GUSTAVE DE BEAUMONT

Formerly, Ireland was a vast forest…. It is now almost destitute of trees.

I have seen the Indian in his forests and the negro in his chains, and thought as I contemplated their pitiable condition, that I saw the very extreme of human wretchedness, but I did not then know the condition of unfortunate Ireland …. In all countries, more or less, paupers may be discovered but an entire nation of paupers is what never was seen till it was shown in Ireland. The misery of Ireland descends to degrees unknown elsewhere.

All being poor, the only food they use is the cheapest jn the country—potatoes.

All being poor, the only food they use is the cheapest jn the country—potatoes.

Formerly, Ireland was a vast forest…. It is now almost destitute of trees.

I have seen the Indian in his forests and the negro in his chains, and thought as I contemplated their pitiable condition, that I saw the very extreme of human wretchedness, but I did not then know the condition of unfortunate Ireland …. In all countries, more or less, paupers may be discovered but an entire nation of paupers is what never was seen till it was shown in Ireland. The misery of Ireland descends to degrees unknown elsewhere.