them from any part of the Shirley estate, which extends over an area of fifteen miles by ten, Father Keone went on the next Sunday to the neighbouring chapels outside the Shirley estate, told his grievances, and on the next day the people came with their horses and carts and left sand, lime, and stones in sufficient quantities to build the house inside the chapel-yard.  The priest and people thought it necessary to “thatch” their old chapel, and, though strange it may seem, the agent actually served an ejectment process on the father of the two boys who assisted the priest to make the collection at the chapel door for so absolutely necessary a work.  I may add, this man owed no rent.  Lastly, the then agent was in the habit of arranging matrimonial alliances, pointing out this girl as a suitable match for that boy, and the boy must marry the girl or give up his farm.  These facts being true, my lord, and more which I might state, but that I have trespassed too much already on your lordship’s time, I ask you, my Lord Dunraven—­I ask any impartial man, Irishman or Englishman—­for whom Mr. Trench wrote his “book,” is it strange or wonderful that the Catholic people, so treated, would rejoice—­would have bonfires on the hill tops at their deliverance from such conduct?  I flatter myself that you, my lord—­that the learned reading public—­that the English people would sympathise with any people so treated for conscience’ sake; and having pronounced the sentence of condemnation against Mr. Trench for not having noticed these facts, that you will direct your name to be erased from the “book.”  I have the honour to remain, my lord, with the most profound respect, your lordship’s faithful servant.’

  ’THOMAS SMOLLAN, P.P.

  ‘Clones, Feb. 15, 1869.’

The electors of Monaghan, in their simplicity, thought they were fairly exercising the rights conferred by the constitution when they gave one vote for the landlord, and one for their religion and their country, thus securing the return of one Liberal.  But Mr. Shirley soon taught them that the blessings of our glorious constitution belong not to the tenant, but to the landlord; and so he punished their mistake by adding one-third to their rent, and depriving them of proper fuel.  Not content with this, he carried the war into their chapels and schools, and punished them for their religion.  These facts may help to explain the scenes which Mr. Trench describes so poetically.

The persecuting agent died suddenly in the court-house.  The landlord and a new agent, Mr. Trench, arrived at Carrickmacross; and the tenants presented a petition, imploring him to remove the new and intolerable burden that had been put on their shoulders.  They were told to come back for an answer on the following Monday:—­

’"Monday!  Monday!” was shouted on all sides.  The most frenzied excitement ensued.  Hats were thrown in the air, sticks were flourished on all sides, and the men actually danced with wild delight.  After a little time, however, the crowd cleared away, and the news flew like wildfire over the town and country, that the whole tenantry were told to come in on Monday next, that they might know the amount of the reduction to be granted, and have all their grievances removed!’