country was--why did not the Government sell corn and meal
to the starving people at some price or another, in districts where
there was no retail trade, and where the creation of it would be the
work of years? There is no answer given to that by Mr. Labouchere. It
is on record, that the people died of starvation with the money in their
hands ready to purchase food, but it would not be sold to them, although
thousands of tons of meal were in the Government stores, at the doors of
which they knocked in vain. Where were the retailers then, who were to
have sprung into existence under the political economy wand of Lord John
Russell and Mr. Labouchere? Mr. Trevelyan, their mouth-piece, said that
the corn in the Government stores should be held over to meet the
pressure expected in May and June. Why did they not keep the Irish corn
crop for May and June, or use it for immediate need and import Indian
meal for May and June?

After further considerable discussion and many modifications, "The Poor
Relief (Ireland) Bill," granting outdoor relief and establishing soup
kitchens, became law on the 16th of April. The name of William Henry
Gregory, then member for the City of Dublin, and afterwards for the
County of Galway, must remain for ever associated with this measure, on
account of two clauses which he succeeded in having incorporated with
it. The first was to this effect: that any tenant, rated at a net value
not exceeding L5, and who would give up to his landlord, the possession
of his land, should be assisted to emigrate by the Guardians of his
Union, the landlord to forego any claim for rent, and to provide
two-thirds of such fair and reasonable sum as might be necessary for the
emigration of such occupier and his family; the Guardians being
empowered to pay to the emigrating family, any sum not exceeding half
what the landlord should give, the same to be levied off the rates. This
clause, although not devoid of redeeming features, was proposed and
carried in the interest of the landlord-clearing-system, yet it was
agreed to without what could be called even a show of opposition. It is,
however, on the second clause--the renowned quarter-acre-clause--that
Mr. Gregory's enduring fame, as an Irish legislator, may be said to
rest. It is well entitled to be transcribed here in full: "And be it
further enacted, that no person who shall be in the occupation, whether
under lease or agreement, or as tenant at will, or from year to y