Description
apologising for not replying sooner to the Committee of Ladies for relief of the Irish peasantry "he has it not in his power to be useful to them on the present occasion. Upon the first breaking out of the general distress in Ireland as much was done in the behalf of the sufferers in Scotland as could be expected in a country at present suffering greatly from unpaid rent, and a general depreciation of agricultural produce. It appears to Sir Walter Scott that although sudden and immediate distress wherever it occurs ought to be the subject of general sympathy & benevolence yet when that distress is protracted it becomes the duty of the local government where it occurs to provide in a permanent manner against so unfortunate an evil since moreover that evil must become progressive & universal. Sir Walter Scott without knowing much of the state of Ireland otherwise than from what is found in everyones observation cannot but apprehend that that fine Kingdom is in a situation where the combined & continued efforts of the legislature and Landholder can alone offer any effectual relief to the suffering peasantry, & that their condition may perhaps rather increase those relieved by the precious donations afforded by the sympathy of the sister countries.", Castle Street, Edinburgh, 25 August -, 2 pp, 4to, integral blank
Footnote
Note: A very interesting letter reflecting Scott's views on where private charitable duty should give way to governmental responsibility.