By Anne Casey
The potato crop has nearly disappeared;
much distress at present exists
amongst the labouring classes⎯
tradesmen and others
are severely suffering
from want of food;
potatoes are fast disappearing,
being used as food
by the higher classes⎯
potatoes remaining not sufficient
for population one month;
the sufferings of the poor
are becoming more pressing each day.
The distress in the district
is beyond measure,
beyond measure
and is hourly increasing:
families in great want,
people expressing a determination
not to starve whilst food can be procured,
no prospect before them
but absolute starvation⎯
fully half the potato crop utterly unfit
for human food:
incomprehensible
destitution, wretchedness
and distress.
Disease is becoming prevalent
from the use of unsound potatoes⎯
many persons eating decayed potatoes
that have been thrown out
on the dunghill for months:
distress and fever
very much on the increase.
Typhus fever rages in the district:
disease extensive and increasing,
vast numbers destitute;
the misery of the people
increases daily.
Before winter, the dreadful condition
of four-fifths of the population⎯
20,000 persons in the district
verging on absolute destitution:
poor-house no longer
affords refuge,
fever hospital
quite inadequate
to the amount of sickness—
people suffering much
from fever
and bowel complaints
owing to the use
of unsound potatoes,
pray Government
to do something.
Note: This cento is derived from ‘Accounts and Papers of The House of Commons: Twenty-Eight Volumes — Scarcity in Ireland, Session 22 January – 28 August 1846. VOL. XXXVII’.