94

Approach to the Irish Shore.

more general exertion; and as Ireland possesses such natural advantages, and such numerous facilities for the promoting of commerce, she cannot fail to reap a full share of whatever benefits may hereafter accrue to the empire. From these and other considerations of no less importance, the bias of my mind was decidedly in favour of the union; and it will require arguments of a most convincing nature to induce me to believe it can ultimately prove otherwise than beneficial to Ireland.

So entirely had my mind been absorbed in revolving this great political question, that time past unheeded, and I did not perceive our near approach to the shore till the report of a cannon roused me from the reverie into which I had fallen, and which, I fear, you may by this time have cause to regret was of so long duration.

Parties were soon on board the packet from each of the inns, the representations of their respective abundant comforts left us nothing to wish in addition. The colouring of the competitors was so gaudy as to be scarcely fit to impose upon the most credulous traveller; for with all the native modesty they could assume, it was with difficulty they could put a serious face on their obliging importunities. The Irish

Importunities of Irish Inn-keepers. 95

are certainly naturally eloquent-always cheerful-frequently witty-and ever disposed to joke. The advice of Mr. Gordon, however, decided us. "He who expects nothing can never be disappointed." The moderation of our hopes was a security against their being defeated. It was too dark for observations on what surrounded us. Comfort in a sea-port town, whether in Ireland or England, is rarely to be found. The people, however, were very civil, and fatigue made any spot welcome which promised us the luxury of sleep.-To which, after this further encroachment on your patience and good humour, it is but fit that, in charity, I should most cordially commend you. Adieu.

J. C. C.

LETTER X.

Belfast, August 20, 1813.

You must frequently, I conceive, have been struck with the contrast observable in portraits of the same person by different masters. The resemblance strong in each, but with dissimilar expression of character. The painter who seizes one prominent feature produces a caricature: a correct likeness requires each feature to have its due share of expression, or in other words, the presence of the mind as operating on it. In this consists the ability of the artist; without a delineation of mind, the resemblance is imperfect. This is equally applicable to portraits of countries as of persons.

To paint faithfully, a correct eye, strong powers of discrimination, fidelity and feeling, combined with patience, are requisite. The union of such qualities is rare, and falls to the lot of few; and thus may we account for the daubs which are so frequently to be met with in both instances. Do not suppose me so much the dupe of vanity as to hope I can present you

Difficult to pourtray the Irish.

97

with more than very imperfect sketches. To attempt the production of a likeness, which should please more than one party in Ireland, I believe to be utterly impossible.

Such appears to be on all occasions the contrariety of sentiments, that the most ingenious attempts to reconcile them would be found to be unavailing. It is with great difficulty I can suppose either party really think so ill of the other as they profess, or believe all the good, they are so fondly disposed to attribute to themselves. My qualifications and abilities for discriminating may be fairly doubted, but the sincerity of my motives cannot be questioned; and unfettered as my opinions now are, with political interest or party influence, by agreeing with neither I hazard offence to both. On the subject of the union you are already in possession of my sentiments-on the Catholic emancipation I shall find some appropriate occasion to become explicit. Every individual here is enlisted as a champion on the one side or the other. The natural warmth, or rather violence of temper, disqualifies the Irish to think so sedately as to ensure temperate discussions on public questions, much less on those in which they are so nearly and deeply interested.

98 Prevailing Prejudices against the Irish.

It is humiliating to contemplate the preju dices which have prevailed from the earliest times against the Irish. John Derriche wrote and published a poem on Ireland, in 1581, dedicated to "Philip Sidney, Esq.”

From the "Epistle Dedicatorie," I have extracted sufficient to show what was the spirit of the author agreeable to, and encouraged by, the then ruling powers. "Truth is, my very good Ledies of credit, vain, being given to the artificer simply as he meaneth, the substance is all one, the matter I mean to the very title of that which is here called Woodkarne, who dis allowing their knavishe manner affirme their dissolute life, and inordinate living fitter to pertain unto infidelities and heathen, than for those which, in any respect, professe the name of Christe (and what Christians these are, right honourable, judge ye), wherefore be not then offended, O ye defenders of virtue and embracers of civility, that I should so loathe and inveigh those base unseemly manners, setting out in lively profiture, in contemplating the same, both their shape and execrable occasions (for in very truth) my hate dooeth detest those wild shamrocke manners, yea so much, that rather because there is no society or fellowship