It does not appear that Captain Boycott was more severe than other
agents, but he does seem to have been less in sympathy with the
peasants.

There had been a long period of bad harvests followed by a famine, and
the tenants could not pay their rents. They begged that their back rent
might be forgiven them, and their future rents lowered.

All over Ireland similar demands were being made. Irish agitators, as
they were called, were holding meetings all over the country, advising
the peasants to make these demands. Among the men who addressed the
people were Charles Stewart Parnell, John Dillon, and Michael Davitt,
all members of Parliament.

Excitement had run so high that the peasants had murdered several agents
who refused their demands.

Mr. Parnell and his friends urged the people not to commit crimes, but
to refuse to pay the rents demanded.

These leaders bade the people stop buying from, selling to, or working
for any landlord who refused to listen to their demands, and to prevent
others from having any dealings with them.

This is what is called "boycotting." Captain Boycott was its first
victim. He not only refused to lower the rents, but, according to the
story of the peasants, he reduced the wages of his laborers by a system
of petty fines.

Acting on Mr. Parnell's advice, the laborers refused to work for him,