Sir, - Is Ireland fated ever to become prosperous? Are there to be no years of peace and plenty in the cycle of her existence? Must the wind still blow, and the pelting rain still beat, and summer seasons never shine, when men can collect under the shade in peace, and someone, in happy assurance, announce, that "the fruit of our land shall be excellent"? - Extract from The National Magazine, Vol 2, No 2 (1831). Some things never change! - Yours, etc,
BERNARD BROWNE,
Old Ross, Co Wexford.