BREWER'S BEAUTIES OF IRELAND. The ILLUSTRATIONS accompanying the First Volume, are 1. View of Dublin, from the Phoenix Park. 2. Carton, Seat of the Duke of Leinster... 3. Slane Castle, Marq. of Conyngham.... 4. Glendalough... .... 5. Ballyhige Castle, Col. Crosbie 6. St. John's Abbey 7. Blarney Castle 8. Gracefield Lodge, Sheffield Grace, Esq.. 9. Thomastown Castle, Earl of Landaff... 10. Kilmallock.. 11. Boyle Abbey.. .... Co. Kildare Co. Meath Co. Wicklow Co. Kerry Co. Kilkenny Queen's County Co. Tipperary Co. Roscommon 12. Ancient Buildings, Mouth of the Shannon...... Co. Clare The INTRODUCTION will be continued in the Second and Third Volumes, and directions given for its proper arrangement on the completion of the Work. The necessary Directions to the Binder for placing the Plates in their proper places, will also be given with the last Volume. The SECOND VOLUME will be published on the 1st of June, and the THIRD with all possible Dispatch Paternoster Row, March 1, 1825. 1 TO THE FIRST VOLUME OF THE BEAUTIES OF IRELAND. WHILST submitting to the public the following sketches towards a history and description of the principal objects of topography in Ireland, I feel encouraged to hope for the indulgence of the reader, from a conviction that I have used, with a zeal of attachment to my subject, every method in my power to obtain original and correct information. But, when we duly remember the injurious neglect which such investigations experienced in Ireland, at periods most favourable to inquiry, it will be readily believed that with this hope is blended a very painful degree of apprehension. This island had no Leland or Camden to snatch from oblivion the architectural character, and the history of ecclesiastical and castellated buildings, in the 16th century, when the fabrics and records of religious institutions afforded subjects of satisfactory research; and when the harsh abodes of our feudal ancestry were only recently abandoned, with the steel encasements of those warriors, and many customs of chivalry and license, offensive to the judgment, but still imperative over the fancy. Ware, and his continuator Harris, have been said in some measure to supply this deficiency; and their labours, particularly in regard to episcopal history, are established on a firm basis of reputation. But the attention of those learned writers was not directed to topography; and their disquisitions, although assistant in parts, by no means afford a general ground-work of local history. The Monasticon of Mr. Archdall is an unhappy instance of national indifference to such works, when placed by the side of Dugdale's volumes in the sister island. In more recent times, since copiousness and accuracy of topographical illustration have been viewed as rational sources of information and amusement, in most parts of the British empire, England has produced histories and extensive descriptions, not only of her principal towns, but even of rural parishes, and villages of no important name. Among the literary labours of the same modern times, Ireland numbers only about one dozen volumes, relating to about half as many counties. But the age of indifference to works of this description, would appear to be hastening towards its close. The authors of Hibernia Antiqua et Hodierna, and the histories of Galway and Armagh, have produced books calculated to obtain national attention; and it may be confidently hoped that public approbation will encourage the prosecution of similar labours, among many native writers. The favourable reception of the work termed the "BEAUTIES of ENGLAND and WALES," consisting of Original Delineations, Topographical, Historical, and Descriptive," induced the design of a similar publication in regard to IRELAND. My attachment to the countryan admiration of its scenery-an ardent curiosity concerning its antient vestiges-and a warm respect for many of its inhabitants, inspirited me to undertake this task; and should deficiencies be ascertained, I trust that I may be allowed to plead these motives in mitigation of critical censure. The favour I solicit at the hands of one, I may hope to receive from the whole of my readers. The nature of the work is so entirely remote from subjects of party feeling, or at least is so when conducted with an honest |