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INTRODUCTION.

MY DEAR MISS MITFOrd,

I can inscribe my Volumes to no one with more pleasure or propriety than to you, from whose vivid delineations of English character, I have derived so much information and enjoyment. Will you, then, accept the tribute of public homage, as well as of private affection?

I am desirous of introducing you to an Irish village-my native village of Bannow-which I must first tell you is situated on the Eastern coast of Ireland, and is justly the pride of the county of Wexford-a

VOL. I.

A

county much celebrated in the annals of Old times, and, indeed, unhappily so, in those of more recent, though, I trust, now nearly forgotten days. But let me warn you against the danger of falling into one of two opposite errors-expecting either too little or too much. You are not to behold the people and their dwellings, like those in your own

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sunny Berkshire," surrounded by all the blessings that independent feelings and wellregulated minds can only give; but if you look for filthy cabins and a miserable peasantry, alike strangers to industry and contentment, you will be equally mistaken. Trust me, you have been often deceived by those who have presented you with broad caricatures, instead of faithful pictures of Ireland and its inhabitants.

I confess, however, that Bannow is a favourable specimen of an Irish village. It

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is far from any town; the soil is rich; the sea almost surrounds it, and its landlords reside on their estates. Moreover, the people know little, and care less about politics; and the Protestant Clergyman and the Catholic Priest (at least it was so in my time), conceive that each has sufficient employment in attending to the moral and physical wants of his flock. The neighbourhood also affords many attractions to the antiquarian and the lover of wild or beautiful scenery. Several ancient castles, particularly the seven castles of Clonmines, are in its immediate vicinity; the Irish Herculaneum-the old Town of Bannow-lies buried in the sands that skirt the coast; and within the distance of a few miles is " Bag and Bun," where Strongbow landed on first visiting the country, and where, according to the legend

"Irelonde was loste and won."

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