Read "The Diary Of A Highland Lady In Ireland" by a Mrs Smith nee Elizabeth Grant of Rothiemurchus for an interesting view by an outsider of the landowners side of the story which contains first hand details of the problems faced by small estate owners who, lets face it, were more concerned for their own survival and place in society.
E.G. having been brought up in a paternal highland society in Scotland at least tried to alleviate the problems of the poor within the constrictions mentioned.