37 



tation, however, was well defined, and so far was it from proving an 

 unwholesome restraint, that much more difficulty has been expe- 

 rienced in classifying, than in collecting authorities. The plan of 

 Doctor Henry's History of Great Britain having seemed the best cal- 

 culated to overcome the impediment, and to effectuate the several 

 objects required, this Essay has been, accordingly, divided into four 

 periods, each beginning and ending at some remarkable event, and 

 subdivided into six sections, respectively applicable to particular sub- 

 jects during that interval. The first section of each period contains the 

 social and political history as well as the geographical notices of Ire- 

 land during the time defined ; the second is a view of the government, 

 constitution, and legislation : the third, of the morals and religion; the 

 fourth, of the sciences, literature, and learned men ; the fifth, of the 

 arts; and the last, of the commerce, customs, and general manners of 

 the people, during the same interval. This course may sometimes be 

 deviated from, where remoter illustrations of the immediate object 

 were thought improveable by juxta-position : notices from the Irish 

 annals are in a few passages introduced to connect the links of foreign 

 testimony, or demonstrate their mutual coincidence ; and assertions 

 are frequently conveyed in the words of valued, though comparatively 

 modern authors, such support being always acknowledged at the bot- 

 toms of the pages ; but the evidences and proofs, which shall be either 

 embodied in the text, or under-written at the pages, or otherwise re- 

 ferred to as may best be effected without dislocating the Essay, shall 

 be strictly within the limits required ; the extracts shall be candid and 

 the references correct ; nothing shall be clouded, nothing thrown out 

 in a false light, nothing (as is too often the case in modern controver- 

 sies) garbled for a purpose ; the pure unsophisticated intention is, not 

 to create matter, but legitimately to illustrate what is presented, not 

 to confound conjecture with history, nor uphold a nation's character 



