land," I have briefly referred to in another page; and I will here call attention to another, viz. that by Mr. J. Locke, on a subject of still more general interest and importance. This paper, entitled "Excessive Emigration and its reparative agencies in Ireland," entered largely into these great questions; and the subject was still further elucidated by the comments of several other statisticians present. Mr. Locke thought the reparative agencies to meet the case of Ireland were to be found-1, in the now progressive habits of the people; 2, in having well-defined measures of landlord and tenant; 3, in improving the condition of the labouring classes, including the small farmers. The first was manifested in the decrease of crime; for the second, reliance might be placed in Mr. Napier; and the new landlords of Ireland, through the operation of the Encumbered Estates Court, would, no doubt, do much to effect the last object. He referred at great length to tables constructed out of the records of the Encumbered Estates Court, to show the working of it in Ireland.1

1

Not having access to Mr. Locke's Tables, I avail myself of those published by Mr. Alnutt, of Dublin, equally authentic, in order that I may lay before the reader some of the principal facts relating to measures which cannot fail to be of the greatest possible consequence to the future condition of Ire

1 Athenæum' Abstract.

land. I give these facts in the condensed form in which they appear in Mr. Alnutt's publication,' and without comment: they speak for themselves, positively, as to the past and present; and I think I may add that they speak of the future also "with most miraculous organ:"

1. General Summary of Sales in the Encumbered Estates Court.

1.-Estates or part of Estates Sold in Court

526

1,342,347 10 8

3.-Amount of the estimated Rental of the Land comprised in the petitions for sale presented up to the 31st of July, 1852, inclusive

4.-Amount of the Estimated Mortgages, Judgments, Arrears of Annuities, and other securities affecting those Estates, as stated in the schedules attached to the petitions, to the 31st of July, 1852, inclusive

5.-Total Amount distributed, including the sum of £538,207 5s. 11d. allowed to purchasers who were incumbrancers, to the 21st of August, 1852

6.-Gross amount of Rentals, viz.

£ s. d.

30,419,181 8 7

4,229,409 10 3

Alnutt's Summary of Proceedings, &c. from Oct. 21, 1849, to July 31, 1852.

7.-Head, Quit, Crown, Chief Rents, and Titherent Charges, subject to which the Estates

£ s. d.

9.-Number of Acres Sold in Court 780,518 0 5

Provincial Auction 139,455

2 181,293,573 2 23

NOTE. It will be perceived that the Nett Rental of Estates sold amounted to 443,5087. 9s. 5d., consequently, it would appear that the Estates brought 16 years' purchase; but the nett annual rental or value of Estates exceed the amount here stated, as in some instances the Estates were in the hands of owners or partly unlet; and when the valuations were not stated in the Rentals, it was impossible to include them.

II. Produce of Sales in each County and Province.

III. Classification of the Number of Purchasers according to the Amounts.

IV. Acreage and Amount of Purchase Money by English and Scotch Parties in each Province.

v1. Classification of English and Scotch Purchasers (as well as can be ascertained).

It will be seen from the foregoing Tables, that the purchases made by foreigners (English and Scotch), were very few in number compared with those made by Irishmen; there being only 114 of the former class to 2341 of the latter: and it was stated in Mr. Locke's paper, that of the seven millions paid as purchase money, six came out of native pockets.

To those who look only to extraneous aid for the regeneration of Ireland, this statement will seem an unfavorable augury; but it is a monstrous proposition to maintain that the Irish people cannot work out their own advancement as other nations, provided they have the same chance, and the same fair field as they. And it surely speaks well for Ireland, not only that her sons thus unequivocally show their faith in her fortunes, but prove, moreover, that they