TRAVELS IN IRELAND, IN THE YEAR 1822, EXHIBITING BRIEF SKETCHES OF THE MORAL, PHYSICAL, AND POLITICAL STATE WITH REFLECTIONS ON THE BEST MEANS OF IMPROVING BY THOMAS REID, MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN LONDON, AND AUTHOR OF TWO VOYAGES TO NEW SOUTH WALES That country can never prosper, where what should be the ambition of men of Fox's Letter to Lord Charlemont. LONDON: PRINTED FOR LONGMAN, HURST, REES, ORME, AND BROWN, AND SOLD BY R. MILLIKEN, DUBLIN; EDWARDS AND SAVAGE, TO THE READER. EVERY man who ventures to appear before the public as an author is expected to give some account of himself, as well as his motives for trespassing on public attention: this expectation I shall endeavour not to disappoint. As the following sheets came from the press, they were submitted for perusal to a liberal-minded friend, who, after offering his own opinion, remarked, "But the enemies of toleration will assuredly set you down as a Catholic." If that will increase their happiness, I have not the least objection; the fear of such an imputation does not greatly disturb my repose. Long experience has thoroughly convinced me, that a good Catholic is a valuable member of society in any country, though I confess, I set out in life with very different notions. On the subject of religious persuasion, I can have no difficulty in expressing my sentiments; |