Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1859-10-07
TERMS OF ADYERTTsTNe.
The irish and the Saxon peas.nrry.

To those who are ever ready to curse the mere
rish and who wont to represent the Irish peasant
as simpleton at least occupying an inferior posi-
tion for mental and bodily vigor to the Saxon peasant
across the Channelo such, repeat refer the fol-
lowing portion of article taken from the Westmin
lister Review-a periodical with none other than British
proclivtes, and, might almost say with none other
than Irish hatred According to the evidence of En-
glishman the Irish peasant is prouder, spirited
less crnging and servile to superors in wealth and po
son, less degraded mbruted, and more intelligent and
ready wited although perhaps more hungry man. than
the Saxon husbandman .t--.
"The Irish peasant is poorer and yet more reckless
than the Engshman but he not so suen or so spirit
less. His body is not so Muscular strongly set
that of the Anglo Saxon husbandman, on whose frame
tie had and unremttng toll of thirty generations has
stamped its unmistakabe impress and, consequently, he
is less persevering and less vigorous aborer but
general rule his stature is taller and his step more free
and elastic than that of the sturdy but slow and sunted
laborer of our southern countries. There are wild
mountainous districts of the west indeed, in which the
1wes type of the Irish peasaDtry iound that must be
taken exceptions to the general statement: and as
many from these regions the Channel to tramp
through England in the complex character of mendcant
aborers, no doubt some have received from them I'M
preston to the Irish peasantry very different from
what our observations intended to convey. But
have Travelled through the south of Ireland with
out having noticed what we state.
"The Tipperery and Kilkenny peasantry are nvaria-
bly, tall Connemary has been famed for its giants,
and many of both sexes throughout the South are spite
of their rags, fine figures and graceful in their
ments While looking at them we have ceased to Won
der at what has been regarded better than bar
ney, the finest psantry in the world and we have
felt saddened mentally contrasted with what
saw before u.s. the bearing and appearance of
DorSestershre aborers For the attered Irish peasant
living in mud hOvel, is, after all, gentleman in his
bearing whereas, there is generally either cringing
serviity sulen doggedness in the demeanor OF the
south Saxon aborer The Irsbman is BESIDES far morein
telgent and readywitted than the Saxon husbandman
The fact s that the Irshman, if undered has been
overworked his life has not been one of unceasng and
oppressive labor. Nor has his condition been one of
perpetual servitude. With all his poverty be has been,
to a considerable extent his master Half starved,
satisfying his appetite light innutrtous fare
far housed and clad than the poorest English la
borer often, indeed, almost hafnaked-oppressed by
mddemen exactors Of rackrent with all this the Irish
cotter has been from father to son. and from generation
to generation, tenant, not merely dayaborer. Every
Irishman is in his esteem, and is esteemed By tis
fellows gentleman and every Irishwoman is lady.
All this has its false, its ridiculous and its mischevous
aspects but yet it has helped to preserve the rish
der unparalleled disadvantages and msforunes from be-
coming degraded and imbruted"