110 THE IRISH PEOPLE. 



every portion of that most interesting district. 

 During my tours, which, were very often made on 

 foot, I had much intercourse with the native popula- 

 tion, a race which it struck me possessed in the 

 highest degree evidence of a descent from noble 

 ancestors. The Sligo people, as a rule, are tall, 

 well built, active and comely. They are generally 

 light-haired, with blue or dark-grey eyes. I found 

 them most civil, obliging, and intelligent ; high 

 spirited, and, as far as they could be, hospitable. 

 Here is an instance in point when about leaving 

 the much maligned Island of Innismurray (about 

 four miles and a-half from the coast of Sligo) where 

 I had been for some days engaged in sketching, I 

 tendered my host a very moderate sum in payment 

 for the trouble which I had caused himself and 

 family. About one-third of this he insisted on 

 returning to me, declaring that he had been offered 

 too much. On another occasion, on the same island, 

 a fine strapping youth, who had carried my portfolio 

 and great coat nearly a whole day, and had largely 

 assisted in taking measurements, stoutly declined 

 to receive the piece of silver which I offered in 

 return. I then bethought me of presenting him 

 with some tobacco, which he joyfully accepted, 

 saying that ' tobacco was a present which one gentle- 

 man might receive from another.' 



