therefore mentioned to him, that although I could not conceive why the government should have thought it necessary to proceed so harshly, yet that I was sensible of the handsome manner in which I had been so far conveyed, and hoped it would continue to the end of my voyage. I shall presently state to you with candour how far it did and how far it did not.

I was so far indulged, during my stay in Falmouth, as to be allowed to walk with my conductor through the fields, along the rocks, or wherever fancy led. And besides that the inhabitants of this little town had a certain character of benevolence, that it is remarkable for the simple rustic beauty of its women, there was a circumstance which gave it still more interest in my imagination; for, nearly twenty years ago, when full of the ardour of youth, I was proceeding on my first voyage to America, by invitation of my uncle, colonel Sampson, to that county of North Carolina which still bears his name, and was put by adverse winds into this very port. During several weeks that I was detained, my delight had been to explore the wild beauties of the country.

As at this time there was nothing in the personal treatment I received that had any tendency to sour me, so I encouraged every agreeable idea that presented itself. I had several instruments of music, and I had a portfolio with some implements for drawing; and in Falmouth I made a portrait of my guardian in crayon, with his greyhound, (the badge of his office,) which at the same time served as an occupation for me, and a compliment in return for his civilities. He had it framed on his return, and hung up in his parlour, which, from its slight merit, was the greater compli

ment.

It has been said by the first of poets," Seldom has the steel'd gaoler been the friend of man." But here was one, however strict in the execution of his office, who had a tender heart. He once, with tears in his eyes, begged of me to accept from him a hundred

pounds, which he laid down before me; and that my refusal might not wound him, I was obliged to assure him that I was nearly as rich as himself, and to remind him, that in the mean time the government was good enough to treat us both, and I applied the words of the poet,

"He that doth the ravens feed,

Doth cater for the sparrow and the dove."

My wife continued to lodge with Mrs. Sparrow until her leaving London, long after I had sailed, so much reason had she to be contented with her entertainment.

On the 12th of May I was conducted on board the Windsor Castle packet, and set sail with a fair wind for the city of New York.

The society of a fellow-passenger, captain Davy, of the 29th regiment, and the politeness of captain Sutton, of which I cannot say too much, rendered the former part of the voyage agreeable; but during the latter part the weather was bad, and my health began again to decline. During the few days we staid at Halifax, I was forbidden to go on shore, which mortified my curiosity more than my pride, and I suppose was intended as a mortification; for the most narrow suspicion or contemptible jealousy could scarcely imagine any mischief I could do, were I ever so inclined.

On the 4th of July, a day ever memorable in the annals of America, I arrived in the waters of the Hudson, but I did not reach the city until most of its inhabitants had retired to rest. And now that my travels are at an end, that I am at length arrived in a land of peace and liberty, let us for a while repose.

I shall shortly take up my pen again to give such answer as I can to that serious question, "the true causes of the wretchedness and troubles in Ireland ;" but not without the disquieting apprehension, that those troubles and that wretchedness may be revived, even whilst my pen runs on.

The view I shall take of this

mournful subject shall be rapid, for the time I have to bestow upon it is short. I shall attempt nothing but the outlines and principal results. If they should awaken your soul to sympathy, and stimulate your curiosity to further inquiry, they will have answered a good end. If they can reclaim you or any good man from delusion, on a subject at this juncture infinitely important, and eminently connected with the welfare of the human race, I shall not have written in vain. If I should once prevail so far, I shall then earnestly recommend to your perusal the work of Mr. Plowden, which, however undigested, and, perhaps, faulty in point of induction, is yet, considering the short time in which it was compiled, and the many disadvantages of writing such a history, an honourable monument to the industry and integrity of its author.

LETTER XXXII.

Causes of the troubles in Ireland-A brief review of Irish history.

IN what manner to treat this subject, how to wade through oceans of iniquity and bloodshed; how to relate the long uninterrupted calamities of the most oppressed of nations; if there be any way of passing over this without sinking the mind into the gloom of tragedy, let us seek it, for my heart has already bled enough. Let us rather travel lightly over the vantage grounds of this history than descend into the dismal vale of death.

Perhaps, if the feelings of generous indignation could be so far subdued, the most beneficial moral that could be extracted from the Anglo-Irish tyranny

would be its absurdity. There are men of ambition so depraved who would rejoice to be called wicked, if with that they could appear what the corruptions of the world, and the servility of historians have denominated great. But these same men would never have courage to consummate their crimes, were they taught that these crimes would render them contemptible, and still more ridiculous. Let us, then, I pray you, take that view which may be most useful, and will be least dispiriting. Give me your hand; let us call this an historical ramble, let us avoid all tedious method and detail, and if there be few flowers let us cull the fruit.

Irish antiquity *-—An historical ramble.

I often wonder why men set so much value upon ancestry. For as all moralists agree that fraud and violence prevail in this life over gentleness and virtue, so to say that we had great ancestors, is too often the same as to say that we descend from great knaves. However, if it be a boast, the Irish, like other nations,

*As the author rests the vindication of his motives for joining with the United Irishmen on his views of Irish history, it is but fair to give his sketch of that unfortunate country's calamitous annals; the more especially as the facts of its misgovernment, though sufficiently notorious, are denied frequently by some of the Irish factions with a hardihood of assertion, that denying the existence of the sun would scarcely parallel. But at the same time, the editor must not be understood to pledge himself for the perfect accuracy and still less for the completeness of Mr. Sampson's sketch; it is not true that there was always a clear case of wrong on the part of the English government, and of right on the part of its Irish subjects; the conduct of the popular leaders in the various struggles between the partisans of the ascendency and the great body of the people, often displayed circumstances of wanton provocation, as unnecessary as they were unwise, and afforded grounds of suspicion not wholly imaginary.

have their origin in the clouds. I respect the researches of antiquarians, because they open interesting prospects of human things, enlarge our narrow views, andare auxiliaries to philosophy and truth. But as to any view of civil polity, or any right one nation has to usurp upon another, because it is more ancient, they are absurd. Indeed, the antiquity claimed by the Indians, and other nations of the East, are good arguments to silence all who can make no pretensions beyond the creation. Therefore, our business is to skip at once over the creation and the deluge, and begin where profit begins.

One historian has made of Ireland, the Ogyges, the Ultima Thule, the island of Calypso, and more, which I have forgotten; I have only my frail memory to consult.

Of the origin of the Milesian race, and the Irish Language.

Before I enter upon this important office of tracing the descent of the Irish monarchs, I will, as the historian's titles may reflect upon his works, proffer my own more modest claims of ancestry.

It is some years since one of my uncles delivered to the dowager lady Moira, a pedigree authenticated by the herald's office, wherein our line was traced through Joseph of Arimathea. How much higher it went I do not remember, but as that ancestor may stand well with Jew or Gentile, I am not too proud to abide by him, if you think it dignity sufficient to qualify me to be the herald of the Irish kings.

For the same good reason that we skipped over the creation, and jumped across the deluge, we will, with your leave, pass by the Parthalonians, Nemedes, Belgians, Dannonians, Galenians, and Davans, all Asiatic Scythians, as they say, who arrived at different times; when, I will not declare; nor, indeed, if I would, could I.

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