such a being aid himself? No more can he, than the
invalid, weakened and powerless from sickness. Aid must be given him by
those who have strength and knowledge, or he will sink, if not into
death, to that which will be worse,--_hopeless, helpless degradation_.

And will Ireland then be "the right arm of England?" No; she will be the
blot upon her noble scutcheon--mayhap the "millstone" to sink her in
that ocean over which she now so proudly and gloriously rules.

It has been proved that above 4,000,000 of the peasantry of Ireland live
upon the potato, which they receive as payment for their labour--about,
or nearly _one half_ of the population of the country, and from whom
should, and now does spring its almost entire wealth. Their hands, with
God's permission and will, produce the means to feed themselves; to feed
the remaining half of the population, and to give to England many
millions' worth yearly; which supports the aristocracy of Ireland, and
pays the taxes to the nation. Humanity and justice, then, are not the
only claims upon us; self-interest, nay, self-preservation demand, that
they who yield us food and comfort, should have ample food and comfort
themselves--that they who aid to clothe us should have at least
sufficient covering to protect them from the rigour and humidity of the
climate in which they labour--that they should have houses fitted for
the inhabitants of a civilized country, not wigwams worse than those of
the savage--that they should be taught and led and fostered till they
understand and can practise at home the arts of proper industry--to give
not only blessings to themselves but the nation at large. Then would
Ireland be in truth "England's right arm;" but more, she would have her
heart, which now lies open, yearning to receive and give affection. I
know my country and its feelings well--I mean _its people's feelings_;
and there exists not elsewhere more genuine gratitude than in its heart.
Causes and circumstances already explained have encased it in icy doubt
towards England; but now England has proved her heartfelt pity; not
alone her money, but the kind and high and noble-minded have risked
their lives to distribute food and help and covering to the wretched
beings as they lingered between life and death. And I know the people
not, if I may not vouch, as a man and Christian, that every mouthful
given (not through public works), every comfort yielded, every gentle
and kind and consoling