Wesley Corpus

And supposing him to give a true account of the Irish language, it is not only beyond all comparison worse than any ancient language I know anything of; but below English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, or any other modern lan guage. The difficulty of reading it is intolerable, occasioned chiefly by the insufferable number of mute letters, both of vowels and consonants; the like of which is not to be found in any language under heaven. The number of pronouns, and the irregular formation of the verbs, is equally insufferable. But nothing is so insufferable as their poetry; the whole con struction of which is so trifling and childish; and yet requires more pains to write, than either the modern rhyme, or the ancient attention to long and short syllables. Friday, 20. I went on to Castlebar. Here I generally find a welcome reception. Almost all the inhabitants here love us well, and believe the Methodists are good men. Sat. 21.-Mr. Browne of Relins, about three miles from Castlebar, invited us to his house. It is one of the plea santest places I have seen in the kingdom: But it was not so pleasant as when I was there first. For his lovely wife, and an amiable daughter, are both gone into a better country. MAY 22,-(Being Trinity-Sunday.) I preached in the morn May, 1785.] JOURNAL, 309 ing on, “There are three that bear record in heaven.” The congregation at church were remarkably well-behaved; and the Rector preached a sound, useful sermon. At five I preached to an exceeding numerous congregation, and after wards administered the sacrament to the society. Two Clergymen were with us, the Curate of Castlebar, and the Curate of a neighbouring parish; one of whom already enjoys the peace of God, and the other was earnestly seeking it. Mon. 23.--After a long day's journey, I preached in the new Court-House at Sligo, to far the worst congregation that I have seen since I came into the kingdom. Some (miscalled Gentry) laughed and talked without fear or shame, till I openly reproved them: And the rabble were equally rude near the door. In the morning I preached in our own preaching-house, chiefly for the sake of Mrs. Simpson, a mother in Israel, who has been long confined to her room. Walking, about noon, I was catched in a heavy shower, and contracted a severe cold.