Descriptions Natural, Civil, Ecclefiaftical, Hiftorical, Chorographical, &c. With a Table of QUERIES annexed.

THE neceffity of fome scheme, like what is here propofed, will appear to every man, who reads Miffon's Travels through England, Scotland and Ireland, printed London 1719, The prefent State of Great Britain and Ireland, London, 1738, and other writers antient and modern fome extracts out of which have been made in the Preface to the antient and prefent ftate of the County of Down, in order to fhew how the Irish nation have been mifreprefented by writers of other countries; not to mention their grofs mistakes in refpect of the Ecclefiaftial and Civil State of this Kingdom. To remove therefore,

the

the prejudices wehave laboured under, and to do justice to this country, is a part, and only a part of this defign; while more material advantages must neceffarily flow from it. It is acknowledged that the numbers of inhabitants are the riches of a country, and that Ireland is not half, nay, not a fourth part peopled: What then are the motives that invite strangers to a country, either with a view of travelling, refidence, or trade? The ornaments and natural advantages of it-the fertility of the foil -the healthinefs of the air-the fitness of the country for carrying on different kinds of manufactures-navigable rivers ftored with fifh, and harbours large and commodious for traffick. Ireland is happy in all these particulars; to which may be added the hofpitality and civilized manners of the inhabitants, the equal administration of justice by the execution of mild and wholfome laws, and a perfect fecurity of our religious and civil rights, under the government of a just and gracious king. It may be fufficient, at this time, to hint at these advantages to engage gentlemen to enter into this fcheme, the expence of which is fo fmall, and the benefit of it fo gteat.

IT IS THEREFORE PROPOSED,

That until a few gentlemen of this country, can be formed into a fociety, to confider of proper methods for acquiring and propagating a competent knowledge of Ireland, in its feveral parts, from their own experience, correspondence or otherwife.

That

That every fecond publication of this COLLECTANEA, shall be allocated, to record fuch answers, to the following quæries, as fhall be communicated to the author, without waiting for the completion of any particular province or county: to be confidered only as the depôt of materials and information for future historians.

At the request of the author, three thousand copies of these quæries were printed and distributed, in the year 1773, at the expence of the Dublin Society. The committee appointed to digest the anfwers, in daily expectation of as many, as would complete a certain district, post-poned their publications. The committee was difolved and most of the answers have been mislaid.

The author here offers a fecure depofit of fuch anfwers, he fhall be honoured with; and it is defired that they may come free of the expence of postage, addreffed to him under cover to Mr. L. White, Bookfeller, Dublin.

QUERIES

RECOMMENDED TO THE CURIOUS,

To enable them to make proper Enquiries into Natural and other Matters relating to the feveral Counties of Ireland, so far as they lie in their respective Neighbourhoods or Knowledge.

1. AIR.

Its Qualities for Health, with what Conftitutions it agrees beft. - Its Qualities for Sickness, Diseases Epidemical, &c.

What is the fituation in general of any county with respect to feas, lakes, bogs, mountains, and the points of the heavens, viz. E. W. N. S.

Extraordinary phænomena, as meteors, ignes fatui, &c.

Experiments on mountains by Barometers. Tempests, hurricanes, thunder, lightning, and effects, and accidents from them.:

Echo's, by fimple, double, &c. Reflection.

2. W A T E R.

RIVERS,

Their breadth, fource, progrefs, end, whether gravelly,-ftony,-muddy,-fandy?-Whether re

markable