hand no better than a Popish legend, on the other a mere reprint of former books which contained, not a history of Ireland and the Irish, but the details of English invasion, conquest, and government—or rather misgovernment of that ill-fated land. As the battle-field of rival claimants to England's crown, Ireland possesses interest enough to attract at least the youthful reader to study the records of that period; but it is one thing to trace the march of contending armies marshalled respectively under William of Orange, and James Stuart: it is another thing to read the eventful history of Irish Ireland by the light of Holy Writ. Some may object, and not without reason, that such a history has yet to be written before it can be read; the few authentic details being mixed up with a huge amount of antiquarian lore, irrelevant to the purpose; or more effectually enshrouded in records which, even if they were brought to light, would not perhaps be easily decyphered by the present generation of Celtic scholars. Yet our young students are supplied with concise, consistent, and intelligent sketches of history concerning countries not less involved in perplexed obscurity than Ireland, and certainly not able to advance so strong a claim on our patient investigation. We want a clue to the real character and temper of a people so remarkably distinct, so unchanged in national peculiarities as these our near neighbours, dwelling often in the midst of us, are; because, until that clue be obtained, we never shall find out how to govern them.

They are, to us, the most ungovernable nation with which we have to do, inherently turbulent and unruly. Why? Because they are inherently,

enthusiastically loyal. Of this their unlimited devotion to their ancient leaders, their history if rightly studied would afford ample proofs; and it is through ignorance of this fact, and obstinate belief in the opposite fiction, that we fail to establish a rule to which they can submit. Scorning to understand them, we outrage their keen feelings, diverting from ourselves that stream or rather torrent of devoted loyalty which is thereby easily led to run in a channel hostile alike to their interest and our own. The priests of an alien faith take advantage of our error, attach them to themselves, and by persuading them that such also was the faith of their forefathers in the olden time, enlist in its defence alike their sympathies and principles; while cunning demagogues assuming to stand to them in the relationship of their native chieftains, bring about the paradoxical result already alluded to. Excess of loyalty renders them turbulent traitors. Among the parents who, glancing with secret pride and hope over sons growing up as young plants, anticipate for some among them senatorial privileges in the united Parliament, and Ecclesiastical dignities in the united Church, are there many who thus take thought for the claims of Ireland on their attention, and by a fair examination of her real history, prepare them to heal the breach of many centuries when power shall be given to them to legislate for her? Even among the nobles and the higher class of gentry, themselves of Irish birth and deriving their consequence from Irish titles and property, are there many, ARE THERE ANY, who make it a main point in the educational preparation of their sons, thus to acquaint them with the true root of the matter as regards Ireland?

The question is not so much a political as a religious one; and though as connected with scripture history, past or yet to be fulfilled, we may not be able to assign to Ireland any definite post in the world's great programme, very stirring thoughts will sometimes be excited when we look on the long, dark catalogue of her wrongs and sorrows, sinning always, but far more sinned against, and remember what is to be the work of the great King, when," the acceptable year of the Lord" being past, He comes to proclaim "the day of vengeance of our God." Will it not be "to comfort them that mourn?” Partaking, as the native race of Ireland have long most strikingly done, in the peculiar afflictions heaped on Israel, and surviving as they do, all attempts to blot them out, to amalgamate, or to denationalize them, has not the Lord a drop in store for Ireland, of Israel's full cup of blessings, when for their shame they shall have double, and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion? We fully expect it. Already a work has commenced, is progressing, and promises to extend more and more, by which the poor Irish Aborigine is loosened from the accursed spell that binds him, and takes his natural station among the most peaceable, most loyal, most devoted of those who truly "fear God" and "honour the king." This work took its origin from a fair examination into Irish history, as a clue to the Irish character, both being studied with an undeviating regard to the known will, word, and works of the Most High. Surely he has made the greatest progress in the science of government who has succeeded the best in rendering men willingly obedient; and the steps by which such a practical

philosopher traced his way, are well worthy to be followed by the legislators of the land.

There are but two weapons with which Ireland can be assailed; the Bible and the sword. Accordingly as you advance, so will Ireland meet you; with the Bible or the Pike. With the carnal weapon we have hitherto asserted our rule; and by the carnal weapon Ireland has hitherto baffled us. Coerced, but never subdued, the indomitable spirit of perverted loyalty at this moment concentrates itself upon the prison of a justly-condemned malefactor; and, rogue and ruffian as he is, were he gibbetted tomorrow, the halter would only prove the instrument of his speedier canonization. Does not this fact, with attendant circumstances known to us all, sufficiently bespeak the ruling passion of the Irish people to be the reverse of republicanism? If they desire a revolution, it is not that they would supplant the monarchy by a democracy, but that they would be ruled by those who do not so scorn the Irish Celt as to despise the devotion of his heart, and to trample on his most acute sensibilities. Such language will excite the ridicule of some: no matter; it is truth, and they who know it to be the truth will perhaps re-echo the assertion in quarters where these humble pages cannot appear. God grant it !— it will be a happy day, not only for Ireland but for the united Empire at large, when the minds of our upper classes take the direction thus pointed out, and deem the history of our sister isle a study of more immediate importance to the rising generation than the sparkling baubles of classical antiquity.

Loyalty, in spiritual and in temporal things, is, we repeat it, the master-passion of a native Irishman.

Hence, Christ being withheld from their view by the delusive wiles of Antichrist, they do the bidding of the latter with a zeal, an ardour, a singleness of eye and heart too little manifested among the open followers of the true God. Popery, with its wonted craft, reads aright the character of the people; and having supplanted Christ in their religious loyalty, makes use of its power also to supplant the authority of those who are in the providence of God appointed to be their temporal rulers, and supplies them with a fictitious monarchy to uphold the domination of a fictitious church. Whether the priest without the demagogue, or the demagogue without the priest, could wield the national heart and purpose as they do while acting in harmony, is a question that we cannot well solve; but it is certain that the Irishman who from conviction ceases to be a Papist, from that moment ceases to be a rebel against constituted rulers; and becomes the devoted upholder of the powers that be, in exact proportion to his advance in spiritual knowledge. Loyalty never ceases to be his ruling passion; its object is changed, and as that principle which was before fed on earthly things or worse, derives its nourishment from heavenly things, it assumes an elevation of character otherwise unattainable. It walks in the light as a child of light, and vividly reflects in the sight of men a brilliancy emanating from God.

But, may we not understand and assent to all this without exploring the musty and misty records of things that have for ever passed away?' They have not done so the things that appertained to Chaldea and Persia, to Greece and pagan Rome, have indeed passed away, and for ever; but that to