THE Beauties OF IRELAND. PROVINCE OF LEINSTER. LEINSTER, the eastern province of Ireland, is bounded on the north by the province of Ulster, the line of division on that side being chiefly artificial, but in other parts formed by the course of different rivers. Throughout a great part of its western limits it is separated from Connaught by the river Shannon; and on the south-west it meets the province of Munster. On the east and south its boundaries are washed by the Irish Sea. This province comprises twelve counties, which are sub-divided into ninety-seven baronies, and 992 parishes. Writers differ as to the contents in square miles; but, according to Mr. Wakefield, the number is 7360, English measure. Leinster, under its present limits, is the most level part of Ireland, there being no great ranges of mountains, except those in the counties of Wicklow and Carlow. That vast plain which includes the Bog of Allen, and reaches entirely across the island, engrosses a considerable part of this province; but in other tracts the surface, if not boldly unequal, has a gentle and pleasing undulation. The sea-coast of this district is of a less sinuous character than that of any other provincial division of Ireland. The principal ports are those of Dublin, Dundalk, Drogheda, and Wexford. Ptolemy states the country now comprehended in this province to have been inhabited, in the second century, by the tribes named Brigantes; Menapii; Cauci; and Eblani. We have already shewn that Leinster is that division of Ireland in which the English first effected a settlement. Continually fluctuating in extent, this eastern province constituted the district usually known, until the time of King James I. by the appellation of the Pale, or that part of the island chiefly inhabited by the English, and subject to English legislation. Contests respecting the limits of this distinct and privileged territory were no less frequent than those in Britain, relating to the borders of the English and Scottish kingdoms. Concerning those disastrous struggles there remain very numerous traditionary tales, which are sometimes supported by historical documents, and which, in all instances, impart a vein of romantic interest to the former line of contention, and to the decaying castles in its vicinity. This province contains the capital, and is justly considered to be the best cultivated, and most highly enriched part of Ireland. Leinster affords the title of Duke to the antient family of Fitzgerald. Our description of this fine district naturally commences with THE CITY OF DUBLIN. DUBLIN, the capital of Ireland, takes rank as the second city of the British empire, in regard to extent and population. It may be safely asserted that no city throughout Europe can produce so much splendour of modern architectural enrichment, in proportion to extent of site and number of domestic buildings. The discrepancies are numerous; but, when viewed at points favourable to observation, Dublin is calculated, in a degree almost unrivalled, to impress on the spectator ideas of grandeur, polite habits of life, and national importance. It is curious and useful to trace the rise and progressive increase of a great and attractive city through the vicissitudes of its annals; and the interest we take in its description is, naturally, augmented by the familiarity thus acquired with its varied fortunes. The earliest authentic mention of 'Dublin occurs in the work |