_Of Ireland and the Poor Laws, &c._ LETTER TO G.HUNTLY GORDON, ESQ.
Rydal Mount, Dec.1.

1829.
MY DEAR SIR, You must not go to Ireland without applying to me, as the guide-books for the most part are sorry things, and mislead by their exaggerations.
If I were a younger man, and could prevail upon an able artist to accompany me, there are few things I should like better than giving a month or six weeks to explore the county of Kerry only.

A judicious topographical work on that district would be really useful, both for the lovers of Nature and the observers of manners.

As to the Giant's Causeway and the coast of Antrim, you cannot go wrong; there the interests obtrude themselves on every one's notice.
The subject of the Poor Laws was never out of my sight whilst I was in Ireland; it seems to me next to impossible to introduce a general system of such laws, principally for two reasons: the vast numbers that would have equal claims for relief, and the non-existence of a class capable of looking with effect to their administration.

Much is done at present in many places (Derry, for example) by voluntary contributions; but the narrow-minded escape from the burthen, which falls unreasonably upon the charitable; so that assessments in the best-disposed places are to be wished for, could they be effected without producing a greater evil.
The great difficulty that is complained of in the well-managed places is the floating poor, who cannot be excluded, I am told, by any existing law from quartering themselves where they like.