LIFE OF EDMOND MALONE.
CHAPTER I.
1741–1765.
A thorough Irish antiquary will find pleasure in searching out the history of the Malones. It is one of the most national of the country. No Saxon has anything to say to it. He may plunge into the unknown depths of Milesians and Celts; disport himself as wildly as Irishmen are said to do in the mysteries of races; and emerge with as little positive knowledge of sober facts as any of his predecessors.
According to the famous Charles O’Connor, of Balanagar, the most recondite of moderns in such studies, it may be traced from a king of Connaught, Murray Mullathan (Murray the long-headed), who died in 701. His descendants assumed various names. Surnames were an innovation of the eleventh century, and adopted from peculiarity of person or character. Thus a descendant of the house being tonsured in honour of St. John, received the name of
