6 AUGUST 1887, Page 16

AN IRISH CHILD ON IRISH CRIME.

[TO THE EDITOR Or THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—The first paragraph in your issue of July 30th, on the subject of the application of the various clauses of the Crimes Act in Ireland, reminds me of an anecdote told me by some friends in Ulster, with whom I was staying at the time of the proclamation of their district under the provisions relating to rioting, &c., which illustrates with painful amusement the necessity of the new law.

My friend's little boy—a sharp little Irishman of two and a half years of age—was one day told by his mother that the mother of one of his little playfellows was dead, whereupon he promptly asked, " Who shot her ?"—I am, Sir, &c.,

E. M. H.