'Motives for visiting Ireland. S 



enters largely into the general concerns of pub- 

 lic life ; and though it be of a less exceptiona- 

 ble description, it is found as an attendant in 

 a life of retirement. Here, in the rational 

 hope that life will not pass uselessly away, an 

 animation is given to its pursuits which keeps 

 the mind on the alert, and prevents that satiety 

 which it is more than probable would be conse- 

 quent on the perpetual daily recurrence of the 

 same objects. 



Domesticated, I had almost said rusticated, 

 as I have been for such a length of time pur- 

 suing the same circle without a wish to diverge 

 or extend it, a more powerful influence than 

 mere inclination was requisite to impel the 

 abandonment of home and all its happinesses. 

 This you had the goodness to supply, and 

 though I am truly sensible of the motives which 

 influence your kind desire, that I should consult 

 my health by a temporary relaxation from my 

 domestic labours, yet it is with great reluctance 

 I yield to the additional persuasion on your 

 mind (as a further incitement to the journey) 

 that my time and observations may not be em- 

 ployed altogether unprofitably to the interesting 

 country I am about to visit. 



The contrast, on exchanging objects of re- 



