Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-12-24
[From Our Regular Correspondent
Our European Letter.

COilAlllloh VI AlNAhilN Aitto bCNh lllht
public. The report summaries the returns
Of the inspectors rs to the state of the
potato crop, the general harvest, the sup.
ply of turf which may be saved by the
peasantry for their wants during the next
winter and spring. and the condition and
prospects of the poor in regard TO the po-
tato crop. As TO the latter point there is
not much variation in the reports, and
potatoes are described almost everywhere
as deficient in quantity, inferior in quail
ty and affected by blight. There will not
be more than half an average crop. The
general harvest appears to be inferior and
the crops deficient and below those of last
year. The ont crop is everywhere reported
TO be good and plentiful This applies TO
all the four provinces, the exceptions, in
which the general harvest appears TO be
fair, being parts of Donegal and London
derry, in Ulster; parts of Cork and Linn.
erick, in Munster and parts of Wicklow
in Lcnstcr. The supply of turf is every
where greatly deficient Suffering and
sickness are anticipated from this cause
A considerable quantity of turf is stated
10 have been cut this year, but it could
not be saved owing to the continuous
rain. In parts of each of the four prov
inces it is stated that coal could be easily
obtained at reasonable prices, but this will
not benefit the poor in many districts in
the western and midland counties, where
turf is the only fuel used. In regard to
the prospects of the poorer classes during
the coming winter and spring in Ulster.
considerable distress and restitution. as
well as increased demands for relief, may
be expected, owing to the failure of the
turf supply. and the scarcity of employ
ment. In Munster much suffering and
want is antici pated, and unusual demands
for relief are expected during the winter
months, owing to the want of employ
ment, which is attributed to the straitened
circumstances of the farmers, in conso
quence Of the banks and loan companies
having refused to make further advances
of money, and to the low prices obtained
for cattle and butter In Leinster u large
increase in the demands for relief is an
ticipated, the farmers not being in posi-
ton to pay laborers, and employment,
consequently, being scarce. In Connaught
Il serious amount of distress and increased
demand for relief is expected during the
coming winter. Ga the coast, also, mat.
tiers are in the same condition, this being
partly owing to the decline in the en-.
ployment of kelp burning. In other parts
of the provinces much of the distress i,
due to the reduction in prices obtained for
cattle and pigs, and to the farmers being
deeply in debt to money-lenders and
shopkeepers, and to the stoppage of their
credit.
In London, whatever may be the feeling
on the subject in the country, the present
government is far from being unpopular.
This is sufficiently proved by the number
of journals protesting liberal principles
which, in common with the eastern ques.
ton and with foreign questions generally
support the conservatives. Among these
may be mentioned one penny daily paper
Boosting of the " largest circulation III
the world,' the Daily Telegraph, one
high-priced Gaily paper, which owes such
political reputation us belongs to its ar.
licles on foreign affairs, the Morning Post
the principal evening paper, the Pail Nal
Gazette, and at least one weekly journal
the Examiner. In the large liberal clubs
moreover, eight members out of ten seem
to be content with the present government.
They are satisfied, that i, to say, with
its action in connection with foreign poll.
tics, and there is no domestic question
Just now before the country. One of the
papers just mentioned is not, it is true, Il
supporter on all points Of the government
policy. | mean the Pail Nal GazcNe
which, however, does not attack Lore
Beaconstield's government on the grounc
that it does not follow the policy Of alb
stention in foreign affairs, so dear TO lib.
erals; but because it abstans too much
and because its action has been frequently
wanting in energy. The great mass o
moderate liberals hold the same principles
in regard to foreign utl'4igs that were helc
by Lord Palmerston's cabinet at the time
of the Crimean war. The opposition
meanwhile, consists of two extreme an,
almost antagonistic elements; the aristo
cratic liberals OF " wings" rs they nigh
still be called, who would drive the pres
cnt ministers from Office with view to
redistribution of places; AMI the lad
vanced liberals" who, in the event of tn
government being defeated would hay,
no chance of attaining Office, and who, II
, least, may be said to condemn government
, measures with sincerity and from convic
ton. ALPHA.
EDITOR OF FREEMAN:-The superin