PREFACE. THIS book is literally what its title gives it out to be a series of Memorandums made in Ireland. Although in transcribing these, I have, of course, very considerably enlarged them, I do not think that I have added a single new topic to the collection in my memorandum book. Sundry remarks and reflections, not in the original notes, have, no doubt, been put into words for the first time, during the process of composition; but even these can hardly be said to be additions, as most if not all of them, had already passed through the mind, although not formally registered. Such interpolations will not, therefore, I trust, be regarded as in any way impugning the literal truth of my title-page. I am anxious to have this matter clearly understood by my readers, for two reasons: first, because knowing how and out of what materials the work has been framed, they may be prepared for its scrap-like character, and the confined range of its subjects; and secondly, because if the book has any value at all, this must rest mainly on the implied authenticity derived from the fact that all the statements were recorded at the moment, and on the spot. The only portions of the volumes that do not come clearly within this category of primary notation, are some of the statistics relating to the population, to ecclesiastical matters, to schools, and to workhouses, which have been derived from official documents; and the few chapters which give, in greater detail, and in a more general and formal manner, an account of certain important subjects and questions which cannot be overlooked in any work professing to treat of Ireland. These chapters must be admitted to be rather supplementary to the Memorandums, than an intrinsic portion of them; although, as far as regards the views and opinions propounded, they may be all said to have been formed in the country to which they relate. It is only in the elaboration of their details, that these articles can be regarded as in any way deviating from the promise of my title. LONDON; 10th May, 1853. J. F. |