is published in volume xvi. of the Transactions,
and is a repertory of learning of immense value to the student of Irish
history.
[46] _Sea_.--Lib. Zoar, p. 87, as cited by Vallancey, and Parson's
Defence, &c., p. 205.
[47] _Sea_.--Herodotus, l. vii. c. 89.
[48] _Me_.--"Sic mihi peritissimi Scotorum nunciaverunt." The reader
will remember that the Irish were called Scots, although the appellative
of Ierins or Ierne continued to be given to the country from the days of
Orpheus to those of Claudius. By Roman writers Ireland was more usually
termed Hibernia. Juvenal calls it Juverna.
[49] _Writers_.--The circumnavigation of Africa by a Phoenician ship, in
the reign of Neco, about 610 B.C., is credited by Humboldt, Rennell,
Heeren, Grote, and Rawlinson. Of their voyages to Cornwall for tin there
is no question, and it is more than probable they sailed to the Baltic
for amber. It has been even supposed that they anticipated Columbus in
the discovery of America. Niebuhr connects the primitive astronomy of
Europe with that of America, and, therefore, must suppose the latter
country to have been discovered.--_Hist. of Rome_, vol. i. p. 281. This,
however, is very vague ground of conjecture; the tide of knowledge, as
well as emigration, was more probably eastward.
[50] _Procopius.--Hist. Gen. d'Espagne_, vol. i.c.l. p.4.
[51] _Chief.--De Antiq. et Orig. Cantab_. See D'Alton's _Essay_, p. 24,
for other authorities.
[52] _Poem_.--There has been question of the author, but none as to the
authenticity and the probable date of compilation.
[53] _Ogygia_.--Camden writes thus: "Nor can any one conceive why they
should call it Ogygia, unless, perhaps, from its antiquity; for the
Greeks called nothing Ogygia unless what was extremely ancient."
[54] _Fish_.--And it still continues to be a national article of
consumption and export. In a recent debate on the "Irish question," an
honorable member observes, that he regrets to say "fish" is the only
thing which appears to be flourishing in Ireland. We fear, however,
from the report of the Select Committee of the House of Commons on the
question of Irish sea-coast fisheries, that the poor fishermen are not
prospering as well as the fish. Mr. Hart stated: "Fish was as plenty as
ever; but numbers of the fishermen had died during the famine, others
emigrated, and many of those who remained were unable, from want of
means, to follow the pursuit." And yet these men are honest; f
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