I have heard nothing but good of him, and of his management of his estates, from men of the most diverse political views.

But I think it more important to get a look at the Clanricarde property, about which I have heard little but evil from anybody.

The strongest point I have heard made in favour of the owner is, that he is habitually described by that dumb organ of a down-trodden people, _United Ireland_, as "the most vile Clanricarde." I found a good car at the railway station, and set off at once for Portumna.

Parsonstown was called by Sir William Petty, in his _Survey of Ireland_, the _umbilicus Hiberniae_.

It is the centre of Ireland, as a point near Newnham Paddox is of England, and the famous or infamous "Bog of Allan" stretches hence to Athlone.