this intricate subject; my only aim is to advance some detached hints respecting the diffi culties in question, and to point out the means by which they may be removed, or their influence counteracted and overcome.-A tour through that country has enabled me to prosecute inquiries which otherwise could not be conducted with the same facility and advantage. An acquaintance with the Irish language has put it in my power to enter more fully into the views and prejudices of the Irish nation, than the mere English traveller could possibly have done. My book, such as it is, I present to the public, with the sincerest desire to promote the interests of a nation, which may, at some future period, be the glory of the British empire. -- CHAP. II. THE CHARACTER OF THE IRISH. IN Ireland there are two classes of people perfectly distinct in genius, manners, customs, and dispositions, as unlike each other as the lowland: peasantry of Scotland are to that of the Highlands, or as those of England are to that of either. A stranger in that country, therefore, is in danger of falling into one of these two errors; either of forming his opinion of the national character from one of these classes; or, if he should see part of both, of imbibing prejudices from the one unfavourable to the other, and of being hurried into an erroneous conclusion from partial and imperfect observation. The Anglo-Hibernian differs more from the native Irish, than he does from the English. His character is rather complex: it is composed of qualities which are common to this country and his own, with some marked peculiarities which are distinct from either. Though he is proud of being an Irishman, he is full of prejudice against the aborigines of his country; he heartily hates their language, their customs, and their superstitions; and is not unwilling that they should be considered less friendly to the government and constitution than himself. Possessed of this violent antipathy he is little. qualified to receive accurate information, or to entertain a just opinion respecting them; and, accordingly, while he thinks he perfectly understands their character, he is really much more ignorant for the most part on this head, than the intelligent, the candid, and the unbiassed traveller. He looks with contempt on the poor unlettered native, a feeling that has "been transmitted from his ancestors, and is interwoven with his earliest associations. To this character of the Anglo-Hibernian there are obviously many exceptions. In every country there are many individuals who rise above the opinions and prejudices which characterise the multitude of their nation. The remarks which I have made on this subject are in general to be restricted in their application to the character of the people, As to the original Hibernian, his character has not been well nor generally understood, Few have examined it with friendly disposition, and still fewer have been placed in cir cumstances favourable to investigation, or have had the qualifications requisite to form a fair and impartial judgment. An original Irishman resembles in many respects a Highlander; in some grand outlines he is indeed different, but this should be attributed perhaps to his situation, which is certainly little calculated to unfold his genuine character, rather than to any great essential distinction. To a stranger altogether unacquainted with his language or customs, like a Highlander, he appears very different from what he really is; he assumes the semblance of dispositions and qualities which are not the most characteristic of his nature; and lest the dear language of his fathers, and superstitions of his earliest days, should be exposed to unhallowed ridicule, he will seem very unconcerned about either. This disposition is natural, and perhaps may be common to all nations that are much separated from foreigners, and that have only advanced to a particular stage of civilization. For though the Irishman has been surrounded during several centuries with strangers, yet jealousy and pride, and injurious treatment have confirmed him in his prejudices and have strengthened his attachment to the characteristics of his own people. This prejudice against the sons of the stranger who have settled in his country, operates much more powerfully in him than in the Highlander of the present day and it must be owned, that the latter has always had more justice done him than the former. Though I have said, that there are two classes of people in Ireland of a different origin, it should be observed, that there are three, if we include the Scots of Ulster, who settled there in the reign of Charles the first and second. They are a sober, industrious, and in general a wealthy people; proud of the name by which they are designated, and still retaining a hearty dislike to popery and all its adherents. Those counties in which they reside may easily be distinguished by the stran.ger from the advanced state of their agriculture and manufactures, and from the superior comfort and cleanliness of the inhabitants. In Ulster are to be found the three classes which divide Ireland, the native Irish, or aborigines, the Anglo-Hibernians or English settlers,and the Scots. The first class in this province, consists of servants, sometimes tenants, as in Donegal and Antrim, where they compose the greater part of the population, and in a few instances proprietors; the second class, or Anglo-Hiber. nians, belong nearly all to the description of landed gentry; and the Scots, who are both tenants and proprietors, compose, chiefly the manufacturing class. No part of Ireland is |