THEIR HEIGHT, FORM, AND STRENGTH. 55 



of the Nuncio Rinuccini, observed that " The men 

 of Ireland were good-looking, of extraordinary 

 strength, swift runners ; able to bear patiently and 

 with alacrity any hardship, and were all given to 

 arms. The women are of surpassing height and 

 exceeding beauty; and with comeliness combine 

 matchless modesty and piety, by which their native 

 attractions are enhanced. They have large families, 

 and their children are very handsome, of great 

 stature and muscular strength; the majority of 

 them have fair or yellow hair, and white and ruddy 

 complexion." 



39. In 1649, the Nuncio Rinuccini, after four 

 years' residence in Ireland, reports to the Pope that 

 " The modern Irish (or Anglo-Irish) are, for the 

 most, not of tall stature* ; they are quick-witted and 

 most subtle of understanding ; but the old Irish (or 

 Gaels^ are tall in body, simple, unrefined or rude in 

 their manner of living. The soldiers of this king- 

 dom, by their power of endurance and their strength 

 of body, are most fit for war." 



40. In 1660, Dynely says in his Tour in Ireland: 

 " The men are, for the most part, of large propor- 

 tion of body and of clear complexion." 



41. In 1662, Dr. Lynch, of English blood, born in 



* "Di non alta statura," which Miss Hutton wrongly 

 renders, "of low stature." (P. 485 of her translation of 

 Rinutciiii's Embassy.) 



