to a perfection equal to that of any other language.

The Irish, though evidently on the decline, is still the vernacular tongue of about two millions of the population.143 Its prevalence in reference to the different provinces may be expressed as follows:-In Connaught it is spoken almost universally; in Munster, generally; in Leinster, sparingly; and in Ulster, only in the county of Donegal, and the mountainous districts. The best Irish is spoken in Connaught and Thomond, and the worst perhaps in Tipperary, although a native of that county would be highly offended at being told so. The language ceases to be spoken in the lower parts of the county Tipperary, and is almost totally unknown in the King and Queen's county, part of Carlow and Wexford, Wicklow, Kildare, and Dublin. The Connaught and Munster dialects differ almost as much as the Hebrew and Chaldee.

ARMAGH

Few of the Irish counties fill so prominent a page in ancient Irish history as the county of Armagh. It is surpassed by many in picturesque beauty, but by none in the sturdy, independent character of its peasantry. Along the high roads, and also among the bye-ways, very little of poverty is encountered: the cottages are, for the most part, neat, cleanly, and comfortable; few of them are without orchards added to the ordinary" garden," and the continual click-cluck of the shuttle betokens the industry that is securing humble luxuries within. Almost every dwelling is a linen factory; and the whole of its inmates, from the very aged to the very young, are made, in some degree, useful. Therefore, although the "earnings" of each are small, the combined gatherings amount to a sum sufficient not alone to supply wants, but to obtain the advantages which make life something more than a mere state of existence between the birth and the grave. We had been but a very few hours in Armagh county before we perceived abundant signs that we were in "the North;" and very soon ascertained that the statements we had heard of its exceeding prosperity, as compared with the southern districts of Ireland, were by no means exaggerated.

The county is inland, in the province of Ulster: its boundaries are the county of Down on the east, Louth on the south-east, Monaghan on the south-west, Tyrone on the north and north-west, and the great inland sea of Ireland, Lough Neagh, on the north. It comprises, according to the Ordnance Survey, 328,000 statute acres, 17,941 of which are covered with water, and 42,742 of which are unprofitable mountain and bog. In 1821, the population was 197,427; in 1831, 220,134; in 1841, it had reached 232,393. It is divided into the baronies of Armagh, Turaney, O'Neilland East, O'Neilland West, Upper Fews, Lower Fews, Upper Orier and Lower Orier. Besides the city of Armagh, the county contains the towns of Lurgan, Portadown, Tanderagee, Market-Hill, and Newton-Hamilton; all of them being comparatively large and prosperous, and presenting appearances of cleanliness and comfort very cheering to the tourist who has made his way upwards from the south.

The city of Armagh (see Plate No. 10), from whatever side it is approached, is an object of considerable interest and beauty. It lines the sides of a steep hill, which stands almost in the centre of a remarkably fertile valley. The new houses are, for the most part, built of marble, and the streets are literally paved with the same material: from its high position, therefore, and the solid character of the buildings, its appearance is singularly clean and pure, and even the lowest alleys have a character of decent and orderly arrangement. Several public structures have

yas inland, in the province of Lista: s are the county of Down on the the south-east, Monaglan on the r ne on the north and north-west, ei and sea of Ireland, Lough It comprises, accordeig

sayev, 825,000 statule aerts, cavesend with water, and 12,are nordital mountain and bog, 7 s 17,427: in 1881, bad reached 232.333. It is

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a: 1841.

to thords of Arh. Turan nd I, O Need West, Uppr Lower Fas, Upper Oder and Lower OrBesides they of At na., Phe county con of Luzon, Portadown, Tandr Hal, and Newton-Herilton; all f mparatively late and prospereus, g appearances of canliness and y cherry to test who s he v upwards fra : le sou li. of Ana (sce 14, de No. 10), freto side it is: touched, is an object of rable terad beauty. It lines be , w.hston is alnet in the tbelly forti, valley. Th. new

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