evictions is, after all, but an incomplete indication of what is going on, and that it is the fear of eviction which uproots the people, before the landlords have occasion to put in motion the machinery of the law. The difficulty of disproving so indefinite a charge is obvious. The fact that more than a decade has passed without diminishing by a single tenancy, the number of farms in Ireland,[1] is not likely to make much impression on those who
- ↑
Increase in 1851. 1862. 11 years. Total Holdings . . 608,066 . . 609,385 . . 1,319
this step is taken, is sufficiently recorded in the subjoined extracts from the Digest of the Devon Commission.
"A very small proportion of the ejectments brought are carried out to the eviction of the tenants, the action being generally compromised on the payment of the rent arrear." Dig. Dev. Com. p. 830.
"It likewise appears that the ejectment process is rarely carried to extremities, as compared with the numerous cases in which the first steps are taken, for the purpose of enforcing payment of rent; but that the service of the ejectment process in the great majority of instances, produces the desired settlement of the rent, without coming to a decree."—Ibid. p. 805.
Philip Beade, Esq. land proprietor.
"What is the usual mode of recovering rent against defaulting tenantry?—Distraining.
"Is that increasing?—It is diminishing. I perfectly remember when no tenant paid his rent without being distrained, no matter how rich he was, otherwise it would not have been handsome conduct towards his neighbours. I perfectly recollect that."—Ibid. p. 807.