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FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS,

BY G. PETRIE, R. H. A., W. H. BARTLETT, & T. M. BAYNES.

WITH DESCRIPTIONS,

BY G. N. WRIGHT, M. A.

PROFESSOR OF ANTIQUITIES TO THE ROYAL HIBERNIAN ACADEMY, ETC.

ASTOR LIGNA

"At every glance we catch a new delight;

Green hills are glittering in the golden ray.

Winding through vales with matchless verdure bright,

The streamlets seem."

"The rushing torrent falls in pearly spray :

Above, in forms grotesque, the cliffs aspire,

Below, in deep recess, the fairy dells retire."

CONA.

LONDON:

H. FISHER, SON, AND JACKSON, 38, NEWGATE STREET.

MDCCCXXXI.

1831

THE Illustrator, unconfined by any definite or preconcerted system, has rambled over subjects without method or restraint-if he has pleased sufficiently, for which he is aware his thanks are to be acknowledged more to the fascinating powers of his coadjutors' pencil, than to the efforts of his pen, the chief object of the Illustrations has been obtained. Like the butterfly, he has winged his desultory course through paths of pleasure adorned with a thousand sweets, passing heedlessly over many of nature's fairest flowers, and gathering only from the blossoms of his choice.

The earliest topographical writers have invited attention to the singular beauties of Irish scenery. Cambrensis declared, "that nature looked with a more favourable eye than usual, upon this kingdom of zephyrs ;" and authors, more attached to Ireland, and more conspicuous for a love of truth, have asserted, "that nature has here denied nothing that is necessary to constitute a great and happy people ;" and,

"Tho' form'd to charm, new rapture to inspire,

To feed the painter's and the poet's fire;"

yet to the present age and period belongs the peculiar merit of having unfolded those charms, and discovered those graces, which the world of taste are now permitted to enjoy.

Mankind in general appear to possess an innate love of the beauties of nature, and this passion has been always found to predominate most in warm, susceptible, and cultivated minds; and, perhaps, for this precise reason it is, that such subjects as awaken the powers, and gratify the pleasures, of the imagination, will be both better understood, and more clearly appreciated, in the present period, than in those ages just gone by.

It should be observed, that the Artists, engaged in the Illustrations of Ireland, were obliged to delineate, from a great variety of subjects, all of which were picturesque and sublime, landscapes representing select and distinct pieces of imagery: and the Illustrator has seized those happy occasions, for the introduction of such legends, facts, or circumstances, as may well be understood by the contemplator of each scene.

Although a systematic plan is disclaimed, a principle will be found to regulate the selection of subjects. The Public Buildings of chief cities and capital towns have all been introduced, and with so much address, on the part of the Artists, that, if necessary, they may be viewed as architectural drawings. The singular wildness and peculiar character of the Irish Landscape they have endeavoured to make intelligible, by views selected from many different counties; and care has been taken to represent such subjects as were not previously published, and such places as were most beautiful, though the most unknown.

From such an agreeable confusion in the plan, it is hoped pleasure, beauty, and harmony may flow; and though arrogating no praise beyond that meed apportioned to a work of taste, if it shall also be found that the Illustrations have added to the small, and slowly accumulating heap of information upon the Topography of Ireland, the measure of its appetite for praise is full.

For the present we take leave of Irish Views, and recommend to our Subscribers two similar volumes, of English Scenery-one illustrating the County of LANCASHIRE; the other, the Counties of DEVON and CORNWALL-either of which may be had separately.

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