[314] “We started at daybreak for Glenties, thirty miles distant, over the mountains; and after leaving the improved cottages and farms on the Gweedore estate, soon came upon the domain of an absentee proprietor, the extent of which may be judged of by the fact, that our road lay for more than twenty miles through it.  This is the poorest parish in Donegal, and no statement can be too strong with respect to the wretched condition, the positive misery and starvation in which the cottiers and small farmers on this immense domain are found.”—­James H. Tuke’s Report to the Relief Committee of the Society of Friends. Appendix, p. 149.  “We proceeded to Glenties [from Dungloe], still on the same property; and throughout our journey met with the most squalid scenes of misery which the imagination can well conceive.  Whilst thousands of acres of reclaimable land lie entirely neglected and uncultivated, there are thousands of men both willing and anxious to obtain work, but unable to procure it.”—­Ib. p. 150.

[315] Note to his Essay on Absenteeism.

[316] From the Report, 814, Sess. 1826.  Quoted by Mr. Senior.

[317] Political Economy, 5th Ed., p. 167.

[318] Political Economy.  Book 3, c.  I.

[319] Treatise on Political Economy, pp. 223-4.

[320] That is the common opinion of Political Economists.

[321] Political Economy, p. 155-6. 5th Ed.

[322] Adam Smith here regards Scotland as an integral part of Great Britain, the same as he would regard Yorkshire or Lancashire. Wealth of Nations, Book II., Chap. v.

[323] Principles of Political Economy, Book I, c. v. sect. 5.

[324] “Sophisms of Freetrade, and popular Political Economy examined.”  By a Barrister, 4th.  Ed.

* * * * *

(NOTE B.)—­SMITH O’BRIEN’S REFUSAL TO SERVE ON A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.

At this period the railway mania was at its full height, and so many Bills for the construction of various lines were before Parliament, that what was called a Committee of Selection was appointed by the House of Commons.  This Committee divided those railway Bills into groups, and a Sub-committee was formed to consider and report on each group.  Smith O’Brien was named on the Committee whose duty it was to examine group eleven.  Mr. Estcourt was its chairman.  In order to insure punctual attendance, the House, on the 12th of February, passed resolutions declaring the attendance of members upon such Committees to be compulsory.  In due time the Committee on group eleven met, but Mr. O’Brien was absent; which circumstance the chairman reported to the House, as he was bound to do; whereupon the Speaker enquired if Mr. O’Brien were in his place.  He was; and rising thanked the Speaker for the opportunity he afforded him (Mr. O’Brien) of explaining, but he had, he said, done so in a correspondence with