4 Motives for visiting Ireland. 



gard and interest for those of curiosity, you will 

 allow to be great. It will require some effort, 

 at least for a time, to divert my thoughts from 

 home, and the happy current of their accus- 

 tomed channel. 



I regret that I have not employed more of 

 my leisure on the topography and locality of Ire- 

 land. I perceive I am on a voyage of discovery, 

 and, like a mariner without a compass, at a loss 

 how to steer my course. It is unlucky, too, 

 that I cannot determine on the route we shall 

 take, because it precludes the gratification of re- 

 ceiving tidings from you, at least for some days. 



It is really a national reproach to us to be 

 thus generally ignorant as we are, of so impor- 

 tant a part of the empire. Every calumny has 

 thus not only been credited, but exaggerated ; 

 every oppression not only tolerated, but pro- 

 moted. By false and unjust estimates has the 

 general character of this valuable people been 

 computed and traduced. I cannot assert that 

 even my own mind is wholly free from all un- 

 favourable impressions. I will however endea- 

 vour to be candid, and, with the feeling of an 

 honest juror, my verdict shall always be go- 

 verned by the evidence offered to the convic- 

 tion of my senses. 



