nantry of the wood and water may revel out their little span in unmolested enjoyment. In this peaceful retirement, where my time is neither occupied with household affairs, nor broken in upon by visitors, I hope to comply with my dear Emily's oft-repeated request, that I would search into Irish history, and let her have the fruits of my industry for the benefit of those dear children whose instruction is her first object in life. You have neither time nor patience, you say, to wade through the dry volumes which you have met with, and which are very unsatisfactory, inasmuch as they are mingled with fabulous legends. You wish to have a separation made between truth and fable, that the ardent desire of your children to learn the early history of their native isle may be satisfied. The task is difficult, from the reason you assign, namely, the mystery and fable which must involve every attempt of the kind. But is Ireland the only exception? In all which concerns the earliest history of the different nations what records are to be found, save those of holy writ, which bear the impress of truth? Very few indeed that can be depended upon: then let us be as indulgent to our own ancient records as we are to those of other countries. In my account of Ireland, I shall glean from different histories such particulars as may instruct and amuse your children, without entering into details which I find impossible to connect. In all which concerns the first introduction of Christianity, I shall chiefly confine myself to the accounts of Mr. Anderson and Henry Monck Mason, Esq., men of truth and candour, who may be relied on for admitting nothing in their details which will not bear the strictest investigation. Most of the old Irish books and manuscripts were destroyed by the incursions and devastations of different hordes of enemies; yet many were rescued, and some have even been found in Ireland; from whence, it is said, were derived the chief materials of Irish history. It is well ascertained that in the seventh and eighth centuries there were Irish missionaries in Ireland. 'Before Ireland was inhabited by the Norwegians, there were men whom the Norwegians called Papas, and who professed the Christian religion, and are thought to have come by sea from the west; for there were left by them Irish books, bells, and crooked staves, and several other things were found which seemed to indicate that they were west-men.'1 In the fifth century of the Christian era Ireland was indisputably the most celebrated country in the western world for civilization and learning. At this period the western and southern parts of the Roman empire being overrun by the Goths, Vandals, Huns, Franks, and other barbarians, partly German, partly Scythic, all kinds of learning, wherever they came, they destroyed; for which reason many of those who loved learning, and retirement from the noise and din of arms, took refuge in Ireland, a country which it was well known had never been under the Roman yoke, and therefore the barbarians made no attempt upon it. Ireland then stood alone, the seminary of literature, when all the western world had grown illiterate, barbarous, and rude. As the venerable 1 Antiquitat. Scando-Celt.'-See Moore's History of Ireland, vol. ii. p. 3. Bede has left on record, the Saxons flowed over to Ireland as to the mart of good literature; and it was a common expression, when any one went there, 'He is gone to Ireland to be bred:' as is this distich in the life of Fulgentius; 'Exemplo patrum commotas amore legendi, All the Irish Chronicles tell us of four great universities in Ireland-Ardmagha, Cashil, DundeeCathghlas, and Lismore. Both by Camden and Spencer it is asserted, that in Ireland the ancient Saxons or English first learned the art of forming letters in writing. But if the Irish were celebrated for learning from the year of our Lord 432 until the year 820, when the heathen Danes and Norwegians first made inroads, much more ought their sanctity to be celebrated and admired. The many who devoted themselves to a religious life is almost beyond credibility. St. Bernard, in his life of Malachias, relates that Ireland sent forth whole swarms of saints into other parts of the world. Eric of Auxerre writeth thus to the emperor Charles the Bald: What shall I speak of Ireland, which, setting by the dangers of the sea, flitteth all of it well nigh with whole flocks of philosophers unto our shores? Of whom so many as are more skilful and learned than the rest, do voluntarily banish themselves to attend dutifully on the wise Solomon, and be at his command.' The learned and ingenious antiquary Camden, in speaking of the Irish, says: This monastic profession was far different in those days from that of our time; they desired to be, indeed, that which they were named to be; they were far from colourable dealing or dissembling; erred they in anything, it was through simplicity, not through lewdness, much -less of wilful obstinacy. As for wealth, and those worldly things, they so highly contemned them, that they did not only seek for, but also refused the same, though they were offered unto them descended by inheritance.' • In The same author says of the same people : very late times, such as gave themselves to religion there, did mortifie their flesh even to a miracle, by watching, praying, and fasting.' And again he says: The Scottish monks in Ireland and Brittain highly excelled for their holiness and learning, and sent out whole flocks of most devout men into all parts of Europe, who were the first founders of Luxen Abbey in Burgundy, of Roby Abbey in Italy, of Witsburg Abbey in Frankland, of St. Gallus in Switzerland, of Malmesbury, Lindisfern, and many other monasteries in Brittain.' Ireland was also full of riches. Both gold and silver mines were discovered in very early times, from which were made a profusion of golden chains, worn by the princes and champions; gold rings, silver shields, &c. &c.; besides numerous utensils, dedicated to religious purposes, all made of purest gold and silver. There were also cases made for relics and for books, of the same costly metals; and, together with their internal riches, the Irish gathered in much spoil from foreign countries, and by extensive trade with France, Spain, &c. Cornelius Tacitus, in his Life of Agricola, mentions Ireland in reference to Great Britain: Melius aditus portusque per commercia et negotiatores cogniti;' which signifies, that the ports and harbours were better known by commerce and merchants than those of Britain. When the Danes had possession of the country, they demanded an ounce of gold yearly for every Irish nose, which tax by the Irish was called Vinge Oir. After all that those foreigners plundered them of, in King Henry the Second's reign, Ireland still abounded with gold. As was said by Gerald of Wales: Aurem quoque quo abundat insula.' And Hadrianus Junius: In Ireland are found veins of pure silver 'Et puri argenti venas, quas terra refossis, Authentic Irish history is dated from the building of the palace of Emania, by King Kimboath. Its site was near to that of the city of Armagh. The princes of Ulster kept their court at this splendid palace, who from the period of its erection were called the kings of Emania. It was the residence of the knights of the Red Branch, celebrated in the songs of the bards and sennachies for their feats in a war between Connaught and Ulster of seven years' duration. One of these far-famed heroes, named Cuchullin, received the order of knighthood when only seven years old. At this time, in Ireland, it was no uncommon occurrence to confer the order of knighthood at this early age. There are numerous remains of ancient raths, or hill-fortresses, which must have been the dwellingplaces of the old Irish chiefs before the erection of cities. |