though, of course, it is presumed that he has read thus far. But it will there be observed, that the author proposes no additional application to government,*- -no new foundations,—the formation of no new Society,— no mere resolutions to be passed. The objects are various, and of various character;-some are moral, one is of a sacred nature. In such circumstances, he would rather appeal to the benevolent feeling of many intelligent minds, resident in various parts of Ireland-in various parts of Britain. He has no mere party purpose whatever to serve, and he thinks the reader will watch in vain for any expression throughout these pages indicative of mere party feeling. Still, there is surely enough here, and more than enough to excite the inquiry from many individuals living upon Irish ground-"But is there any way, by which I could contribute some share towards a better day?" Certainly there is; and I trust there will be found at least a little group of humane and intelligent men in the various cities and towns or counties of Ireland, who will be disposed to add,"Laissez-nous faire,” and we shall, should it be necessary, unostentatiously report progress, and tell, not only what is doing, but in what manner others could assist. But in other instances, and ultimately in many, if not in most, even this may not be necessary. It is quite possible to do much good on a limited scale, if energy and perseverance are employed, where there is no incumbent necessity for either saying or writing one word respecting it. Time, which is invaluable, is thus redeemed, both to the doer and those who must have stopped to read his communications. In few words, should the writer succeed in promoting a sense of individual re

* At the same time, although no part of the money already voted has ever been applied to the education of the Native Irish as such, he may surely be permitted to inquire, why, when the vote returns, they should again be forgotten? The King himself annually devotes £2000 to the Highlands and Islands; and his Majesty is also the Patron of the Gaelic Schools.

sponsibility, in awakening a deeper and more enlarged sympathy for this long-neglected people in the hearts of those who ought to be interested, the various and needful remedies will be applied, and his end is gained. But either mode, or both, can by no means supersede the necessity for the attention of others, and on this side of the channel, being drawn to the fulfilment of long-neglected duty towards such a numerous class of fellow-subjects.

The Irish language itself the writer cannot as yet speak, and perhaps never will. As a medium of communication, therefore, he cannot feel the enthusiastic attachment of a native, and, it is presumed, may therefore be admitted as a safer, if not an unprejudiced witness. But, regarding it as a medium of thought and feeling between the people themselves, having witnessed for himself the deep hold which it has of the heart, he hesitates not to add, that in all the measures here recommended and enforced, the language itself alone will be found to operate like the insertion of leaven, and will lend to each of these measures a corresponding,—an irresistible energy. Meanwhile, if the reader desires to understand the actual condition of this people, the author has only to request that he will suspend his judgment till he has got to the conclusion, and then, taking it all in all, let him say if there is to be found within the limits of this kingdom a case of such urgency, where we are called to an application of the remedy by recollections of past neglect and long delay, at once so numerous and so painful.

SECTION I.

LITERARY HISTORY;

Or Gleanings from the Early Ages to the Present Day, including some notice of the most eminent Men; references to Irish Typography, whether in Britain or on the Continent; and an Account of the translation and printing of the Sacred Volume in the vernacular tongue.

In this, as well as the following Section, the ultimate object of the writer is quite specific, though almost unprecedented. From whatever cause, there has long existed such a disposition to accumulate the mere assertions of successive authors, as so many independent proofs of the cultivated state of Ireland in past ages; such an inclination to exaggerate, or embellish, or theorize, that there has unhappily grown up, in many very intelligent minds, a strong aversion from all candid inquiry into certain parts of Irish history, and more especially into the past circumstances of the aborigines. Even the inquisitive have felt no inclination to turn their eye in this direction, and glancing on such a volume as this, make their escape immediately to those pages which describe the existing state of the country. In the present instance, however, should the reader have only perused the introduction, he is already aware that under this head there is no favourite theory to be intruded, no mere traditions about to be quoted, nor is he to find the slightest tendency to any reliance upon the vague assertions of fabulous narrative.

The object first in view is simply that of putting upon record, in brief and regular succession, what will ever prove, comparatively, a meagre statement of such particulars as cannot be controverted; and although the au

thor is perfectly aware that, to certain individuals, the title of this and the following Section must wear somewhat of the air of burlesque, both have been preferred for several important reasons.

Were these scanty materials, here confirmed by distinct reference to authorities, drawn out-merely for the gratification of the curious in Irish antiquities, or to enlist the Irish reader through the medium of his prejudices; were no practical and even important conclusions to be ultimately founded upon them, the present writer had certainly never submitted a single page of such matter to general readers. But if, on the other hand, there is here to be seen one class of our fellow-subjects, and now confessedly a very large one, among which there have been men, who, though labouring under peculiar disadvantages, were far from indifferent to the cultiva tion of letters; if in the very poverty of these two Sections, certain classes in this kingdom, more highly fa voured, are furnished with a demonstrative proof of the injurious and mistaken policy of past times, as well as the consequent obligations of the present age; and if, at the same time, the account here given, presents in contrast, at once striking and painful, the activity of certain Native Irishmen chiefly abroad, and the indolence, nay, heartless coldness of their British fellow-subjects at home, who, during this long period, were bound by humanity and sound patriotism, to have fostered their improvement in useful knowledge,-then, surely, the writer may rely on the patience of even general readers, for at least one candid perusal.

To the prejudiced, he is fully aware that all such detail must needs prove irksome, more especially when it becomes condemnatory of past neglect. Ages of long delay and mistaken policy are never likely to be calmly reviewed by them; but if any substantial benefit is thus likely to ensue to the present generation, the judicious and humane will not at once shut the book. They are

fully aware how much the history of the past may, in certain cases, give additional emphasis to the claims and duties of the present day. Let this simple idea be borne in recollection, and then, whether the succeeding statements do not, in the end, bring every candid mind with peculiar energy, to the far more important question of present obligation, let the reader judge.

Whatever may be presumed as to the character and attainments of any race of men, it is only by the exami nation of their own written compositions, if they have such in possession, that we can arrive at any precision respecting the extent of their attainments in literature. With regard to the native Irish, however, such has been the singular fate of their manuscripts, and even such is their present condition, that difficulties almost insuperable present themselves at the threshold of inquiry. Many of these, unquestionably, perished in the Danish invasions of the ninth and tenth centuries, and that singular species of policy which obtained for centuries after the Anglo-Norman invasion, must account for the loss of many others.* Collections of others are, it is true, happily still in existence; but whether those of greatest value are to be found in this kingdom, or on the continent, it is impossible for any one to affirm. The proba bility is, that they are abroad.

I am aware of the valuable collection in Trinity College, Dublin, of that in the Bodleian Library, and the Cottonian manuscripts, as well as the treasure contained

* According to Ussher, in 848, the Bishop of Armagh and all the students were expelled by Turgesius. Armagh, however, was pillaged four times in succession from 890 to 913.-Tria Thaum. 296. In 1016 the library again sustained material injury from the Normans and Ostmen.-Ann. Innisfal. and Tria Thaum. 298. Injured by fire in 1074, the city was rebuilt by the year 1091, but in the AngloNorman invasion of 1178 various literary works, which had escaped the Danes, were destroyed in the libraries of the monks, so that the native Irish, in order to harass and disappoint the invaders, began to burn the religious edifices with their own hands. See Annal, quoted by Leland, i. 123.