l^KEFACE. - XXI 



a riglit to expect that theii^ interests, both moral and 

 material, will be paternally cared for. It has been said 

 of the Irish that their virtues are their own, while 

 many of their faults are to be attributed to the wayward 

 circumstances under which they were placed. These 

 superstitious notions respecting the cure of horses, and 

 the general ignorance that exists on this subject, are 

 owing to the neglect of the government in not taking 

 the necessary steps to promote and disseminate a correct 

 knowledge of Veterinary art by the same system adopted 

 in England and Scotland. The Irish are always ready 

 to avail themselves of every opportunity of improvement 

 placed within their reach. As a proof of this, I may 

 mention that, notwithstanding the education of the vast 

 majority of the Irish people was not sanctioned by law, 

 and received no support from the State until a com- 

 paratively recent period, there are more, in proportion 

 to the population, able to read and write in Ireland 

 than in England. And even in the higher walks of 

 literature and art, obliged to contend against the pre- 

 judices of country, religion, class, or pai'ty. Irishmen 

 have attained an acknowledged eminence of which their 

 country may feel justly proud. "W"ho has not heard of 

 the ''glory of Grattan and genius of Moore" — the ver- 

 satility of Goldsmith, who wrote on many subjects, 

 and adorned all — the heroism and talent of Curran, 

 Emmet, etc. — the genius of Hogan, Maclise, etc., and 

 last, though not least, the grand old tribune, Ireland's 

 immortal Liberator, who wielded at will the fierce de- 

 mocracy, and who left behind him the sacred deposit of 

 his fame, to be treasured for ever in the hearts of Irishmen? 



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