Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/311

 CAP. III.

Nature of the soyle, and other incidents

soyle is low and waterish, & includeth diverse little Hands, invironed with bogges and marishes: Highest hilles have standing pooles in their toppe, Inhabitants (especially new come) are subiect to distillations, rhumes and flixes, for remedy whereof they use an ordinary drinke of Aquavitæ, so qualified in the making, that it dryeth more, and inflameth lesse, then other hote confections. The aire is wholsome, not altogether so cleare and subtle as ours of England. Of Bees good store, no vineyards, contrary to the opinion of some writers, who both in this and other errours touching the land, may easily be excused, as those that wrote of hearesay.

Cambrensis in his time, complaineth that Ireland had excesse of wood, and very little champaigne ground, but now the English pale is too naked: Turffe and Sea-coales is their most fuell: it is stored of kyne, of excellent horses, & hawkes, of fish and fowle. They are not without wolves, and greyhounds to hunt them, bigger of bone and limme then a colt. Their kyne, as also their cattle, and commonly what els soever the Countrey ingendreth (except man) is much lesse in quantity then ours of England. Sheepe few and those bearing course fleeces,