may be necessary to state the considerable difference which exists between the LAND MEASURES of Ireland and England. The perch of Ireland contains 21 feet, or 252 inches; the perch of England comprises no more than 16 feet, or 198 inches. The number of perches in the Irish and English miles is the same, i. e. 320; and the former, consequently, contains 80,640 inches, the latter 63,360. One Irish mile is, therefore, equal to 1M. 2F. 7P. English; or, to adopt a more frequent mode of comparison, eleven Irish miles are equal to fourteen English miles. The square of the number of inches in the Irish perch is 63,504; and that of the number in the English perch, 39,204. Consequently, one Irish plantation acre is equal to 1A. 2R. 19p. English; or 121 Irish acres are equal to 196 English acres. Having thus concluded such prefatory remarks as appear to be essential to the due illustration of Irish Topography, we proceed to a description of the country, its principal cities, towns, mansions, and antiquities, commencing with the Province of Leinster. |