tern "insolvent Unions," some twenty-seven of them in all),
within a trifle of _one half_ of the whole population are on
Poor-Law rations (furnished by the British Government, L1,100 a
week furnished here, L1,300 there, L800 there); the houses stand
roofless, the lands unstocked, uncultivated, the landlords hidden
from bailiffs, living sometimes "on the hares of their domain":
such a state of things was never witnessed under this sky before;
and, one would humbly expect, cannot last long!--What is to be
done? asks every one; incapable of _hearing_ any answer, were
there even one ready for imparting to him. "_Blacklead_ these
two million idle beggars," I sometimes advised, "and sell them in
Brazil as Niggers,--perhaps Parliament, on sweet constraint, will
allow you to advance them to be Niggers!" In fact, the
Emancipation Societies should send over a deputation or two to
look at _these_ immortal Irish "Freemen," the _ne plus ultra_ of
their class it would perhaps moderate the windpipe of much
eloquence one hears on that subject! Is not this the most
illustrious of all "ages"; making progress of the species at a
grand rate indeed? Peace be with it.

Waiting for me here, there was a Letter from Miss Fuller in Rome,
written about a month ago; a dignified and interesting Letter;
requesting help with Booksellers for some "History of the late
Italian Revolution" she is about writing; and elegiacally
recognizing the worth of Mazzini and other cognate persons and
things. I instantly set about doing what little seemed in my
power towards this object,--with what result is yet hidden, and
have written to the heroic Margaret: "More power to her elbow!"
as the Irish say. She has a beautiful enthusiasm; and is
perhaps in the right stage of insight for doing that piece of
business well.--Of other persons or interests I will say nothing
till a calmer opportunity; which surely cannot be very long
in coming.

In four days I am to rejoin my wife; after which some bits of
visits are to be paid in this North Country; necessary most of
them, not likely to be profitable almost any. In perhaps a month
I expect to be back in Chelsea; whither direct a word if you are
still beneficent enough to think of such a Castaway!

Yours ever,
T. Carlyle

I got Thoreau's Book; and meant well to read it, but have not
yet succeeded, though it went with me through all Ireland: tell
him so, please. Too Jean-Paulish, I found it