A MSC in the Insolvent Debtor's Court at Clonmel shows
the peculiar development of opinion which the indoctrinations of the Tenant League sometimes cause in the mind of the Irish tenant. A would-he-thought victim of selfish landlordism excused his insolvency by a piteous reference to the pressure of his heavy rent- Court—" How came you to owe so much rent, and what brought you here ? " Insolvent—"-On account of the heavy rent I was paying : I was paying a heavy rent indeed." Mr. Lane (attorney for the receiver)—" Why, man, you paid nothing : how in the world can you complain of heavy rent, when you did not pay a farthing these nine years ? " Court—" Will you give up the land?" Insolvent—" Yes, my Lord, if I am paid my rights.' " Mr. Lane—" What rights?" Insolvent—" What I'm tould I'm entitled to." Court—" You had better give up the land." Insolvent—" When I'm paid." Court—" Well, I'll remand you for twelve months, and you'll be let out when you give up possession." Insolvent—" When I'm paid." Court—"You'll now go back to gaol; and on the day on which you give np possession of the land, for which you have not paid a farthing these nine year; you can get out." Insolvent—" Oh, very well, my Lord, I am satisfied."
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