IRELAND. 



593 



the purest specimen, and, indeed, the only tolerably pure example, of the language of thff 

 Celts, while the people are the lineal descendants of the first settlers of Europe. These facts 

 are to be accounted for, from the spirit of independence, which has ever characterized the 

 people, and which prevented even the Roman Empire, that swallowed up the other portions 

 of Europe, from setting the foot of her soldiery on Irish soil. 



The annalists of Ireland, carry back their history to Kimboath, who reigned 200 years be- 

 fore Christ. From this period, down to the times of authentic history, they furnish a regular 

 succession of kings. These, however, are, many of them, apocryphal. St. Patrick, who 

 was first made a captive on the Continent, and carried to Ireland, effected his escape, and hav- 

 ing been appointed to that service by the See of Rome, returned in 432, for the express pur- 

 pose of Christianizing the people. He found them governed as they had been for centuries, by 

 several petty kings, generally acknowledging one principal sovereign. The Saint ad- 

 dressed himself to them, as well as to ihe druidical priests, and in 30 years, by his zeal, dis- 

 cretion, and piety, Christianity was spread over the whole island. 



The ancient system of government was still continued, and though monasteries rose up, 

 which, in the 7th and 8th centuries, became the seats of learning, and shone with considerable 

 brilliancy, while the rest of Europe was shrouded in darkness ; — still, there was no great im- 

 provement in the condition of the people. In the 9th century, the country was overrun by 

 the Danes, who harassed the people for 200 years. They were at length defeated in the 11th 

 century, by the celebrated Brian Borohm, and soon after expelled. But the country had been 

 so weakened by its northern invaders, that Henry the Second, of England, made an easy con- 

 quest of a portion of the island in 1172. From this period, England has claimed the sove- 

 reignty of the country, though for three centuries her dominion was scarcely more than nom- 

 inal ; and even down to the present day, the mass of the people continue to be opposed to 

 British sway. Ireland, having been treated as a conquered country, the hostility of the peo- 

 ple has been kept alive ; and while they were too numerous and too independent to be easily 

 held in this state of subjection, it seems that measures of the utmost severity have been uni- 

 formly adopted by the British government. The country has, therefore, been often excited to 

 rebellion, during which the most shocking scenes have been exhibited. As examples of the 

 sufferings of this unhappy country, it may be stated, that in Cromwell's time, all the posses- 

 sions of the Catholics were confiscated, 20,000 of the people were sold as slaves in America, 

 and 40,000 entered into foreign service. After the battle of the Boyne, 1689, which restored 

 the protestant ascendancy. King William proscribed the adherents af James the Second, and 

 confiscated their estates to the amount of millions. Great numbers of the Irish entered foreign 

 service, and it has been computed, that from 1691 to 1745, nearly half a million fell in foreign 

 service. 



In 17S2, a short respite from these measures of tyranny was granted to Ireland. The Irish 

 parliament was then placed on the same footing as is that of England. Under these circum- 

 stances, Dublin became a centre of attraction, and the gentry, instead of living in England, 

 now resided on their estates. The effect of this state of things was magical. The country 

 rose from its state of depression with astonishing rapidity, and Ireland began to display the 

 resources of the country, as well as the genius of the people. But this happy prospect was 

 soon eclipsed. A rebellion broke out in 1798, which being suppressed, Ireland was united to 

 the British crown, in 1801. Since that period, there has been an almost constant succession 

 of rebellions, and riots, — either excited by the oppression of government, or the starvation of the 

 people. Within a very few years, seme alleviation has been granted, by the removal of the 

 Catholic disabilities, but the Irish people, at home, and those who seek their fortunes in other 

 lands, seem destined to bear that heaviest of burdens, — the conviction, that their country is 

 the victim of tyranny. 



