While looking at them, we have ceased to wonder at what has been regarded as no better than the arch-agitator's blarney, when he spoke of the Irish as the "finest pisantry in the world;" and we have even felt saddened as we mentally contrasted with what we saw before us the bearing and appearance of our own southern labourers.

For the tattered Irish peasant, living in a mud hovel, is, after all, a gentleman in his bearing; whereas there is generally either a cringing servility or a sullen doggedness in the demeanour of the south Saxon labourer.

The Irishman is, besides, far more intelligent and ready-witted than the Saxon husbandman.

The fact is that the Irishman, if underfed, has not been overworked.

His life has not been one of unceasing and oppressive labour.