controversy spring up, and not without acrimony, even from the ashes of queens Elizabeth and Mary. In my childhood, I remember well, the first impressions which I received with any permanency of parts of the English history, were from the historical plays of Shakspeare. There is no young mind so unmusical, as not to be sensible to the harmony of numbers; and there is little doubt but that such a summary as is here recommended, if executed with brilliancy, would not only be the best vehicle to communicate early knowledge, but to rouse young faculties to the further pursuit of such subjects: Os tenerum pueri balbumque poeta figurat. Even verses merely descriptive, which are certainly the most fugitive, dwell long upon the recollection; when facts, character, and colouring, are all blended in the same piece, the picture never vanishes. Old age seldom forgets the songs of its youth. youth. There is a sort of mechanical reason for this, which though palpable enough when mentioned, may not perhaps occur immediately: in retaining a sentiment or proposition conveyed in verse, especially rhymes, we have a double advantage; the memory is assisted by the ear, and the ear by the memory. We know the thought must be contained within a certain number of metrical feet; and if we are at a loss to recover the one, by pondering a little upon the other, we become masters of both with accuracy. It is not the superior merit of the poetry which preserves so many of our ancient popular ballads, but the tune and the jingle. As to myself, the shades of night are closing too fast around me, to allow of my attempting a theme so arduous; but I may hope to retain for a considerable time faculties sufficient to make me sensible of, and pleased with, the successful labours of my contemporaries. It It may be remarked, nor do I wish to shelter myself from the observation, that whatever little credit may be conferred by my approbation, has not been withheld in the notes to this poem from those of my countrymen of Ireland, who occurred to me as having distinguished themselves by works of genius or the cultivation of letters. Well would it be, if a spirit of this kind were more prevalent among us: much talent, which now lies smothered under the despondency of neglect, might by such encouragement be roused into exertion. The gentlemen of Ireland are jealous of the national honour, and abundantly ready at the hazard of their lives to assert it. For such a purpose, the pen is a better weapon than the sword or the pistol. One book of merit would produce more deference from the neighbouring nations than twenty combats *. That Scotland * It appears hardly credible, yet is true, that Dr. Edward Ryan, author of "The History of the Effects of Religion on Mankind,” (a work abounding with erudition, entertainment, and instruction,) was obliged lately to publish it in London, the booksellers of Dublin not being will Scotland should have to boast of at least ten eminent writers for one who appears among us, (when too the course of study and the discipline in our University are excellent,) must be ascribed to the truely patriotick attention with which the gentlemen of North Britain cherish and expand every bud of genius which puts forth its promise in their native region. This local partiality may be, and sometimes is, carried rather too far; but the principle ing to hazard the expence, where they knew there would be so few readers or purchasers of a book which required some little time and attention in the perusal. His ALMA MATER, indeed, honourably distinguished him; but his fame and his patron came from another country. During the administration of lord Townshend in Ireland, the printer of the well-known poem addressed to Mr. G. E. Howard, with Notes by Alderman Faulkner, being asked by Mr. Courtenay, whether there was not a great demand for that publication, "Nothing, fir, in the me"6 mory of man (answered with pure simplicity the worthy printer) ever "sold like it, except WATSON'S ALMANACK." Mr. Monck Mason is known and respected among his countrymen as a member of parliament, a commissioner of the revenue, and a privy counsellor; but it is doubtful whether he is known in Ireland even by one in twenty of his acquaintance as one of the learned and ingenious band who have illustrated Shakspeare; yet by that distinction is his name more likely to be transmitted to posterity. Of this gendem an whom I have the honoyi to call my friend J shall only say here, that his conjectures generates ki to me to be probable and ingenious, always affertione to be distinguished by taste sound sense conciseness and good M2 Mason is also Editor of the best prispelity. Massingei extant, generates a great increase of excellent publications, much improvement in science, and fresh incitement to those distinguished authors, whose works, while they reflect honour on their country, contribute to the entertainment and instruction of mankind. It is lamentable to find in such a nation as this, in many apparent respects so adapted to the encouragement of true politeness, how much its great mistress and teacher, Literature, is neglected. There are indeed in our capital some well-chosen and ample libraries; but they are very few, and very private. The collection of books is generally the least costly article in the household inventory. The contents of the cellar are often more valuable than the Yxns alpelov for the whole family. In Great-Britain, the gentry, however dissipated, seldom entirely neglect those studies in which they have been initiated in their early years; and no conversation engages or interests them more than the discussion d 2 |