This work, being now complete, is recommended to all who desire
acqaintance with Ireland. In testimony of its impartiality, the
Publisher refers to the recorded opinions of the several leading
Journals of England and Scotland of all parties; more especially to
those of the two great political organs, after the volumes were brought
to a close:—
"Many books and pamphlets have been written, since the beginning of
the present century, in regard to the social, moral, and physical
condition of Ireland; but generally those works have resulted
from meditation in the closet rather than from actual observation
of the country and its inhabitants. Most of them, too, have been
composed for party purposes, or party objects; and, if we except a
few books of an historic character, and one or two others limited
to particular subjects, there was, till the appearance of the
volumes before us, hardly a single work, within our knowledge,
relating to Ireland, which we should be inclined to praise for
its moderation, accuracy, and impartiality. The book presents us
with a body of facts relating to the sister kingdom, which, being
the result of personal observation and investigation, ought at
this moment to command the attentive consideration of all who are
interested in its welfare and prosperity. Written in a spirit of
great moderation, although not entirely free from political bias,
the work evinces throughout a desire to exhibit things as they
really are, and to extend equal-handed justice to all parties
and to all sects. The work abounds with illustrations, which are
beautifully executed, and the sketches of national character with
which it is interspersed will afford ample amusement to those who
would, without them, have perhaps but little inclination to peruse
the more valuable portions of the work."—_Times_, October 12, 1843.
"The most popular work on the beauties and characteristics of
Ireland, as a whole, which has appeared for many years, has been
brought to a close. For its impartiality and truthfulness the
two editors have been more than once complimented by persons of
every party; and the same distinguishing features which marked the
early numbers have been preserved to the very close. Partisans
may differ from the conclusions at which Mr. and Mrs. Hall have
arrived, but no one will venture to say that either the lady or
her husband have misstated or misrepresented any thing."—_Morning
Chronicle_, Nov. 10.
"Next to Maria Edgeworth, there is no writer to whose pen
Ireland is more deeply indebted for the generous advocacy of its
claims, and graphic delineation of its living manners, by which
the sympathies of the reader are engaged on behalf of its long
oppressed population, than Mrs. Hall. No one more competent, as
well as willing, to do justice to Ireland, could have been selected
for the present task, than this very lively writer and her literary
partner."—_The Patriot._