Mrs. Asenath Nicholson came on a lone mission from NY to Ireland to "learn the true condition the poor Irish at home" in 1844. She kept a diary and recorded her observations and daily routine in her travels across Ireland: Asenath was an intrepid walker. In October, with only 4/6d (about 25 pence) in her pocket, she set out for Galway from Roscrea (Tipperary), but when she reached the city, the money she was expecting was not there. Not at all put out, she made her way back to Roscrea. She stayed in the meanest cabins, sharing the room and sometimes the bed with her hosts, their pigs, cattle and hens. Her sustenance was three or four potatoes a day. Often she was given her night's lodging for free. When she went by coach, she complained much of the discomfort. On her first trip to Wicklow, she had with difficulty been squeezed into a seat. "We had proceeded a few miles, with nineteen upon the top, and one appended to the back, when a loud call from a car arrested us with, "Can you take a few more passengers?" "As many as you please," answered the glad driver. The clamour, the entreaties, and threats of the passengers were all unavailing; the car was emptied of four occupants, each with a box or two and baskets and lesser appendages, and all transferred to the coach. The terrified girl perched on top of the luggage, over our heads was now ordered to alight, and without ceremony was packed among us though we were already eight where five could only have a tolerable seat. A corner of a trunk rested on my shoulder, and twenty miles I rode without having the free liberty of my head or full turning of my neck." -- Excerpts from her diary