The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-09-04
scfnl corap1n1Ien. otlle Inlelliaeneer.

Special Correspondent! cfthc Iatetligeneer.
LoSDoN, Aug. 25.-We were in Ire
land two weeks and travelled only in
three OF the districts into which the
country is divided, viz, Leinster, in tho
south, Munster Middle Irelnnd), and
Ulster, in the north. The western dis
trict Of Connaught We did not touch at
all. We regretted this very much, as
Connaught is the really and truly Celtic
part Of Ireland and tho storm center OF
land disturbances. 1t is likewise, as a
district, the poorest part Of Ireland and
tho region where they have specially
suffered in years Of scarcity.
To visit Ireland and not write of the
land troubles, evictions and kindred
topics, is Of course like playing Hamlet
with the Prince OF Denmark left out
But what was that Chicago mans opin.
ion OF Niagara Falls worth who arrived
there in the night, bought n lantern,
examined the falls, passed IN opinion
and then passed on before dawn. SO,
may ask, what is our opinion worth on
u question that has been disturbing Ire
land for hundreds OF years? Ireland
reminds me OF the story that went the
rounds OF the literary world many years
ago, Concerning people out OF whom
more might have been made" This
title would make all appropriate caption
for good letter, in proper hands, con
corning a land out OF which an infinite
deal more might have been made than
has ever been made ont OF Ireland. 1t
is a grand country, and to us was an
intensely interesting one. We would
have been only too glad to have spent
month there, but our itinerary would
not permit it. A land that fifty years
ago supported population almost
purely agricultural) of over eight nil
lions, or $50 people to tho square mic,
must indeed be good country. West
Virginia supports population OF "a'$
about 81 to the square mile, and we
think that it is n pretty good sort OF
country. 1t will be day far III the
future when West Virginia will contain
half as many people Us Ireland contained
half century ago. l rejoice to believe,
however, that she will be far more
prosperous country than ireland ever
was.
ONE OF IRELAND's CURSES.
The curse of Ireland, as to great
part of the country, is the lack of di-
versified industry. 1t is the everlasting
potato wherever you go. The coun-
try looks like checker board.
1t is cut up into the smallest i'm,
aginable patches, walled or hedged
around, and these patches are planted
mostly in potatoes, turnips, beets, cab
bage and other like garden crops. On
these crops a majority OF the people live,
and a poor living they have, OF course.
Lest, however, l may be nisunder-
stood in the above paragraph, l must
add that there is great deal OF hay and
grain raised in Ireland, not emitting
also fax. There is especially vast
amount OF hay, for it is eminently q
grass country. And such luxuriant and
nutritious heritage we seldom see in
America. Hence cattle and sheep
abound. The land troubles have, in
part, their origin in the relentless de-
termination OF landlords to root out the
small "occupiers" and lease their lands
to cattle and sheep growers. The best
mutton we have yet eaten was in the
south OF Ireland. We continue to talk
to this time, even here in England OF
the Incompatible mutton We had in
the town OF Mallow. Nowhere else, us
yet, have we eaten such mutton.
But notwithstanding the grass and
hay, and all the root crops, meat is not
cheap in Ireland nor anywhere over
here. Bacon, beef and mutton cost
more than with us; hence the masses
especially in Ireland, eat meat sparing'
" as compared with our people. Free
trade with America and other meat
shipping countries has not put very
much meat in themouths Of the masses.
A great deal of meat comes all the way
from New Zealand, AMI splendid meat
it is, too.
Tho Irish bacon is the best bacon
ever tasted. 1t is the favorite break
fast dish at the hotels and among the
we'll to do. A "rashcr" OF bacon, with
potatoes and excellent bread, is til,
staple breakfast, aud for this you arc
charged on your bill 1.-TWO and six" Of
three shilllngs.
HOTEL LIFE
Speaking Of hotels, VIC have at las
got used to them, but it was odd at first
All the walters in all the hotels arr
Germans, Hungarians or Belgians. w
never saw IN Irish waiter in q hotel il
ireland. And they all wear swallow
tailed coats, in fact, full dress suits. /
seems as il 10 native need apply il
Ireland, Scotland or England. Jus
why this is the case no one rs yet hal
satisfactorily explained. but it is fact
Drinking and smoking is very
general habit in all hotels; so much SC
that they have room, and q good one
too, set apart for this indulgence
The American bar-room, however, il
conspicuously absent. Drinks are servet
IN many OF the very best hotels in thu
very office OF the manager, who il
generally a woman, and also III til,
smoking rooms. Everything IS dom
quietly. The woman WHO sells you
stamps and gives you general intorma
ton also pohrs out, in regulated
measure, any spirits you may call for
Ihcrc is also distinctive class o
women in many hotels, and in all othc
drinking places. known as bar-maids
They are selected for their good look
and acceptable manners and are not Il
be confOunded with women in simila
occupation, ii there are any, in America
The prevailing spirituous drink i
"Scotch," as they call it. You will SCI
in the smoking room many men OF IN
Jo,,htcl character. especially elderl'