country in this province makes me feel sad: cabins and demesnes, very few buildings of any other description, excepting in a small number of towns, and the long ranges of buildings appropriated to the destroyers of men.

I have united with

"Since writing to some of the friends of the peasantry here in preparing arrangements for two central committees ; one for the city and liberties, and another for the county. The sufferings of the poor surpass what any had expected to witness; they had no idea of their extreme misery until they saw it for themselves in these visits. In one divison, in which ninety-six families were visited, consisting of four hundred and fourteen persons, eighty-eight of these families were without even sufficient straw to form their bed,-no cases: sometimes seven persons on one small parcel of straw. In another division, fifty-four families, and in another, seventy-eight, without one sufficient portion of straw for a bed, in either district.

"I am informed that in the city of Cork there is already an evident effect from the visits of the ladies, in the poor being stimulated to cleanliness. This evening a letter was received informing me that on the day on which we left, forty-one poor people walked from Bantry to Cork, a distance of about twenty-four miles, and entered the city, led in by their parish-priest, for the purpose of requesting that I would convey their grateful thanks to the Ladies' Society in London for the great comfort they have experienced in bed-clothes and wearing-apparel: these latter they were dressed in. It was very grateful to us,' adds my correspondent, 'to see such a disposition prevalent, and

has induced us to hope that much benefit will arise to our poor disconsolate peasantry.'

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'M. U. is intending to try to form an association. She said she had witnessed with agony indescribable a state of distress among the peasantry which it was impossible for individuals, however inclined, effectually to relieve."

“Limerick, 1st mo. 31st, 1823. "I cannot be prevented, either by the unremitting kindness of those around me, or the affectionate courtesy of strangers, from feeling, night and day, that the poor of Ireland are in misery. It is early to address to thee a second letter, when my first has scarcely reached London; but since writing that letter I have witnessed scenes that have harrowed every feeling of my heart. It is impossible to convey by any description the just idea of the wretchedness that exists among the people in the old parts of this city. It can only be known by going into their dwellings, and seeing it with our own eyes; and having seen and felt with the sufferers, I could not, without violating the claims of humanity, and the sacred sense of individual duty, forbear attempting in some degree to convey the feeling. It is really dreadful that the sufferings of one class of human beings should have been so little known to others of the same nation, and even subjects of the same empire. Were it not that they show a feeling for each other, which presents an example to the rest of the world, many of them must have died for want. In one room that contained three families it was declared by each that as long as one of them had a potatoe for themselves they never suffered the

others to fast for want of one: that house consisted of six rooms; most of them contained two or three families. In one room, of three families, there were thirteen persons; three miserable nests of straw, either of them unfit for the lodging of an animal, formed their places of retirement,-if retirement it could be called, where mixed families of men, women, and children were thus enclosed in the same apartment. Yet human intelligence, although thus borne down, is not destroyed; and an anxiety for the instruction and improvement of their poor little ones yet lives amongst them: nearly naked, they are yet sent to schools; and I feel convinced that multitudes of these, both parents and children, if they could be brought into such a situation as the common claims of humanity demand, would evince qualities of mind and disposition that would render them capable of contributing their humble but valuable portion to the general advantage of society. But the mind calls for cultivation, as well as the outward circumstances for aid.

"I had the satisfaction to accompany the Countess of Clare and her daughter on 4th day, in visiting some of the cabins. In going into those where the people had partaken largely of the kindness and liberality of the Countess, and of her son and daughter, it was cheering to see the industry, cleanliness, and comfort that could be found in a cabin; and I felt as though a sensible load were taken off my mind in witnessing their comparative state of prosperity and enjoyment, healthful labour, good schools, and good books. It should be added, that this was not effected without liberal gifts, in the outset, of beds, &c., and a superior manner of

building the cabins, such as the poor people themselves (who are mostly left to build as they can) could not have effected; this example, therefore, is not likely to be followed, except it be by a few liberal-minded persons; and if the poor were to wait until such examples should be general, their case, it is feared, would be hopeless.

"J. M. H. goes with me to Dromoland, if nothing prevent, on 3rd day; 4th and 5th are to be spent in visiting the cabins, 6th the countrycommittee meet, and on the 7th I return to Limerick. A visit to Tuam is under consideration; we shall probably proceed to the school, which you have heard of as so greatly successful in Roscommon; also to Edgworth-town.

“I feel, in all I see, a fresh and confirming conviction that no dwelling of the poor should be without the kind notice of visitors; and that much of misery and crime would be prevented, were the system of friendly and judicious visiting to become general. I do not know what other measure can bring the real state of the people so fully into notice, and lead to so clear a knowledge of the causes of distress: we speak not as having attained, but as earnestly desiring to learn what is right, and to pursue it, aided by the Infinite Power from whom every truly good word and work proceeds.

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May I hope to hear from thee soon in reply to this and my last. Do not conclude that I am becoming insensible to the enjoyments of friendship in looking on the darker side of things. There is yet a grateful feeling that the Most High reigns, and will bring forward His own designs through all; and here is our anchor."

"Limerick, 2nd mo. 28th.

"** * gave an extract of a letter, which I will send as a specimen of the feeling of the Irish peasantry, without considering what may be the appearance in regard to myself. I can, I think, lose sight of myself, in the remembrance of the poor of Ireland, and disregard either the publicity or obscurity of my own station, if their cause may but be promoted.

"Extract: I must not forget to tell you that the poor people in the mountain-district about Scariff were so impressed with a sense of Mrs. Kilham's goodness in coming over that they were making collections of fowls and eggs to take a present to her; and many of them would have gone to Ennis in the snow to see her, but that the ladies prevented them. Who shall say they are an ungrateful people!'

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May those who have the power not be surpassed by the peasantry of Ireland in generous feeling and liberal action. I fully unite in thy view of doing what you can now, rather than wait to learn what you will be able to do in future. Duty calls to present exertion. Many of the younger children look faint and poorly; those whose constitutions have gained more strength, and who were in their infancy better supported, look more healthy.

'It is consoling to know that the attention of those in power is so much engaged on behalf of Ireland, and likely to be during the present session of parliament; but a greater consolation than even this is the belief that the Most High will cause the light of Christian truth to arise more fully, and its influence to be felt on the minds of the