and all the bloody boyhood of the Bog of Allen, would have proceeded
to the ancient work of riot, rapine, and disaffection. Ireland, in
short, till her wrongs are redressed and a more liberal policy is
adopted towards her, will always be a cause of anxiety and suspicion
to this country, and in some moment of our weakness and depression,
will forcibly extort what she would now receive with gratitude and
exultation.

Ireland is situated close to another island of greater size,
speaking the same language, very superior in civilisation, and the
seat of government. The consequence of this is the emigration of
the richest and most powerful part of the community--a vast drain of
wealth--and the absence of all that wholesome influence which the
representatives of ancient families, residing upon their estates,
produce upon their tenantry and dependents. Can any man imagine
that the scenes which have been acted in Ireland, within these last
twenty years, would have taken place, if such vast proprietors as
the Duke of Devonshire, the Marquis of Hertford, the Marquis of
Lansdowne, Earl Fitzwilliam, and many other men of equal wealth, had
been in the constant habit of residing upon their Irish as they are
upon their English estates? Is it of no consequence to the order
and the civilisation of a large district, whether the great mansion
is inhabited by an insignificant, perhaps a mischievous attorney, in
the shape of agent, or whether the first and greatest men of the
United Kingdoms, after the business of Parliament is over, come with
their friends and families, to exercise hospitality, to spend large
revenues, to diffuse information, and to improve manners? This evil
is a very serious one to Ireland; and, as far as we see, incurable.
For if the present large estates were, by the dilapidation of
families, to be broken to pieces and sold, others equally great