46 THE IRISH PEOPLE. 



no person. They are quick-witted, and of good con- 

 stitution of body. You may travel through all the 

 land without any danger or injury offered by the 

 very worst Irish, and be greatly relieved of the best. 

 " The second sort being least in number, are 

 called Kernes ; they are warlike men ; most of that 

 sort were slain in the late wars. The third sort are 

 a very idle people, not unlike our English beggars, 

 yet, for the most part, of pure complexion and good 

 constitution of body." 



18. In 1594, Captain Dawtry, writing to Cecil, 

 July 21st, asks to be entrusted " to fetch a regiment 

 of 1,500 or 2,000 trained soldiers of the mere Irish 

 birth out of Ireland ; as they will do more spoil upon 

 the enemy than thrice as many soldiers of any other 

 nation, for there can be no better soldiers upon the 

 earth than they be, either for the use of their 

 weapons or the strength of their bodies and minds, 

 for they are such seasoned men for the war that 

 they can endure all fortunes whatsoever, and they 

 will keep health when others, with a little extremity, 

 will lie by the wall." 



19. 1594. Camden says: "The Irish are war- 

 like, witty, remarkable for the just proportion of 

 their limbs, for the suppleness of their flesh and 

 muscles, and for their incredible agility, they are 

 strong in their persons; all living things, except 



