The Blackpool Herald. — 1882-12-08 (Blackpool, Lancashire, England)

NOTES OF A HOLIDAY VISIT TO THE NORTH OF IRELAND. BY A FYLDE GENTLEMAN.  V. THE LAND ACT. Having heard so much about "rack nuts" and landlord tyranny, I was naturally anxious to see an Irish landlord. -My I gladly availed --Asa itself.  Consequem.., myself of the first opportunity that presem...,... The landlord with whom I had the pleasure of holding converse for a brief while, had neither the appearance of a demon, nor the bearing of a despot. I should say his general appearance and bearing bore every evidence of generosity, refinement, and culture. He was moat certainly a marked contrast to the crude specimens of humanity designated Irish farmers. I naturally approached the subject of the land with due caution ; but such prudence WM altogether unnecessary, as he was most genial, and disposed to discuss the question in a liberal and friendly spirit. During conversation I expressed my fears that the recent Land Act fell heavily upon landlords. He replied, "It is neither more nor less than a confiscation of our property. It is robbery, pure and simple. I myself purchased the estate which I now own, and the Government of England,that ought to maintain the rights of every class of Her Majesty's subjects, pass an Act which lowers the value of my property one-third. My tenants are so pleased with their landlord that they have no desire to enter the Law Court. Yet it is only natural that they, like others, should wish to realize the benefits resulting from the Land Act. Were it not that I have an income from other sources, the capital I invested for the benefit of myself and family would fail in the end I had in view ; namely, to give we a secure and settled income." "Other landlords suffer in a similar way," I said. "The large landowners feel it least. The small ones are reduced to a state of starvation. Mr. has lost at the very least £3,000 per year. He can afford to lose that amount; but I am intimately acquainted with several ladies, whose sole income was derived from land, that are now reduced to absolute want." "Doyon think the land question is now settled?" "No, the present agitation has been soabundantly successful that they wili be encouraged to prosecute the design that underlies all the clamour of the "land for the people," and "Ireland for the Irish, "i.e. "Ireland ruled by a native Parliament under the immediate control of the Pope." "Has the disestablishment, of the Irish church ha(' the effect of making the people happier." "Certainly not. It was the worst thing for Ireland that could possibly have happened. lam no Churchman myself. I do not observe her ritual, nor believe all her dogmas; yet I have strong faith in the ascendency of the Protestant religion." "The farmers appear to be in an unsettled state." "They may speak of Pat as fancy dictates, but he is a shrewd observer of men and things. The Irish knew very well the meaning of Mr. Gladstone's Midlothian speeches, when he uttered the never-to-be-forgotten words about the murder of the police-sergeant in Manchester, and the blowing up of Clerkenwell Prison. They laid hold of the suggested idea and acted accordingly, and facts have more than verified their highest expectation. We are robbed to satisfy their demands, and to bribe them into submission."