113 



stitutions, traditions and pastimes, and also many of their 

 metrical coiApositions. Spencer* also, in his views of the 

 state of Ireland, says, that the English colonists preferred 

 the language of the natives to their own. .Spencer, in speak- 

 ing of the Irish, even in his time, says, " Tk^re is amongst 

 " the Irish, a certain kind of people called bardis, which 

 " are to them instead of poets: whose prafession it is, to 

 '' set forth the praises or dispraises of men, in their poems 

 '• or rithmes; the which are had in so high regard and 

 " estimation among them, that none dare displease them, 

 " for fear to run into reproach through their oft'cnce, and 

 " to be made infamous in the mouths of all men : for their 

 " verses are taken up Avith a general applause, and sung 

 " at all feasts and meetings, by certain other persons, 

 •" whose proper function that is; "who receive for the same 

 " great rewards and reputation amongst them."-f- 



It is easy to account for this difference. The loft}- 

 mountains, tte woods, defiles and morasses, by which Wales, 

 Scotland and Ireland were defended, afforded natural for- 

 tresses, to which the ancient inhabitants retired, from the 

 rage and pursuits of their enemies, and preserved their 

 language and manners pure and unmixed. The progress 

 of invasion was stopped, and some remnant of indepen- 

 dence preserved. To this circumstance Ireland superadded 

 ti remote insular situation, which originally preserved her 



VOL. X. p froia 



* He describes, in a striking manner, the pertinacity with which the Scotch, 

 Welsh, and Irish, especially the latter, retain their own custom?. 

 ;t •'fencer's Works, Vol. YI,, small Edit. p. 12%. 



