94 Approach to the Irish Shore. 



more general exertion ; and as Ireland possesses 

 such natural advantages, and such numerous 

 facilities for the promoting of commerce, she 

 cannot fail to reap a full share of whatever 

 benefits may hereafter accrue to the empire. 

 From these and other considerations of no less 

 importance, the bias of my mind was decidedly 

 in favour of the union ; and it will require ar- 

 guments of a most convincing nature to induce 

 me to believe it can ultimately prove otherwise 

 than beneficial to Ireland. 



So entirely had my mind been absorbed in 

 revolving this great political question, that time 

 past unheeded, and I did not perceive our near 

 approach to the shore till the report of a cannon 

 roused me from the reverie into which I had 

 fallen, and which, I fear, you may by this time 

 have cause to regret was of so long duration. 



Parties were soon on board the packet from 

 each of the inns, the representations of their 

 respective abundant comforts left us nothing to 

 wish in addition. The colouring of the com- 

 petitors was so gaudy as to be scarcely fit to 

 impose upon the most credulous traveller ; for 

 with all the native modesty they could assume, 

 it was with difficulty they could put a serious 

 face on their obliging importunities. The Irish 



