The city is the centre of an extensive agricultural region, famous, according to an ancient ditty, for "fire without smoke, air without fog, water without mud, and land without bog"; but of late it has been undeniably declining.

For this there are many reasons.

The railways and the parcel-post diminish its importance as a local emporium.

The almost complete disappearance of the woollen manufacture, the agricultural depression which has made the banks and wholesale houses "come down" upon the small dealers, and the "agitation," bankrupting or exiling the local gentry, have all conspired to the same result.
From Abbeyleix station we walked back to the house through the park under trees beautifully silvered with the snow.

At dinner the party was joined by several residents of the county.