1 80 Affinity of the Irish to their Soil. 



The public in modern times has been power- 

 fully influenced and acted on by a low species 

 of humor political caricatures j which have 

 had an operation beyond what the most per- 

 suasive representation of the same subject 

 could have produced. As far as I may be per- 

 mitted to judge, I should vouch for the traits 

 of Irish character to be no less correctly, than 

 ably, and without exaggeration, drawn by the 

 hand of Miss Edge worth. 



I cannot help considering the Irish and their 

 soil as bearing a great affinity to each other. 

 The natural luxuriance of each is productive 

 of much unprofitable exuberance, which due 

 cultivation would restrain, and render useful 

 and excellent to both. 



I have hitherto studiously avoided noticing 

 any of the occurrences connected with the 

 Rebellion. All parties have so much reason for 

 regret that every reference to so painful a sub- 

 ject must occasion the most distressing recol- 

 lections. When the passions of men become 

 heated, and power exempted from respon- 

 sibility is placed in their hands, too often they 

 act without regard to humanity. The instant 

 the protection .of the law was withdrawn, the 

 character of the nation suffered an important 



