classes of the two countries. The view I then took of their respective conditions appeared so questionable to many individuals, that it revived my former desire to speak of Ireland and its inhabitants as I had found them. At this moment I am further induced to give my observations publicity, under an impression that, in the discussions now likely to take place on the Poor Laws, it may not be unimportant to call the public attention to this established fact, that the Irish peasantry depending solely on themselves, and possessing the necessaries of life in a much less proportion than falls to the share of those numerous parties who receive parish relief in England, are, in point of happiness, vastly their superiors. The cause of this is evident their independency of mind supports them under all their privations, and gives them the full power of enjoying the social affections, which the great moralist and philosopher Dr. Paley considers the primary source of human happiness. PREFACE. I am aware, that the want of incident and anecdote with which the following diary is chargeable, will be considered as objectionable by those who read purely for amusement; but to that class of readers who compassionate the unmerited sufferings of mankind, who may be desirous of ascertaining the true character and condition of so large a portion of British population, who may be not less desirous of becoming acquainted with their present miserable existence, than feelingly alive and anxiously solicitous for their relief, it is possible the following pages may not be uninteresting. The means for accomplishing so desirable an end are not easily devised; yet I would fain hope that every information, however trifling, which may tend to a correct knowledge of the present wretched condition of the people, and the extreme natural fertility of the soil, may prove an excitement to the benevolent and patriotic, and dispose them to consider that vi PREFACE. both are entitled to their most serious atten tion. ,,་ The transitory view I was enabled to take can only be regarded as furnishing a hasty sketch of either, and is liable to the correction of the better informed: yet, I trust, it may be sufficient to produce on the minds of others the important conviction established in my own, that nothing can so effectually promote the moral and political improvement of Ireland, and so essentially serve the first and best interests of both contries, as a cordial co-operation and union of sentiment. In venturing to offer my cursory observations to public view, I have been actuated by no motive save that of an earnest desire to awaken the consideration of England to the beneficial effects, which, on an improved state of its internal policy, would result to both countries, and on a conviction that a principal part of the existing prejudices against Ireland have their foundation in an ignorance of the true character of the people, and the abundant resources of that luxuriantly fertile, yet ill-fated country. As the contents of the Acre in Ireland materially differ from those of England and Scotland, I have subjoined Tables by which the relative value of English, Scotch, and Irish acres, in the currency of Great Britain and that of Ireland-as also of the weight of crops produced on each, ascertained by that of a single square yard, may be seen at one view. The acre, unless where it is otherwise specified, is to be considered of Irish measure, and the rent of Irish currency; the Cunningham is the Scotch acre. |