That there are cases in which the landlords attacked under
Mr. Dillon's " Plan of Campaign" have been hard landlords, who endeavoured to get a rack-rent out of their tenants' reduced means, we have never doubted. But that there are other cases in which the landlords attacked have been good landlords, and attacked because they were good and diminished the confidence of the people in the League, is, we believe, also true. Those who doubt this should read the letter addressed by Mr. Edward C. Hamilton, agent for Mr. George F. Brooke, of County Wexford, to the Times of last Saturday. Mr. Hamilton produces a letter from the priest of Mr. Brooke's parish to the Freeman's Journal, dated two years ago, namely, January 16th, 1885. This letter is headed "A Good Landlord," and, begs "on behalf of the people of Johnstown, a large and im- portant district of the parish of Arklow, to thank Mr. George F. Brooke, Celbridge, for the many and valuable services he has rendered to us in the cause of education. Ever since Mr. Brooke purchased the estate called after his name in the County of Wex- ford,—that is to say, for thirty years,—he has proved himself a generous benefactor to the poor in this locality ; but above all things, he has been the patron, if not in name, in reality, of education." And the priest goes on to enumerate Mr. Brooke's services. His agent tells us that in the two years since this letter was written, 30 per cent. of the whole income of the estate,—which represents almost the full amount receivable by the landlord after all charges have been paid,—bas been spent by him for the improvement of the estate and the benefit of his tenantry.
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