t
needs instruction in no branch of villainy.

On one of Lord Kenmare's estates, I executed drainage works costing over
L200. These were dependent upon sluices to keep out the tide at high
water. A few days before the land was to be inspected, the tenants put
bushes in the sluices, let the tide in and flooded the whole land.

And then a prating, mendacious local schoolmaster began comparing these
villains to the patriotic Dutch who flooded their land rather than
permit it to be conquered by the national foe.

I could give scores of such instances of wilful destruction of property
for the purpose of obtaining a reduction.

Here is one.

A tenant near Blarney, in County Cork, was seen to be ploughing up a
valuable water meadow.

When asked by a gentleman why he was injuring his land, he replied
without hesitation that he was going to get his rent fixed, and
immediately afterwards he should lay it down again as a water meadow.

It is scarcely credible how great was the amount of perjury that this
Act brought into the country.

A tenant on a property to which I was agent, whose rent was L6 a year,
swore he expended L395 on improvements and all that it was worth
afterwards was L4, 10s. He received the implicit credit of the court.

According to the laws of the Roman Catholic Church perjury in a court of
justice is a reserved sin for which absolution can only be given by a
bishop or by priests specially appointed for that purpose.

One priest applied to the bishop for plenary powers, and said the bishop
to him:--

'Are the people so generally bad in your parish?'

'It's the fault of the laws, my lord,' replied the priest.

'What laws?' asked the bishop.

'Firstly, under the Crimes Act, my poor people have to swear they do not
know the moonlighters that come to the house, or they would be murdered.

'Secondly, under the Arrears Act, they have to swear they are worth
nothing in the world or they would not get the Government money.

'Thirdly, under the Land Act, while they have to swear up their own
improvements, they must also swear down the value of the land, or they
will get no reductions.

'So you see, my lord, the sin lies at the door of those who made the
infamous laws which lead weak sinners into temptation they cannot be
expected to overcome.'

The bishop said nothing, but he gave the priest all the powers he
desired.

I myself heard this story from a parish priest who was present, and as I
have