[14]. A parallel to the “pulling off the wool from living sheep,” may even now be witnessed all over the west of Ireland, in the plucking off the feathers from the living geese, a process that must be attended with great pain, and under the cruel infliction of which many of the poor geese perish.

[15]. See ante, p. [7].

[16]. Ante, p. [6].

[17]. See ‘History of the English Poor Law,’ vol. i. pp. 302, 372, 373 and 385.

[18]. Ante, p. [24].

[19]. Ante, p. [34].

[20]. Ante, p. [35].

[21]. See ‘History of the English Poor Law,’ vol. i. p. 183.

[22]. This limitation was afterwards removed by the 25th George 3rd, cap. 48, which allowed of children being apprenticed for any term, provided it did not exceed the age of 21 for a male and 18 for a female.

[23]. Ante, pp. 22 and 28.