ke, magnificent bay, and broad river, followed
each other in noble and unceasing succession. I was still more struck
with the skill and good fortune, by which the people had contrived to
combine the industry of manufactures with the life of the fields; a
problem which England herself had failed to solve. But, most of all, I
was attracted by the independent air, and handsome and vigorous
appearance of the people; almost every man was proprietor, and had the
look which proprietorship alone can give. I found books in almost
every cottage, decency of dress every where, and among the higher
orders frequent elegance and accomplishment. The women were cultivated
and intelligent; the men, spirited and enquiring. But the politics of
France had made their way through a large portion of the province, and
the glories of a republic "loomed large" before the popular eye. As it
was my purpose to see all that I could with my own eyes, I mingled
largely in society, made no distinction between honourable men of
different political creeds, enjoyed to-day the stag-hunt and claret of
the noble Whig, and to-morrow the stag-hunt and claret of the noble
Tory, listened to all, laughed with all, and learned something from
all. The English aristocrat, especially if he holds high official
place, once haunted the imaginations of the Irish of all conditions,
like an incarnation of an Indian deity--all fierceness and frigidity;
and it must be acknowledged that the general order of viceroys and
secretaries had not tended much to remove the conception. They were
chiefly men of advanced life, with their habits formed by intercourse
with the most exclusive class in existence, the English peerage, or
rendered rigid by the dry formalities of official life. But I was
young, had seen a good deal of that rough work of the world which
gives pliancy, if not polish, to all characters; and I was, besides,
really delighted with the animation, pleasantry, and winning kindness
which exhibited themselves every where round me. I was half a son of
Ireland already, and I regarded the recognition as the pledge of my
success.

"Do you know," said one of the most influential and accomplished
noblemen of the country to me, one day at his sumptuous table--"how
many of the lords-lieutenant do you think have left a popular
recollection behind them?"

I professed my ignorance, but enumerated some names remarkable for
intelligence and vigour of administration.

"Oh," said my