hich Dean Hoare said the people were "slow" to adopt,
were proved to be worthless, and in some instances even pernicious. The
steward on Mr. Leslie's estate in Monaghan writes that, "The potatoes
dug and arranged according to the advice of the Government Commissioners
had become diseased and useless." On the very day the Dean's letter was
written, there was a meeting of the landlords of Cavan held; and in a
Report emanating from that meeting, signed by Lord Farnham, the
following passage occurs: "With reference to the potatoes stored with
solid substance, or packing stuff, intervening in any form, in pit, on
floors, or lofts, the use of packing stuff appears to be highly
prejudicial. In the words of an extensive contractor the heap becomes 'a
mass of mortar.'" The report adds: "_This description includes the plan
of pitting recommended by her Majesty's Commissioners, which we strongly
deprecate_."

[67] Memoirs, part 3, page 123.

CHAPTER III.

Lord Heytesbury and Sir Robert Peel--The Potatoes of last year!--Is
there a stock of them?--Sir R. Peel and Free Trade--Strength of his
Cabinet--Mr. Cobden proposes a Committee of Inquiry--His speech--Its
effect--Committee refused--D'Israeli's attack on Sir R. Peel
(_note_.)--Sir Robert puts forward the Potato Blight as the cause
for repealing the Corn Laws--The extent of the Failure not
exaggerated--Sir James Graham and Sir R. Peel--Appointment of Drs.
Lindley and Playfair to investigate the Blight--Sir R. Peel
announces that he is a convert to the repeal of the Corn
Laws--States his views, but does not reason on them--The Quarterly
Review--Special Commissioners--Mr. Butler's letter--Sir James Graham
and the Premier--Proceeding by Proclamation instead of by Order in
Council--Sir James's sharp reply--Agitation to stop
distillation--County Meetings proposed by the Lord
Lieutenant--Cabinet Council--The Premier puts his views before it in
a memorandum--The Corn Laws--Some of the Cabinet displeased with his
views--On the 6th November he submits another memorandum to the
Cabinet--Lord Stanley dissents from the Premier's views--The Cabinet
meet again next day and he concludes the memorandum--On the 29th
November he sends to each of his colleagues a more detailed
exposition of his views--Several reply--Another Mem. brought before
them on the 2nd December--The Cabinet in permanent session--On