134 THE IRISH PEOPLE. 



of the South Island of Aran, writes : " The islanders 

 are a handsome, courteous, and amiable people. 

 Whatever may be said of the advantages of a 

 mixture of races, I cannot discern anything save 

 what makes in favour of these people of the pure 

 ancient stock, when I compare them with the mixed 

 populations of districts on the mainland. The most 

 refined gentleman might live among them in 

 familiar intercourse, and never be offended by a 

 gross or 'sordid sentiment. This delicacy of feeling 

 is reflected in their figures, the hands and feet 

 being small in proportion to the stature, and the 

 gesture erect and graceful. The population consists 

 principally of the three families or tribes of 

 O'Flaherty, Joyce, and Conneely. ... To see 

 the careful way in which the most has been made 

 of every spot available for the growth of produce, 

 might correct the impression so generally enter- 

 tained and so studiously encouraged, that the native 

 Irish are a thriftless people. Here, where they 

 have been left to themselves, notwithstanding the 

 natural sterility of their islands they are certainly 

 a very superior population physically, morally, and 

 even economically to those of many of the mixed 

 and planted districts." 



142. In 1861, Dr. Beddoe, visited the Aran Islands 

 of which, in his Races of Britain l he says: "The 



