us, and we have only the positive
assertion of the Squireen O'Donahue, who asserted not only that they
were kings in Ireland before the O'Connors, whose pretensions to
ancestry he treated with contempt, but further, that they were renowned
for their strength, and were famous for using the longest bows in battle
that were ever known or heard of. Here we have circumstantial evidence,
although not proof. If strong, they might have been kings in Ireland,
for there "might has been right" for many centuries; and certainly their
acquirements were handed down to posterity, as no one was more famous
for drawing the long bow than the Squireen O'Donahue. Upon these
points, however, we must leave our readers to form their own opinions.
Perhaps some one more acquainted with the archives of the country may be
able to set us right if we are wrong, or to corroborate our testimony if
we are right. In his preface to "Anne of Geierstein," Sir Walter Scott
observes, that "errors, however trivial, ought, in his opinion, never to
be pointed out to the author without meeting with a candid and
respectful acknowledgement." Following the example of so great a man,
we can only say, that if any gentleman can prove or disprove the
assertion of the Squireen O'Donahue, to wit, that the O'Donahues were
kings of Ireland long before the O'Connors were heard of; we shall be
most happy to acknowledge the favour, and insert his remarks in the next
edition. We should be further obliged to the same party, or indeed, any
other, it they would favour us with an idea of what was implied by a
king of Ireland in those days; that is to say, whether he held a court,
taxed his subjects, collected revenue, kept up a standing army, sent
ambassadors to foreign countries, and did all which kings do nowadays?
or whether his shillelagh was his sceptre, and his domain some
furze-crowned hills and a bog, the intricacies of which were known only
to himself? whether he was arrayed in jewelled robes, with a crown of
gold weighing on his temples? or whether he went bare-legged and
bare-armed, with his bare locks flowing in luxurious wildness to the
breeze? We request an answer to this in full simplicity. We observe
that even in Ireland now, a fellow six feet high, and stout in
proportion, is called a "prince of a fellow," although he has not
wherewithal to buy a paper of tobacco to supply his dhudeen: and,
arguing from this fact, we are inclined to think that a few more i