The Potato, the Famine, and the Rent

A correspondent of the Dublin Mail, calculating that one-third of the potato crop has been destroyed; that six millions of the Irish papulation [population] are dependent for their existence on the esculent; that the smallest average quantity of oatmeal, the next cheapest food that can be allowed to sustain human life for a day, is one pound avoirdupois-comes to the legitimate conclusion that, supposing oatmeal now selling from 16s. to 17.6d. per cwt., should during the dearth, rise no higher than 20s., it would take no less a sum than L17,940 a day, or L3,255,000 for the half year, to sustain the lives of two millions (one-third of the six millions) of the Irish people. As our contemporary well observes, this is a faithful estimate, and the great agitator has turned the matter in his capacious mind, and has just issued his appeal for-what does the reader think? Why, for nothing less than the annual O'Connell tribute. This would be incredible if told in a romance; but simple truth beats the most elaborate fiction. The "faithful" are to contribute on Sunday, Nov. 16.