Kind Reception in an intelligent Roman Catholic Family

An invitation had been sent me from Urlingford to visit a family of respectability, a son of which was in New York. This invitation introduced me to the families of the gentry, some of whom I found intelligent, and all hospitable and well bred. In the family of a flourishing shop-keeper I passed many pleasant and profitable days. The man had thought of many things besides selling broad-cloths and muslins, though he had made quite a fortune by that. They were Roman Catholics; unwavering in their opinions, but not illiberal to those who differed from them. A Bible was in the house, and presented to me whenever I might wish to use it. I was present more than once when the family were assembled at evening for prayers, and they kindly said, "We will not ask you into the room, as it might be unpleasant; we wish every person to enjoy his religion in his own way."

Ireland’s Welome to the Stranger is one of the best accounts of Irish social conditions, customs, quirks and habits that you could wish for. The author, Mrs Asenath Nicholson, was an American widow who travelled extensively in Ireland on the eve of the Great Famine and meticulously observed the Irish peasantry at work and play, as well as noting their living conditions and diet. The book is also available from Kindle.