tract: "I visited two of the Protestant Mission Schools at
Clifden, one in the town, and the other about a mile and a-half beyond
the town, on the road leading to the mouth of the bay. In the former, at
the time of my visit, there were about 120 boys and 100 girls on the
books, the average attendance being about 80. Out of the 80 girls there
were no less than fifty-six orphans, _all of whom are fed and clothed
out of the school funds, and a large proportion provided with lodgings
also_. Only two of these girls were children of Protestant parents; and
in the boy's school there was only one born of parents originally
Protestant.... At the probationary girls' school there were 76 on the
books, at the time of my visit, their ages varying from eight to
eighteen years. They are all Catholics, or children of Catholic parents;
and out of the number no fewer than 40 _were orphans_. All the children
at this school receive daily rations of Indian meal; 45 of them one
pound, and the remainder half that quantity. _Whether this is exclusive
of the stirabout breakfast I saw preparing for them in the school_, I
forgot to ask. All the children of these schools read the Scriptures
and go to the Protestant Church, Catholic and Protestant alike."[312]

But I turn with pleasure from this uninviting and uncongenial subject,
to one more elevating,--to the all but unlimited private charity which
was called forth by the Irish Famine. I have already endeavoured to give
some idea of it, but of course an imperfect one. The feelings evoked,
and the almost unasked alms bestowed with a noble Christian generosity,
during that awful time, can be only fully known to Almighty God; the
Great Rewarder. The Merciful Rewarder has recorded them, and that is
enough, at least for the givers. However, there were some amongst them
who should not be passed over in silence. Baring, Brothers & Co.;
Rothschild & Co.; Smith, Payne & Smith; Overend, Gurney & Co.; Truman,
Hanbury & Co.; The Duke of Devonshire; Jones, Lloyd & Co.; an English
friend (in two donations); and an Irish landlord (for Skibbereen)
subscribed L1000 each.

Irish landlords did not contribute very munificently to the Famine-fund;
but here is L1000 from one, and for a special locality. Who was the
retiring but generous donor? The following extract of a letter will
answer the question; and throw light upon another remarkable offering
sent every month to Skibbereen for more than a year.

"The first c