IRISH PROVERBS.

The Milesian Irish believe that their ancient Kings, Brehons, and Fileas were men of great intelligence and wisdom, that the sayings of Ollamh-fodhla, Fithil the wise, Moran, and Cormac Mac Art, were so many lessons of human wisdom,-that the venerable dicta of Finghin, Kieran, Columbkille, &c. were so many maxims of sacred truth, and their actions so many examples of virtue; and the wit of Goban Saér, the celebrated Dædalus of Ireland, is yet remembered and told with vivacity.

Amongst a people who entertain so high an opinion of the talent of their predecessors, it should be expected that some trace of this wisdom would still remain, and that a few at least of these proverbial sayings should be discovered; but whoever makes the enquiry, through the medium of books, will find that, amongst all the nations of the world, the proverbs of the Irish are the most vulgar, awkward, incoherent, and ridiculous, indicating a lowness of sentiment, and a total lack of mental refine

ment.

Proverbs owe their origin to the sayings of wise men, allusions of ancient poets, the customs and manners of nations, they are adapted to common use as ornaments of speech, set rules of instruction, arguments of wisdom, to which time has given assent, and maxims of undeniable truth. The peculiar veneration which the Irish have for their ancient proverbs, has given rise to a well known assertion: Ni feider an sean-fhocal do sharúghadh. It is impossible to contradict the old word (proverb.)

From this it will, I think, be granted, that a perfect list of the proverbs of any people is, as it were, an index to the national character, or the elements of the moral notions, customs, and manners of a people.

In Ray's splendid collection of English, Scotch, Italian, Spanish, Danish, and Oriental Proverbs, the following list of Irish ones are given, which shows how Ireland has been made known to the world, by the circulation of that learned and excellent work, as a nation of blunderers and blockheads!! And no Irishman has ever since come forward to defend the wisdom of Ollav Fodhla, by translating and publishing a list of genuine Irish proverbs!! Shame Ireland!

Ray says, "The following proverbs are presumed to be Irish:"

1. "She is like a Mullingar heifer, beef to the heels. 2 "He is like a Waterford merchant, up to the in business,

3. "His eyes are like two burnt holes in a blanket.

4." Full of fun and foustre, like Mooney's goose.

5. He looks as angry as if he were vexed.

6. ""Tis as bad as cheating the devil in the dark, and two farthing candles for a halfpenny.

7. "He'd skin a louse, and send the hide and fat to market."

These are, without doubt, modern English-IRISH proverbs of the lowest order, and rudest nature, but they have no more to do with the wise sayings of the ancient Milesian Irish, than with the proverbs of Solomon, or the wise sayings of the Brahmins; the following list of genuine Irish proverbs, translated principally from Hardiman's Irish Minstrelsy, will satisfy the philosophic enquirer of national character, on this head:

1. An t-seod dofhaghála's i is áilne.
The rare jewel is the most beautiful.

2. Air li ni breith fear gan suilibh.

A blind man is no judge of colours.

3. Anuair a bhidheann an cat a muigh bidheann na lucha

a g rainnceadh.

When the cat is out, the mice dance.

4. Anuair is cruadh don chailligh caithfidh si rith. When the old hag is in danger she must run.

5. Bidh ádh air Amadán.

Even a fool has luck.

6. Beul eidhin a's croidhe cuilinn.

A mouth of ivy, a heart of holly.

[The leaves of ivy are soft and smooth, those of holly rough and prickly-a metaphorical proverb.]

7. Beatha an Staraidhe firinne.

The historian's food is truth.

8. Bidh borb fo sgeimh.

Fierceness is often hidden under beauty. 9. Bidh boirbeacht in-geal ghaire. There is often anger in a laugh. 10. Bidh cluanaidhe i n-deagh-chulaidh. A good dress often hides a deceiver. 11. Buaine clú na saoghal.

Fame is more lasting than life. 12. Briathar baoth baothantacht. A foolish word is folly.

13. Bocht an Eaglais bhios gan cheol.

The church that has no music is poor indeed. 14. Cnuasaigh an am oireamhmach. Lay up in time.

15. Caoin re ceannsa.

Mild to the meek.

16. Briseann an duthchas tre shúilibh an chait.
Cat after kind.

"Da mheid Eolais, radhare is foghlaim
"Do gheibheann an cóbach, mac an Davi
"Briseann an duthchas tres an m-bruid

Tar eis gach cúrsa do chur a g-crích.
Whatever knowledge, education, or learning,
The clown, son of the low-bred man, acquires,
His own congenial nature still appears,
After passing through every course.

17. Claoidheann neart ceart.

Force overcomes justice. 18. Caomhnann dochas ant-ingreamach. Hope consoles the persecuted. 19. Ni thuigeann an Sáthach an seang. The satiated forget the hungry. 20. Codhla fada spaideann leanbh. Long sleep renders a child inert. 21. Deineacht gan luas.

Hurry without haste.

22. Dearbhrathair leadranachta olachán. Drunkenness is the brother of robbery. 23. Dóchas liagh gach anró.

Hope is the physician of each misery. 24. Duilghe an t-uaibhreach do cheannsughadh. It is difficult to tame the proud.

25. Diomhaoineas mian amadain. Idleness is the desire of a fool.

26. Dearc sul leimir.

Look before you leap.

27. Dearbh caraid roimh riachtanas.

Prove a friend before necessity (poverty.) 28. Eadtrom ór ag Amadan.

Gold is light with a fool.

29. Feárr deire fleidhe 'ná tus bruighne.

The end of a feast is better than the beginning of a quarrel.

30. Feárr dreoilin i n-dorn 'ná corr air eairde.

A wren in the hand is better than a crane out of it. 31. An te Chidheann aniúgh fuaruigheann a chuid. He who is out, his supper cools.

32. Fada cuimhne sein-leinbh.

The memory of an old child is long. 33. Foillsighthear gach nidh re haimsir. Every thing is revealed by time.

34. Féadann Cat dearcadh for righ.

A cat can look at a king.

35. Foighid leigheas sean-ghalair.

Patience is the cure of an inveterate disease.

36. Foghlaim mian gach Eagnaidhe.

Learning is the desire of the wise.

37. Fearr clú 'ná conach.

Character is better than wealth.

38. Gan oileamhain, gan mhodh.

Without education, without manners, i. e. he who

is without education, is also &c.

39. Gan lon, gan charaid.

Without treasure, without friends.

40. Gan chiste is fuar an chlu.

Without treasure, character is cold.

41. Gach nidh ghabhthar go holc imthigheam go hole. Whatever is ill acquired, passes away ill; or whateyer is got on the devil's back, falls under his belly. 42. Gnidheann bladar caradas,

Flattery procures friendship.

43. Gnath ocrach fiochmhar.

A hungry man is angry. (peevish.)

44. Gach am ni h-eagnach savi.

No man is wise at all times.

45. Gach ni daor mian gach mná.

Every dear article is woman's desire.

46. Is treise gliocas 'ná neart.

Wisdom exceeds strength.

47. Is milis fion, is searbh a ioc. Wine is sweet; to pay for it bitter.

48. Iomhaigh am bháis codhla.

Sleep is the image of death, 49. Is sodh daochain.

Enough is a feast.

50. Is Dall an gradh baoth.

Foolish love is blind.

51. Is fearr an mhaith a ta 'na an mhaith a bhi.

Present good is better than past good.

52. Is eagnach deaghdhuine.

A good man is a wise man.

53. Loiteann aoradh mor-chlú.

Satire wounds a great character.
54. Luidheann proimpeallan for otrach.
A BEETLE buries himself in DUNG.
55. Luidheann cruadhtan for dhiomhaoineas.
Hardship attends idleness,

56. Liagh gach boicht bas.

Death is the physician of the poor.

57. Mairg dárb ceile baothan borb.

Woe to her whose husband is a surly fool.

58. Mairg fheallas air a charaid.

Woe to him who betrays his friend.

59. Mairg a threigeas a thighearna.

Woe to him who abandons his lord.

60. Ma's maith leat a bheith buan caith fuar agus TEITH. If you wish to be long-lived eat cold and hot; or if you wish to be long-lived eat cold and flee. (fuge.)

The ambiguity lies in the last word, which signifies either the adjective hot, or the imperative form of the verb to fly.

[This is not properly speaking a proverb; but we must admit it affords a striking instance of the happy inventive powers, comprehension, and shrewdness, of the lower classes of the Irish perhaps few instances could be adduced more happy in conception, or successful in application than this sentence, as will appear from the circumstance from which it is said to have originated. It was given as a friendly advice, a long time since, to a celebrated Irish freebooter in the town of Naas. The freebooter it appears called at an inn and ordered a hot dinner to be prepared for him, but the innkeeper recognized the freebooter, and, as a good member of the community, he deemed it his duty to send for the authorities in order to have him secured; fortunately for the freebooter, it happened that the waiter, who was preparing the dinner, had been heretofore his intimate friend and companion in many a desperate and perilous enterprize of misguided valour, but as the master was present, the waiter was afraid to inform the freebooter in plain terms that his enemies were at hand; he therefore gave him the hint as conveyed in the above ambiguous sentence, which the freebooter (being a man of the quickest apprehension) immediately comprehending, mounted his horse, which had on many previous occasions borne him in safety from his pursuers, and flying with the swiftness of the Arabian steed escaped, for that time, the strong arm of justice.]

61. Ni fhuil gaol ag aon re saoi gan seun.

No one is related to a man without prosperity.

68. Otracht sodh an Liaigh.

Sickness is the physician's feast. 69. Righ miofhoghlamtha is asal corónta, An ignorant king is a crowned ass. 70. Saruigheann Eagna gach saidhbhreas. Wisdom exceeds riches.

71. Soightheach folamh is mo torann.

An empty vessel makes most noise. [Applied to a talkative man.] 72. Saidhbhreas sior subhailce. Virtue is eternal wealth.

73. Sgeitheann fion firinne. In vino veritas.

Wine pours out the truth.

[Applied to a drunken man who foolishly blabs out his secrets.]

74, Tig grian a n-diaidh na fearthana.

Sunshine follows rain; i. e. joy succeeds affliction,

75. Tig iomchar re foghlaim

From education comes conduct.

76. Tos mhaith leath na h-oibre.

A good beginning is half the work.

77. Tosach coille a's deirc móna.

The beginning of a wood; the end of a bog.

78. Umhlacht d' uaisleacht.

Obedience to nobility.

79. Fion a n-diu, uisge amarach,

Wine to-day, water to-morrow.

80. Buail an ceann a's seachain an muineul.

Strike the head, but touch not the neck; i, e. there

are two ways for killing a man.

* A rainbow can only occur when the clouds, containing or depositing the rain, are opposite to the sun, and in the evening the rainbow is in the east, and in the morning in the west; and as our heavy rains, in this climate, are usually brought by the westerly wind, a rainbow in the west indicates that the bad weather is on the road, by the wind to us; whereas the rainbow in the east, proves that rain in these clouds is passing from us.-Salmonia.

+ La nieve per otto di è madre alla terra da indi in la è matrigna. Snow for a se'ennight is a mother to the earth, for ever after a step-mother

IRON.

IN few instances do we perceive the concern of Providence for the wants of mortals more fully exemplified, than in the abundant distribution of this substance over the face of the earth, not only in a metallic state, but also in an infinite variety of combinations: from which source are derived many articles of almost indispensable use in our arts and manufactures, as, plumbago, commonly called black-lead, (a combination of iron with charcoal,) Prussian blue, green vitriol, &c. but at present we must only take into consideration the simple metal.

Iron is seldom found in a pure metallic state; but its ores are diffused throughout nature in greater abundance than those of other metals, oftentimes combined with them, and sometimes in the state of an oxide, i. e. rust. In this state occurs the Swedish iron ore, which produces such excellent metal. In order to reduce the ore into cast-iron, in some manufactories, it is broken into small pieces, and mixed with lime, or some substance capable of promoting its fusion. It is then thrown into the furnace, together with a quantity of coke or charcoal; where after being submitted for some time to a most intense heat, the reduced metal descends through the fuel, and collects at the bottom, whence it is let out, and forms pigs of cast-iron. In this state it is employed in the fabrication of various kinds of machinery and utensils.

Cast-iron acquires carbon from the charcoal or coke used in its reduction, and originally contains oxygen and other adventitious substances, which cause its brittleness and render it fusible, though with some difficulty. In order to deprive it of these, it is kept in a state of fusion for a considerable time, and repeatedly stirred; during which process the carbon and oxygen uniting, pass off in the state of carbonic-acid gas or fixed air. At length, having become thick, it is taken from the furnace, and submitted to the action of the hammer, or the regular pressure of large steel rollers, by which the remaining impurities are forced out, and the metal is rendered malleable, ductile, and nearly infusible. Iron in this state is called bar or wrought-iron.

Iron, by the above process being divested of charcoal, must again absorb a small portion of pure carbon, in order to be converted into steel. This is effected by submitting good iron to an intense heat, for several hours, in conjunction with carbonacious matter, such as charcoal, carbonate of lime, &c. Good steel contains about one part of carbon in two hundred of iron.

It may be remarked, that, of the metals in common use (platinum excepted) iron alone possesses the property of welding. Innumerable are the advantages which we derive from this peculiar quality, by which, without fusion, merely by heatings, iron is moulded into the variety of forms, in which it is every where exhibited to our view. Iron possesses likewise the property of being attracted by the magnet, and of becoming itself magnetic. To this property we are indebted for the mariner's compass; an instrument, by which man is enabled to steer his course towards any part of the globe with the greatest accuracy and certainty.

Contrary to the prejudiced opinion of the ancients, who supposed that iron was poisonous, and that wounds, inflicted with instruments made of this metal, healed with difficulty, it seems that its effects on the animal economy are very beneficial, both in medicinal preparations, and in its state of natural solution in chalybeate waters. Indeed of all metals this is the most important; since there is no other, wherein are contained, at the same time, so many useful properties; none which can be applied to such a variety of uses; and, finally, none which exists in such abundance, or in so many different states, for it pervades all nature, is found in vegetables, and even in animal fluids. It may not be improper to state here, that the article, known in commerce by the name of tinned plate, is not tin, as some suppose, but iron plates, which, having undergone certain chemical preparations, are immersed in melted tin, which not only adheres to the surface, but even partly penetrates the plate, and gives it a very brilliant appearance. Perhaps it is this brilliancy, that has led many to suppose, that, in domestic operations in which a considerable degree of heat is necessary, they were using a metal the fusing point of which is far below that of lead.

Though iron is so largely diffused in Ireland, and gives name to one of our loftiest mountains, Sleibh-an-Erin, or Iran, its application to useful purposes is not of so great antiquity in our island as might be supposed-probably not earlier than the Christian era, about which time the Britains and Gauls appear to have been instructed by the Romans in its usefulness and importance. Before this period, we as well as our Gaulic and British neighbours, used only that metallic compound called bronze, of which material all our very ancient military and domestic implements are formed, like those of the Greeks in the heroic ages. M. O'K.

In closing the Twentieth Number of the DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL, its Conductors desire to address a few words of grateful acknowledgment to their readers, and to state that they expect to be shortly able to announce that the impression of their little Work has reached to Forty Thousand.

In the management of a publication of this nature, it will be obvious that they have great difficulties to contend with, and that in their anxiety to cater for the variety of tastes for which they feel themselves obliged to purvey, they are placed very much in the situation of the painter in the fable, who in his desire to please every one, pleased no one. If, however, they may take the increasing patronage of the public as a criterion, their efforts, though of the same kind, have hitherto been more fortunate in their results. This success is in every way gratifying to the feelings of the conductors. It repudiates the taunt that the Irish people are indifferent to instruction in useful knowledge, or not to be attracted outside the vortex of political or sectarian excitements; and it holds out a cheering hope-the noblest that could animate their exertions that their labours will be productive of much national good. They may venture to look forward to the time, when Irishmen will no longer be pointed at as a race whose intellectual faculties, though confessedly of no mean order, have been allowed to run waste by neglect or abuse, but as a people whose minds have been tutored and improved, stored with solid and useful knowledge, and regulated by rational tastes and correct sentiments.

To effect "a consummation" so "devoutly to be wished," they will most ardently persevere, and hope for the cheering aid and applause of all good men: pecuniary remuneration, to any great extent, they cannot venture to look forward to, for great as the circulation of their Journal is, it has not enabled the proprietors hitherto to divide a single Penny.

It will be seen that their present number is deficient in the usual number of illustrations. It is entirely the result of accident but means shall be taken to prevent its recurrence, and their next number will atone for the present deficiency.

DUBLIN:

Printed and Published by JOHN S. FOLDS, 56, Great Strand, Street
Sold by all Booksellers in Ireland.

In Liverpool by Willmer and Smith; in Manchester by Wheeler, in
Birmingham by Jenkinson; in Edinburgh by R. Grant and Son;
in Glasgow by Niven, Jun and in London by
Joseph Robins, Bride Court, Fleet-st.

DROGHEDA.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DUBLIN PENNY JOURNAL.

SIR, Encouraged by the very flattering notice you were pleased to take of my former communication, respecting Drogheda, I take the liberty of offering the following remarks to your consideration.

I have long been anxious to see an attempt made at illustrating the history and antiquities of my native Town, Drogheda, but have hitherto been disappointed; and, while other places, (particularly in the sister kingdom) even the most insignificant and obscure, are daily brought

before the public, recommended by the united talents of the artist and historiographer, this town, which possesses a degree of historical interest, equalled by few in this kingdom, and which yields to none, in either respectability or antiquity, has been hitherto passed over in total silence, or but slightly touched upon by the occasional tourist.

I have for many years found pleasure in visiting the numerous monuments of antiquity so profusely scattered over the face of this country, and, after an attentive examination, I can safely affirm, there are none more worthy of notice by the antiquary or historian, or more intimately blended with the ancient, ecclesiastical, and military his

tory of Ireland, than those in Drogheda and its immediate vicinity they are rapidly falling into decay; some through the ravages of time, but by far the greater number, it is much to be lamented, from carelessness and neglect; nor have there been wanting instances, where the proudest of our castles and monastic ruins have been despoiled, that the materials might be employed in the construction of works, for which stones might be obtained at less expense from a neighbouring quarry.

The zeal of the first reformers (which in many instances was not tempered with much discretion) has also done much towards their destruction. Some of the ruins in this town bear evident marks of fire, nor do we want reformers at present who are equally willing to remove what they are pleased to consider nuisances, witness the late demolition of the ancient palace of the archbishops of Armagh, at Termonfecken, (because, forsooth, part of it fell and killed a cow!) a spot hallowed by the residence of some of the wisest and holiest men of their day, and which should be particularly consecrated as that in which the great USHER compiled his celebrated Chronology; an event which should have caused the most trifling circumstance or place connected with him to be held sacred.

From the causes above-mentioned, it is not unusual to perceive in this town, the remains of abbeys and monasteries once dedicated to the service of the Deity, and palaces heretofore the residences of the most powerful men of past ages, now converted into stables, warehouses, &c., and next, to meet with the armorial bearings of the proudest families, and the sculptured ornaments, and stone utensils of what were once the sanctuaries of religion, now appropriated to the most servile and ignoble purposes. Amor Patriæ," or Love of Country, is a principle inherent in the breast of every man, in a greater or lesser degree; a spark of this has prompted a desire to endeavour to rescue from total oblivion the few remaining monuments of the ancient grandeur and importance of my native town, by attempting a few sketches and descriptions of some of the most remarkable, which if you deem of sufficient merit to occasionally occupy a column of your truly national journal, are at your service. Perhaps the attempt may stir up the dormant faculties of others, and create a spirit of emulation in other quarters, which may bring to light many interesting facts and documents connected with, and illustrative of, our national history and antiquities.

It may perhaps be objected that these "Sketches," &c. possess but a local importance, but by a reference to the History of "Our Father-land," it will appear that at or or near Drogheda, Milesius and his followers first landed in Ireland after a hard contested struggle, in which his son, Coalpha, was either killed or drowned. Coalpha was buried near the spot where he fell, and his memory is still preserved, by his having given name to the parish of Coelp. We also find, that Drogheda was in the year 911 fortified by, and became the strong hold of Turgesius, the Dane, from which he frequently sallied, and laid waste the surrounding country. At Duleek, in the vicinity, was erected the first stone church in Ireland. Here St. Patrick it is said founded a monastery, since called the Abbey of St. Mary de Urse.

Here we also find the sovereignty of Ireland surrendered to King Richard II. by four Irish kings doing homage and fealty in the Church of Saint Mary Magdalene, in the year 1395: we find also the residence of all the archbishops of Armagh, from the days of St. Patrick until those of primate Robinson, in the close of the 18th century. Here many of the English viceroys kept their courts and held parliaments; and here was passed the famous law called "Poyning's Law," which made the Irish parliament entirely dependent on that of England, and its edicts of no effect until ratified by the English monarch. In 1641, the progress of the northern Irish, under Owen Roe O'Neill, was stopped by the resolute defence of the garrison of Drogheda; and in 1649, Cromwell here consummated an act of the most inhuman barbarity, by the slaughter of the garrison and inhabitants for their adherence to King Charles I.

Last, not least, in 1690, Drogheda resisted the attack of a division of king William's army; and within two

miles of its walls was fought the famous "Battle of the Boyne," which decided the fate of the British empire.

After this recapitulation, I think it will be admitted that Drogheda possesses something more than a local importance; and that, as I before remarked, its history is intimately blended with the ancient ecclesiastic and military history of Ireland.

I now furnish a view and description of " Magdalene's Steeple," a building which has braved the storms of above six centuries, hoping it may prove acceptable.

MAGDALENE'S STEEPLE,

OR REMAINS OF THE DOMINICAN CONVENT.

R. A.

In the north part of Drogheda, near Sunday Gate, and immediately adjoining the site of the ancient Town-wall, stand the remains of the Dominican Convent, under the invocation of St. Mary Magdalene, called also, the Abbey of Preaching Friars. It was founded A.D. 1224, by Lucas de Netterville, Archbishop of Armagh-was suppressed at the general dissolution in 1541, and is now the property of a branch of the Leigh family.

The original building, (if we may form an opinion by what remains,) appears to have been of considerable extent and magnificence; the tower, which is the only part remaining, is a lofty square structure, of light and elegant proportions, built upon, and entirely supported by a noble pointed gothic arch, the buttresses of which from their apparent slightness appear scarcely sufficient to support the superincumbent weight: this circumstance, with its present isolated state, give the tower a most singular and commanding appearance: it contains two apartments above the arch, the intervening floor being arched and groined from the angles-the groins supported by cherubs' heads, well carved in stone; the walls are perforated by eight windows, two on each side, with cut stone casings, mullions and transoms, neatly finished and ornamented; spiral stone staircase is connected with the outside of the building, the entrance to which is at a considerable distance from the ground; the masonry is remarkably firm, and in fine preservation, scarcely a stone being removed by the effects of time, although braving the storms of above six hundred years; there is, indeed, a breach in the upper part of the east side, and the mullions of one window are removed, but this is supposed to have been effected by Cromwell's cannon, in 1649, to compel the surrender of a part of the garrison who had taken refuge in it.

The church appears to have been cruciform, the tower arising from the centre; but the body of the building, and every other appendage, has been long destroyed, and that so effectually, that not even the foundations can be traced: it is probable this took place immediately after the dissolution, as we find that in 1570, the ancient monument of Richard Strongbow, earl of Chepstow, being broken to pieces by the fall of the roof of Christ Church, Dublin, Sir Henry Sidney, lord deputy, directed a monument of Thomas, earl of Desmond, then in this church, should be removed and placed instead of it, which was accordingly done: it is not probable this would have occurred if the place had not been previously desecrated; and in the most ancient paintings of Drogheda extant, particularly one in the hall of Beaulieu House, representing the siege in 1641, the tower is represented in its present isolated state, with the exception of some turrets or towers on the Town-wall, which formed the northern boundary of the church-yard, but of these turrets or wall there are not at present any remains.

The area which the church and its dependencies formerly occupied, has been parcelled into a number of small tenements, consisting of cottages with gardens attached ; over these the lofty tower rears its venerable head, and from its magnitude, and air of solemn grandeur, forms a striking contrast with the hovels which at present surround it. MAGDALENE'S STEEPLE," as it is now called, and the tower and spire of St. Peter's, of modern architecture, in the immediate vicinity, both being situated on the highest part of the ground on which Drogheda is built, form a very conspicuous and imposing object in the approach to the town in any direction.