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Disturbed Ireland: Being the Letters Written During the Winter of 188
This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide.
216 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 1881
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March 14, 2018
This book is obviously only of interest to a limited audience. That said, it is a fascinating view from an outsider of parts of the Irish Land War of 1879-1882. The English author, while claiming objectivity, cannot escape his deeply held racist views of the Irish. This too was part of the fascination of the book for me. At one point, the author states “my impression is very much...that the peasant requires firm as well as gentle handling..” Sounds like he is talking about a horse or a mule!
The preeminence of the right of property (even if that property was stolen from the native people in the first place) is a given. The Irish practice of sharing land (rundale) is seen as laughable.
This period in Ireland gave the world the word “boycott” as this tactic of isolation was first used against Captain Charles Boycott, the agent of an absentee landlord. A fascinating part of this book was the recounting of the development and refinement of this technique and its effectiveness in driving the landlords out of the country. Ultimately, this period led to decisions in Parliament which allowed the Irish to buy the land back from the landlords with loans from the British government.
Even with its condescension to the native people, this book gives a fascinating look at a period when the landlords had to be armed and required military or police protection wherever they went. It was the beginning of the end for the landlords.
The preeminence of the right of property (even if that property was stolen from the native people in the first place) is a given. The Irish practice of sharing land (rundale) is seen as laughable.
This period in Ireland gave the world the word “boycott” as this tactic of isolation was first used against Captain Charles Boycott, the agent of an absentee landlord. A fascinating part of this book was the recounting of the development and refinement of this technique and its effectiveness in driving the landlords out of the country. Ultimately, this period led to decisions in Parliament which allowed the Irish to buy the land back from the landlords with loans from the British government.
Even with its condescension to the native people, this book gives a fascinating look at a period when the landlords had to be armed and required military or police protection wherever they went. It was the beginning of the end for the landlords.
Displaying 1 of 1 review