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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 38

"Kilslianny, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, 22nd January, 1880. "To the Mansion House Relief Committee

"Kilslianny, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, "To the Mansion House Relief Committee.

"Gentlemen,

"Permit me to most earnestly call your attention to the sad condition of many poor homes in this parish. A state of destitution exists so fearful that in many instances cold would be the heart that would not be wrung with sharp pain at beholding it. Up to the present hour I can say we have got nothing to stop the ever-rising and spreading tide of misery; for though this parish belongs to the Ennistymon Union, which Union page 51 has already received £125 from the Duchess of Marlborough's Fund, and though we sent to the managers of this money the names of seventy-six families, some utterly in want, the rest on the verge of absolute need, we have received to aid these hungering mouths the large sum of £2 17s. 6d.

"Besides these families, whose names are sent to the Managing Committee of the Marlborough Fund, we might add, short though the time since be, twenty more families whose condition a short fortnight ago we did not consider completely hopeless.

"You will therefore, gentlemen, readily see what a sad picture we have before us—more than ninety families all in need of a kind and helping hand, some with hunger pangs at their hearts; nay, more, poor fathers and mothers, in addition to these hunger-pangs, must behold, what to them is even more heart-rending, the child of tender years nay, the little infant crying for food, even the poorest, and the little hungering mouth crying in vain.

"This awfully appalling state of things, which was brought home to me on yesterday more plainly and painfully than before, as I went through the parish, makes me personally appeal to you without any delay; and I have confidence that though I had not time to form a Committee Sheet, as you suggest, you will, if possible, send us something to relieve our poor parish homes and starving labourers immediately. Let the immediate and widespread necessities of these poor people be my apology for writing to you, and I promise when I hear from you, gentlemen, that I will form a Committee such as you suggest.

"With sorrow and a bleeding heart, gentlemen, I have to confess to you that the blackness of death seems hanging over us; the awfully gaunt figure seems waiting at many a door. The strong man whose hand was brave and willing to work is growing weak at present.

"The mother, with a look of hunger in her face and eye, and a sort of unspeakable despair, more painful to see than the loudest cry, as she gazes on the little pinched and withering faces which hunger has made, wears a look of premature decay and age. May Heaven bless the kind hearts that shall feel for us in our dark hour and the hands stretched out to save.

"I have the honor, gentlemen, to remain your obedient servant,

"M. Killeen."