x PREFACE. 



of art, Where no fine writing was attempted, showy illustrations, got up with 

 a view to popular effect, and leading to an almost necessary sacrifice of truth- 

 fulness, would be very little in harmony. For their accuracy, however, I can 

 fearlessly pledge myself. This has been the point attended to above all others, 

 and of which the absence of all affectation of freedom of handling, or forcible 

 effect, will give abundant evidence. They may be considered as quotations from 

 our ancient monuments, made with the same anxious desire for rigid accuracy, as 

 those supplied from literary and other sources in the text ; and though slighter 

 or more attractive sketches might have sufficiently answered my purpose, they 

 would not have been sufficient to gratify my desire to preserve trustworthy 

 memorials of monuments now rapidly passing away. 



GEORGE PETRIE. 



21, CHEAT CHARLES-STREET, DUBLIN, 

 1st March, 1845. 



