ML Some farther Observations 
quities and Natural Hiftor 
Letter from the date Mr . Edw. Lhw yd. Keeper of |l 
the ALbmolcan Mtifeum in Oxford, to Dr. 
Tancred Robinfo'n, 
Venfansy in Cornwall, Aug. 1700: 
Honoured Sir , 
F OR Antiquities, Ireland affords no great variety $ 
at leaft it was not our fortune to be much divert- 
ed that way. I have in divers Parts of the ‘Kingdom 
picked up about 20 or 30 IriJIj Manufcripts on Parch- 
ment : But the Ignorance of their Criticks is-fuch, that 
tho 7 1 confulted the chiefeft of them, as 0 Flaherty (Author 
of the Ogjtgid) and feveral others, they could fcarce 
interpret one Page of all my Manufcripts j and this is 
occafioned by the want of a Dictionary, which it feems 
none of their Nation ever tooRtne trouble to compote. 
I was informed (but how truly I know not) they have 
lately printed one at the Iriffi College in Lovain ^ which 
if I could procure, L (hoijld not defpair. of being in a- 
Ihort time able myftlf to underhand thefe Manufcripts; 
tho* many of. them being bur jnfignificant Romances, it 
would fcarce quit the Pains, What I mote value a- 
mongft them are their old Laws,, which might give 
feme Eight to the Curious as to many of their Natio- 
nal Cuhoms y and feme of their old Poems: But all are 
of. ufe to any, th2t. would compofe a Dictionary of their 
language • which was anciently,, (considering the nar- 
row nefs of their Knowledge as,, to- Arts and. Sciences), 
doubtieffc v£ copious 
■' * I ‘ i' M 
relating to the Anti* 
of Ireland. In a- 
