50 J. D. Marswatt on the Statistics and 
hands of the Macdonalds; and it is further mentioned, that some Highlanders who 
fled to it for safety, were forced to feed on colt’s flesh for want of other provisions. 
Subsequent to this date, but little is related concerning the island. Doctor Francis 
Hutchinson, Bishop of Down and Connor, who published an Irish Almanac and other 
works, procured for the inhabitants of Raghery a translation of the Church Catechism 
into Irish, with the English annexed. It was published in Belfast, in the Roman letter; 
but so scarce has it now become, that it is a matter of uncertainty whether or not a 
copy of the Raghery catechism is at present extant. 
About the year 1740, the island became the property of Mr Gage, in whose family 
it still continues. Mr. Gage is both the rector and magistrate of Rathlin; and from 
the interest he feels, and the attention he bestows on the inhabitants, is much respected 
by all. His residence is situated in Church bay, within a short distance of the church ; 
and in no house is the virtue of hospitality more freely exercised. To Mrs. Gage I 
am particularly indebted for many facts noticed m my paper, and for opportunities 
afforded me of observing whatever was rare or interesting on the island. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Macdonnell I must also stand indebted for many acts of kindness, 
Dr. Hamilton, in his “ Letters on the County of Antrim,” and Doctor Drummond 
in his “ Giant’s Causeway,”’ are almost the only writers who have noticed any of the 
particulars of the island. Doctor Hamilton’s remarks have now been written many 
years ; and although comprising much valuable information, are, nevertheless, inter- 
spersed with many observations, which, after the lapse of fifty years of civilization and 
improvement, would now admit of considerable modification. ‘These, where differing 
from those made during my visit, I have noticed under their respective heads, paying, 
at the same time, all due deference to an authority so highly respected. 
Rathlin contains about 2000 Irish plantation acres, or 3239 English. The popula- 
tion is stated by Dr. Hamilton at 1200, or 130 families ; but there are now not more 
than 1050 inhabitants. Of this number, upwards of 900 are Roman Catholics, and 
the remainder belonging to the Established Church. From this statement, it will 
appear that the population has latterly much decreased ; a great number of the young 
men go to Glasgow and Greenock, or to some of the ports in Ireland, to learn differ- 
ent trades, particularly that of ship-carpenters; and emigration to America has, of 
late years, taken away considerable numbers. In one of the years immediately pre- 
ceding my visit, upwards of forty had left the island for America; and during the 
summer of 1834, sixteen had emigrated. 
The inhabitants are simple, laborious, honest, and exceedingly attached to their 
native soil. Doctor Hamilton says, ‘that in conversation they always speak of Ire- 
land as a foreign kingdom—and a common and heavy curse among them is, ‘ may 
Ireland be your latter end.’” In my intercourse with them, however, I did not ob- 
serve that repugnance to visit the mainland, experienced by Doctor Hamilton. ‘This, 
no doubt, has arisen from the more frequent intercourse of late years, kept up between 
