The Irish mess
ducted in your columns and elsepopulations in different areas and with a rather inadequate grasp or periods under different regimes, highly selective choice of the Sir: Arguments seem to be conwhere on the changes in Irish figures involved.
The 1911 census provides the nearest divide between Ireland before and after partition. Comparison may then be made of the previous 'fifty years' of what would now be called direct rule with nearly 'fifty years ' of Northern Ireland and the Southern State, under self-government or independence. (The 1971 figures are not yet published.) 6 Northern Counties Total R.C.s Others 1861 1,396,453 571,330 825,123
—10% —25% —1%
1911 1,250,531 430,161 820,370
+14% +16% +13% 1961 1,425,042 497,547 927,495 26 Southern Counties
Total R.C.s Others 1861 4,402,111 3,933,935 468,176
—29% —29% —30% 1911 3,139,688 2,812,509 327,179 —10% —5% —56% 1961 2,818,341 2,673,473 144,868
Population statistics are, of course, influenced by many factors such as differing economic circumstances or birth rates, as well as by the degree of satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the total prospect that people see not only for themselves but also for their children. "Voting with one's feet" provides, perhaps the most decisive form of vote.
the The Spectator may face prospect with equanimity, if not not with pleasure, but it is unreasonable for Northern Protestants to dread and to resist the repetition in their province of what has happened to their friends and fellow-Churchmen in the South.
16 Haberton Drive, Belfast Sir: The beating, painting and feathering of a defencetess Irishwoman, is as horrifying as the persistent vengeful torturing of that sick girl Pauline Jones. Isn't it? Bill Stone 206 Priory Road, Hasting, Sussex even several times; while recently, offenders here are the English. For then, back again, to noble. Such a performance is one that no Lenin, change of name, but the real throughout their political lives, may alter their names once, or they have taken to changing their Malcolm X or MacStiofain, can plains of an Irish politician's many of them are, or make noble name back into plebeian, and Sir: ' Spectator's Notebook' comthemselves into, noblemen; and rival. Colin Maclnnes Broadwick House, Broadwick Street, London WI
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