12. TRAVELLING. All that used to be so uncomfortable and ludicrous in Irish posting, has disappeared, and, in the frequented parts, the traveller finds good roads, vehicles, and accommodations. The inns, indeed, are inferior to those in England, and in the more humble kinds, it is not unusual to see a sign which promises the traveller dry lodgings,' or 'entertainment with beds.'

In the remote parts, the traveller must shift as he can, and he must sometimes travel on a small car with very low wheels. Some of these have but a flat bottom, fastened upon the axletree. The jaunting-car, in which the common people of Dublin take their family excursions, is a large cart, that will carry a great many people, who sit on two long seats and ride sideways.

13. CHARACTER, MANNERS AND CUSTOMS. It must be admitted, that the sway of the British Government in Ireland has been of a kind to depress the spirit and debase the character of the people. It has been thought to be a good measure for the security of the union, to keep the Irish ignorant and poor, rather than intelligent and prosperous. Disabilities political, civil and ecclesiastical, have been imposed upon them, and it is only of late that they have been in some degree emancipated. The country has been divided, and sometimes by the policy of the government, into internal parties, which have committed the most ferocious murders and massacres. These, however, have been the effects of oppression, acting upon a temperament naturally ardent, rather than the outbreak of a character, in itself cruel and ferocious.

The Irish then, are ardent, brave, generous, and to a great degree faithful to their trusts. Of this latter trait, many instances have occurred in the course of the various armed, and other political associations in which they have been engaged. They are cheerful, and no people will on festivals so completely throw off all remembrance of care, to enjoy the passing hour. They are however easily offended and prompt to resentment: duels are not rare among the gentry, or less dangerous appeals to force, unfrequent among the lower class. The club under the name of a shillala is a general accompaniment at fairs, where it is sometimes put to other uses than those of a staff. This facility with which the Irish fall into anger, was supposed by some writers to have supplied the name of their country; Ireland or Land of Ire. Selfishness, however, hardly enters into their composition, and it is so much an Irishman's impulse to give, that charity in him is scarcely a virtue. He has indeed little to bestow, but in times of plenty, or famine, and at all times, the beggar is held to have as good a title to whatever the cabin contains, as the master himself.

An Irishman has great quickness of apprehension, and it appears in nothing more than in sudden retorts and repartees. It may almost be affirmed of him that,

'He never said a foolish thing
And never did a wise one.'

The very beggars have a natural eloquence and tact, that is irresistible; and when solicitation fails, they employ no measured degree of sarcasm or imprecation. They have indeed great incitement to importunity, for a penny is a provision for a day. Girls and boys will run by the side of a stage coach for half a dozen miles, in the hope of a few halfpence from the passengers. In Scotland it is rare to find an importunate beggar, or in Ireland one of any other description.

To a stranger, the common Irish are obliging and civil, and in this respect are different from the same class in England. Nothing can be more rude and insolent than the boys and men of the lower class in the latter country. In Ireland you can hardly ask a favor within the power of an individual, that is not cheerfully granted. An Irishman is loquacious and has sometimes a strange confusion of speech, or a sort of transposition of ideas, known as a bull. He speaks as he acts, upon the first impulse, and begins to express a

thought the moment it strikes him, and sometimes before he understands what it is. His mind is a mirror, and his speech discloses all the figures, whether distinct or confused, that pass before it. He generally answers a question, not like a New England man, by asking another, but by repeating it. When a traveller inquires for post horses he will get this reply; is it post horses you are asking for? we have.' The Irish are a people of great humor and wit, and Steele, Goldsmith, Farquhar, Sheridan, Curran, Grattan, and Swift were natives of Ireland.

The domestic affections are strong in the Irish, and there is not in the whole island, so much desertion of parents by children, or of children by parents, as there is evidence of in England, within the walls of one poor-house. Orphans are distributed among the cabins, where there is little distinction made between them and the children of the family. There is little reverence or affection in the lower class, towards the gentry, and the Irish peasant unlike the English, will seldom salute on the road, one of the higher orders; where many of the landlords are absentees, there can be little kindly feeling between them and the tenants; and the leases are often held by middle men who underlet the lands to those who cultivate them. Though many of the leases are sufficiently long for the advantage of the cultivators, there are few who will make improvements. In the general estimation, a slight advantage today overbalances a greater one that may accrue tomorrow. Of course, under such discouragements, the Irish are not greatly inclined to agricultural labor, and they take every advantage of the holidays in which the Romish church is so liberal. A traveller asked one of the considerable tenants why he made no improvements and received the general answer, 'Sure I've only 21 years' lase, and nine years of it gone, and to make the ground better, would be raising the rint on myself, and I wish to kape the bit of ground at the rint for the childer any how.' Ireland is the country of expedients: the remedy for bad fences is to tie together the legs of quadrupeds, with ropes of straw; two goats are as inseparably yoked as Chang and Eng, and even fowls are fettered. A sheep is connected by a running ring to a rope, which is tied to two stakes, and removed when the pasturage is consumed.

The higher orders of the Irish are distinguished for hospitality and frankness. They are much given to convivial pleasures, and one of the most favorite employments is that of a wine merchant.

Our remarks, however, on the Irish character, are chiefly drawn from those who make by far the greatest class. The Irishman who would advance his fortunes must pass beyond the limits of his country: and those of his country are found high in station in every nation in Europe. The qualities that depress him at home, elevate him abroad.

In the northern and northeastern portions of the island, the inhabitants are chiefly of Scottish descent; they are Protestants: many of them belong to the Church of England, and others are Presbyterians. There is little difference of character between these and the people of Scotland.

14. AMUSEMENTS. The Irish are a very cheerful people, and dancing is the favorite national amusement. There is no assemblage of the common people without a dance, and few are so poor as not to entertain a dancing master, whose charges however are exceedingly low. The athletic exercises which are general in England, are many of them common in Ireland. Sunday is the day which is most devoted to amusements among the catholics; and two baronies or counties will sometimes have their champions for hurling stones, or pitching bars. The Sunday cake never fails in its attractions. This is a huge cake purchased by subscription, and placed on a distaff, in a field near an alehouse: and it is the prize of the best dancer, or archest wag, of the company. The piper is a necessary part of the festival, and he is seat-. ed on the ground, with a hole dug before, in which he receives the presents. 15. EDUCATION. The condition of the Irish has been much improved, with regard to the advantages of education, though there is much to be done before

they will be as well educated as the people of Scotland. In 1825, there were 1702 schools, though since then, the number has much increased. More than 1300 were founded by the Hibernian Society which was formed at London. The Protestant Society has upwards of 500 schools, and the Christian Brotherhood, twenty four. These are kept by men who throw all they have into a common stock, and devote themselves to celibacy, and the education of the poor, to which they bind themselves by a vow. There are 46 female schools connected with nunneries, besides which there are 350 day schools supported by subscription, and many Sunday schools. There is a Roman Catholic College at Maynooth and Carlow, and a Jesuit college at Clongows. There is but one University; this is at Dublin, it has about 400 students and is an institution of very high character.

16. STATE OF THE ARTS. The arts are not in a flourishing state in Ireland, principally from the want of the encouragement that the residence of the rich proprietors would give. The useful arts are far lower than in England or Scotland, and the ornamental ones are little cultivated. A taste for music is common, and no man is more welcome in an Irish house than a piper or a harper. Many of the old national airs are sweet, but they are not so widely spread as those of Scotland.

Ireland has contributed her full share to the literature and sciences of the United Kingdom, and there are no names more celebrated than Burke, Swift, Goldsmith, Sheridan, and Moore. The great national bent of genius seems to be towards wit and eloquence, and this appears not only in the distinguished men, but in the mass of people; for the very beggars pursue their vocation with a union of these two qualities that is often irresistible.

17. RELIGION, &c. The general religion is the Catholic, though the established church is that of England. The Catholics of Ireland are therefore taxed for the support of two hierarchies. Four fifths of the inhabitants are catholics and the other fifth is composed principally of episcopalians, presby terians, methodists and baptists. The established church has 4 archbishoprics, and 22 bishoprics; attached to eleven of the latter, are 418,872 acres of! land. There are 33 catholic archbishops and bishops, 1500 parish priests, 3000 curates, and 984 benefices, averaging 6000 souls. In every parish, there is a chapel. The established church is chiefly supported by the payment of a composition for tythes, and the catholic church by contributions and fees for marriages, burials, masses, &c. The Irish pay their own clergy willingly, but they look upon the money which goes to the English clergy, as cruel extortion. The last cow and the last pig are often forced away by the officer to satisfy the demand of an English clergyman whose doctrines they disbelieve, and from whom they receive nothing but evil. The catholic religion and the catholic clergy afford them their best comforts and consolations; while the protestant religion is made to bring upon them their greatest sufferings. It is but natural that they should cling to the first, and hate the last. The catholic clergy are exceedingly zealous, and live on terms of familiarity with their flocks. They advise them on worldly affairs, and generally act as their lawyers. The churches have few pictures or images. The stipend of a priest is about £150 a year. The fee for a marriage is from 5s to a guinea; for a christening from 2s to half a crown; for visiting the sick 1s, and for burials and masses, from 2s to several pounds.

18. FUNERALS. The funerals of the common Irish are peculiar. They are preceded by a wake, where the friends sit up all night with the corpse, eating and drinking, as if on an occasion of festivity. Female mourners are paid for the ulalulu, or howling at the burial; a custom which is common in some eastern countries. They address questions to the corpse, as 'why did you die, or why did you leave us?' The processions are long and clamorous. Many who walk in them are covered with long blue cloaks.

19. GOVERNMENT. Ireland is still denominated a distinct kingdom, but it is governed by a viceroy appointed by the king, called Lord Lieutenant of Ire

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land. There is also an Irish chancellor, a secretary of state, commander of the forces and attorney general. The island was incorporated with the kingdom of Great Britain, in 1800. There is now no separate parliament, but Ireland is represented by 32 peers and 100 members of the House of Commons in the parliament of Great Britain. The citizens of Ireland are entitled to the same privileges with those of England, in all matters of commerce and provisions under treaties. By the catholic emancipation bill, certain restraints and disabilities are removed. This bill was passed in the year 1829, and by it, all catholics are eligible to all offices of state, except the chancellorship, the lordlieutenancy of Ireland, the Regency of the United Kingdom, and the High Commission of the church of Scotland. Catholics are still excluded from the right of presenting to a church living. Connected with the emancipation bill, was another law, which disfranchised the 40 shilling freeholders, and raised the qualification of electors to an income of 10 pounds, from real estate.

20. BANK. There is a national bank at Dublin, called the Bank of Ireland, with the capital of 3 millions sterling. Its profits arise from a trade in bullion, and the discounting of bills of exchange. It is under the superintendence of a governor, deputy governor, and 15 directors, all chosen yearly.

21. LAWS. Generally the laws are the same with those of England. There are however no poor laws, and the indigent have no aid but from charity; Ireland is therefore the country for mendicity.

22. ANTIQUITIES. In the north of Ireland, are several of the round towers, that are found in Scotland; but there are few architectural or other antiquities in the island.

23. HISTORY. In the earliest period of Irish history, of which we have any knowledge, this country appears to have been divided among several petty chieftains, some one of whom frequently assumed, but could never support the title of king of Ireland. The Saxons, Norwegians and Danes, invaded Ireland in the early times, but Henry II. of England subdued most of the country in 1172. Attempts were made at a revolt, and the assistance of the Scotch was called in the Irish offered their crown to the brother of Robert Bruce in the beginning of the 14th century, but failed to achieve the independence of their country. From this time, Ireland was rent by continual discords and rebellion, and three centuries passed away before the English power was firmly established. Although subdued, the Irish were ever ready for revolt, and the English, by treating the country as a conquered province, gave rise to that hatred between the two nations, which subsists undiminished to the present time. Until the beginning of the present century Ireland was a distinct kingdom, with a parliament and laws, peculiar to itself. The country revolted in favor of James II. in 1689, and a rebellion had well nigh succeeded in 1798 with the aid of the French. In 1800, Ireland was united to the kingdom of Great Britain.

CHAPTER LVIII. THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT
BRITAIN AND IRELAND.

1. ISLANDS. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland is composed of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland with the islands lying upon their shores already described, the Isle of Man and the Anglo Norman Islands. The Isle of Man lies between England, Scotland and Ireland; the nearest is Scotland, which is 12 miles distant. It is 30 miles long, and less than half as broad. A mountain, called Snafel, occupies the centre; the soil is tolerably fertile, but the summer is without heat. Its population is about 40,000. Douglas, the chief town, has 6,000 inhabitants. This island long continued

a distinct kingdom, and the sovereignty was purchased a few years since by the king of England. It still retains some peculiar privileges. The island had also a language of its own, called Manks.

The Anglo Norman Islands lie upon the coast of France, and are a remnant of the British dominion over the ancient Duchy of Normandy. They are Jersey, Guernsey, Sark, and Alderney. The largest is about 12 miles in length. Guernsey and Jersey are covered with orchards, and the latter has produced 24,000 hogsheads of cider in a year. The town of St Helier in this island contains 7,000 inhabitants. The population of all the islands is about 50,000. The inhabitants enjoy great political liberty, and their laws are based upon the ancient Norman customs, but an appeal lies from their courts to the king in council. Their language is French, and no act of parliament is binding upon them until sanctioned by their magistrates. They are exempt from naval and military service, and their commerce is unshackled; the free port of St Helier allows them an open trade with the enemies of Great Britain, even during war.

2. BOUNDARIES. The British Islands are bounded by the North Sea on the north; the German Ocean washes the eastern shores. On the south, they are divided from France by the English channel, which extends 350 miles from northeast to southwest. Between Dover and Calais it is narrowed to a strait 25 miles in width, but this widens toward the Atlantic. At the entrance from the west, are the Eddystone rocks, 14 miles from the English coast. A lighthouse upon these rocks, has long withstood the tremendous violence of the

sea, which often during a storm buries the lantern in its waves. St George's Channel and the Irish Sea constitute a navigable gulf of irregular dimensions, between Great Britain and Ireland, open both to the north and south. The western shores of the British Islands are washed by the Atlantic.

3. GOVERNMENT. These islands are under one government. The peculiarities of each division have already been pointed out. The parliament of England, or as it is now called, the Imperial Parliament, is the sole legislative body. The form of government combines, according to theory, the three principles of monarchy, aristocracy and democracy. The powers of the king, as described in the chapter upon England, apply to the whole empire. The right of voting for members of parliament, depends on the customs of each particular part of the kingdom."

*Expenses of Government. The expenditure of the government for the year ending Jan. 5th, 1830, were £54,223,414. The civil list, or allowance to the king, is £1,057,000; but there are many pensions paid out of this sum. The army costs annually £7,709,372. The navy £5,909,339. The ordnance department £1,569,150. The salary of Prime Minister, 25000; of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland £23,153. The coronation of George IV. cost