since the application of steam-navigation. For though always lying in the bosom of Great Britain, as if intended by nature for the most intimate and cordial connexion, past ages have shown how possible it was for 'nations intersected by a narrow frith' to abhor each other. These days are now past, it is hoped, for ever; at all events, the estate is now one, and the moral condition of any given spot in it must needs become the interest of all, otherwise it cannot now be long before the effects are felt in every corner of the empire. Let not then the present condition of the Native Irish population be disregarded. Setting political union altogether out of view, a bridge across St George's Channel could not more effectually have opened up Ireland to us, or this country to it, than the invention referred to has done. To check or obstruct intercourse between the people of these lands, if once practicable, is now impossible. The channel between them is now no obstruction, and the people of both countries, to a great degree, like kindred waves, must affect each other, if not mingle into one. Already we have about ninety or one hundred thousand of the Irish in London, about or above thirty thousand in Glasgow and its neighbourhood, to say nothing of other places. Past neglect may be regretted; so it ought to be, and so it will; but the crisis to which we have come is not to be deplored. It had been far better for both countries had it arrived long since. An interchange of kind offices is now no more a thing of choice,-a matter of option, if we have any regard for the prosperity and morals of Great Britain; and it is a good thing, when circumstances conspire to render the duty we owe to God and man imperious. If we are governed by sound Christian principle, the improvement of such Irish districts must follow as one effect of such frequent inter course. This may, or, at least, certainly should rouse to the duties of brotherhood, and ultimately increase the sum of national happiness, and peace, and power. "Tis thus reciprocating, each with each, In such circumstances, the history of a people, with reference to their intellectual and moral condition, must prove interesting as well as profitable, and an acquaintance with it is an incumbent duty. But the history of the Native Irish, as such in any sense, has never been written. Noticed they have been, casually, in connexion with Danish and Norman invaders,-with Saxon, and English, and Scottish settlers; but, viewed as an ancient and distinct race, with a language peculiar to themselves, to pursue the thread of their narrative is, at present, next to impossible. The following pages, therefore, must be considered merely as an attempt, accurate, I believe, as far as it goes, but still only an essay, which may perhaps be of some utility to a future historian. At the same time, the object in preparing these pages was neither the amusement of the writer, nor the mere entertainment of his reader. Interest him, he hopes, they will, but something beyond mere interest is intended. As to their moral condition in past ages and the present hour, here are certain tracts of our own country or kingdom laid open for consideration, but with no other view than to suggest how it is possible to convey something more than fugitive good, or temporal happiness only, to a long-neglected though warm-hearted people. When we say long-neglected, the reader will find that this is spoken advisedly, not in ignorance of all, or rather the little that has been done in past ages for the Native Irish, or of all that has been effected or proposed, within the last ten or fifteen years. Yet, with every disposition to rejoice in the recent exercise of more be nevolent feeling, it may still be added, when looking at the great body of this people,without a vernacular literature, without books, without schools, and without the ministration of the divine word in their native language, why marvel at the state of many parts of this fine country? If Wales, unable or unwilling to help herself, which she was not, had been so left, what had been the condition of England?-If the Highlands and Islands, what the condition of Scotland? But the population of both these put together amounts not to above a third of the Native Irish in number. Besides, the inhabitants of Wales and the Highlands in general dwell apart and alone. It is not so with the Native Irish, as the following statements will prove. In every province of Ireland, and one might almost say in every county, there are to be found the Irish districts, properly so called. It is repeated, therefore,-without a vernacular literature, and solid Christian oral instruction, among an ancient, shrewd, and interesting people, swarming through every part of the island, are there no specific and appropriate remedies? When speaking in good earnest of this country, the writer has been too often there, and seen too much of every province, to think for one moment of ascribing its present state to any one cause. He desires not to dwell so much on the presence of evil as the absence of good; but, until there be conveyed into the possession of this people, through the medium of their daily speech, some of the same blessings, which in ours have raised us to our present level, all other schemes and plans must prove in the infallible result just what they have ever done,-inefficacious and vain. On both sides of the channel considerable curiosity has recently been excited as to this particular branch of British subjects, but a distinct account of whatever has actually been done by them or for them does not exist. The first Section of this volume, therefore, refers more immediately to men and books; the second to schools of learning, the third includes the important subject of oral instruction. These, instead of having any such epithets as literature, learning, or instruction applied to them, some may denominate a history or sketch of illiteracy; and, in certain connexions, it will be found, so does the writer. Yet poor as the story is, although centuries are included, and poor as it ever must be, he has preferred the titles given, that, in their extreme poverty, we might read with greater effect, as well our obligations to bring up the arrear, as the extent of obligation manifestly imposed on all who become acquainted with the facts of the case. The statements given thus far, if impartially considered, involve, it is presumed, an answer to all the objections which have ever been brought against the employment of the Irish language; but as these give occasion to state various collateral proofs of the necessity and importance of the vulgar tongue being employed, as the only effectual agent in this instance, just as in every other, the objections themselves, such as they are, have been noticed in the fourth Section. As the extent of the case, the extent to which the Irish language is in daily use, has been much misunderstood, and is still much disputed, the fifth Section will furnish the reader with some data, which may enable him to judge for himself. The sixth Section refers to regions in our native land of which most persons have never heard, and of which no distinct account is to be found in books; but, as the peculiar condition of the Islanders of Ireland was never before brought under the public eye, a hope is indulged that they will not, cannot now be forgotten. As for the desiderata mentioned in the subsequent Sections, the reader had best consult them for himself, though, of course, it is supposed that he has read thus far. But it will there be observed, that the author proposes no application to government,-no monied grants, -no 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 yet energetic scale, 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 responsibility, 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 in this country, 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 |