OF IRELAND, FROM THE EARLIEST ACCOUNTS TO THE ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE UNION WITH BY THE REV. JAMES GORDON, RECTOR OF KILLEGNY IN THE DIOCESE OF FERNS, AND OF CANNA- IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. Nobis in arto & inglorius labor. Non tamen fine usu fuerit introspicere illa primo aspectu levia, TACITUS. Dublin: PRINTED BY JOHN JONES, 90, BRIDE-STREET. 104- RIGHT HONOURABLE Richard Hely Hutchinson, EARL OF DONOUGHMORE. My LORD, EDUCATED in a Univerfity in which your Father long prefided with active Attention to the Advancement of its Excellence, and which has been reprefented by yourself with Ability in Parliament, I take the Liberty of dedicating to your Lordship a HISTORY OF IRELAND, a Country for whose welfare the enlightened Patriotism of yourself, your Father, and Brothers, has been ftrenuously exerted. The Compilation of an impartial Narrative from a Chaos of discordant Materials is a Work of fome Labour, and, in this Age and Country, of fome Adventure. To gratify any Faction, or indulge any Prejudice, is no Part of my Plan; nor mean I offense to any; but to expect that none will be offended, would would argue extreme Ignorance. If in remote Ages, immerfed in Darkness, or fcarcely dif coverable by a lurid Light, I have been unable to trace that Luftre and Civilization which the ancient Irish are faid to have poffeffed, I think myself not on that Account inferior to any Man in Zeal for the folid Advantage of my Country, whofe numerous Inhabitants form a refpectable Nation rapidly advancing in the Arts of focial Life. Incorporated with the People of Great Britain by a Legislative Union, and preffed by an immense Weight of hoftile Power from Abroad, may we be firmly united among ourselves by a liberal Policy, which abolishes Diftinctions creative of Difcord and National Weakness, and adopts ufeful Merit wherever it can be found. Jam moribus, artibus, ad finitatibus nostris, mixti, aurum & opes suas inferant, potius quam separati habeant. I am, My LORD, With efteem and respect, TACITUS. Your Lordship's obliged And very humble Servant, JAMES BENTLEY GORDON. |