TRAVELS

IN

IRELAND,

IN THE YEAR 1822,

EXHIBITING

BRIEF SKETCHES

OF

THE MORAL, PHYSICAL, AND POLITICAL STATE
OF THE COUNTRY:

WITH

REFLECTIONS ON THE BEST MEANS OF IMPROVING
ITS CONDITION.

BY THOMAS REID,

MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN LONDON,
AND SURGEON IN THE ROYAL NAVY;

AND AUTHOR OF TWO VOYAGES TO NEW SOUTH WALES
AND VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

That country can never prosper, where what should be the ambition of men of
honour, is considered as a disgrace.

Fox's Letter to Lord Charlemont.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR

LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN,
PATERNOSTER-ROW;

AND SOLD BY R. MILLIKEN, DUBLIN; EDWARDS AND SAVAGE,
CORK; AND S. ARCHER, BELFAST.

LONDON:

Printed by A. & R. Spottiswoode,

New-Street-Square.

TO THE READER.

EVERY man who ventures to appear before the public as an author is expected to give some account of himself, as well as his motives for trespassing on public attention: this expectation I shall endeavour not to disappoint.

As the following sheets came from the press, they were submitted for perusal to a liberal-minded friend, who, after offering his own opinion, remarked, "But the enemies of toleration will assuredly set you down as a Catholic." If that will increase their happiness, I have not the least objection; the fear of such an imputation does not greatly disturb my repose. Long experience has thoroughly convinced me, that a good Catholic is a valuable member of society in any country, though I confess, I set out in life with very different notions.

On the subject of religious persuasion, I can have no difficulty in expressing my sentiments;