The Irishman has neither the pleasure of
savage liberty, nor the profit of English civilization."[120] "I think,"
adds Mr. Gibson, "the present the proper time for noticing the panegyric
passed by Lord Monteagle on the gentry of this country for their
liberality.[121] He gives two or three examples; but they may be the
exceptions, instead of the examples of the class; and as his Lordship is
one of the class he seeks to protect, his testimony cannot be received
as impartial. I shall now furnish you with more satisfactory data, from
which to draw a conclusion. According to the Poor Law Valuation, the
yearly rental of Rahan, the parish a part of which I have already
described, is L5,854. From those who hold the possession in fee of this
pauper parish, we received thirty-five pounds; from a gentleman farmer
we received three pounds; in all, thirty-eight pounds. If this is
benevolence, the inhabitants of Rahan would soon starve upon it. If it
had not been for the exertions of the Mallow Relief Committee, a number
of those people would not be alive this day."
With regard to the Treasury minute, announcing the stoppage of the
Government works, he expresses his conviction that if they cease the
result around Mallow will be starvation and death.
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