Star.
London, England, 1819-10-25 00:00:00

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egl t. E SEVEN -PSIIC I

TO THE EDITOR OF• 14H2 STAR.

SlR—lreland, poor, oppressed, deserted Ireland!
Why is it she is so neglected, slighted, disregarded,
and abandoned? Why is it that endeavours are
made tct impress on the minds of Englishmen that
her sons are barbarons—their country wild—their
manners rude—and their habits vicious? Why art
slight excesses blazoned forth to the world, their
generous deeds thrown into shade, their exertions
forgotten, and their valour unrewarded? How is
it we are insensible to the greatness we owe to her,
and to the valour of our fleets and armies, which,
without her powerful aid, would: have left us povres
less? Can such things be, and like a summer cloud
pass off unnoticed? Forbid it, HeAvila r forbid it
reason, forbid it gratitude!
I am led into these reflections from having lately
been personally convinced of the odor I have,
many of my countrymen, fallen into, that Ireland is
not only destitute of social comforts, but that even
the attempt to be convinced of it was pregnant wkh
danger. I was led to believe, that :in Ireland .it
would be hazardous to explore its beauties, and un-
safe to mix with its inhabitants; that it lad only
one lure, which, only to the gross licentiousness-of the
drunkard, could be in the least inviting ; and that
mental delights were banished from the Tench Who
that has seen and associated with Irishmen, can sub-
Scribe to this? and who but thosewho have associated
with them can judge of it ? Let not then the credu-
lous ear be open to the poisonous breath of defama-
tion—to the blasting censoriousness of malignant
minds, who, with one general sweep would consign
to insignificance and neglect, a noble and a generous
Nation.
A stranger in Dublin—no, I must not say a sti-an.
ger, I should rather say, the stranger at home; for I had
scarcely arrived half an hour, and made inquiry for
my letters, before i was welcomed most heartily. I
ought to premise, that a Gentleman I went to see,
but who unavoidably had . been obliged to come to
London, had anticipated my arrival, and informed
his friend of my intended visit : this friend, whom
I am proud to call so, -with that liberality which is
So much the characteristic of his countrymen, claimed
the privilege of calling me his guest for that day ;
and an introduction to his table lost me my freedom
.for several days following, for, literally, I was not
suffered to go alone. The public buildings were, in
their order, visited; short excursions from the Me-
tropolis were Marked out ; and my evenings passed
in the society of ele7ent, well bred females, and
tangent men: not that common-place conversation
I of unmeaning chitchat about routs and balls, caps
and.bonnets, and tearing characters to pieces; but a
conversation fall of scientific remark, rich with ob-
servation, aboUnding in wit, and mixed asta with the
happiest good humour and politeness ; indeed from
the highest to the lowest in rank, you meet with at-
tention: ask a car-driver; hackney.coachman, or
porter, your way, and he is scarcely Satiified in
recting you, but he will walk.with and pat you into
it.—Visit their cabins, you are-immediately asked 03
sit down, with, Will your honour plaice to take
any. thing ?2 when all they have to offer is a potatoe
and salt. Yet they are happy ; and never having
known what luxury is, are •content ; and, although
their appearance has every thing of wretchedness
about it, they are robust, well-looking, and ca-
pable of bearing hardships, of which they have
abundance of experience. In the interiot, of the
country the same Character is visible: a docile de-
meanour, full of civility, and ready, without a
murmur, to do any thing_ you ask. Robberies are
seldom known, and 'confidence so strong, that not
half the attention is directed to bolts and bars, as
with us in England ':—how have this noble peasantry
been derided ; how have they been degraded ! Rob;
bed of their independency—deserted by their Nobi-
lity—manacled with religious shackles—restraints
upon opinions—their industry cramped by laws.to en-
rich our own manufacturers, and all under the blind
policy which sees not, that to enrich Ireland, we at
the same time enrich ourselves. In an excursion to
the interior, and in the neighbourhood of Kilkenny, I
visited the Merino Factory, situate in a beautiful val-
ley, and most agreeably sheltered by two sloping hills,
rising from a small river. This manufactory owe!
its rise to Messrs. NOWLAN and SHAW, who, with
difficulties to encounter, wl.ich would have damped
the spirits of ordinary men, have succeeded in an Es-
tablishment which will ever make their names dear
to the sons of Erin. This factory, for the manufac-
ture of woollen cloths, is equal to any I have seen,
and gives employMent to 500 poor men, women, and
children, snatched from wretchedness and misery.
These, as some would call wild Irish; now form, a
happy community, enjoying all the comforts of a
social and well-regulated moral family, under the
kind,.the affectionate, yet steady disciplinirian and
father, Mr. NoWLAN—
“ Whose easy pretence ebects no decent ley :
N Wm e'en the 'dissolute admire
" For he a steady gaiety can put on,
" And, laaging, could Instruct!"
—I marked his urbanity of character
tunity I had of being present at an
where, alter the hour of labour, the lao
joined in the merry dance,) in the notice
two young married men and women, by k'
them by the hand, and offering them
tulatory wishes. It was delightful,'
mony which pervaded this happy groui.
example here set. be generally followed
ments of this kind? Would Engler
emplo)ed capital, hut transfer a pert
how would its_ manufactures Bourn
crease, its soil give produce, and her
to our own strength ? Shatne to the
which guides our Councils ! Shitite
has sold his Country !--and shame ti
deserted it!
'Ttritstock.place, Oetobe 2s,

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r (and the °pot. .
A 4‘
an evening Level,
lads and lasses
notice he tdOs of
by kindly taking
hem hts congra-
1, to sec the har-
roup. Would the
owed in establi,h-
and, with its un.
.rt of it to Ireland,
rish, its trade en-
ter pOpnlation add
the narrow policy
ae to the man *rho
Ito those who 'have
AXOLlallibtAx.
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