They found Dublin full of Catholics; and on June 19, 1651, Mr.John Hewson had the felicity of making the following report on the state of religion in the Irish metropolis:-- 'Mr.Winter, a godly man, came with the commissioners, and they flock to hear him with great desire; besides, there is in Dublin, since January last, about 750 Papists forsaken their priests and the masse, and attends the public ordinances, I having appointed Mr.Chambers, a minister, to instruct them at his own house once a week.

They all repaire to him with much affection, and desireth satisfaction.

And though Dublin hath formerly swarmed with Papists, I know none (now) there but one, who is a chirurgeon, and a peaceable man.

It is much hoped the glad tidings of salvation will be acceptable in Ireland, and that this savage people may see the salvation of God.' Political economists tell us that when population is greatly thinned by war, or pestilence, or famine, Nature hastens to fill up the void by the extraordinary fecundity of those who remain.

The Irish must have multiplied very fast in Connaught during the Commonwealth; and the mixture of Saxon and Celtic blood resulting from the union of the Cromwellian soldiers with the daughters of the land must have produced a numerous as well as a very vigorous breed in Wexford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, Waterford, Cork, East and West Meath, King's and Queen's Counties, and Tyrone.