THEN AND NOW IN IRELAND.
[To THE EDITOR OT THE " SPECTATOR. '1 Ste,—May I call attention to the terrible significance of the contrast afforded by the two extracts which are given below? It Was the passage from Warner's History that inspired Thomas Moore's poem, beginning "Rich and rare were the gems she wore," which is included in his Irish melodies :— "The people were inspired with such a spirit of honour, virtue, and religion by the great example of Brien and by his excellent administration, that, as a proof of it, we are informed that a young lady of great beauty, adorned with jewels and costly dress, undertook a journey alone from one end of the kingdom to the other, with a wand only in her hand, at the top of which was a ring of exceeding great value; and such an impression had the laws and government of this monarch made on the minds of all the people, that no attempt was made upon her honour, nor was she robbed of her clothes and jewels."—( Warner's History of Ireland, Vol. I., Book 10.) "It is reported from Killarney that armed and masked men raided the homes of six girls in the town who are known to have sympathy with the Republicans. The girls were in bed, and, in spite of their screams, the raiders painted their bodies green."—(Times, September 15th, 1922.1
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