the bad years; but I'll give you the reason she had for that. She had it
in her mind always to keep Ireland low, it being the place she mostly
got her soldiers. That might not be good for Ireland, but it was good
for her own benefit. The time the lads have not a bit to eat, that is
the time they will go soldiering."


WAR AND MISERY

"There was war and misery going on all through Victoria's reign. It was
the Boer war killed her, she being aged, and seeing all her men going
out, and able to do nothing. Ten to one they were against the Boers.
That is what killed her. It is a great tribute to the war it did that."


THE PRESENT KING

"The present King is very good. He is a gentleman very fond of visiting,
and well pleased with every class of people he will meet."


THE OLD AGE PENSIONS

"The old age pension is very good, and as to taxes, them can't pay it
that hasn't it. It is since the Boer War there is coin sent back from
Africa every week that is dug from the goldpits out there. That is what
the English wanted the time they went to war; they want to close up the
minerals for themselves. If it wasn't for the war, that pension would
never be given to Ireland. They'd have been driven home by the Boers if
it wasn't for the Irish that were in the front of every battle. And the