WHO SHOULD SUPPORT TIIE 1111511 SANS-POTATO.
TO T/IE EDITOR OF TI1E SPECTATOR.
Stn—in a year of scarcity, some years ago, many influential, charitable, and well-disiaseci persons in the parish of St. 5Iarylebone associated themselves for the purPese of raising subscriptions and affording relief to the poor and distressed of that district. A large subscription was obtained; and potatoes, meal, coal, flannel, and blankets, purchased for distribution. In the wealthy and fashionable neighbourhood of Portman Square there then was, and still is, a colony of Irish, lo- cated in a place called Calmel Buildings: to distribute this bounty, this place was more than once visited, and a more wretched and filthy spot can hardly be imagin- ed: that it should exist in such a vicinity can only be accounted for by the inks- bitants of this laj1-de-sac being exclusively Irish. These worthies used to keep their scouts at the entrance to give notice of the approach of the inspectors of the charitable Committee in the visits to select objects of charity; and the signal being given, off went the clothes of the colonists, up the chimnies were they stuff- ed, and their bedding and all other articles capable of being made away with im- mediately hidden; and then women and children, in an admired state ot primitive undress, with all the attributes of squalor and distress, exhibited to the worthy Committee-men. The impression made resulted in a liberal supply of the afore- said potatoes, coals, meal, blankets, flannel, flannel petticoats, &c.; not omitting even Bibles.
A short time revealed the fact that all these fruits of benevolence, with few ex- ceptions, filled the pawnbrokers' stores of the neighbourhood: they were turned into rum, whisky, and gin; and the hidden wardrobes and bedding of this fine peasan • try again emerged from their chimnies and other hiding-places. So will it be with the present Potato Commission in Ireland : there will not be a potato in the whole length and breadth of the island, excepting Belfast; and Paddy will present himself to these anxious inquirers in the utmost state of destitution. Even now, in these early days when the deficiency is hardly felt, Paddy squats at the entrance of his cabin and calls "Wolf!" a cry so repeatedly raised in that devoted country that it is only understood by those who have lived among them. Of what avail is the recent introduction of poor-laws into Ireland, if the land, the landlords, and the wealthy of all classes, are not to provide for those incapable of providing for themselves? What saith the wisdom of the country to a rate or income-tax (none being paid at present) upon the wealthy portion of the Irish community, pro hoc vice?
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