PREFACE. 



THE unfavorable prepossessions I had early 

 imbibed, and the erroneous estimates I had 

 formed of the disposition of the people and 

 of the resources of Ireland, previous to my 

 visiting that country, induced, on my return, 

 a strong inclination to submit to the considera- 

 tion of the public the daily journal I had trans- 

 mitted for the amusement of my own fire side. 

 But being at that juncture unexpectedly called 

 on to resume my former seat in Parliament, 

 my mind became directed to other objects ; 

 the wish I had entertained almost forgotten ; 

 and, possibly, it might never have recurred, 

 had I not been led in the last Session to offer 

 a comparative statement between the laboring 



