ers are decidedly and
distinctly those now called the Roman: they have not many abbreviations,
as far as I could judge, and they are written with much clearness
and regularity. They are not the _literae cursivae_, or those used in
writing for the sake of facility and connection: they seem rather formed
more in imitation, of printed letters. SECUNDUM--This imperfect attempt
to present one of the words, will explain my meaning. But I had better
not weary you any more with my crude notions. I shall be very glad to
hear your opinion, or that of Sir William Betham, to whom I should bow
with all the respect due to talent and worth. I must avow my distrust
of Irish antiquities; yet, allow me to add, that there is no man more
willing to be converted from my heresy, if you would call it so, than

"My dear Carleton,

"Your friend and servant,

"A. O'BEIRNE."

"Stradbrook House, October, 1832.

"Dear Sir,--I have read Dr. O'Beirne's important letter on the Dona: the
account he has collected of its recent history is full of interest, and
for the most part, I have no doubt correct. His speculations respecting
its antiquity I cannot give my adhesion to, not feeling a doubt myself
on the subject. When I have time to investigate it more fully, I am
satisfied that this box, like the others, of which accounts have
already been published, will be found mentioned in the Irish Annals. The
inscriptions, however, fully identify the MS. and the box, and show that
antiquaries, from the execution of the workmanship and figures on these
interesting reliques, often underrate their antiquity--a fault which the
world are little inclined to give them credit for, and which they fall
into from an anxiety to err on what they consider the side which
is least likely to produce the smile of contempt or the sneer of
incredulity, forgetting that it is the sole business of an antiquarian
and historian to speak the truth, disregarding even contempt for so
doing.

"I had been somewhat lengthy in my description of the Dona, and from
habit, entered into a minute account of all its parts, quite forgetting
that you, perhaps, do not possess an appetite for antiquarian detail,
and therefore might be better pleased to have a general outline than
such a recital. I therefore proceed to give it as briefly as possible,
not, however, omitting any material points.

"The Irish word Domnach, which is pronounced Dona, means the Lord's day,
or the first day in the we