Mr. Take, writing to us from Achill Island on March
28th, says : " So far from the destitution caused by the failure of the potato crop being confined to the islands, it extends at intervals along the whole coast of Connaught, from Belmallet to Roundatone to my knowledge, and further, I fear. Three causes, indeed, have combined to bring about the present serious condition, from two of which England also is suffering,—(1), the failure of the men who go to England yearly to find any employment ; (2), the reduction in the price of stock, which, with the class of small cows and beasts common here, is far greater than in England. The cattle fair was held here (Dugerl, in Achill Island) on Saturday, and not a beast could be sold, though prices varying from 15s. to 30s. each would willingly have been accepted for young bullocks or cows even, and a really good cow will not fetch more than from £2 103. to £3. The size of the stock, of course, is very small. But the number in the island is large. Some men, owning six or eight head, after taking them to two or three fairs, have had to bring them home again. One poor fellow, who left Clare Island with four little beasts, after vainly attempting to sell them at four fairs, was compelled to part with one for a few shillings to pay expenses, returning with the rest. The third cause,—the failure of the potatoes,—is confined to the seaboard and islands, and caused by a frightful storm in August here, which killed the stalks, and stopping the growth of the rows, hardly gave the seed back again. Every one agrees that the crop was eaten by Christmas at the latest, which in ordinary years lasted until May." Writing to yesterday's Times, Mr. Tuke adds that subscriptions for these poor people will be received and acknowledged by Mr. Sydney Buxton, 15 Eaton Place, or by Mr. H. Hodgkins, 109 Park Street, W.
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