by Sir Charles Coote, Bart. Mr. Hely Dutton Rev. Horace Townsend Dr. M'Parlan Rev. John Dubourdieu Mr. John Archer Mr. Hely Dutton Mr. James Rawson Rev. G. V. Sampson Dr. M'Parlan Mr. Robert Thompson Sir Charles Coote, Bart. Dr. McParlan Mr. M'Evoy Wexford Wicklow Mr. Robert Fraser These works are seldom to be met with in England; and even were they found in every library, much of the information contained in them is enveloped in theoretical schemes of farming, from which it is difficult to extract other valuable information. On this account, and that of their being the production of Irish gentlemen, a prejudice has been raised against them in Ireland, which prevents their being often consulted, and which, of course, renders them of much less utility. From my own experience I am led to consider books like men. I have met with few from which I could not select something that was valuable ;* and from the authors I have just enumerated, it will readily be conceived Dicere etiam solebat: Nullum esse librum tam malum quod non aliqua parte prodesset. Plin. Epist. lib. iii. 5. may that much valuable information was to be procured. Some of these works be imperfect in many respects, but there are others in the above list which are distinguished by peculiar merit; the unworthy and too general jealousy of Irishmen, against the productions of their countrymen, is the great obstacle to their extended circulation. Mr. Tighe's Account of Kilkenny is a perfect work of its kind; and may be considered as a model for the survey of every other county in the empire. Mr. Townsend's work would do credit to any country, the only drawback is the want of an index. The Dublin Society profess not to be accountable for the statements or opinions contained in any of these reports; but as they are printed at the instigation and expense of the society, and by it their authors are engaged, the character of this body is pledged to the country for the ability and veracity of the gentlemen employed. These reports furnish materials upon many subjects which I should have found it impossible to collect, unless I had employed as much time upon each county as I was able to afford to the whole country. I have, therefore, availed myself of their assistance, being desirous to lay the facts which they establish before the reader, who, I have no doubt, will join with me in lamenting, that the other counties have not yet experienced the same fortunate attention. Kerry, Cork, and Waterford, were surveyed more than fifty years ago by Dr. Smith, whose literary reputation has been fully established; Down, by a Mr. Harris, and by an anonymous author; and Dublin, by this latter writer, and also by Mr. Ferrar, who has written a History of Limerick. In 1772, the learned Dr. Rutty gave the world a Natural History of the County of Dublin, which is a work of great merit. Of the more recent publications, which contain topographical accounts of Ireland, I shall mention the following: Cooper's Letters on the Irish Nation. London, 1800. 2d edit. Campbell's Philosophical Survey of the South of Ireland. Dublin, 1787. The Rev. W. Hamilton's Letters on the Coast of Antrim. Duhig's Kings Inn. Dublin, 1806. Newenham's Inquiry into the Population of Ireland. London, 1805. Newenham's View of Ireland. London, 1809. The two last works are the production of a member of the late Irish Parliament. In the Appendix to the last-mentioned volume are some important Tables of Reference. I have not the honour of being personally acquainted with this gentleman, yet I am indebted to him for some important communications which I have acknowledged where they are inserted. Weld's Killarney, the elegant production of the well known American Traveller, deserves to be particularly noticed. The Rev. James Whitelaw's Essay on the Population of Dublin, printed in 1805, is a work of great labour and uncommon ability. It gives an accurate enumeration of the inhabitants of that city; and exhibits such a faithful picture of local misery, as deserves the serious attention of every legislator and political economist. The late Dr. Crump, of Limerick, and Mr. Wallace, published each an Essay; both of which were first submitted to the inspection of the Royal Irish Academy. The prize from the Society was adjudged to Dr. Crump for his learned and philanthropic labours. The subject is the " Employment of the People." I have found this Essay full of good sense and acute observation. Mr. Wallace chose a similar subject, under a different title, namely, “What Manufacture is best adapted to Ireland ?" This work did not obtain the prize; but it must be considered as a valuable addition to an Irish library. Of Coin, Money, and Circulating Medium, the well-known work of Simon, holds a most distinguished rank. Mr. Henry Parnell and Mr. John Leslie Foster have each published on the same subject in 1804. Mr. Arrowsmith has favoured me with the data upon which he has constructed his Map of Ireland, by which excellent authority I have been guided throughout my first chapter. The map, which is placed before this work, must be considered as little more than an itinerary, to guide the reader-for more accurate information reference must be made to that lately published by Mr. Arrowsmith. Mr. Carlisle's Topographical Dictionary is an important and useful production. In the spelling of proper names, I have endeavoured to follow Dr. Beaufort; but having detained the work to the latest period, in order to allow time for the receipt of information from Ireland, I am fearful that some typographical errors may have escaped, owing to the rapidity with which these volumes have been printed. It will appear that I have referred to many works, the productions of the northern countries of Europe, which have not yet been translated into our language; in such cases, I have rendered the passages that elucidated my subject with as much faithfulness as was in my power, for the accommodation of those who might not have a knowledge of the original. Having given a conscientious and full explanation of my reasons for attempting so important a work, I have little more to add; yet I hope I shall be excused for again hinting at the great importance of an undisguised developement of the truth, on a subject of such magnitude as the peace and prosperity of a whole empire. Impelled by this sentiment, I never have felt weary in the prosecution of my undertaking; this stimulant has forced me over many difficulties, and has upheld me to the end. Should these volumes, when they are before the public, satisfy in any manner the expectations of those kind friends who have encouraged and assisted me, and should my labours be of service in giving information to the statesman, the politician, or the philanthropist, I shall have a greater reward than any other circumstance can bestow. If some passages be found exceptionable, either in the opinions or the matter, I hope the reader will bear in mind the variety of the subjects, and consider that human judgment has its imperfections, and human exertions their limits. |