An Irish-English dictionary - National Library of Scotland

THE AUTHORS PREFACE.
pcojilc of every opportunity to obtain education. For this absurd purpose our books were de-
stroyed, acts of parliament passed, schoolmasters persecuted, and where laws or severity were
found ineffectual, recourse was had to ridicule, to shame the people out of the most energetic, and,
as Sir W. Temple has since described it, the most original and unmixed language now remaining
in Europe. But even ridicule, that powerful engine over weak minds, has failed in producing
the desired effect ; and the Irish language still exists a living memorial of the refinement to which
our ancestors had attained, and of the encouragement given by them to learning and learned
men. This silly poHcy is at length laid aside; the reign of prejudice has expired, and is in a
great measure succeeded by candid inquiry and rational investigation.
To elucidate our antiquities and bring fairly before the public the claims of ancient Ireland to
a literary character, superior to that of neighbouring nations, the pens of some highly talented
geniuses have of late years been employed. Amongst those to whom Ireland is indebted for the
rescuing of her history and language from obscurity, the Earl of Ross, and the late General
Valiancy, hold the most distinguished places. By the labours of these gentlemen, and others
skilled in our ancient tongue, the Irish language is proved to be nearly the same as the Phoenician,
and many lights have been thrown upon the early periods of our history.
Independently of the claims which this language has upon the general scholar for consideration,
and upon the descendants of the aborigines for protection, it merits the attention of the divine, the
la\v\-cr, the physician, and of all those who have to converse with the people, whose living and
only language it is. It is the only medium through which instruction can be conveyed to at least
foiu-fifths of the people of Ireland. The divine, therefore, who neglects this language, should
consider how far he is competent to discharge the duty he owes to those souls committed to his
care. The great utility of this language to the lawyer is proved frequently in the year. In
every count}', at every sessions, trials occur in which prisoners or witnesses can be heard only
through the medium of an interpreter, probably but ill qualified for such an oflice, and who, by
the mistake of a single word in the evidence, may cause the acquittal of a murderer, or the
murder of an innocent. The consideration of a possibility of such an occurrence has caused Sir '
W. C. Smith, Bart., one of the Barons of the Exchequer, to study the Irish language, in which
he has made great progress, and set a praiseworthy example to other gentlemen of the bar.
To the physician several cases must have occurred where his scientific skill was baffled by his
ignorance of the language in Avhich only his patient could clearly point out the nature of his
complaint. And every person who has dealings in the country, has daily proofs of the incon-
venience arising from a want of the language of the people with whom he has to converse.
To remove the impediments which heretofore stood In the way of learning our language, I
have compiled the work now offered to the public, and have spared neither labour nor expense
in making it as perfect as I could, though with very small encouragement given by my coimtry-
men. Indeed in the articles of pecuniary or literary aid, I have but few obligations to confess.
Of those from whom I have received more than half price, or in some few cases more than the full