LETTER XVIII.

Exemplary care of the Catholic clergy to

procure instruction for their flocks.-.

Comparison of the Irish poor with the

English poor in point of instruction.—

Personal exertions of the priests in this

respect.-Classical learning among the

peasants. The alledged want of bibles.-

Necessary precaution to render these use-

ful.-Fatal effects of neglecting this pre-

caution,

Page

179

LETTER XIX.

A water party.-Description of the beauti-

ful harbour of Cork. - Population of

Cork.--Relative proportion of Catholics

and Protestants in Ireland.-Importance

of this subject.-Causes of the increase of

Catholic population. — Increasing wealth

and political influence of Catholic mer-

chants and tradesmen,

LETTER XX.

Journey to Waterford.-Character of its in-
habitants.-Damp on all the pleasing
views in Ireland.-Impolicy of the system
of coercion.—Mischief of unequal laws.
-Imprudence of vexing the consciences
of the soldiery.-Folly and meanness of
the periodical triumphs over the Irish.-
Irritation produced by the late bills.-

195

Motives of Mr. Grattan's conduct.-

-Present disposition of the Irish Catholics.

-Inconsistency of their opponents,

APPENDIX.

LETTER I.

Occasion of the Appendix.-Journey to Wa-

terford harbour.-Musing on the shore.--

Dunbrody abbey.-Farewel view of Ire-

land.-Reflections on its calamities com-

pared with those of other countries.-

Apparent economy of Divine Providence

in dispensing them.-Lawfulness in seeking

their redress.-Effects of exclusive laws.

-Prejudices of the public.-Means taken

to inflame these.-Catechism of the charter

schools,-Comparison of this with the Ca-

tholic catechism.-Impolicy of the calum-

niating system.-Soldiers still subject to

actual religious persecution.-A general

persecution planned by a powerful noble-

man.-Controversy with Dr. Ledwich.-

Expected attacks upon the present publica-

tion. The author's present adversaries.—

Tribute to the memory of Dr. Sturges.

The Reviewers. The author's advice to

his Irish friends.—Approach to the small

light house. Its inhabitants compared

with the anchorets,

-

Page

204

219

Page

LETTER II.

-

Arrival at Milford Haven.--Description of

it.-Account of a new-built church.

Spirit of the Irish Catholics for improving

their chapels. Dimensions of those at

Waterford, Cork, and Thurles. -Chief

defect in these.-Superior beauty of the

Different

pointed style.-Origin of it.

orders of this style.-Necessity of an able

architect.-The merits of Mr. Carter.-

The Grecian style and different orders.

Due proportions of a Catholic chapel.-

Necessity of symmetry. Importance of

the altar.-Mode of decorating it.-The

tabernacle. Altar-piece. -Galleries.-

Ceiling.-Windows.-Organ and pulpit.-

Benches.-Attention to the ornamenting

of churches vindicated,

247

Is it possible," said I to my

self, as I read over the Parliamentary Debates on a late question, "that the charges against "the Catholics of Ireland, so confidently brought by one party, and so faintly denied, "if not almost conceded, by the other, can be "true? Are, then, my brethren in the sister

B