Con eluding Observations. 125 



philosophy more opposite to those of our religion 

 than either the Platonists, the Peripatetics, or Stoics 

 themselves." And now as to the people of Ireland. 



Our population is composed' of various elements. 

 The eminent writer, Mr. Froude, describes the Celts, 

 who are the primary element of its society, as light- 

 hearted and humourous, with special appreciation of 

 just dealing : " Give an Irishman," says he, " a just 

 master, and* he will follow, him to the world's end. 

 Possessing a fascination in their own land, and power 

 greater than any other known family of man of assi- 

 milating to their own image those who venture 

 amongst them." 



And this has been so for many centuries, notwith- 

 standing the most stringent legislation of England 

 against her settlers in Ireland intermarrying with 

 the Irish enemies, and Englishwomen marrying 

 Irishmen. All failed to prevent such unions, at 

 least ever since Strongbow married Eva, with whom 

 he obtained Leinster as a dowry ; and the Statute of 

 Kilkenny declared " alliance by marriage, gossipred, 

 amour, or in any other manner, between English and 

 Irish, of the one part or the other, illegal ; and that 

 anyone attainted thereof should have judgment of 

 life and member as a traitor." And if the people of 

 Ireland have fascination here, the English have their 

 own wherever they be ; and this contributes by inter- 

 marriage, and will contribute, more to cement the 

 union of the countries than any legislation can make 

 or undo. But we, Celtic and Anglo-Irish, are con- 



