The penny press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1859-1860, 1859-10-05
Ireland as 1t Was and as 1t Is.

The Rev. Thomas Edgar, one of the Irish
deputation, delivered lecture in New York
city, Thursday night last, on "Irelond as it
Is," and feeling that brief report would in
teresta large class of our readers, we insert
tho following from the Tribune
He commenced by a repetition of the oft.
repeated fact that the population of Ireland
has considerably decreased. He described
the cruelties practiced by the authorities
upon the poor peasantry, when their houses
were pulled down over their heads, and they
were sent forth relentlessly into the street.
me retribution caYne in the shooting of
magistrates, which was done by Wholesale
This became so much of habit that several
murders were committed by men in order TO
swear the murder upon another, and get the
I'll 900 reward which was offered for the con-
viction of those who attempted to murder
magistrates. The famine had Its uses. 1t
sent forth multitude Of strong hands to
this country, which in seven years sent back
$31, ,o0O,OO0 to bring over their relatives
Ireland, relieved by the famine, rose to re-
marksble prosperity. In l848 and ls49 one
third of all the population of Ireland were
in the work-houses. Now therc were but fifty.
six thousand. In 1889, one hundred and
forty-fve men were hanged in Ireland; in
1854 there were but four men hanged.
There were three times as many Englishmen
hanged to the million now as Irishmen, Ap.
riculture has received an enormous impetus,
Millions of acres had been reclaimed. In 1857
the cattle Of Ireland were valued at $50, 900, 600
more than they were three years before, Tn
1857, Irish capital had increased SIS, 900 600
over what 1t was in 1854. In 1857, there was
l,02O miles of railway. In 1889 there were
$500, 600 of letters; two years ago there
we're Al. .0OO,0 900. In 1900, Ireland had %
newspapers; in ls49, 140. In 1e4O there was
IN "a towns not single bookseller. The Rev.
Mr.. Edgar spoke of the beneficial working of
the Encumbered Estates Act. Under this act
one-twelfth Of the surface Of ireland was sold
in three years. The men who formerly burned
the barns OF others now had barns Of their
own. one man was paying $500 900 year
IN wages to persons employed on his estate.
But while there had been a great average in
crease OF consumption of luxures in Ireland,
the consumption Of spirits had considerably
decreased. The moral condition Of the country
was also vastly improved. 'rr
The Rev. Mr.. Edgar concluded BY an appeal
to the benevolence of the people Of New York,
He has apeculiarly Irish figure and expression,
and very thick and rich brogus, tells great
many good old Irish stories, such as that Of the
pig, who was in reality going to Cork, but
who thought he was going to BaIlinasloe, and
said, with much gesture, that Old King Cole
was jolly old soul. He stated also that a
woman could mako on attorney, and not only
could she make en- attorney, but she could
make man, and she could make man Of (.
man who was no man at all. 1t was with diff
hculty that our reporter could understand the
reverend gentleman, 80 peculiar and indiatinct
was his pronunciation. Most of the audience
appeared to be much pleased. .''l