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It seems like a tall story, but it's a fact - well, anyway a personal opinion - that one of the most intriguing bookshops in Dublin is the Government Publication Sales Office in Molesworth Street. All sorts of odd corners in Ireland are explored in a series of folders containing a huge variety of documents on many aspects of life in the past. For example, one entitled "The Landed Gentry": maps, sketches, photographs, household bills made out in copperplate handwriting. We are told what papers and magazines they read. The London Times, of course, and, after its foundation in 1859, The Irish Times. They liked the Illustrated London News, which covered in detail many facets of Irish life and history: O'Connell's campaigns, The Famine, the Land Agitation, and had this over any rivals - it sent artists around with its reporters to sketch and paint illustrations for its articles. There is a notice from Charles Domville of Santry House to all in his employ. If you have had a strict sergeant-major over you at any time, you will get the tone. "I require every Labourer," the printed notice ran, "to keep his Clothes clean and well mended, and to wear laced Boots, Leather Gaiters to his knees. Corduroy Breeches and Waistcoat, Neck Tie and Smock Frock, with Black Felt Hat. I expect that any small Repairs - his Cottage, etc., may require, he will himself make, such as nailing a Rail, or colouring a Breach in the Plaister, or repairing a Pane of Glass. And also that he will keep his Garden, Cottage, Offices etc. and the road along his Garden, or outside the Gate he has charge of, clean.

"It is his duty to prevent any one, whether in my service or not, damaging my property, ill-using my animals, making short cuts, taking things out of their places, and to let me know as soon as possible. His whole time being mine, he is not to leave home without permission, as each man is liable to be called in at night, in case of fire, etc. Charles Domville, Santry House, 18th May 1864." That pretty well covers the man's duties, doesn't it? Is it possible that every landlord laid down the law so minutely? Overall, the portfolio, produced by The National Library, seems to take an even-handed approach. The landed gentry, it says on the cover, "were an important and colourful feature of life in Ireland in the 18th and 19th centuries." Yes. Y