which it will be found to combine. A brief outline of its plan will best supersede description. It is divided into THREE PARTS. The FIRST PORTION contains a faithful and connected narration of the Historical Events of Ireland, from the earliest period of authentic record-down to the present year. Nothing has been omitted that deserves to be remembered; nothing misrepresented; nothing extenuated. The SECOND PART contains a Geographical and Statistical Account of Ireland. The authorities for the preceding portion have been partly enumerated; those which were consulted in this are, Dr. Beaufort's Memoir of a Map of Ireland, a highly valuable work; Weld's Lakes of Killarney; Young's Tour in Ireland; Hamilton's Letters; and the very copious and important publication of Mr. Wakefield, recently published, on the statistical and political features of the country. These, with some minor sources of information, were diligently examined in preparing the second division of this work. The THIRD PART is devoted to a familiar, and, it is hoped, interesting view of the Li terature, Manners, Customs, &c. of the Irish. people. Under this head are comprised a general inquiry into the merits of their great literary characters, and specimens of the forensic and senatorial eloquence of their Grattans, their Currans, their Floods, their Burghs, &c. Anecdotes of the great leaders in the political theatre of Ireland, during the last fifty years, are also introduced, and lively as well as faithful pictures of a people, curious, beyond any other, perhaps, in many of their most distinguishing characteristics. Each of these divisions is brought down to the present time; and it may be confidently asserted, therefore, that the whole presents such a comprehensive view of Ireland, as has never been attempted with regard to that or perhaps any other country. CONTENTS ΤΟ Importance of Irish history-Causes of the slow pro- gress of civilization in that Country-Description of the people in Queen Elizabeth's time-Kerns- Bards-The various uses of the mantle-Obscu- PAGE CONTENTS. sent division into counties when completed-Enu- meration of them-Early traditional history- PAGE First interference of the English with respect to the affairs of Ireland-Irish gallantry and intrigue, the cause of that interference-Arrival of Henry II. in 1172-His proceedings-Summons a synod at -Cashel-English form of government introduced among the followers of Henry; but restricted, at last, to what was called the Pale-Several acts and Heury IV.-Viceroyship of the Duke of Lan- caster-Reigns of Henry V. and VI.-Popularity of the Duke of York as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland -Reigns of Edward IV. V. and Richard III. Henry VIII.-The importance of his reign-Great events that took place during the 15th and 16th centuries-The protestant religion attempted to be introduced into Ireland-Reflections upon the policy of this measure, and the present disqualifications attached to the Catholics-Error of Dr. Mosheim with respect to the Ecclesiastical history of Ireland Accession of James I.-His endeavours to conciliate the Irish-The Earl of Chichester defeats this design-Sham plot fomented by him-James adopts the favorite scheme of transplanting English and Scotch settlers to Ireland-Encourages Chi- chester in his proceedings-Contumelious recep- tion of the Irish deputies-Reflections upon the |