Produced by Jonathan Ingram, Debbie Stoddart and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net [Illustration: S.M. Hussey] THE REMINISCENCES OF AN IRISH LAND AGENT BEING THOSE OF S.M. HUSSEY _Compiled by_ HOME GORDON WITH TWO PORTRAITS LONDON _DUCKWORTH AND COMPANY_ 3 HENRIETTA STREET, W.C. 1904 Edinburgh: T. and A. CONSTABLE, Printers to His Majesty PREFACE Probably the first criticism on this book will be that it is colloquial. The reason for this lies in the fact that though Mr. Hussey has for two generations been one of the most noted raconteurs in Ireland, he has never been addicted to writing, and for that reason has always declined to arrange his memoirs, though several times approached by publishers and strongly urged to do so by his friends, notably Mr. Froude and Mr. John Bright. If his reminiscences are to be at all characteristic they must be conversational, and it is as a talker that he himself at length consents to appear in print. In this volume he endeavours to supply some view of his own country as it has impressed itself on 'the most abused man in Ireland,' as Lord James of Hereford characterised Mr. Hussey. How little practical effect several attacks on his life and scores of threatening letters have had on him is shown by the fact that he survives at the age of eighty to express the wish that his recollections may open the eyes of many as well as prove diverting. Possessing a retentive memory, he has been further able to assist me with seven large volumes of newspaper cuttings which he had collected since 1853, while the publishers kindly permit the use of two articles he contributed to _Murray's Magazine_ in May and July 1887. To me the preparation of this book has been a delightful task, materially helped by Mr. Hussey's family as well as by a few others on either side of the Channel. HOME GORDON. 13 OVINGTON SQUARE, S.W. CONTENTS PREFACE v CHAP. I. ANCESTRY i II. PARENTAGE AND EARLY YEARS 10 III. EDUCATION 20 IV. FARMING 30 V. LAND AGENT IN CORK 38 VI. FAMINE AND FEVER 50 VII. FENIANISM 60 VIII. MYSELF, SOME FACTS, AND MANY STORIES 71 IX. THE HARENC ESTATE 82 X. KERRY ELECTIONS 93 XI. DRINK 101 XII. PRIESTS 115 XIII. CONSTABULARY AND DISPENSARY DOCTORS 127 XIV. IRISH CHARACTERISTICS 140 XV. LORD-LIEUTENANTS AND CHIEF SECRETARIES 162 XVI. GLADSTONIAN LEGISLATION 179