THE TWO IRELANDS.
[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In your article in the Spectator of December 23rd on "The Two Irelands," you "hope to see an increasingly large proportion of Irish Unionists more heartily identifying them- selves with the interests and the life of Ireland." The teach- ing of the past quarter of a century is not very encouraging to them. There are many men who, like myself, live at home, give a great deal of employment (more than they can afford), give their labourers good houses and look after them gener- ally, attend Petty Sessions, Boards of Guardians, &c., sub- scribe to and take an active part in managing hospitals, charities, schools, &c., and—cui bono ? Personally I have not suffered much from the Laud Courts, I suppose because my land was let at low rents, yet my property has been taken from me; I have a mere rent charge. If I want to take up a farm at the end of a lease I must bay it. Tenants can sell their " interest " in their holdings, and often obtain large prices, even where there are no improvements, but perhaps serious deteriorations, so the new tenant pays a rack-rent,— for the interest of the price paid mast be added to the rent. There are happily a great many men whose motto is "Fain ce que dois, advienne que pourra," but in Ireland honesty is not the best policy, and loyalty does not pay.—I am, Sir, &c.,
AN IRISH UNIONIST.
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