74 THE IBISH PEOPLE. 



health ; and if that is not sufficient, let them attend 

 a football or hurling match, and see the superiority 

 of potatoes and milk over gross cheese and bad 

 beer the young men performing feats of activity 

 that would astonish a bread-and-cheese English- 

 man." 



65. In 1809, Newenham, in his View of Ireland, 

 p. v. : "Ireland furnishes at least 100,000 hardy 

 and intrepid soldiers and seamen for the defence of 

 the Empire." 



66. In 1811, Scott, in his Vision of Don Roderick, 

 Stanza LX., referring to Wellington's Irish soldiers 

 in the Peninsular War, says : 



" Hark ! from yon stately ranks what laughter rings, 



Mingling wild mirth with war's stern chivalry, 

 His jest while each blithe comrade round him flings, 



And moves to death with military glee 

 Boast, Erin, boast them ! tameless, frank, and free, 



In kindness warm, and fierce in danger known, 

 Rough nature's children, humorous as she : 



And He, yon chieftain strike the proudest tone 

 Of thy bold harp, Green Isle ! the Hero is thine 

 own." 



67. In 1812, Dewar, a Scotchman, published his 

 Observations on Ireland, after a tour in that island. 

 He says : " The intrepidity and courage of the Irish 

 has never been called in question. At this moment 

 they compose a great proportion of our army and 

 navy." 



