Retrospective Criticism. 505 



1339. 7;H0D0DE'NDR0N. 

 110256 alta-clerense Lindl. Highclere • spl 15 ap.my C Eng. hybrid 1827. L p.l Bot. reg. 1414 

 11015a Farrferis Swt. Mrs. Farrer's * or 3 f.mr Li China 1829. L s.p Sw. fl. gar. 2.S.95 



1523. ^U^BUS. 

 13510a spectabilis Ph. showy 36 or 4 ap.my Ro Columbia 1827. L co Bot. reg. 1424 



55. SCHIZA'NTHUS. 

 477rt Hookfen' Grab. Hooker's CD? spl 2 jn.o Ro.Li Chile 1828. S s.I Bot. mag, 3070 



1295. TURR.EV. 

 10868a ? pinn^ta Wi/. vlngeA-leaved « □ or ... mr Pa.Ro Silhet 1828. C l.p Bot. reg. 1413 



2262. VERXO"N/,4. 

 20475a axilliflbra Otto axil-flowered ^ j\J or 2 s.o P Brazil 1829. D It.l Bot. cab. 1690 



2532. ZYGOPE'TALUM. 

 22660a criiiitum io. C. hairy-lipped £ 23 or 1 mr.au.n Br. G.Li Brazil 1829. Dp.r.w Bot. cab. 1687 



Art. VII. Retrospective Criticism. 



An Irish Cottage, — Sii*, Hitherto I have been engaged in the study of 

 the excellent matter contained in your Magazine, and other truly invalu- 

 able publications ; but my peaceful lucubrations have been intruded upon 

 by the appalling description of an Irish cabin, given by a correspondent of 

 3'ours in the Magazine (Vol. VI. p. 637.); and there being, to use your 

 own words, " something in the atmosphere of Ireland that engenders 

 laziness," sufficient at least to prevent those competent to answer Agro- 

 nome in the manner he deserves, I am tempted, I would rather say com- 

 pelled, to hazard my unfledged pinions in the arduous task of supporting 

 me in a conflict so unequal. 



I would not be understood to assert that the "Irish cabin" of your 

 facetious correspondent, the " dens burrowed in the side of a bank " of 

 yourself, the "sties and hovels" which form the burden of the song 

 chanted by the majority of our English visiters, are all of them imaginary 

 cases. I am constrained to admit that the habitations of the lower orders 

 in this country will not stand a comparison with even the ordinary 

 English cottage ; nay, I will go farther, and declare, that in many parts of 

 the country they are unfit abodes for human beings. I only find fault with 

 him whose selfish disposition and reckless want of feeling could induce him 

 to exult in the sufferings and degradation of his fellow-men. 



Having given us a lengthened detail of the good things with which his 

 propitious fortune and the bounty of his employer have provided him, — 

 having even, in order, if possible, to make us envy his happy lot, gone so 

 far as to inform us that his helpmate is a very Venus (of whom, by the 

 way, so far at least as matrimonial felicity is concerned, some other name 

 in heathen mythology would have conveyed a more pleasing notion), this 

 pampered child of fortune proceeds, addi*essing himself to you : — " I dare 

 say. Sir, you have observed the features of an Irish peasant of the lowest 

 grade ; the curl of his lips, and how he shows his teeth, something like the 

 passion of fear, pain, or disgust ; just as if he were walking in snow, or on 

 sharp flints or thorns, with his naked feet ; for how can he afford himself 

 proper clothing on id. or 6d. per day ? I had, when gardener to Lord 

 Doneraile, where your correspondent Mr. Hay croft now is, — I had, I say, 

 ten men, four women, and four boys, all of whom I paid on a Saturday 

 night with a two pound note. I dare say their wages are not much 

 altered yet," &c. I shall not prolong these remarks by noticing this 

 burlesque on the English language, committed too by one competent to 

 coin a fictitious signature in Greek, and who possesses a library worth 

 "scores of pounds ;" nor the judicious allegory of the passion of fear, with 

 a curled lip, walking on snow, or on sharp flints or on thorns, with his 

 naked feet, &c. ; I shall only remark that I am acquainted with much of 



