occurs; but when it does happen, it is attended with the most distressing circumstances. The iniquitous practice of regrating or forestalling is not unknown; but during some dear seasons the unfeeling monopolizer has been disappointed, and the wants of the poor have been relieved by seasonable supplies of flour from America. The improvements, however, daily making in agriculture throughout this part of the country renders scarcities of the kind less likely to occur hereafter. 6. Fuel. X Few towns in Ireland are better supplied with this necessary article than Galway. Boats laden with turf arrive daily at the Ship-quay from Connamara, and an immense quantity is annually brought down the lake to the Wood-quay, above the town. Many cargoes of coal are also imported, in consequence of which firing is always tolerably reasonable. tolerably reasonable. Frauds, however, are sometimes committed, by departing from the regular statute turf kish-a practice which cannot be too severely punished, as the poor are in general the sufferers, all who can afford it generally purchasing their turf by the boat-load, which precludes the possibility of their being defrauded. In 1762, the statute kish was sold for nine pence; at present it averages double that sum. There is another useful, and pleasant species of fuel very plenty, called bog-deal, being decayed timber raised out of the bogs about the town. VIII. EDUCATION, LITERARY SOCIETIES, MANNERS, CUSTOMS, &C. The powerful influence of education over the human mind and character renders it necessary, before treating of the manners, customs and natural dispo sition of the inhabitants of Galway, to ascertain what advantages in that, important respect they have hitherto possessed, or at present enjoy." Virtue,” says the philosophical historian of England, never flourishes to any degree, nor is founded on steady principles of honor, except where a good education becomes general, and where men are taught the pernicious consequences of vice, treachery and immorality."--The principal seminary for education esta blished at Galway is, 1. Erasmus Smith's Free School. This is one of the five original grammar schools founded by that adventurer in Ireland. By the charter of Charles II. 1666, it was declared to have been established "for so many, not exceeding twenty, poor children as should seem convenient, besides the children of his tenants, (not limited to any number,) who were to be instructed in writing and accounts, the Latin, Greek and Hebrew tongues, and to be fitted for the University if desired." Although the possessions of the governors of these schools are considerable in the town and liberties of Galway, and their tenants have been always numerous, yet the latter, being chiefly Roman Catholics, seldom sent their children to the school; in consequence of which the inhabitants of Galway cannot be said to have acquired those advantages from this seminary which might otherwise be expected. With very few exceptions, however, it has always been ably conducted. In 1813, a spacious and elegant school-house, with several apartments and offices, was erected, at an expense of between five and six thousand pounds. It stands on an elevated situation, towards the east of the town, and commands a fine prospect of the bay, the Clare' mountains and the islands of Arran. It was opened on the 1st of August, 1815; and several of the most respectable youth of the town and province have since Ꮓ they did dayly perpetrate and committe;" Erasmus Smith, of London, esq. for the confidence which he reposed in doctors Henry Jones, Samuel Winter, and several other trustees therein named, "and for the great and ardent desire which he hath that the poore children inhabiteing upon any parte of his lands in Ireland should be brought up in the feare of God and good literature, and to speak the English tongue," assigned unto them "403 a. 1 r. profitable land near Athlone, 1467 a. profitable land in the isles of Arran, 1011 a. 1 r. profitable land in or near the town of Galway, [except 5 a. 1 r. adjoining said town, marked (O,) and 1 a. 1 r. marked (1) in the plot in the surveyor's-general's office, all in the possession of the said Erasmus, or his under-tenants, with the unprofitable lands thereunto allotted, cast in, and allowed, to hold as therein, in trust, that they should found five schoole-houses for teaching of grammar and the original tongues, and to write, read and cast accompts, to be built in the places following, viz.: one in Sligo, one upon his lands about Gallway, one upon his lands in the barony of Clanwilliam, county Tipperary, one upon his lands in the barony of Dunluce, county Antrim, and one where his lands that are deficient, (which is 2700l.) shall be fixed; and to pay 40%. yearly to a schoole-master in each of said schooles, for teachinge the poor, inhabiteing on the premisses to read, write, cast accompts, and grammar, as they shall be found capable; the children of the poore tennants, and of such as are poore, or live by their labour, to be taught free, and without payinge for their teachinge; and that such of the tenants' children as should be made fitt for the Universitie, or Trinity Colledge, near Dublin, should have out of the remainder of the rents 104. a year for the first four yeares; that such person shalbe admitted into the said colledge of Dublin: but no poore scholler to receive more than 10. yearely, and not to continue longer than foure yeares after entrance into the Universitie. That when the annual value of the lands should exceed 300l. the surplussage should be employed for the maintenance of five schooles, to be erected on any parte of said Erasmus Smith's lands in Ireland; and that no pension should be allowed to any student until these five schooles should be erected. Saving always to said Erasmus Smith and his heirs for ever, all eyries of hawkes in the isles of Arran, and libertie for digginge, cuttinge, pollishinge and carryinge away of stone out of the marble quarry in the isles of Arran."—Cromwell's Roll, No. 3, Rolls Off. The lands, &c. in the liberties of Galway were described as, "One parcel called Barraghallagh, with a mill; some houses; an old abbey, ruined, and several cabbins and gardens; a small parcel of land by Ballybridge; and the houses of Booremore and Boorebeg, with cabbins and gardens; the town and lands of Ballibane and Glegnale; a parcel of land called Mile-bush; a parcel of land called Ranmore; a parcel of land called Westmurragh; a parcel of land called Murragh, being one quarter of Dohiesky; a parcel of land called Murraghbegg; a parcel of land called Ballybritt, and a parcel of the land of Roscam, all situate in the liberties of Galway," with several other lands in the county at large.-Rolls Off-These possessions, which contain several hundred acres, produce a large annual income. In 1808, the rise on the Galway estates alone amounted to 8€77. 158. per annum. In 1788, the celebrated Howard visited this school, which was then kept in High-street, and which he stated was well conducted and provided with an able master. "With this worthy master," says the philanthropist, "I had much conversation relative to a more general and liberal mode of education in that country. Mr. Campbell testified the readiness of many of the Catholics to send their children to Protestant schools; and he is of opinion that many would by these means be brought over, were the most promising of them enabled, by moderate aids, to pursue their further education in the University."That such were the testimony and opinion of Mr. Campbell is very probable; but he did not produce a single instance to strengthen the one; and as to the other, it does not appear that they who ought to furnish these "moderate aids" have ever since thought such proselytes worth purchasing. been educated here, under the care of the reverend Mr. Whitley, the present master, a gentleman who appears to have given general satisfaction. 2. Other Seminaries of Education. a There are several other schools of different degrees of merit, in the town, for the instruction of youth, both male and female. Classical learning, it is to be regretted, is not so much attended to, or so generally estimated as it ought. The principal part of the town's-people are fully content if their children receive a plain English education. There are, however, and always have been, many exceptions, and, among others, the classical academy kept by Mr. Kearns has produced some excellent scholars. Schools for instruction in reading, writing, arithmetic and mathematics, (being the usual course of education among the middle orders,) are more general. There are also several boarding schools for young ladies, and day schools for female children; and on the whole, though the town is not distinguished for a superior brilliancy of education, yet that blessing, in a moderate degree, is tolerably diffused among the inhabitants. 3. The Amicable Society. The great coalition of all that was wealthy and respectable, both Protestant and Catholic, during the memorable era of volunteering, gave a final blow to the expiring religious prejudices in this part of Ireland: from that period the gentlemen of the town and county forgot all party distinctions, and have ever since cordially united in promoting every measure connected with the public welfare. On the 16th of November, 1791, the Amicable Literary Society was formed in Galway by some of the most respectable individuals of both persuasions, for the purpose of acquiring and disseminating useful information on the important subjects of agriculture, commerce, science, &c. The members are numerous, and the mode of election renders them select and respectable. The funds are ample. The Society possesses a good library, and, with the English and Irish papers, receives several periodical publications. publications. All religious All religious and political disquisitions are rigidly prohibited; and if the Society has not entirely adhered to the objects of its original institution, yet it has not wholly departed from them. A noble superstructure might, however, be raised on this foundation. The course of education at present comprises the English, Latin, Greek and Hebrew languages, composition in prose and verse, history, geography, the use of the globes, algebra, astronomy, and the more useful branches of the mathematics.--It is sincerely hoped, that as prejudice has on all sides rapidly declined, the benefits of this excellent course of education may become more general among the rising generation in this town. > Walter Lambert, esq. of Cregaclare, one of the most respectable Protestant gentleman of the county, was elected first president of the Amicable Society. The other original members were, Mark Lynch, esq. treasurer; John 4. The Mercantile Coffee Room, Was opened about the year 1792, by subscription. The original list of members was chiefly composed of the gentry, merchants, and respectable shopkeepers of the town. The establishment has recently branched out into two separate reading-rooms, which receive the principal London and Dublin papers, and also the three newspapers published in the town, viz.: the Connaught Journal, Galway Chronicle, and Weekly Advertiser. These latter publications, though they cannot be adduced as a proof of increasing wealth or commerce, afford, however, unquestionable evidence of the anxiety of the town's-people for information and improvement. It has been observed that, ever since the mitigation of the penal laws, in 1778, the benefits of education have gradually extended over this part of Ireland. Many of the inhabitants of Galway and several gentlemen of the surrounding districts are distinguished for polite and elegant information. Book-shops and circulating libraries have increased, and a love for reading and literary taste is happily becoming more general. This is particularly observable amongst those in the middle walk of life, a numerous and respectable class, which includes a great part of the population of the town." 5. Character, Manners, Customs, &c. Having thus far attempted a delineation of the principal features of Galway, its topography, constitution, commerce, public buildings, institutions, &c. the whole shall be concluded with a brief view of the inhabitants, their general character, manners, customs, &c. This is a subject which, for many reasons, the author would willingly decline; but as it is one deemed indispensible in works of this nature, he must, though concisely, and with diffidence, comply with the general custom. In the first place it may be observed, that, so long as truth The Connaught Journal was the first newspaper printed in the province of Connaught. The first number was published in Galway, on Tuesday, the 8th October, 1754, by Thomas Hutchison, and it states, that "this paper is the first attempt of the kind in this part of Ireland." It was published "every Tuesday and Friday; price to subscribers in the town 88. 8d. per annum, and if sent to the country 11s. 44d. Advertisements of all kinds, not exceeding ten lines, inserted for 2s. 84d. per month." Previously to this period, a periodical work, entitled "The Galway Reviser," was conducted here by some literary gentlemen of the town; but it does not appear to have continued for any time. talent and acquirements. In the course of the last year, the " Galway Weekly Advertiser" was also commenced, and has ever since been ably conducted. All ranks, from the highest to the lowest, with very few individual exceptions, speak their vernacular language, the Irish, fluently. The country people in the vicinity of the town almost exclusively use it; and such of them as understand English attempt it rather awkwardly, and with evident reluctance, in their intercourse with the town's-people. The policy or laws which suffered these poor people to remain so long in a state of ignorance, by denying them the benefit of instruction in their native tongue, can only be classed amongst those great political errors of which history furnishes so many examples.-Thousands sterling are annually subscribed to instruct Indians in the most distant climes, but not a single effectual effort has yet been made to enlighten the minds or ameliorate the condition of our native poor! R R In 1775, a newspaper, entitled the "Galway Chronicle," was printed by a Mr. Connor; and, in 1791, the "Galway Evening Post" was published by Mr. B. Conway; but both were of very short duration. In 1809, another newspaper, the "Galway Chronicle," was established by Mr. Richard Busteed, a young gentleman of considerable shall be adhered to, the natives of Galway need be under no great apprehensions from the most minute investigation. The former inhabitants, it is true, have been charged with "possessing an inordinate quantity of pride," or, as described by lord Clanricarde in 1641, they "were not without a large portion of pride, and particularly piqued themselves on entertaining high notions of honor." This feeling, if not originally acquired, certainly suffered no diminution during their long continued intercourse with the Spanish nation: some will even assert that it has been communicated to their descendants, and that it may be very visibly perceived amongst many of them at the present day. From this source most probably sprung the practice of duelling, for which the inhabitants of the town and county of Galway have been heretofore so remarkable, and which, even still, is far from being eradicated. This custom is rather singular for being so general among a people well known to be religious by habit; but like the celebrated chevalier Bayard, "the knight without fear or reproach," it may be said of many an individual here, "that he always heard mass before he fought a duel." As civilization, however, advances, it is observable that this practice is gradually declining. Another propensity, which has been also pointed out as tolerably general in this part of Ireland, is, an inclination for law, or, according to some, an immoderate love of litigation. This, however, admits of some qualification. It may, with as much propriety, be termed a desire to obtain strict and impartial justice; and we have the authority of Sir John Davis for asserting, "that no nation under the sun did love equal and indifferent justice better than the Irish." But it must still be conceded, that the decline of both, or either of these propensities, and the increase of industrious habits, would have the most salutary effects on the morals, happiness, and prosperity of the people. A gentleman well acquainted with Galway, and who had, for many years, resided in Spain, frequently mentioned to the author, that he thought he perceived, in many instances, a striking coincidence between the manners of the people, particularly those of the middle rank, in both places. It is rather remarkable that somewhat a similar observation was made, many years ago, of the inhabitants of Limerick, to the author of the Philosophical Survey of A Spaniard of ancient descent, and particularly a Castilian, thinks himself the most important being in nature; but, according to one of our popular writers, "ridiculous as this pride is, it is productive of the most exalted qualities: it inspires the nation with generous, humane and virtuous sentiments; it being seldom found that a Spanish nobleman, gentleman, or even trader, is guilty of a mean action." A late comic writer of some celebrity, describing the self-importance of one of his characters, tells us that be was as proud as a Galway merchant. This empty quality, however, is gradually disappearing: many of the present generation now smile at the follies of the past, and, with more liberal views, think no distinctions in society so lau dable as those which are founded in virtue and honor. The county of Galway was formerly famous for such fighting gentlemen as Blue-Blaze-Devil-Bob, NineteenDuel-Dick, Hair-Trigger-Pat, and Feather-Spring-Ned; but these honorable agnomens would be no longer cited with triumph by ancient families; they are sinking fast into oblivion.-Edgeworth on Professional Education. It has been observed that no city in Ireland, even of much greater extent, is better supplied with attorneys than Galway. Previously to 1790, there were scarcely six gentlemen of that profession here; but now there are upwards of thirty, (amongst whom the author has the honor of being enrolled,) a number deemed by some entirely disproportionate to the population of the town. |