Letters of the Catholic Poor

Cover -- Half-title -- Title page -- Copyright information -- Dedication -- Table of contents -- Acknowledgements -- List of Abbreviations -- Editorial Rubric -- Transcription Guidelines -- Editorial Principles -- Introduction: 'It is hard to state my case in writing' -- Text and Context -- Irish History and Irish Poverty -- A 'New' History from Below -- Who Were the Poor? -- Conclusion -- 1 The Social Setting: 'Is this a Civilized Country?' -- 'Apathy of citizens who lack confidence in the existing regime' -- 'Our own poor' -- 'I am striving to live on the old age Pension' -- Widows: '[I]t is hard cruel world for those, whom God has bereft of their ''Bread-winners''' -- Housing: '[T]he kernel of the great nut that has to be split' -- 'Workless army still growing' -- 'The true concept of charity' -- Conclusion -- 2 Artefacts of Poverty: 'I Crave your Holy Pardon for Writing' -- 'Your saintly face ... told me to write to you' -- 'I take the liberty of writing' -- Sub-Literacy and Oral Writing -- 'Excuse writing and spilling' -- Begging Letters as Sources -- Conclusion -- 3 The 'Poor' Make Their Case: 'Surely they are worth helping' -- 'One of Almighty Gods destitute deserving poor' -- 'My husband was 10 months from mass for want of clothes' -- 'I think I've told you every-thing there is to tell now' -- 'The Convert Stunt' -- 'My husband is a Protestant by birth' -- 'Is there no reciprocal duty?' -- Conclusion -- 4 Hidden Poverty: 'I bear my poverty in silence' -- 'I feel my position keenly' -- 'As a man who has seen better days' -- 'My very manhood seems sapped' -- 'For the four little - Foxrock Orphans' -- Conclusion -- 5 The Cost of Poverty: 'To live or rather exist' -- 'The usual thing has happened, my bed clothes are in the pawn' -- 'The Landlord is pressing me for the rent'