only point in which the industrial resources of Ireland are not developed as they ought to be. There are fully twelve millions of pounds of wool annually produced in the country, and yet, with the exception of a few frieze and tweed factories, no attempt, to speak of, has been made to turn this immense amount of material to account in an industrial point of view. English and French buyers traverse the country in all directions, only too happy to secure it, whilst Irishmen contentedly see bale after bale sent off, without reflecting that they are parting with the whole of that which if even partially used by themselves might afford profitable employment to thousands. Besides, there are the indirect benefits which would accrue to the country at large by the establishment of such a manufacture an increased demand for all descriptions of produce. Whilst we would not abate one tittle of our love for green fields, and sparkling brooks, we must own to a liking for the tall chimney, and the dashing of the mill-wheel which betokens the site of busy industry.

Again, when we look at the geographical position of Ireland, we would naturally expect to find her noble bays covered with immense fleets of fishingboats, engaged in drawing forth those treasures with which the teeming sea abounds. But what is the fact? A few imperfectly found and insufficient boats creep, here and there, along the coast, whilst English fishermen pursue their occupation and carry off their spoils under the very eyes of those who have not, apparently, the energy to help themselves. Consequently, the salted herring upon which the Irish fisherman regales, in most cases comes from the Moray Firth, and the absurd spectacle is presented of the Wick herring-laden vessels delivering their cargoes where the neighbouring bays are actually swarming with similar fish.

We do not fail to remember the beautiful compensations of nature by which we find the distribution of raw material regulated on the face of the earth, one district or country supplying the articles consumed or manufactured in another. But we need not waste words to show that there is a wide difference between an attempted

In order rightly to understand this, it must be borne in mind that there are certain conditions which characterize good husbandry, and any serious infringement of those conditions, must, therefore, mark the reverse. One of those conditions is a properly adjusted rotation or succession of crops. If, however, we take up the reports of the Irish RegistrarGeneral, we will find that Irish agriculture cannot be said to possess this fundamental principle of good cultivation. The proportions in which the different classes of crops are grown, vary so much every year, that it is evident cultivation is governed by no definite rule, but rather by mere illregulated chance, or rather guess-work,

Again, farmers in Great Britain look upon turnip culture as the pillar upon which the entire superstructure of good husbandry rests; but in this opinion their Irish brethren do not practically coincide. So far from increasing, the extent of land which is devoted in Ireland to turnip husbandry is annually decreasing, and that, too, at a very rapid rate. If therefore British farmers are correct, Irish farmers must be seriously wrong; and if the former are right in judging of the state of agriculture in any district by the proportion which the turnip bears to the other cultivated crops, then Irish agriculture, taken as a whole, so far from being eminently progressive, is in reality retrograding.

There is another point of view, from which we may look not only at the actual state of Irish agriculture, but also as it affects the condition of the Irish people, and, perhaps, we might add, the future interests of the nation at large.

Without going back to any previous period in the social history of Ireland, no one can have forgot the events which took place in that country about twelve years ago. Harrowing as were the accounts which reached us of dis

tress in Ireland, arising from former but partial failures of the potato crop, all were eclipsed by the unexampled horrors of 1846, 1847, and 1848. In every part of the land famine and disease swept off their helpless victims in thousands. The spacious workhouses overflowed with famished inmates; auxiliary buildings were demanded and obtained to afford additional shelter; poor-rates and rates-in-aid threatened to absorb the last shilling of every one who was liable to those imposts; landed property became almost a thing without value; and ancient families, struggling under the loads of debt bequeathed to them by former generations, sunk at once under the force of a visitation of Providence, which took. from them the only support by which they had been enabled to exist.

The cause of all this accumulation of calamities was only too apparent. Dependence on the potato as the chief, and in most cases the sole article of subsistence, was that cause, and loud and universal were the warnings against cherishing such a feeling in future. But strange to tell, notwithstanding the fearful lesson which the people of Ireland received during the years to which we have referred, no sooner did the potato begin to show some faint signs of returning vigour than all was forgotten, and, with a degree of infatuation which is perfectly unaccountable, they have gone on, year by year, extending the breadth under potato culture, until, in 1858, the acreage under that crop alone forms considerably more than one-fourth of the entire amount of cultivated crops in Ireland. According to Mr. Hall Maxwell's Statistical Inquiry, potato culture extends over but one twentyfifth part of the cultivated area in Scotland, and we shall let the condition of the agriculture and the agricultural population of each country tell which has adopted the wisest course. What security, we would ask, have the people of Ireland against a recurrence of the fearful scenes of the famine years, seeing that they are now again, with their eyes open, pursuing precisely the same course which led to the calamitous events of those years? It would appear, indeed, as if they were wilfully tempting their fate, utterly regardless

of the lessons which prudence would gather from the past.

But there are other considerations to be looked to, before we can assent to any marked advancement having taken place in the general features of Irish agriculture, as some affirm to be actually the case. If the agricultural character of the country is improving, and if the possessors are really endeavouring to develop the capabilities of the soil, it is evident that the area under cultivation will be extending, especially in the richer districts. Now, what is the case as presented to us in the statistical returns? Simply this, that so far from becoming extended, the area under cultivation in Ireland is gradually but regularly diminishing, and particularly so in some of the most fertile districts. Ireland is not like Scotland, because a large proportion of the uncultivated area in the former consists, chiefly, of what are naturally, perhaps, the richest soils in the kingdom, whereas in Scotland the waste lands, or lands not in regular tillage, are mostly incapable of cultivation. In Ireland, those rich but uncultivated tracts are entirely devoted to grazing, and the appearance of a ploughshare in them would be considered as a species of sacrilege. Generally speaking, cultivation has only got possession of the second-rate and inferior descriptions of Irish soil, but even those prove, when subjected to good tillage, what the entire country would be capable of producing, if all were treated in an equally judicious manner. There is no use in attempting to hide the fact, that there has existed, and that there still exists in Ireland, a strong prejudice against cultivation, and by many it is looked upon as bordering on a species of degradation. Sir Robert Kane, in his work on The Industrial Resources of Ireland, alludes to this aversion to tillage in a very striking manner :

'It is certain,' he says, 'that the tendency to adopt grazing in preference to tillage-agriculture, as a pursuit, is much more connected with the habits of the agricultural classes than with the nature of the soil, or the character of the climate. Mere industry has been in Ireland, for many generations, connected with the idea of a vulgar and depressed caste. The possession of the

land with perfect idleness constituted in itself the criterion of respectability. The working of a tillage farm, even if more profitable, was thus fatal to the social position of the occupier; whilst if he kept only a herd to mind some cattle, and spent his time and money in hunting and in drinking, trusting to Providence to pay his debts, he mingled with the notables of the land, and looked down with scorn ineffable on all that savoured of occupations vile, of industry or intelligence.'

Sir Robert says 'those ideas have been already very considerably disturbed.' This is, perhaps, the case, but they still exist, and to the present hour are checking the extension of tillage husbandry, and hindering its advancement as an art. Until those ideas are thoroughly eradicated, and replaced by more common-sense and rational views, and until the possessors of Irish soil condescend to learn their business, we cannot hope that Irish agriculture, in its entirety, will present any marked symptoms of real progress, or that her vast resources will be fully developed.

One of the results proceeding from this neglect of home resources, is to be found in the fact, that rich as Ireland is in an agricultural point of view, and with capacities fitting her to become, not in name only, but in truth, the granary of the kingdom, she has still to draw large supplies of food from foreign sources. The value of the imports of grain into Ireland exceed that of her exports by about a million and a half annually, an immense sum to be drawn from a country which, with little additional effort, could produce every bushel she requires, besides leaving a large surplus for the use of the sister countries.

When we look at the average size of farms in Ireland, we are supplied with an intelligible solution of at least one of the causes which exercises an injurious influence on the progress of enlightened agricultural skill in that country. The latest returns which throw any light on this subject are those for 1856, and in that year we find there were 592,489 holders of land in Ireland; of which number not less than 508,020 held farms not exceeding fifty statute acres in extent. Now, the average size of tillage farms in VOL. XXVII.

1856, including all classes of landholders, but omitting the grass lands, was only about 9 acres. It is quite evident that, under such circumstances, it is impossible to expect a development of the capabilities of the country equal to what would result provided the size of the farms was such as to afford a field for the exercise and employment of skill and capital. Small farms are all very fine in theory, when such clap-trap as 'every rood supporting its man,' is brought forward by way of argument; but in reality the small farm system has as little chance of competing successfully with large farms, as the cottage spinning-wheel has of overcoming the machinery of the Glasgow or Manchester mill-owner. Of course, we mean large farms in the hands of educated capitalists, otherwise large farms become an aggravation of the evil; and of this there are not a few examples to be found in Ireland.

But whilst we thus allude to some of the more prominent defects in the condition of the Western portion of the British Islands, it must not be supposed that we have done so in a detractory spirit. It is simply with the view of pointing out what we candidly believe to be wrong, but which can be remedied, that we have penned the foregoing observations. In many respects, Ireland has undoubtedly entered upon a career of improvement unexampled in her past history, and we would earnestly wish to see her make still more decided advances than she has yet done. As an integral portion of the kingdom, she cannot suffer without corresponding injury being inflicted on the remaining parts; and, therefore, her advancement, so far from being a subject of jealousy, as some very short-sighted people imagine it to be, is, in reality, matter of congratulation to England and Scotland. We know that some who would wish to perpetuate illfeeling between the sister countries, aver that England looks with jealousy on every token of Ireland's prosperity. Such a statement, however, can only have originated in the most wilful malice, or the grossest ignorance, and is of too puerile a nature to be subjected to argument.

Although, as we have seen from the

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statistical returns, that the general features of Irish agriculture are not so satisfactory as could be wished, there are still numerous instances to be met with which may well challenge comparison with anything on the English side of the Channel, as well from the superior skill which is exercised, as the rapidity with which the most important and extensive improvements have been effected. To the beneficial effects of the Encumbered Estates, or, as it is now called, the Landed Estates Court, much of this is owing; and the wisdom of such an enactment is sufficiently proved by the fact, that although at first looked upon by nearly all classes in Ireland with the greatest aversion, and characterized as little short of wholesale robbery, it has now gained the goodwill of every one. It is true, that in some cases no very decided change for the better is to be found in the circumstances of some estates which have passed through the Henrietta Street ordeal; for, in these, it would appear as if the purchasers were either unwilling to embark their capital in the improvement of their newly-acquired possessions, or that they had exhausted both their capital and credit in making up the purchasemoney. But instances of this kind are, on the whole, comparatively few, and, where they do exist, they are forgot ten in the gigantic undertakings of such men as Allan Pollok and others, who have become owners of land through the medium of the Encumbered Estates Court. Nor can it be doubted, that the influence of such examples as the latter will eventually tell on the future condition of Irish agriculture.

But there is one source from whence a blighting influence has emanated, and which, more than anything else, has tended to hinder the social advancement of the Irish people, and that is the domination of the Romish priesthood. To this every one of Ireland's worst features are distinctly traceable; and so long as it exists, an obstacle will be found which will counteract everything calculated to promote the wellbeing of the people. If there are any doubts as to this being the case, we have only to look to Ireland herself for an illustration of its truth. In the north, the priests

have comparatively little power or influence, being kept in check by the preponderance of the Protestant element. In other parts of the country, however, they have full sway; and the condition of the north, in every respect, as compared with the rest of Ireland, is proof positive, that whereever the priests are kept under, the comfort, independence, and prosperity of the people increase in a corresponding ratio. It is upon ignorance they traffic, and, to whatever tends to diffuse knowledge, they are the uncompromising enemies; and this is true not only as regards the religious belief of the people, but actually where their social condition is concerned. Thus we find Mr. M'Hale, the socalled Archbishop of Tuam, denouncing agricultural improvements, and characterizing such, in some of the features, as nothing better than the idolatry of the ancient Egyptians. In his eyes, James Douglas of Athelstaneford is a priest of Osiris; and the members of agricultural associations, from the Prince Consort downwards, mere worshippers of golden calves. Such were at least the sentiments this personage uttered at a late 'banquet,' where he and his fellows, doing honour to their lord and master the Pope, and his unctuous representative, the Westminster Cardinal, gave vent to the rebellious feelings of their hearts, and, renouncing all allegiance to the beloved monarch of these realms, avowed themselves to be only the devoted serfs of the shaveling who fills the soi-disant chair of St. Peter. The same spirit, too, has of late shown itself in a determined opposition on the part of a majority of the Irish priests to the formation and support of the different farming societies which are established throughout the country, and which have been the means of doing much good to the Irish people; and, although it will appear strange to English or Scottish ears, yet it is an undeniable fact that the humbler class of Irish farmers, if professing the Romish creed, and resident in districts where priestly power is paramount, dare not grow even turnips, or enter their cattle for competition at the local shows, unless indeed the priest of the parish is under some obligations to the Protestant squire. We say that