A timid and narrow measure of improvement in the relation between landlord and tenant had been proposed, and ably supported by Messrs.

Ferguson, Ireland and O'Loghlen; and such was the obstinate aversion to all amelioration, on the part of the landlords, that they abstained from resisting Mr.Mitchel's amendment, lest they would be thereby committed to the milder reform proposed by Mr.Ferguson.His motion was lost only by a majority of two several of the five-pound Repeal representatives, who brawled at tenant-right meetings, and one member of the Confederation, Mr.M'Gee, being included in the majority.
The result of the division produced a marked change in Mr.Mitchel's career.

His lectures on land-tenure in Europe, displayed the bold outlines and distinctive characteristics of his principles.

His hopes from the Irish landlords, of whatever shade of politics, had ever afterwards vanished.

He believed them incapable of being influenced by commonsense or good feeling; and he turned to the people, with full confidence in their fidelity and strength.