2-888-259 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Cabin of Pat. MacNamara, Village of Clear, 1850. Destruction of rural homes by the 'levellers', during the Irish Potato Famine. The poor were blamed for their situation. View in '...the village of Clear, which had been destroyed within a few weeks, and some part of it within a few days. The Sketch of Pat Macnamara's Cabin shews the condition of the village...everywhere there is great abundance of all the natural means of opulence, and scandalous neglect or ignorance in applying them. The Poor-law is obviously calculated to encourage idleness to prey on the wealth already in existence. Lessening the motives for exertion, whatever interest it may give the landlords in keeping their estates clear of paupers, it will prevent in future the creation of wealth. It does the very thing, therefore, that ought not to be done'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.