LETTER III.

State of literature among the Irish Catholic

Clergy at present.-The course of studies

pursued at Maynooth and the other se-

minaries.-Inquiry into the charge of pro-

selyting brought against them.-Retorsion

of this upon the Protestants and Govern-

ment of Ireland,

LETTER IV.

Lay college at Maynooth.-The necessity of

such an establishment.-Objections of Ca-

tholics against sending their children to

the Universities,

LETTER V.

Public buildings in Dublin.-General charac-

ter of the Catholic Prelates.-Misrepre-

sentation of the Catholic hierarchy.—

Groundless objections against it.-Dread-

ful consequences that would follow from

an attempt to suppress it.-Constancy of

the Catholic clergy under former religious

persecutions,

LETTER VI.

Incomparable beauty of the environs of Dub-
lin.-Character of different nations.-Na-
tive genius of the Irish.-Tribute to the
memory of Edmund Burke.-Mr. Grat-

Page

17

24

27

CONTENTS.

tan.-Amiable qualities of the Irish.-

Testimony of other writers in their fa-

tour,

LETTER VIII.

Departure from Dublin.—Memorials of the

rebellion,-and of Stonehenge.-Religi-

ous disposition of the Irish Catholics.-

What is superstition?—The exterior prac-

tices of religion necessary.—Respect of the

laity for their clergy.-Services rendered

by the latter to the former. Proposed

residence of the established clergy.-Vain

attempts of a great man to divide the

Catholic laity from the clergy.—His ser-

vices to English Catholics appreciated,

LETTER VII.

Chief fault in the character of the Irish.-

Fatal consequences of it.-Accumulated

guilt of duelling.-Implies a want of true

courage.-Easy means of putting a stop ·

to it,

45

Page

LETTER IX.

Situation of Carlow and Kilkenny.—Natural

advantages of the latter.-Inquiry into

the morality of the Irish.-Causes which

have corrupted the morals of several.-

Former injustice of the English government

and laws.-Conduct of the Orange party

A

$8

52

previously to the rebellion. Subsisting

temptations to act against conscience.-

Specific charges of immorality.—Pilfer-

ing,-Drunkenness,-Libertinism,-Per-

jury.-Peculiar inconsistency of the last

charge,

-

LETTER X.

Sir Richard Musgrave the most virulent ca-

lumniator of his Catholic countrymen.

His history of the different rebellions re-

jected by Marquis Cornwallis to whom it

was dedicated.-General idea of that work,

Instances of slander unparalleled for their

malice and absurdity. -- Horrid forgery

upon the Catholics.-Methods taken to

give it credit.-Serious advice to Sir R.

M.-Awful reflections arising from the

perusal of this forged instrument,

78

LETTER XI,

Situation of the town of Thurles.-New cha-

pel of St. Patrick. - Newest mode of at-

tacking the ancient faith.-Author of this

method.-Testimonies of the learned from

the present time up to that of St. Patrick

for the existence of this saint. Various

other proofs of this fact.-Imputation on

the memory of St. Bridget.-Proofs of its

falsehood.-Fires on Midsummer eve,

Page

63

90

CONTENTS.

LETTER XII.

Inquiry into the arguments of Dr. Ledwich

against the existence of St. Patrick.-

Misrepresentation of Catholic critics.

-The arguments in question purely nega-

tive,

-

LETTER XIII.

Various cavils of Dr. L. against the history

of St. Patrick refuted.-Pretended im-

posture of the writers of the ninth century

concerning this saint.-Similar charge

brought by Dr. L. against Christian mis-

sionaries in general.-Unfair garbling of

Catholic prayers.-Vain attempt to cajole

the Irish Catholics,

LETTER XIV.

Description of Holy Cross Abbey.-Profane

praises of Henry VIII.-Account of the

identical piece of the Holy Cross which occa-

sioned the foundation of this abbey.—Vene-

ration of the Cross of Christ vindicated.

-Appearance of the Rock of Cashel.-

State of the ancient cathedral and of Cor-

mac's chapel.-Description of the Round

Towers of Ireland.-Examination of the

different opinions concerning their use.-

The writer's decided opinion,

vii

Page

101

112

126

LETTER XV.

What species of Christianity was first esta-

blished in Ireland.-Different systems of

Archbishop Usher and Dr. Ledwich.-

Refutation of the several arguments

brought in support of the former,

LETTER XVI.

Usher denies that the ancient Christians of.

Ireland acknowledged the Pope's Supre-

macy.-Refutation of this assertion.-

Absurdities of Dr. Ledwich on this subject.

His falsification of St. Irenæus.—Ge-

neral mistake of writers concerning the

four Archiespiscopal Palls brought from

Rome to Cardinal Paparo.-The peculiar

system of Dr. L. concerning the religion

of the Culdees.-Refutation of it.-The

wrong observance of Easter a novelty in

the British churches,

Page

141

LETTER XVII.

Journey from Cashel. Description of Fer-

moy.—Comparison of the sister islands

in point of beauty.-Charms of Glen-

mire. — Enchanting view of the river of

Cork. First founders of Cork.—Esta-

blishments for the education of children.-

Ladies of the Presentation,-Ditto of the

Ursuline Institute.-Novels and theatri-

cal amusements proscribed,

154

170