Thus, under heaven, have I been made the humble instrument of redeeming my country from the aspersions of calumniators. I have shown to _demonstration_ the real origin of its _sanctified_ renown. I have traced from the _Irish_, through all the variations of _Greek_ and _Latin_ capricios, its _delineatory_ name; and have proved, beyond the possibility of rational contradiction, that in all those different changes regard was still held to the original epithet. Where, then, are the sneers--of “hallucination,”--of “lunacy,”--and of “etymological moonshine?” These are very cheap and convenient terms for gentlemen to adopt, as cloaks to the ignorance of the purport of denominations imposed at a time when every _word_ was a _history_. In the early ages of the world whimsicality never mingled with the circumstantial designation of either person or locality. Every name was the sober consequence of deliberate circumspection; and was intended to transmit the memory of events, in the truest colours, as well as in the most comprehensive form, to the latest generation. Will this be considered the _vapouring_ of conceit? Is it the _spouting_ of self-sufficient inanity? Let the heartless _utilitarian_, unable to appreciate the motives which first enlisted me in this inquiry, and which still fascinate my zeal, at an age when--did not my love for _truth_ and the rectification of my country’s history _rise superior_ to the mortification of _alienated_ honour--I should have flung from me letters and literature in disgust, and betaken myself, an adventurer for distinction as a soldier,--let such, I say, _conceal within himself_ his despicable worldly-mindedness, and leave me unmolested, if unrewarded, to posterity. “Come thou, my friend, my genius, come along, Thou master of the poet and the song, And while the muse now stoops, or now ascends, To man’s low passions, or his glorious ends, Teach me, like thee, in various nature wise, To fall with dignity--with temper rise; Formed by thy converse happily to steer From grave to gay, from lively to severe; Correct with spirit, eloquent with ease; Intent to reason, or polite to please.” The origin of the term “Sacred Island,” being now for ever adjudicated, the reader will at once see that it belonged to an era long anterior to Christianity. In assigning to it this _date_,[154] I pretend not to be _unique_; and, as I should not wish to deprive any brow of the laurels which it has earned--more especially, where an undisputed enjoyment has amounted to _prescription_--I shall register, in express words, my predecessor’s own exposé, which is, that “the isle must have been so named _because of its nurturing no venomous reptile_”[155]!!! Who will not smile?