emn and
haughty impartiality in speaking of all.

Need we say that a history, wherein glowing oratory appeared in place
of historical painting, bold assertion instead of justified
portraiture, flattery to the living instead of justice to the dead,
clever plunder of other compilers instead of original research, or a
cramped and scholastic instead of an idiomatic, "clear and graphic"
style, would deserve rejection, and would, we cannot doubt, obtain it.

To give such a history to Ireland as is now sought will be a proud and
illustrious deed. Such a work would have no passing influence, though
its first political effect would be enormous; it would be read by every
class and side; for there is no readable book on the subject; it would
people our streets, and glens, and castles, and abbeys, and coasts with
a hundred generations besides our own; it would clear up the grounds of
our quarrels, and prepare reconciliation; it would _unconsciously_
make us recognise the causes of our weakness; it would give us great
examples of men and of events, and materially influence our destiny.

Shall we get such a history? Think, reader! has God given you the soul
and perseverance to create this marvel?

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[30] The following is the list of books given as the present
sources of history:--

SOME OF THE ORIGINAL SOURCES OF IRISH HISTORY.

ANCIENT IRISH TIMES.

Annals of Tigernach, abbot of Clonmacnoise, from A.D. 200 to his
death, 1188, partly compiled from writers of the eighth, seventh,
and sixth centuries.

Lives of St. Patrick, St. Columbanus, etc.

Annals of the Four Masters, from the earliest times to 1616.

Other Annals, such as those of Innisfallen, Ulster, Boyle, etc.
Publications of the Irish Archaeological Society, Danish and
Icelandic Annals.

ENGLISH INVASION AND THE PALE.

Gerald de Barri, surnamed Cambrensis, "Topography" and "Conquest of
Ireland." Four Masters, Tracts in Harris's Hibernica. Campion's,
Hanmer's, Marlborough's, Camden's, Holingshed's, Stanihurst's, and
Ware's Histories. Hardiman's Statutes of Kilkenny.

Henry VIII. and Elizabeth.--Harris's Ware. O'Sullivan's Catholic
History. Four Masters. Spencer's View. Sir G. Carew's Pacata
Hibernia. State Papers, Temp. H. VIII. Fynes Moryson's Itinerary.

James I.--Harris's Hibernica. Sir John Davies' Tracts.