have carried levity too far; I can only say, in excuse, that the History of Ireland is a melancholy history, and that he who contemplates it must be merry, if he would not be mad. When the cypress at every step waves mournful over our heads, we may be allowed, without harsh censure, to turn a little aside, to pluck the violet and daisy which grow near our path. I might further urge, that my little work was written on my recovery from severe illness, and that glad release from the confinement of a sick chamber, and gay interchange of hill and valley, gave me an hilarity of heart which I rarely ever had before, and never have had since. But be its faults what they may-and, like every human production, it doubtless has many -it is, I flatter myself, in connexion with its Continuation in 1812, the most faithful representation that has ever yet been given of a large portion of the Irish people; and I say this with the less scruple, because accident, more than any merit of my own, has had share in this. I left Ireland early; I lived out of it long; my prime of life (and in no other respect do I compare myself with the great man who first said this) was " spent in wandering and in care:" I passed several years in distant lands; and when the state of my health would no longer allow me to discharge the duties of my situation, I returned home, with the strongest testimonials of my services, that perhaps were ever bestowed on an individual of my profession and rank. In my frequent visits to this country, I carefully examined various parts of it, and have often resided at the sequestered spot where I write this; but ever regarding myself as a stranger and sojourner, and belonging to no party, sect, club, or denomination of any kind. Even under these circumstances, it would be presumptuous in me to say that I have none of those national predilections, which time and distant association, though they weaken, rarely thoroughly destroy; but I can confidently declare, that if, in what I have written, I have been led astray by any motive of prejudice or partiality, I am myself unconscious of it: I think I have represented things as they were; I am sure I have represented them as they appeared to me to be. In the same spirit was written "Sketches in 1812;" (those in 1818 were only gleanings, perhaps, of an over-reaped field ;) which, should I be enabled to lay them again before the Public, will form, with the present volume, a complete picture of the Presbyterians of the North of Ireland. In the mean time, I shall appeal to those who have favoured that work with a perusal, whether I have not-particularly in the concluding chapter-predicted much of what has since occurred in Ireland; and whether I have not pointed to the remedy (if indeed there be a remedy), in the direction in which able statesmen have subsequently sought it. Strabane, June, 1826. CONTENTS. Departure from London-Stage-coach reflections-Irish passen- Foster-Public distress-Loyalty of the Common Council- Theatre-Mr. Daly-The Belle's Stratagem-Mrs. Siddons— Style of living in Dublin-Society-Professional men-Bar- Departure from Dublin-Meeting with an officer-Author's re- miniscences of the expedition to Holland in 1799—A young lady's appetite-Stage-coach conversation-Antiquity of the Remarks on the catholic service-Obelisk on the Boyne-Battle Story of Jenny Cassidy-Force of opinion among the Irish- Taste in colours-Importance attached to breeches-Mrs. Foster-Irish religion-Mr. Foster's seat at Cullen-Com- |