d thence towards Killorglin, is harrowing and startling. The whole
potato crop is literally destroyed, while over a very wide surface the
oat crop presents an unnatural lilac tinge to the eye; at the same
time, in too many instances, the head is found flaccid to the touch, and
possessing no substance. The barley crop, too, in many places, exhibits
the effect of a powerful blight. In some places, also, where turnips
have been grown, they present--as, indeed, has been the case in other
parts of the county--a healthier exterior in top and skin, but, on being
opened, are found deeply impregnated with a taint similar to that which
has smitten the potato, to such an extent, that one cannot stand in the
blackened fields without being overpowered by the offensive effluvia."

From the county of Clare statements arrived in London, if possible,
more appalling. Early in April pestilence manifested itself in various
places, and the county of Tipperary was disturbed by famine riots,
independent of the normal disturbances which subjected that county to
such misery, and earned for it so terrible a reputation. At Clonmel
food riots assumed a formidable appearance, and the military had to
guard the flour mills. The Roman Catholic clergy exerted themselves
successfully to soothe the minds of the peasantry, and prevent that
increase of their sufferings, which would result from the plunder of
private property. The peasantry of Ireland were not addicted to robbery,
and whatever outrages fanaticism, political and religious, might goad
them to commit, the necessities of their famishing wives and children
alone could cause them to resort to plunder. Thus, at a large and
peaceable meeting of the peasantry in the county of Galway, at the end
of April, they made this declaration:--"If employment be not immediately
given, we can no longer stand the distress under which we are
suffering." Of course it was necessary to put down tumult and protect
property, and very painful were the duties which in consequence devolved
upon the civil and military power. _Ex uno disce omnes_. At Kilsheelan,
between the counties of Tipperary and Waterford, an occurrence took
place, which was described in the language of one of the leading
journals of the south of Ireland in the following terms:--"On Thursday
morning, in consequence of information received by the magistrates,
they very prudently had cars stationed in the barracks for the
prompt conveyance of the troops in