New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-30
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
THE IRISH PEASANT.

THE IRISH PEASANT. A Sociological study Edited
from onsnal Papers by GaardaM ol IN! tSe roo
Co. Imported by Charles scnbner's Sons, New
York
This Is a useful little volume. crammed from cover TO
cover with fresh information on an old subject. III
contains the results personal observations In Ire
land and Is written In unbiased way The anthor Is
an Englishman who inherited Irish estate ana set
tied upon IL, living very much his tenants did' as
sociating freely with them and travelling about the
island from time to time IN the dress Of worknsman
This volume, which is Of the numbers OF soc'aI
science series, presents n luminous end pracucal vie"
OF the social and agrarian condition OF the island lts
chief merit Is Its impartial tone IL is hardly prhc
ucabe for the reader 10 ascertain from the Pasos VI
this book whether the author is in sympathy with Lib
erals Conservatives or Home Rulers. II is cooress
account OF the state of Ireland, yet abounos IN III
formation controversial subjects.
The leading topics which are discussed ore race ten
denoes the rural economy Of Ulster. the resources OF
the people, local government the management OF es
tates the condition Of the aborer, ana educa'loh All
these subjects dealt with In practical common
sense way without a truce OF paItssnship or preu
dice Whoever reads the volume Will have not only
much clearer, but far more hopeful view OF the re-
sources and destiny OF the Irish people The ira
dtonal idea of the domestic economy OF the Irish
peasant Is that the pig is the gentleman who pays the
rent and that the family is doomed to starvation
whenever the potato crop fails. AS matter OF fact
cattle and sheep constitute the chef wealth. Vi 'hc
island and potatoes. while the main article OF food
are not grown 10 any extent for sale or export Ire
land is IN large part pastoral country Agriculture IS
unsuited TO II. The climate is too damp for grain
The Improvement Of the existing breeds Of cattle and
horses. and the extension Of market gardening IN the
neigbbohood of scapors to be the best means Of
developing Irish
Although there is much poverty In Ireland, there is
also much wealth. far than is generally supposed;
but it is very unequally distributed and money does not
circulate as 1t should. In the North Of Ireland the
poorer better or than those near Dublin,
simply because money crculates. Brewing. grazing.
cattle shipping remuneraNve but offer little EN-
psyment Much money Is boarded and not used In
any way Few people are so purse proud and measure
everything much by money standard as the Irish
classes" Graziers, cattle saesmen, brewers. dis.
ters, publicans and provision merchants arc usually
rich men, and many Of them large landoe ners. These
the real aistocracy Of the island. Professional
men, CLERKS labores and peasants poor and have
Just what they The country Is rich In many
ways yet side by side with all this wealth is fearful
amount of sQuaor and poverty. The Irish parvenu is
profuse and mean. He is fond OF display and enter
tsins lavshy, but the people on his estate live in
wretched cabins and ground down to starvation
wages.