The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-01
THE HOMES OF THE IRISH.
Mrs. Helen d. Cougar Continues Her
Exploration Of Treland's Seualor.
The Trip to Bandon-The People at Bantry
and Glengariff-Fearing to Tell the
Full Truth of the Awful Poverty.

DUBLIN, July 12-My last letter told of my
experience in Cork. At the end Of three days. at
o'clock in the morning. 1 take my seat in one
of the luxurious apartment cars used on the G.
& B. railway for Bantry, situated at the
head of the bay of the same name, on the
extreme west coast of the island The sky
is clear, and the scenery is charming. This
was the next morning after the defeat of
the home-rule bill in the House of Commons,
and this part of ireland is, almost to man. in
favor of home rule. At Bandon l am intro
duced to a magistrate of tho town while my
train halts He tells me Of the defeat of the
bill with great feeling. as he speaks of the suffer
ings Of his people. He says: "Our men have
little to do besides tilling the SOIL and all they
make must 60 to the landlord; and there is no
employment for our young women as they come
out of school. and we are in a desperate fix.
We used to have factories here, as you see, point
ing to many vacant buildings; but unjust En-
glish laws have closed these up. and our popula-
ton has fallen from Is, 900 to less than 1000 Ii
relief does not soon come, there will be starva-
tion.' A landlords agent was introduced, who
acted for Lord Bandon, who owns 30, 900 acres of
lard at this point. Can the people pay their
rent9" asked this mere STRIPPING Of man, who
had informed me that Sc cash rent per acre was
the average demand of the tenant on
this demense. YES if they will, but they
are giving US no little annoyance just now, and
they will as long as such men as Parnell keep
things in such stir. Home rule was killed last
night, and we will have coercion and easier
times with our tenants am going now to col
lect my rents. or know why" said this man, with
a spirit that was strongly favored with the crack
of the slave drivers whip. The conductor blew
his pocket whistle, issued the usual call, take
your seats which is heard instead of our 'All
aboard" / was scarcely seated when little
man pushed his head into my open window, and,
in an excited manner, exclaimed: Don't you
believe one word that man meaning the aged
magistratel told you. He is the son of Catho
lie priest, and he will fill your head with lies.
am the White Horse of Revelation, and last
night entered the House of Parliament, as
sumed supernatural form, and kicked (suiting
the action to the word) the home-rule bill out"
The train moved off while the magistrate mo-
toned and grimaced at me not to believe this
supernatural fellow. as he was insane. Amidst
the laughter of my party we sped on. This lit
tie incident, though amusing, shows to what ex-
tent the intolerance of religious bgotry pervades
every question in Ireland, shutting out reason
and justice.
Bandon is celebrated for it's inc WHISTLES, and
is on the border between rich agricultural re-
gion and the fisheries of the south coast From
poverty of the people is correspondingly greater,
for poor soil always produces poor people. The
face of the land is broken and rugged and the
scenery is picturesque. The humidity OF the
atmosphere gives life to vegetation so rich and
beautiful that 1t must be seen to be fully compre
hended. Every twig and rock is covered with
moss, ferns, ivy and brilliant flowers and this
vegetation is the glory of the Emerald isle
shall not attempt TO give full description of
the scenery of this part Of Ireland until another
letter, for it is the people of Ireland that my
American readers are most interested in at this
time. At noon l reach Bantry. at the head
of Bantry bay q harbor that excels in nat
ural beauties and natural advantages. 1t pre-
sents the appearance Of widespread lake
shemmed in by row of mountains of the finest
and boldest outline. Standing on promi-
nent points one of the numerous converts
that are seen all over this part of Ireland
find this to be well-ordered school for girls
and Is about the only bright spot in the exist
ence Of the poverty-stricken people of this Sec
ton OF the country. The town, of :. 900 inhabit-
ants lies under the side of the mountain. hid
from view until we descend q precipitous hill
which lands US in narrow street which con-
tains large proportion OF the people. The
buildings with but few exceptions, are one
story, whitewashed, stone walls with thatched
mud, mud, mud all around, in which child and
pig wallow alike 1t was raining, as is usual
every day in the year, and I found my winter
clothing none too warm. The arrival of our
Jersey car-all wheeled vehicles drawn by horses
are called cars, and railroad cars called car
risges--at the hotel where we were to lunch was
a signal that brought all the town out to SEQ us
leave for the drive TO the celebrated watering
place, Glengariff, sixteen miles distant. over
road as smooth as engineers skill can make 1t.
can never forget the spectacle of these peo-
pie as seen on that occasion. Mr.. ID. r. Locke
(Nasby) who is still rendered in this section for
his unstinted generosity while travelling through
here few years since, said to me lust before
my departure you will not dare &c gell in your
letters what condition you find thosa people in
for nobody will believe you except those who
have seen for themselves" | would "dare to
tell" wereI capable of commanding the language
to do 1t; but confess my inability to expose the
whole truth in words; but shall attempt it, at
least. AS crowds Of men, women and children
gathered about the car in which was seated
asked, as looked upon their rags that scarcely
covered their emaciated forms, why are you
in this fearful conditions" Before they answered
my question, and as soon they saw from my
speech that / was from America, the cry of
"Welcome, welcome" came spontaneously from
every throat, while one woman with babe at her
breast. crawled up the side of the car to kiss my
hand. With one voice came the answer, s"There
is nc work for u.s." One man said: "These
hills are full of coal and minerals but the En-
glish laws will not allow US to work them
lest we reduce the value of their property"
Another, with tears coursing down his dirty
face flor these people are as dirty as people can
we'll get said: Home rule was killed in Par
lament last night, but it is sure to come and
God knows what we will do until it does come.
We would have starved to death long ago if 1t
had not been for friends we have in America
who send US money" Then several asked me if
/ knew son, daughter, or other relative that
lived in America. They think we should know
their people, little comprehending the extent of
our territory woman came in front of this
group of men. leading a girl of ten years, who
was totally blind. also holding babe but few
days old at her breast, barefooted, bareheaded,
holding fast to the few rags that barely covered
her nakedness and, in reply to the question
what caused the blindness Of her little girl as
we'll as that of one of her own eyes, she said,
"Cold, hunger and neglect" was overwhelmed
with the amount of blindness of these people all
through the poorer portions of West ireland It
is the rule, rather than the exception, and in
many instances racai vad The sauna ranl,r &c +o