wlessness of the peasantry in Ireland: it was Lord
John's fate, in this session, to invoke Sir Robert's aid in carrying
measures very similar. It became necessary to pass some enactment
calculated to hold Irish outrage in check. Lord John's influence
ultimately suffered by so frequently opposing others in their more
timely efforts to carry measures of which he was glad at last to avail
himself.

In the six months ending October, 1847, there were ninety-six murders,
while the appalling number of one hundred and fifty-six attempts at
assassination had been made. During the same period, one hundred and
sixteen dwelling-houses had been set on fire by incendiaries. But
offences against life, property, and the civil and religious freedom of
the respectable inhabitants, were innumerable. Portions of Ireland were
under a reign of terror. The sympathies of whole districts were on the
side of those by whom rapine and assassination were committed; and there
was a general unwillingness, even among the better class of farmers, and
persons in higher stations still, to bring the malefactors to justice.

Sir George Grey introduced the remedial measures of government. The
proposed bill was to be applicable only to such portions of Ireland as
the lord-lieutenant should proclaim to be disturbed. The reserved force
of Irish constabulary was to be increased from four hundred to six
hundred men--a feature of the scheme so absurdly inadequate as to expose
its authors to ridicule. From this paltry reserve his excellency was to
send forces into the proclaimed districts. This force would be paid out
of the district it was sent to protect--a most salutary arrangement, as
giving the small farmers and clergy an interest in checking insurgent
proceedings. All persons, unless especially exempt from the prohibition,
were to be forbidden the use of arms in proclaimed districts, but they
might have such in their own houses. This provision, which appeared
reasonable in itself, was practically mischievous, for the houses of
many became depots of arms for their companions in disaffection more
suspected than themselves. Robberies of arms were perpetrated by
_unarmed_ bands, who were nevertheless not resisted. Any violation of
the disarming clause of the bill would subject the culprit to three
years' imprisonment. The lord-lieutenant had power to authorise search
for arms in the houses of the suspected, and all prohibited weapons were
to be delivered up on