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

CHAP.
I. ANCESTRY
II. PARENTAGE AND EARLY YEARS
III. EDUCATION
IV. FARMING
V. LAND AGENT IN CORK
VI. FAMINE AND FEVER
VII. FENIANISM
VIII. MYSELF, SOME FACTS, AND MANY STORIES
IX. THE HARENC ESTATE
X. KERRY ELECTIONS
XI. DRINK
XII. PRIESTS
XIII. CONSTABULARY AND DISPENSARY DOCTORS
XIV. IRISH CHARACTERISTICS
XV. LORD-LIEUTENANTS AND CHIEF SECRETARIES
XVI. GLADSTONIAN LEGISLATION
XVII. THE STATE OF KERRY
XVIII. A GLANCE AT MY STEWARDSHIP
XIX. MURDER, OUTRAGE, AND CRIME
XX. THE EDENBURN OUTRAGE
XXI. MORE ATROCITIES AND LAND CRIMES
XXII. COMMISSIONS
XXIII. LATER DAYS
INDEX

ILLUSTRATIONS

PORTRAIT OF S.M. HUSSEY
PORTRAIT OF MRS. HUSSEY

REMINISCENCES OF AN IRISH LAND AGENT