
"The head of the bed was in the corner, few
sods of earth at the head aud foot 20 support IL
hoard for the side, with few sticks thrown across
one end inserted in the wall, aud the other end
supported by stones aud turf. There was no bed
tick; nc clothing, with the exception of woolen
rag which could not bear the name of a blanket
nor was II efficient In size for single grown adult
certainly not Ct to cover person of full growth
Here In this hoyel, unfit for the habitation of
single he man creature, there were seven persons
/ think the number was seven"
OF their fnod he says-s'Ia another house we
asked what their food was and they exhibited
metal pot which contained the meal for the family.
THIS was chopped or pounded potatoes in q pulp,
and with this pulp re-heated, and with some sea
weed which they exhibited In q wooden vessel,
oalled a noggin, they made the dinner md supper
in ono meal The system regimen certainly
cannot present the idea of Baron Penrefather's
'opulence.'"
The two following pictures of distress, be Gays.
apply TO hundreds of cascs:-"The day ras awinlly
severe and all who eould remain inside doors with
out the pressing necessity of going abroad were
huddled about the fire. In one of these domiciles
there was female, and she was one Of many in
the fifteen or twenty houses l explored In this
part OF Gweedore. She was about sixteen, and
when called upon by Father Dsngherty to come
perfectly unconscious Of her gratefulness and
beauty of her form. This poor helpless child was
not clad unless you could call shapeess garment,
thrown over without inner covering, clothing
But 10 this house there was another female,
older than the one whom have just now intro
duced. The girl was about twenty, or thereabouts.
This poor creature had neither shoe nor stock
ing, and avoiding the presence Of strangers, she
shrunk away back into the obscure corner In the
dark, from which she had been reluctantly drawn
by the priest she rsvered"
In conclusion, the report states" What / have
nov said Of few cases might apply to all have
seen Of deporabie distress In this district of the
Gweedore, adjoining the place where the chapel
was burned, and not far from the residence of
Father Magee, the parish priest. But was In
formed by many that there are districts still
more miserable and desolate in the more remote
and isolated parts Of Gweedoge."
DFArH FROM LtGHrnisG.-During thunder gust
on Monday evening young man, aged about 10
years. named Samuel ID. Hall, son of Dir. Samuel
AaIl, reading on the philadelpha road, about
miles from Baltimore, was struck by lightning aud
instantly killed. lie was crossing d sid. was not
ander tree, and within hundred yards Of his
fathers door, when he was struck down.
DIR. N. A. franklin, an eminent and useful cti.
"a iaa Last