An Essay on the Antient and Modern State of Ireland Part 2

The King of _France_'s immediate Letter, on this Subject, to King _Charles_ the Second, as it reflects Honour on the Memory of those ill.u.s.trious Sufferers, I therefore take Leave to transcribe in this Place.

_His Most Christian Majesty's Letter to the King of __Great Britain__, in Favour of the __Roman Catholicks__ of __Ireland__._

"Most High, Most Excellent, and Most Potent Prince, our dear and well-beloved Brother and Cousin! At the same Time that we have been told of your Majesty's great Goodness towards your Subjects, and the Precedent you have given of an extraordinary Clemency, in granting them your general Amnesty (some few only excepted, of those whom the Blood of their King, and that of his People, cry aloud to Heaven for Revenge against). We could not but let your Majesty know, that we were extremely surprized to hear, that the _Catholicks_ of _Ireland_ were _excluded_ from that Act of Oblivion, and, by that Means, put into the Number of the _most criminal_! This News has so much the more excited our Compa.s.sion towards them, that we have been informed, that, in _all the Changes_ which have hitherto happened in your Dominions, and in the almost general _Defection of_ your Subjects, _none_ stood _more constant_ to their lawful Sovereign, even in the greatest Streights, than the _Catholicks_: So that, if they are now branded for their Religion, it may be said, for their Honour, that, in Times past, none could be found _readier_, or more _cheerfully disposed_, than _they_, to serve and a.s.sist their Prince; and that with so much _Ardour_, that their Zeal then for the Royal Family was reckoned a certain Mark of their true Religion. It is for that Reason that we now become their Intercessors to you: For, otherwise, had they _failed_ in the Fidelity they owe you, instead of interceding for them, we would join with you in using them with all imaginable Rigour; and it would never come into our Thoughts to concern ourselves, as we do, for the _Catholicks_ of _Ireland_; though we _were obliged to it_, by the last Treaty of Peace made with the Marquess of _Ormond_, and which was granted them by our Mediation. And, as we are well a.s.sured, that, since the Conclusion of that Peace, they have done Nothing which can be called a _Failure of their Duty to you_, we find ourselves under so much the greater Obligation to conjure you, to make good that Treaty to them, in that they _religiously_ observed it on _their_ Side, in all its Parts: And to beseech you not to suffer, that either the Hatred, which an immoderate Zeal swells some bigotted Sectaries with, nor the unlucky Spoils of these poor People, render criminal or miserable the _most faithful_ of your Subjects; to whom their lawful King, as you are, is not _the less dear_, nor _less respected_, because of a _different Belief_ from _theirs_. We propose Nothing to ourselves in this, nor ask any Thing, but what we daily _practise_ (as you may know) towards those of our Subjects who are of the _reformed Religion_. And, as we have commanded the Sieur Marquis _de Rouvigny_ to explain our Sentiments more amply on this Subject to you, be pleased to give him a favourable Audience: And, above all Things, be perswaded, that, in this Affair, we have no less your own _true Interest_ in View, than what _natural Reason_ and _Equity_ requires; and that our sincere Friends.h.i.+p for you is the princ.i.p.al Motive of this Request. Dated at _Paris_, the 7th of _September_, 1660."

The _good_ King _Charles_, regardless of this important Solicitation, unattentive to the plain Suggestions of _common Right_, and unaccountably forgetful of all their _past signal Services_ and inviolate Zeal; observed indeed that those faithful _Irish_ Subjects had no Stock; consequently, that dispossessing the Adherents of _Oliver_, who, with the Land, had pirated the national Stock, would cause much Confusion. As for the _former_, he hoped some Settlement might in Time be found for them; (in Truth, I believe, for aught his Majesty in Reality concerned himself, this might have been in _Terra Australis Incognita_). Their Want of Stock is the less to be admired at, it being well known, that, with their Pay in foreign Service, chiefly expended to contribute all in their Power to the _Royal Support_, they even went so far as to sell their Plate, and valuable Moveables, to answer the same _generous Purpose_: But, when every known Acre in the Kingdom, that could be disposed of, was given away by Wholesale to the Duke of _York_, the Heir-apparent of the Crown, (partial Distribution!) to new-fangled Favourites, and the staunch old Enemies of Church and Crown; it was hoped some Lands might be _yet_ discovered, to satisfy and compensate those _Irish_ Worthies, who had Nothing left for their Support, beside an inalienable Sense of Honour and Loyalty, and a Character of invincible Fidelity (which all Nations admired and applauded). No such Discovery, however, was made, nor any relative to the _Irish_, under that Administration, but what tended to convince them, by the famous Act of Settlement, _&c._ of the extraordinary severe Peculiarity of their Fate! Yet, ordained to shew Posterity unprecedented Specimens of Loyalty and Zeal, they still adhered, with inflexible Constancy, to the Fortunes of King _James_ the Second, not mindful of their Injuries by _James_ the First, their unexampled Sufferings by the excessive harsh Measures of King _Charles_ the First, his Ministers, and Deputies, or their unheard-of Treatment (I won't say _Wrongs_, it being a Maxim the King of _England_ can do none) by King _Charles_ II. Little Wonder, a House, constantly sapping it's own best Pillars, should at length fall.

King _James_ the Second, constrained to abdicate the Throne of _England_, endeavoured the Preservation of this his Kingdom of _Ireland_, where his faithful Subjects, (a Remnant of the various and manifold Wastes of foregoing Reigns) considering the thousand Disadvantages they laboured under, made _such a Stand_ as later Ages will look up to with Astonishment! A Parcel of Men, congregated in the utmost Hurry and Confusion, undisciplin'd, unarm'd, uncloathed, unpaid! Yet did those very Men, animated by the Example of their heroick Leaders, (I mean their immediate Lords and Countrymen) on the Plains of _Aughrim_, convince the best veteran Army that Day in _Europe_, superior in Numbers, excellently provided for in every Respect, and conducted by a Prince of singular Valour and Address, that _Irishmen_ were deserving of more auspicious Stars.

Never was a more gallant Defence than they, after this, made in _Limerick_; where, although abandoned by the Prince, (whose Cause they had so remarkably espoused) and his auxiliary _French_, they obtained an honourable CAPITULATION from those in Commission under King _William_ the Third, whose strict _Observance_ thereof, to the End of his glorious Life, reflects, among many other his great Atchievements, deserved Honour on his Memory.

The distinguished Figure made by those n.o.blemen and Gentlemen, who, regardless of _Property_ or _Ease_, followed the Destiny of that hard-fated Prince, King _James_ the Second, (namely, the Lords _Mount-Cashel_, _Tyrconnel_, _Clare_ and _Lucan_, the _Dillons_, _Nugents_, _Rooths_, _Burkes_, _Lees_, _Fitz-Geralds_, _Cooks_, _Lacys_, _Browns_, _Wogans_, _Baggots_, _Sheridans_, _Creaghs_, _Plunkets_, _Barnewals_, _Neagles_, _Lallys_, _Mac Carthys_, _Mac Donnels_, _Mac Guires_, _Mac Namarras_, _Mac Mahons_, _Mac Gennis's_, _O Neils_, _O Connors_, _O Donnels_, _O Briens_, _O Dwyers_, _O s.h.a.ghnussys_, _O Mahonys_, _O Sullivans_, _O Kellys_, _O Ferralls_, _O Reillys_, _O Haras_, _O Hogans_, _O Byrnes_, _O Daes_, &c. &c. &c. the military Annals of _Germany_, _France_, _Spain_, _Flanders_, _Italy_, _Naples_, and _Russia_), must bear ample and authentic Testimony of, to future Ages.

Those were they, of whom Dr. _Mac en Crow_ gives the following concise, but just and happy Character.

_Genus acre Bello, Studiis Genus acre Minervae, Devotumque mori pro Rege, Fideque tuendis._

Among those who followed the Fortunes of King _James_ the Second, were Sir _Richard Neagle_, his Attorney-General, and Dr. _Moore_, Provost of _Trinity-college_, near _Dublin_; two Gentlemen very justly distinguished in their respective Spheres; the former, a Gentleman of unshaken Integrity, and great Capacity in the Profession of the Laws; the latter, of exemplary Piety, universal Learning, and fine Accomplishments. _Louis_ the Fourteenth, then King of _France_, protected those worthy deserving Men, with singular Tenderness and Attention; and was instructed and guided solely by Dr. _Moore_, in the restoring, establis.h.i.+ng, and modelling the University of _Paris_, at that gloomy Period! quite buried in perplexed, unintelligible, peripatetic Philosophy, and disfigured with romantic Legends, and Gothic Jingle! But, at the Doctor's Appearance, Ent.i.ties, Quiddities, Sympathies, Antipathies, occult Qualities, substantial Forms, metaphysical Degrees, Categories, and all this unideal wordy Stuff, vanished; and were succeeded by a clear, concise Method of Reasoning, and sound, useful, and experimental Philosophy. _Greek_, _Hebrew_, _Syriac_, _Chaldaic_, and _Arabic_, were Languages _untaught_, _unknown_, in the University of _Paris_, before Dr. _Moore_; for whom particularly, _Louis_ the Fourteenth founded, established, and endowed the Royal College, now called _College du Cambray_: And how well our Doctor succeeded therein, may be inferred from the Character and Writings of his Pupils and Hearers, _Boileau_, _Fontinelle_, _Porec_, _Montesquieu_, _Fleuri_, _Lauguet_, with many others, and _Rollin_, his peculiar Favourite and immediate Successor, _all_ great Genius's, applauded Writers, and celebrated Wits. So that, as _Ireland_ had the Honour of founding, it had also that of restoring and reviving the great University of _Paris_, in the Persons of two of its learned Natives.

The Reign of her Majesty Queen _Anne_ (glorious to her Arms, under the Conduct of _John_, Duke of _Marlborough_, and her other Generals, and justly distinguished by the Number of great Genius's and Wits, who enlightened that Period) was in this Kingdom chiefly employed in _additional_ Acts against the further Growth of Popery: And many there were, who deemed it an unparallel'd Severity in her Majesty, to give her Royal a.s.sent to them particular Laws; by which the _Roman Catholicks_ of _Ireland_ (already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her Royal Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) were _precluded_ from availing themselves, by a tolerable easy Lease, of any Part or Parcel of these Estates, forfeited by their Ancestors, thro' their unremitting Endeavours, to support and maintain that Stem, of which she was herself an immediate Branch.

So late even as this Reign, the whole Kingdom of _Ireland_ was a desolate diffusive Scene of total Decay! covered with all the ghastly Symptoms of the Consumption of Centuries! But, at length, on the happy Accession of his late Majesty of glorious Memory, the blissful Morning of Peace and Concord began its auspicious Dawn! Yet, as Time, publick Spirit, Patriotism (in its highest Conception) and unwearied Diligence, were all collectively essential to the giving Life, Vigour, and Activity, to national Industry and Improvement, so very long in a melancholy State of Languor and Oppression: Not before the present truly glorious Reign, did _Hibernia_ tune her old Harp, now newly strung to universal Harmony and Elegance, and rear her awful Head from the stupid dismal Dozes of Ages; where comes the literal Application of my third Motto, RENASCIMUR.

_Hinc priscae redeunt Artes, felicibus inde Ingeniis aperitur iter, despectaque Musae Colla levant.--_

Having travelled through a tedious Night, thick-set with Horrors of various Hues! and thus come to the End of a painful Journey; give me Leave, kind Reader, to indulge awhile with admiring the beautiful Variety of Objects, which now surround me, to the serene Delight of the Mind, and refined Gratification of Sense; before I attempt that Display of them to which I have no Occasion of professing my Inequality.

In this Reign, and not before, our Linen Manufacture, in many Respects one of the most profitable Branches of our national Commerce, received all the Encouragement from Royal Bounty, and Parliamentary Sanction, that could be reasonably hoped for.

Persons of the highest Rank, Dignity, and Fortune, were appointed _Trustees_ for the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.

The _Linen-Hall_ was erected in _Dublin_, under as just and nice Regulations as any commercial House in _Europe_.

The North of _Ireland_ began to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost exhausted Nursery of our _American_ Plantations, soon became a populous Scene of Improvement, Traffic, Wealth, and Plenty; and is, at this Day, a well-planted District, considerable for Numbers of well-affected, useful, and industrious Subjects.

Now arose, now shone forth, the ever Honourable DUBLIN SOCIETY; a Society equalled by none. It is true, we read of Patriarchs, Philosophers, Warriors, Orators, and Poets; of Senates, Parliaments, Councils, _&c._ but we no where, abstracted from our own Country, meet a Set of pious Patriots, from their _private Funds_, adorning their Country in general, in every Degree and Branch of Industry, and Improvement; and, inspired with Sentiments truly public and social, munificently rewarding their Countrymen, of whatsoever Denomination, without Favour or Distinction; for meliorating their proper Estates, or Farms; for excelling in any Production of Nature, or Art; for any Discovery, or Invention, useful to Mankind: A Set of _truly honourable_, and _generous_ Personages, instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts, encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their inexhaustible Bounty! _Such_, and _such unrivalled_, is the ILl.u.s.tRIOUS DUBLIN SOCIETY! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published, in _Latin_, _English_, and _French_, for the peculiar Honour of this Nation, the Edification of Posterity, and as a bright Pattern of Imitation to all other civiliz'd Countries!

Now likewise appeared the _Philharmonic Society_, that, (from a few Gentlemen, who used _occasionally_ to meet, in order to while away an Hour with a gentle Tune, and chearful Gla.s.s) grew into an harmonious Body, not alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for the _effectual Relief_ also of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and Confinement: _Concordia res parvae cresc.u.n.t_. ORPHEUS, we are told, built the Walls of _Thebes_, by the irresistible Powers of Harmony: Be this true or fabulous; how many Iron Gates have we not seen open, to the persuasive Charities of this tuneful Society! how many gloomy Cells vacated by their Charms! This elegant Society, by moderate Loans, Interest-free to the industrious Poor, prevents many such from getting into the Distress of Prisons, or following offensive Courses; and, by enabling them to obtain an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,

_Omne tulit Punctum quae miscuit utile dulci._

In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment of _Protestant_ CHARTER-SCHOOLS throughout the Kingdom: An Inst.i.tution far more productive of national Morality, and Reformation, than excommunicative Discipline, or restrictive penal Statutes; since Persuasion and Rewards have ever been, and must ever continue to be, more consistent with the meek and benevolent Temper of true Christianity, more effectual, Apostolic, and Catholic, than _Punishments_, _Persecution_, or _Sequestrations_.

In this Reign s.h.i.+nes out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable individual Dr. _Madden_, collects _a whole Society of Patriots_; a venerable Man, not alone the Guide of his particular Congregation, but a pure, also clear and lasting Light of Perfection, and n.o.ble Imitation, to his Countrymen in general.

On _Madden_, kindred Angels smile!

Bright Mirrour to his native Isle!

To whom old Age shall say, and Youth, With grateful and prophetic Truth,

_Semper Honos, Nomenq; tuum, Laudesq; manebunt._

St. _Patrick's_ Hospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a lasting Monument of the late Dean _Swift's_ Charity, as are his various Writings, of his great Genius and Wit: _Mercer's_ charitable Hospitable in _Stephen-street_: The n.o.ble Hospital for the Relief of poor Lying-inn-Women, of the Projection of our late excellent Countryman, Dr.

_Bartholomew Mosse_; by which a great Number of Women and Children are preserved from miserable and untimely Ends: The _Charitable Infirmary_ on the _Inns-Quay_: The New Hospital for _Incurables_, on _Lazer's-Hill_: St.

_Nicholas's_ Hospital, in _Francis-street_: The _Meath_ Hospital, in _Skinner's Alley_: The _Lock_ Hospital, in _George's-Lane_, for hapless Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the Charitable Hospital in _King-street, Oxmantown_, are all the humane and pious Growth of this transcendent Reign.

Those Hospitals are duly and regularly attended, by the most eminent Physicians, and skilful Surgeons, without Fee or Reward: So that, from this obvious Consideration, the frequent and large Collections in our Churches, for the comfortable Support, and Christian Education, of indigent Boys; the stated Distributions of our Chief Magistrates, to the Helpless and Needy; and, in Truth, from the general Disposition of its worthy Inhabitants; we may, without any Risque of incurring the least Censure of Adulation, or Vanity, p.r.o.nounce DUBLIN as charitable a Metropolis as any in the known World. In the beautiful new Garden, plann'd by Dr. _Mosse_, breathing in all the natural Fragrance of the Spring, adorned with all the Elegancies of Art, all the Splendor of Illumination, and inspired with the most soothing Charms of delightful Harmony; to behold Crowds of young Ladies, in the full Glow of Beauty, and Bloom of Youth, finely habited, and elegantly decorated in the Manufactures of our own Country, (and finished in the most exquisite Taste, by our own Artizans); to behold them, I say, converting their very Amus.e.m.e.nts and Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to every thinking _Irish_ Spectator, afford a Prospect of the utmost rational Joy!

As all Men, who render their Country distinguished Honour, or singular Service, deserve, therefore, lasting Monuments of public grateful Acknowledgment to their Memories; it is hoped that, in this Respect, Dr.

_Mosse_ will not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:

Eternal Joys to _Mosse_ kind Heaven give, By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!

The _Marine Society_, of recent Inst.i.tution also, disposeth many poor young Men into a Condition of acquiring an honest, and praise-worthy Livelihood, and of becoming useful Members of the Community; by serving on Board of his Majesty's Fleets in War-time, and serving our Merchants in Times of Peace; and, in this double Capacity, of contributing to the general Welfare of their Mother-Country, to which they may otherwise prove a Burden.

Our publick Entertainments of various Kinds are, for the most Part, conducted with strict Propriety, and real Politeness; those especially of the Theatre, which should, by no Means, pa.s.s for Matter of slight or casual Consideration; seeing the _Romans_, the greatest of all People, esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws, _Roscia Lex Theatralis_, &c. Mr. _Sheridan_'s general Merit as a _Player_ stands confessed; but as a _Manager_, that Gentleman's falling frequently under the heavy Displeasure of the Public, (whether from an haughty Distaste to his Profession, or indulged Arrogance of Temper) with his violent Introduction of anti-dramatick Rope and Wire-dancing, Tumbling, and Fire-eating, to the visible Degradation of a liberal Stage, whereon nothing mean, shocking, or monstrous, should ever appear; he hath not succeeded so well: Then, his Scheme of uniting an Academy, for the sober regular Education of Youth, with a publick Theatre, seemed rather the feverish Delusion of a distempered Brain, and heated Imagination, than the cool deliberate Result of rational Judgment; from which fermented Source, also seem'd directly to flow his avowed Concern for the _long lost Art of Oratory_ among us: Had Mr. _Sheridan_ attended to the Debates of our High Court of Parliament; been frequent in our different Churches, and at the Bars of our Courts of Judicature; and had, in this Case, formed a comparative Judgment, from the Writings of _Demosthenes_, _Plato_, _Isocrates_, _Cicero_, and _Pliny_ the Younger; from the Rules and Precepts of _Aristotle_, _Longinus_, _Horace_, _Quinctilian_, _Scaliger_, _Rapin_, _Poree_, and _Rollin_; he had been _then_ convinced how little Occasion there was for his _lamenting_ the _Loss_ of an Art in this Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it's persuasive Charms. This his dogmatical a.s.sertion of the _long-lost Art of Oratory_, his wild _Academical_ Projects, with the foregoing theatrical Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given, by the _Roman_ Satirist, of an a.s.suming sharp-set _Greekling_:

_Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur, Scn.o.bates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit._

Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr. _Sheridan_ a _Roscius_, if the Name can sooth him; a _Critic_; nay, an _Orator_; but I shall be bold to a.s.sert, that we have many, very many, in this Kingdom, of far greater Powers than that Gentleman, whereof some of his Orations, _so called_, are incontrovertible Testimonies.

This Kingdom hath of late Years exhibited as justly celebrated Male and Female Players, as any other; evinced in the Characters of Messieurs _Quin_, _Ryan_, _Delane_, _Sheridan_, _Barry_, _Mossop_, _Dexter_, _Sparks_, Mrs. _Woffington_, the inimitable Mrs. _Fitz-Henry_, and several others, of either s.e.x.

Mr. _Barry_'s Capacity, as a Manager, appeareth equal to his eminently-affecting Powers in Tragedy, (so generally known, and so unexceptionably confessed) from the magnificent Theatre, erected by that Gentleman, with amazing Expedition, in Grandeur, Convenience, and Elegance, preferable to any in _London_, or _Paris_: From the obliging Decency the respective Performances thereof are conducted with, and evidently from the surpa.s.sing theatrical Abilities of the Company, that, with the most engaging Variety, entertains the Publick in _Crow-street_ Play-house. I have sometimes seen, and have been as often delighted, with Performances of the Gentlemen just mentioned, as with those of the admired Mr. _Garrick_, and the famous Messieurs _Dufresne_, _Gossin_, and _Quinault_; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein clear that Mr. _Barry_, in the exquisitely pathetick Strokes of deep Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous Pa.s.sions, soars with as majestick Wings, as any one of them, I will not say higher. To behold Mr.

_Barry_, sublimely struggling in a Storm of Adversity, with the sudden Shocks, and unexpected Blows of Fortune; _then_, (when all human Efforts must yield to inevitable Necessity) sinking in the irretrievable Plunge of Sorrow and Calamities, with that calm Resignation ever attendant on true Heroism; must convince any judicious Spectator of his being born a Tragedian. I must here declare, that what I have advanced on this Subject neither ariseth from Prepossession on one Side, or Prejudice on the other; having no Manner of Connection, nay, not even a personal Acquaintance, with Mr. _Barry_; nor any Objection to Mr. _Sheridan_, but such as must naturally issue from my just Resentment against any Individual, of whatsoever Rank, Character, or Denomination, who should prove so ignorant, and yet so hardy, as to declare _Elocution lost_ in our native Country; an illiberal Censure, which, if true, had necessarily wrapped our High Court of Parliament, the whole Body of our Clergy, our University, Bench and Bar, in Shades that, I am certain, had been never dispell'd by the Approach of Light, so dim and glimmering as that Gentleman's.

Let us now take a summary View of the Inhabitants of _Ireland_, in their respective Ranks: And to begin with the Peers: Are they not such Personages, as, by their Munificence, Affability of Manners, Easiness of Comportment, Propriety of Appearance, and Generosity in dealing, reflect true Honour on n.o.bility; and, Reality, derive their superior Rank, as much from the Pre-eminence of their Virtues, as from the const.i.tutional Dignity of their t.i.tles?

The Encrease of our People, Wealth, Commerce, Industry, Arts, Inventions; the extraordinary additional Number, in this happy Reign, of our beautiful Seats, elegant Improvements, useful and ornamental Plantations, extensive Inclosures, excellent high Roads, (formerly almost impa.s.sable,) with the visible Reformation in national Harmony, and Allegiance, will best suggest an Idea of the Honourable the House of Commons of _Ireland_, composed of such candid Spirits, as, neither the Smiles or Frowns of superior Influence, popular Views, or private Connections, can bend from the various essential Duties due to their King, their Country, and themselves; constant in their Attendance; careful in their Protection; and zealous in their Promotion of publick Felicity; not more extensive in their n.o.ble Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into Execution.

Our Const.i.tution, partly of _Gothic_, partly of _Norman_ Inst.i.tution, (the first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been ordained in the Reign of _Henry_ the First, Son of _William_ the Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of a _Democracy_, the factious domineering Temper of _Aristocracy_, and the variable oppressive Sway of _Arbitrary Monarchy_; but including, by an harmonious a.s.semblage, the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is unquestionably the _best digested_ and _wisest_ in the known World: Under which, the King and the n.o.bles, with the Commons, _unite_, to extend the Commerce, promote the Happiness, guard over the Safety, preserve the Lives, defend the Characters, support the Liberties, and protect the Property of the People. Bless'd Const.i.tution! O! may it ever flouris.h.!.+

under whose mild and preservative Influence, a few only feel Restraint; except from the Commission of private Evil, or social Injury.

I have said a _Few only_; because there are some among us, who, on the Score of Religion, are secluded from permanent Property: And even Those, it is hoped, will, in Consideration of the invariable Tenor of their humble and pacific Conduct, from the Capitulation of _Limerick_, to this Day; and from their unanimous and chearful Obedience to our Civil Government, e're long obtain some Mitigation of their Affairs; such the benevolent Temper and Disposition of the present incomparable Reign! Some late excellent(3) Pamphlets, wherein these Gentlemen's political Principles are fully and clearly explained, shew of what signal Advantage it had been to the Numbers, Industry, Health, Wealth, and Beauty of this Kingdom, to indulge them a Property, even in our uncultivated Mountains, dreary Wastes, and noxious Marshes: Which Measure, should it appear in a true Light to our worthy Representatives, we may in a few Years more, hope to see _Ireland_ one of the most beautiful, best-improved, best-conditioned Islands in the Universe. Our Bench is adorned with Honourable Personages, conspicuous for Learning, Integrity, Humanity, and Impartiality; of whom, it may be boldly affirmed, and with the strictest Truth, that they are not Favourers of Persons. The present Lord Chief Justice of the _King-Bench_, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Natives of _Ireland_, formed a Triumvirate, whose Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently respectable in the brightest aeras, either of the _Roman_ Commonwealth, or Empire.

Our Attorney and Solicitor General, our Serjeants at Law, and King's Council, with many eminent Barristers, and a Set of learned eloquent young Gentlemen, all s.h.i.+ning out together; such as _Tully_, _Hortensius_, and _Pliny_, had with fond Tenderness cherished and with pleasing Pride, avowed for their Pupils; form as distinguished a Body of Advocates and Orators, as adorn any Courts of Judicature in _Europe_.

In the Diocese of _Dublin_ existeth a truly pious Society for the Relief and Support of the Widows and Children of the inferior Clergy thereof. It is, indeed, surprizing in a Kingdom, such (thank Heaven) as _Ireland_ is, that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not been _universally_ followed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Inst.i.tution, and expensive University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary of _Forty_ Pounds a Year, to maintain an honest Gentlewoman, Children, and Servants, (and really with some Decency of Hospitality) sedulously discharging, at the same Time, the different Duties of the pastoral Function; when a _foreign Fidler_ shall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one Night's Performance. I would by no Means be understood to derogate from the Merits of fine Performers in the different Parts of Musick, or endeavour to diminish their reasonable Perquisites: But, surely, such Men and such Things are not to be thought of, in Compet.i.tion with those, who, by Teaching and Preaching, refine our Morals, instruct our Understandings, inform our Lives, and enlighten our Souls with the celestial Spirit of the Christian Faith; and thereby happily lead us, through this transient and precarious State, to eternal Tranquilly and Bliss. I am not a Preacher; but thus far shall venture: As the Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom, our generally following the heavenly Example of this venerable Society, must be a great Test as well of the one, as the other. If the Bishops, the temporal Lords, and great estated Men of each Diocese, would but graciously lead the Way, it is not unlikely they had been attended by Crowds of zealous Followers: And, in Fact, a _small_ Matter _annually set apart_, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous n.o.ble End of preserving, from an anxious State of particular Dependance, Numbers of virtuous, well-educated Gentlewomen, and their Children, from the various Miseries, which the untimely Death of a Father, and narrow Circ.u.mstances, but too frequently expose them to; an End so every Way worthy the natural Disposition, the benevolent Temper, the inherent Hospitality, and the essentially-charitable Character of _Ireland_.

Our _Protestant_ Brethren, the _Dissenters_, by a prudent and pious Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for this religiously humane Purpose, have constantly a Fund sufficient to allow the Relict of each Clergyman twenty Pounds a Year, (which preserves her from the Miseries of Want and Dependance) and have, at some Periods, where-with to set their Children up, in an honest and creditable Way of living. As we are emulously fond of adopting the Wisdom and Virtues of each Christian Sect and Society, it is fervently hoped we will also this tender and pious Scheme; a Scheme so comprehensive of true Charity, and so productive of social and happy Effects! How difficult is it for Minds, crowded with Cares, and beset with the pressing Calls of Family-preservation, to attend, with due Composure and Inclination, to the various indispensible Duties of the pastoral Office? But how chearfully would those Reverend Gentlemen proceed in their divine Mission, when, by some visible Provision for the proper Objects of their present Cares and future Concern, they should, in a great Measure, be released from domestick Anxiety, from gloomy Apprehensions, and alarming Prospects, into the temporal Futurity of those, for whom they must be necessarily affected with the most tender Feelings!