A NOBLE AND PATRIOTIC LADY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 43, 13 February 1885, Page 3

A NOBLE AND PATRIOTIC LADY.

(To the Editor of the Natian.) Sik,— Much is said at present, and with great oause, against '" landlordism," but it is only; fair that, whilst the crual action of rackrenting and exterminating landlords should be detested, we should should express our admiration of "those whose noble deeds merit our appreciation, and generosity and tender feeling have brightened many a gloomy fireside, arrested hunger from the doors of those who often felt its fiercest pangs, k^jflfefpt many in I heir homes to-day who would Otherwise be ia thefdp^ps of want and sorrow. 'Sir, I think you will agree with me in saying that Mi- s Augusta Jane Gould; who has performed those many acts of goodness, who has stayed co many evictions, and whose charity has been extended to the needy peasantry of Donegal, as well as to the cotti rs and farmers of her late father's estate deserves not only the applause and good wishes of her own tenantry, who have experienced to much of her gracious benevolence, but the regard of all Ireland. Her name is, I am sure, familial- to many of the Irish journalists, of the day as a staunch advocate of •• national independence ', — as the Goolds always were. The name of her grandfather, Thomas Goold, M.0., must always be respected by the Irißh people as one of the incorruptible bands of patriots who opposed the " Union "to the last. His brilliant speeches and powerful argoments in the last Irish Parliament may be compared with those of eveu the immortal Gratran. of whom Mr. Goold was the lifelong friend and political colleague. Miss Goold.s uncle, the late deeply lamented and beloved Wyndham Goold, Esq., M.P. for the county Limerick, dip sush acts of kindness to his tenantry that his memory must always live in the grateful hearts of the people. At one time he forgave £1,800 of rents in one morning, such was his genuine sympathy with the difficulties of his people ; on another occasion he paid ail the poof-rates for his tenants when those rates amounted to no less than 7s in the pound. It would take so long to recount even a small part of his good deeds that I pass at once to his successor, the Yen. Arcbdeacon Goold, who, during the twenty -five years in which he was landlord of these estates behaved with the most paterae! kindness to his tenantry, acting on the principle that the landlord should be the tenant's best friend, and cultivating those feelings of mutual confidence and sympathy which it is to be regretted so many Irish landlords ignore; - 1 have only mentioned the immediate ancestors of Miss Goold, but when I add that her family has always been distinguished for patriotism,.and

that no fewer than seven of the Goolds held commissions in Baron 1 eld's aamy, it will not seem wonderful that this lady should be an ardent Nationalist, and should inherit the generous characteristics of the race to which she belongs. The last act of kindness which she has done (I amomitiing many others) shows her sympathy with her people, and proves her to be a werthy descendant of her ancestors. On the property of the late lamented archdeacon (which is now managed by trustees) there was a tenant who fell into arrears, owing to a fatal distemper amongst his cattle. He owing a considerable snm to the trustees, and was to be evicted unless be paid the larger part of this debt, which he was unable to be. He consequently prepared to give possession of his farm to the agents, and to leave bis halding for whatever sheltered he could find, when this noble lady intervened, as her tender nature could not bear to see an old man and his wife cast on the world. Being unable heaself to pay the large sem due to the trustees, as the continual gayment of rent and casts (in order to save the numerous poor tenanta who were processed) bad reducee her financse, she bethought of a plan to keep the people in their homes, by offering herself to take the farm from the tausters, and to keep the tenant as caaetaker. The agents, Mr. T. Trench, and Captain Veaschoyle, considered this proposition to be so kind that they readily agreed to accept it, remitting themselves all the arrears, except one year's rent, with consent of the trustees. Whenever Miss Goold takes possession of the farm there will be a demonstration of joy — the late tenant having declared that he will have an enormous bonfire to signalise an event of such good omen to himself — and all the Nationalists of the district will collect in large numbert to witness the rejoicings, and to join in the tribute of respect to the noble lady, who deserves our warmest gratitude. — Hoping you will excuse me for trespassing so much on your valuable space, I remain, dear sir, yours truly. Patbick R. Woulfe.