_N.B._--As I am a member of no club, belong to no literary society, and have no facilities otherwise for watching periodicals, whether newspapers, magazines, or reviews, I shall feel obliged if any gentleman who, in the exercise of a free judgment, should think proper to dissent from me, and to express such dissent in offensive language, would be pleased to forward me a copy of the work wherein his strictures may appear, and I promise that I shall reply to them with deference, and perhaps satisfaction. I also trust that, from the singularity of my position, I do not expect too much when I express a hope that any publication which speaks against me will allow me to reply through the same medium--a request certainly which cannot be refused, unless the design be hostile and factiously malicious. Any suggestions for improvement, with a view to a second edition, I very cheerfully court. All communications addressed to me, to the care of my publisher, Mr. Whittaker, Ave Maria Lane, St. Paul’s, London, will reach me, and be attended to. THE ROUND TOWERS OF IRELAND; OR THE HISTORY OF THE TUATH-DE-DANAANS _FOR THE FIRST TIME UNVEILED_. BY HENRY O’BRIEN, ESQ., A.B. [Illustration] “Hic sacra, hic genus, hic majorum multa vestigia.” CICERO. ... “were of fame, And had been glorious in another day.” BYRON. SECOND EDITION. LONDON: PARBURY AND ALLEN, LEADENHALL STREET; DUBLIN: J. CUMMING, LOWER ORMOND QUAY. MDCCCXXXIV. TO THE MOST NOBLE THE MARQUIS OF LANSDOWNE, ETC. ETC. ETC. MY LORD MARQUIS, Many reasons concur why I should feel ambitious to associate your name with the following production. To enumerate these would neither become my humility, nor be acceptable to your good taste. But there is one motive which, as it is the offspring of the heart, implanted there at a period when adulation was not dreamt of, I may be allowed to particularise,--I was born upon your estates--you are the landlord of that spot which imparted my earliest images--the first soarings of my fancy were derived from that scene--and to the native notes which I have lisped in that primitive and retired region, more than to the vaunted advantages of a subsequent collegiate career, am I beholden for the clue with which I have traversed the ancient world; and of which Envy herself must yet acknowledge, that I have here rectified the history in its very widest amplitude--as well sacred as profane. It is to do honour to this clue _in the eyes of the Mecænas of his age_, and, under the auspices of his approval, to promote its revival, that I give utterance to this sentiment; and so, hoping that you will view it in this light, and not as the empty chaunt of a reprehensible egotism, I beg leave to subscribe myself, with the most profound consideration and respect,