Genus acre Bello, Studiis Genus acre Minervæ, Devotumque mori pro Rege, Fidêque tuendis.Among those who followed the Fortunes of KingJamesthe Second, were SirRichard Neagle, his Attorney-General, and Dr.Moore, Provost ofTrinity-college, nearDublin; 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.Louisthe Fourteenth, then King ofFrance, protected those worthy deserving Men, with singular Tenderness and Attention; and was instructed and guided solely by Dr.Moore, in the restoring, establishing, and modelling the University ofParis, at that gloomy Period! quite buried in perplexed, unintelligible, peripatetic[pg 047]Philosophy, and disfigured with romantic Legends, and Gothic Jingle! But, at the Doctor's Appearance, Entities, 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, andArabic, were Languagesuntaught,unknown, in the University ofParis, before Dr.Moore; for whom particularly,Louisthe Fourteenth founded, established, and endowed the Royal College, now calledCollege du Cambray: And how well our Doctor succeeded therein, may be inferred from the Character and Writings of his Pupils and Hearers,Boileau,Fontinelle,Poréc,Montesquieu,Fleuri,Lauguet, with many others, andRollin, his peculiar Favourite and immediate Successor,allgreat Genius's, applauded Writers, and celebrated Wits. So that, asIrelandhad the Honour of founding, it had also that of restoring and reviving the great University ofParis, in the Persons of two of its learned Natives.The Reign of her Majesty QueenAnne(glorious to her Arms, under the Conduct ofJohn, Duke ofMarlborough, 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 inadditionalActs against the further Growth of Popery: And many there were, who deemed it an unparallel'd Severity in her Majesty, to give her Royal Assent to them particular Laws; by which theRoman CatholicksofIreland(already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her[pg 048]Royal Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) wereprecludedfrom 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 ofIrelandwas 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, didHiberniatune 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 priscæ redeunt Artes, felicibus inde Ingeniis aperitur iter, despectaque Musæ 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[pg 049]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 appointedTrusteesfor the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.TheLinen-Hallwas erected inDublin, under as just and nice Regulations as any commercial House inEurope.The North ofIrelandbegan to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost exhausted Nursery of ourAmericanPlantations, 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 HonourableDublin 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 theirprivate 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[pg 050]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 oftruly honourable, andgenerousPersonages, instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts, encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their inexhaustible Bounty!Such, andsuch unrivalled, is theIllustrious Dublin Society! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published, inLatin,English, andFrench, 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 thePhilharmonic Society, that, (from a few Gentlemen, who usedoccasionallyto meet, in order to while away an Hour with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for theeffectual Reliefalso of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and Confinement:Concordiâ res parvæ crescunt.Orpheus, we are told, built the Walls ofThebes, 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[pg 051]an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,Omne tulit Punctum quæ miscuit utile dulci.In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment ofProtestantCharter-Schoolsthroughout the Kingdom: An Institution 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, thanPunishments,Persecution, orSequestrations.In this Reign shines out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable individual Dr.Madden, collectsa 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 noble Imitation, to his Countrymen in general.OnMadden, 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'sHospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a lasting Monument of the late DeanSwift'sCharity, as are his various[pg 052]Writings, of his great Genius and Wit:Mercer'scharitable Hospitable inStephen-street: The noble 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: TheCharitable Infirmaryon theInns-Quay: The New Hospital forIncurables, onLazer's-Hill: St.Nicholas'sHospital, inFrancis-street: TheMeathHospital, inSkinner's Alley: TheLockHospital, inGeorge's-Lane, for hapless Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the Charitable Hospital inKing-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, pronounceDublinas 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,[pg 053]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 Amusements and Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to every thinkingIrishSpectator, 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.Mossewill not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:Eternal Joys toMossekind Heaven give,By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!TheMarine Society, of recent Institution 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, pass for Matter of slight or casual Consideration; seeing theRomans, the greatest of all People, esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws,Roscia Lex Theatralis, &c. Mr.[pg 054]Sheridan's general Merit as aPlayerstands confessed; but as aManager, 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 thelong lost Art of Oratoryamong us: Had Mr.Sheridanattended 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 ofDemosthenes,Plato,Isocrates,Cicero, andPlinythe Younger; from the Rules and Precepts ofAristotle,Longinus,Horace,Quinctilian,Scaliger,Rapin,Porée, andRollin; he had beenthenconvinced how little Occasion there was for hislamentingtheLossof an Art in this Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it's persuasive Charms. This his dogmatical Assertion of thelong-lost Art of Oratory, his wildAcademicalProjects, with the foregoing theatrical Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given, by theRomanSatirist, of an assuming sharp-setGreekling:[pg 055]Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur, Scœnobates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit.Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr.SheridanaRoscius, if the Name can sooth him; aCritic; nay, anOrator; but I shall be bold to assert, 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 MessieursQuin,Ryan,Delane,Sheridan,Barry,Mossop,Dexter,Sparks, Mrs.Woffington, the inimitable Mrs.Fitz-Henry, and several others, of either Sex.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 inLondon, orParis: From the obliging Decency the respective Performances thereof are conducted with, and evidently from the surpassing theatrical Abilities of the Company, that, with the most engaging Variety, entertains the Publick inCrow-streetPlay-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 MessieursDufrésne,Gossin, andQuinault; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein clear that Mr.Barry, in the exquisitely[pg 056]pathetick Strokes of deep Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous Passions, 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 declareElocution lostin 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 ofIreland, 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 Nobility; and,[pg 057]Reality, derive their superior Rank, as much from the Pre-eminence of their Virtues, as from the constitutional Dignity of their Titles?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 impassable,) with the visible Reformation in national Harmony, and Allegiance, will best suggest an Idea of the Honourable the House of Commons ofIreland, 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 noble Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into Execution.Our Constitution, partly ofGothic, partly ofNormanInstitution, (the first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been ordained in the Reign ofHenrythe First, Son ofWilliamthe Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of aDemocracy, the factious domineering Temper ofAristocracy, and the variable oppressive Sway ofArbitrary Monarchy; but including, by an harmonious Assemblage, the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is unquestionably thebest digestedandwisestin the known World: Under which, the King and the Nobles, with the Commons,unite, to extend the Commerce,[pg 058]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 Constitution! O! may it ever flourish! under whose mild and preservative Influence, a few only feel Restraint; except from the Commission of private Evil, or social Injury.I have said aFew 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 ofLimerick, 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 excellent3Pamphlets, 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 seeIrelandone 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;[pg 059]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 theKing-Bench, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Natives ofIreland, formed a Triumvirate, whose Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently respectable in the brightest Æras, either of theRomanCommonwealth, 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 shining out together; such asTully,Hortensius, andPliny, 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 inEurope.In the Diocese ofDublinexisteth 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) asIrelandis, that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not beenuniversallyfollowed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Institution, and expensive University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary ofFortyPounds 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 aforeign Fidlershall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one Night's Performance.[pg 060]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 Competition 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, asmallMatterannually set apart, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous noble 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 Circumstances, 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 ofIreland.OurProtestantBrethren, theDissenters, by a prudent and pious Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for this[pg 061]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!The most convincing and decisive Method of adjudging Causes, being by a comprehensive View and critical Examination of their Effects; of Streams, by a nice Scrutiny and Investigation of their Sources; hence may we, from the shining Characters, and extensive Abilities of our Divines and Barristers, frame a just Idea of the University ofDublin, which, for Compass and Extent of the Sciences, Variety of elegant Arts, found Erudition, and polite Literature therein taught, in the most regular and perspicuous[pg 062]Methods, is equalled by few, excelled by none.The Students are carefully instructed in the more refined Parts of classical Learning; oriental, antient, and modern Languages; Criticism, sacred and profane History, Oratory, Logick, Ethicks, and Metaphysicks; in natural and experimental Philosophy; Anatomy, Botany and Chymistry; the mathematicks, in Theory and Practice; Civil and Canon Laws; Theology, Controversy, and Ecclesiastical History: So that, with a good Capacity, and regular Application, one may depart this University, as completely and happily instituted for the honorary Professions of Life, as may be reasonably expected from any Nursery of Learning extant. The obtaining a Fellowship in this University, is a demonstrative Test of comprehensive native Talents, thorough intellectual Cultivation, deep and various learned Acquirements.TheNewtonianPhilosophy, the excellentBoyle's experimental Philosophy, and Mr.Locke's Metaphysicks, prevail much in the College ofDublin: Which, for Extent, Convenience, Magnificence, and a most sumptuous elegant Library, exceeds any one College inEurope. The beautiful Parks belonging to it, seem actually, on a serene Evening, the delightful Vale ofTempe, or enchanting Recesses ofParnassus, inhabited by all the Muses, all the Graces, with their charming Train.The Trade ofIreland, however in former Times miserably restrained and limited, hath in this happy Reign received considerable Enlargements; such as, the opening several Wooll-Ports; the Bounty onIrishLinens, now our staple Commodity, imported intoGreat-Britain;[pg 063]and the Immunity lately granted of importing thither Beef, Butter, Tallow, Candles, Pork, Hides, live Cattle,&c.a Privilege that, in its Consequences, must prove of signal Advantage to both Nations; tothisespecially, as we shall hereby be enabled, upon any occasional Exigency, to supply our protecting Friends, and proportionably stint the Hands of our Enemies, who, (by the Profusion of Wines and spirituous Liquors, annually exported fromFranceto Ireland, in Exchange for our Beef, Butter,&c.to pass over the Gluts of Teas and Spirits,&c.smuggled thence by thewesternRunners) have constantly the Balance on their Side. Our Exports, with those already mentioned, consist in a few Cheeses, Salmon and Kelp: But, as our Linens are, without Question, become the vital Spring ofIrishCommerce, it is Matter of great Concern and equal Surprize, that the other Provinces do not moreuniversallyandeffectuallyfollow the lucrative Example of theNorth! since, it is evident, nothing butequal Industrycan be wanting to render themequally flourishing, The Over-growth of Graziers and Stockmasters, is the strongest Indication that can be of national Waste and Decay, in respect of Inhabitants. What could a Foreigner, travelling among us, particularly in thewesternCounties, some Summers past, judge of our national Wisdom and Oeconomy? Would he not start even at our Humanity, on seeing the best arable Grounds in the Kingdom, in immense Tracts, wantonly enjoyed by the Cattle of a few petulant Individuals; and at the same Juncture, our high Ways and Streets crowded with Shoals of mendicant fellow-creatures! reduced, through Want of proper Sustenance, to the utmost Distress?[pg 064]Would not aFrenchmanfor Example, give a Shrug extraordinary, at finding, in every little Inn,BourdeauxClaret andNantzBrandy, though, in all Likelihood, not a Morsel ofIrishBread?It is much to be hoped, That, when the Spirit of Tillage should become more general and active, our Farmers more attentive to the Growth of the best Kinds of Grain, and our Brewers, more attentive to the Rules and Precepts for that Purpose laid down by the Honourable theDublin Society; we shall have little or no Occasion for that Inundation ofLondon Porter; (an heavy, cloudy, intoxicating, ill-flavoured Liquor) that annually overflows this City and other Parts of the Kingdom; as, in the above Case, we may have a sufficient Plenty and Variety of Malt Liquors, our own native Produce, far better than any imported; and, in Case of a Redundancy of Grain, (a Matter not very likely to happen) may, with moderate Care, have Spirituous Liquors of far a more wholesome Nature, exquisite Taste, and delicate Flavour, than those imported at an extraordinary Expence; and but too often adulterated, in the first Concoction.We have, in several Parts of this Kingdom, (in the Province ofMunsterespecially) a recy, spirituous, fine-flavoured Cyder, very little, if at all, inferior to the best imported White Wines; and a moderate Plenty of grateful Honey-Liquors, which, with our prime Beef, Mutton, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Variety of Fowls, tame and wild; red and fallow Deer; Hares, Rabbits, Pidgeons, Pheasants, Grouse; and Partridge; wild Duck, Plover, Snipe,&c.Lake, River, Shell and Sea Fish, of all Kinds;[pg 065]the Produce of the Garden, (Horticulture having of late Years so vastly improved among us, that we now have many curious Plants, Fruits, and Flowers, not only notknown, but never evenheard of, in former Times) andallin such Plenty and Perfection, as demonstrateIrelandhappier than most other Countries, in regard of the Necessaries and even of the Delicacies of Life; to which may be added, the great Number of our beautiful Lakes, noble Rivers, pure Fountains, limpid Streams, and Health-restoring mineral Wells.4In this Country are bred valuable Horses, for the Draught, Road, and Chace; and for the Course, as high-formed ones, as in any Part ofEurope; and large horned Cattle, and Sheep in Abundance.It must afford real Satisfaction to consider the universal and visible Reformation in the Lives and Morals even of our common People, clearly evinced in this, that (thank Heaven) fewer legal Punishments succeed an entire Circuit, in our happy Days, than did a single Assize in former Reigns: And, without Question, this Reformation must still rise higher, in Proportion to the Lenity of our worthy Legislature, and wise Indulgence of our landed Men, who must certainly find it more conducive to the Welfare of the State, and to their own Strength, Honour, and Interest, to have their Estates farmed and inhabited by a great Number of honest, laborious improving Families, than wasted by a few Purse-proud Bullock-Brokers, who rarely allow the wretched Herd of an hundred, as much Ground[pg 066]for his own and poor Family's Support, as is equal to that of two Bullocks.Suppose a Gentleman was to let two thousand Acres of arable Ground to farm; were it not demonstrably more conducive to all the foregoing Motives, to dispose of these to twenty honest, industrious Families, at an hundred Acres each, than to any one Beau-Grazier whatever? From the twenty Tenures, the Landlord may, in any national Shock, raise a considerable Number of effective Hands, and zealous Hearts, for the Service of the Crown, or Defence of his Country; and reap many signal Advantages to the public and private Concernments of Life, not possibly derivable from the anti-social Monopolizers and Forestallers of Farms; who ever fondly attribute their Growth to their own Sagacity and Cleverness, without any the least Gratitude or Obligation to the Land-owner. These Sentiments, it is hoped, will every Day gain more and more Consideration with our wise and beneficent Legislature, Nobility and Gentry.Many intelligent Persons, of all Ranks, complain much of the Want of some Establishment in the Way of a national Bank, to secure popular Credit, and the Kingdom from the various alarming Shocks it is so frequently incident to, on Account of the Failure of particular Banks.The Nobility and Gentry ofIreland, are Loyalists and Patriots by Principle and Education: They are brave, without Arrogance; gay, without Levity; polite, without Affectation; charitable, without Ostentation; religious, without Formality; affable, without Meanness; generous, without View; and hospitable, without Reserve: In their Converse, easy; in their Dealings just; placable in their Resentments, in[pg 067]their Friendship steady:—They have neither the volatile Airyness of theFrenchman, the stated Gravity of theSpaniard; the supicious Jealousy of theItalian; the forbidding Haughtiness of theGerman; the saturnine Gloominess of theFlandrican, nor the sordid Parsimony of theDutchman: In short, they are neither whimsical, splenetic, sullen or capricious:—And, as for Cunning, Craft, or Dissimulation, these are such sorry Guests as never found Shelter in the generous Breast of anIrishNoble or Gentleman; so that, if we consider this Country, with regard to its military Fame, constitutional Wisdom, Learning, Arts, Improvements, and natural Advantages; and above all, the benevolent Temper, charitable and hospitable Disposition of its Inhabitants; it is true, we may find many of more popular Bustle and Eclat, more extensive Commerce, greater Opulence and Pomp; but none of more general, solid, and intrinsick Worth, thanIreland.I shall conclude with the following Proposition to any one, who may arrogate to himself Praise or Wit, by ridiculingIreland.
Genus acre Bello, Studiis Genus acre Minervæ, Devotumque mori pro Rege, Fidêque tuendis.Among those who followed the Fortunes of KingJamesthe Second, were SirRichard Neagle, his Attorney-General, and Dr.Moore, Provost ofTrinity-college, nearDublin; 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.Louisthe Fourteenth, then King ofFrance, protected those worthy deserving Men, with singular Tenderness and Attention; and was instructed and guided solely by Dr.Moore, in the restoring, establishing, and modelling the University ofParis, at that gloomy Period! quite buried in perplexed, unintelligible, peripatetic[pg 047]Philosophy, and disfigured with romantic Legends, and Gothic Jingle! But, at the Doctor's Appearance, Entities, 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, andArabic, were Languagesuntaught,unknown, in the University ofParis, before Dr.Moore; for whom particularly,Louisthe Fourteenth founded, established, and endowed the Royal College, now calledCollege du Cambray: And how well our Doctor succeeded therein, may be inferred from the Character and Writings of his Pupils and Hearers,Boileau,Fontinelle,Poréc,Montesquieu,Fleuri,Lauguet, with many others, andRollin, his peculiar Favourite and immediate Successor,allgreat Genius's, applauded Writers, and celebrated Wits. So that, asIrelandhad the Honour of founding, it had also that of restoring and reviving the great University ofParis, in the Persons of two of its learned Natives.The Reign of her Majesty QueenAnne(glorious to her Arms, under the Conduct ofJohn, Duke ofMarlborough, 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 inadditionalActs against the further Growth of Popery: And many there were, who deemed it an unparallel'd Severity in her Majesty, to give her Royal Assent to them particular Laws; by which theRoman CatholicksofIreland(already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her[pg 048]Royal Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) wereprecludedfrom 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 ofIrelandwas 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, didHiberniatune 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 priscæ redeunt Artes, felicibus inde Ingeniis aperitur iter, despectaque Musæ 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[pg 049]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 appointedTrusteesfor the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.TheLinen-Hallwas erected inDublin, under as just and nice Regulations as any commercial House inEurope.The North ofIrelandbegan to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost exhausted Nursery of ourAmericanPlantations, 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 HonourableDublin 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 theirprivate 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[pg 050]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 oftruly honourable, andgenerousPersonages, instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts, encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their inexhaustible Bounty!Such, andsuch unrivalled, is theIllustrious Dublin Society! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published, inLatin,English, andFrench, 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 thePhilharmonic Society, that, (from a few Gentlemen, who usedoccasionallyto meet, in order to while away an Hour with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for theeffectual Reliefalso of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and Confinement:Concordiâ res parvæ crescunt.Orpheus, we are told, built the Walls ofThebes, 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[pg 051]an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,Omne tulit Punctum quæ miscuit utile dulci.In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment ofProtestantCharter-Schoolsthroughout the Kingdom: An Institution 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, thanPunishments,Persecution, orSequestrations.In this Reign shines out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable individual Dr.Madden, collectsa 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 noble Imitation, to his Countrymen in general.OnMadden, 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'sHospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a lasting Monument of the late DeanSwift'sCharity, as are his various[pg 052]Writings, of his great Genius and Wit:Mercer'scharitable Hospitable inStephen-street: The noble 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: TheCharitable Infirmaryon theInns-Quay: The New Hospital forIncurables, onLazer's-Hill: St.Nicholas'sHospital, inFrancis-street: TheMeathHospital, inSkinner's Alley: TheLockHospital, inGeorge's-Lane, for hapless Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the Charitable Hospital inKing-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, pronounceDublinas 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,[pg 053]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 Amusements and Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to every thinkingIrishSpectator, 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.Mossewill not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:Eternal Joys toMossekind Heaven give,By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!TheMarine Society, of recent Institution 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, pass for Matter of slight or casual Consideration; seeing theRomans, the greatest of all People, esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws,Roscia Lex Theatralis, &c. Mr.[pg 054]Sheridan's general Merit as aPlayerstands confessed; but as aManager, 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 thelong lost Art of Oratoryamong us: Had Mr.Sheridanattended 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 ofDemosthenes,Plato,Isocrates,Cicero, andPlinythe Younger; from the Rules and Precepts ofAristotle,Longinus,Horace,Quinctilian,Scaliger,Rapin,Porée, andRollin; he had beenthenconvinced how little Occasion there was for hislamentingtheLossof an Art in this Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it's persuasive Charms. This his dogmatical Assertion of thelong-lost Art of Oratory, his wildAcademicalProjects, with the foregoing theatrical Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given, by theRomanSatirist, of an assuming sharp-setGreekling:[pg 055]Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur, Scœnobates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit.Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr.SheridanaRoscius, if the Name can sooth him; aCritic; nay, anOrator; but I shall be bold to assert, 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 MessieursQuin,Ryan,Delane,Sheridan,Barry,Mossop,Dexter,Sparks, Mrs.Woffington, the inimitable Mrs.Fitz-Henry, and several others, of either Sex.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 inLondon, orParis: From the obliging Decency the respective Performances thereof are conducted with, and evidently from the surpassing theatrical Abilities of the Company, that, with the most engaging Variety, entertains the Publick inCrow-streetPlay-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 MessieursDufrésne,Gossin, andQuinault; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein clear that Mr.Barry, in the exquisitely[pg 056]pathetick Strokes of deep Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous Passions, 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 declareElocution lostin 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 ofIreland, 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 Nobility; and,[pg 057]Reality, derive their superior Rank, as much from the Pre-eminence of their Virtues, as from the constitutional Dignity of their Titles?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 impassable,) with the visible Reformation in national Harmony, and Allegiance, will best suggest an Idea of the Honourable the House of Commons ofIreland, 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 noble Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into Execution.Our Constitution, partly ofGothic, partly ofNormanInstitution, (the first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been ordained in the Reign ofHenrythe First, Son ofWilliamthe Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of aDemocracy, the factious domineering Temper ofAristocracy, and the variable oppressive Sway ofArbitrary Monarchy; but including, by an harmonious Assemblage, the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is unquestionably thebest digestedandwisestin the known World: Under which, the King and the Nobles, with the Commons,unite, to extend the Commerce,[pg 058]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 Constitution! O! may it ever flourish! under whose mild and preservative Influence, a few only feel Restraint; except from the Commission of private Evil, or social Injury.I have said aFew 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 ofLimerick, 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 excellent3Pamphlets, 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 seeIrelandone 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;[pg 059]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 theKing-Bench, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Natives ofIreland, formed a Triumvirate, whose Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently respectable in the brightest Æras, either of theRomanCommonwealth, 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 shining out together; such asTully,Hortensius, andPliny, 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 inEurope.In the Diocese ofDublinexisteth 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) asIrelandis, that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not beenuniversallyfollowed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Institution, and expensive University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary ofFortyPounds 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 aforeign Fidlershall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one Night's Performance.[pg 060]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 Competition 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, asmallMatterannually set apart, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous noble 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 Circumstances, 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 ofIreland.OurProtestantBrethren, theDissenters, by a prudent and pious Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for this[pg 061]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!The most convincing and decisive Method of adjudging Causes, being by a comprehensive View and critical Examination of their Effects; of Streams, by a nice Scrutiny and Investigation of their Sources; hence may we, from the shining Characters, and extensive Abilities of our Divines and Barristers, frame a just Idea of the University ofDublin, which, for Compass and Extent of the Sciences, Variety of elegant Arts, found Erudition, and polite Literature therein taught, in the most regular and perspicuous[pg 062]Methods, is equalled by few, excelled by none.The Students are carefully instructed in the more refined Parts of classical Learning; oriental, antient, and modern Languages; Criticism, sacred and profane History, Oratory, Logick, Ethicks, and Metaphysicks; in natural and experimental Philosophy; Anatomy, Botany and Chymistry; the mathematicks, in Theory and Practice; Civil and Canon Laws; Theology, Controversy, and Ecclesiastical History: So that, with a good Capacity, and regular Application, one may depart this University, as completely and happily instituted for the honorary Professions of Life, as may be reasonably expected from any Nursery of Learning extant. The obtaining a Fellowship in this University, is a demonstrative Test of comprehensive native Talents, thorough intellectual Cultivation, deep and various learned Acquirements.TheNewtonianPhilosophy, the excellentBoyle's experimental Philosophy, and Mr.Locke's Metaphysicks, prevail much in the College ofDublin: Which, for Extent, Convenience, Magnificence, and a most sumptuous elegant Library, exceeds any one College inEurope. The beautiful Parks belonging to it, seem actually, on a serene Evening, the delightful Vale ofTempe, or enchanting Recesses ofParnassus, inhabited by all the Muses, all the Graces, with their charming Train.The Trade ofIreland, however in former Times miserably restrained and limited, hath in this happy Reign received considerable Enlargements; such as, the opening several Wooll-Ports; the Bounty onIrishLinens, now our staple Commodity, imported intoGreat-Britain;[pg 063]and the Immunity lately granted of importing thither Beef, Butter, Tallow, Candles, Pork, Hides, live Cattle,&c.a Privilege that, in its Consequences, must prove of signal Advantage to both Nations; tothisespecially, as we shall hereby be enabled, upon any occasional Exigency, to supply our protecting Friends, and proportionably stint the Hands of our Enemies, who, (by the Profusion of Wines and spirituous Liquors, annually exported fromFranceto Ireland, in Exchange for our Beef, Butter,&c.to pass over the Gluts of Teas and Spirits,&c.smuggled thence by thewesternRunners) have constantly the Balance on their Side. Our Exports, with those already mentioned, consist in a few Cheeses, Salmon and Kelp: But, as our Linens are, without Question, become the vital Spring ofIrishCommerce, it is Matter of great Concern and equal Surprize, that the other Provinces do not moreuniversallyandeffectuallyfollow the lucrative Example of theNorth! since, it is evident, nothing butequal Industrycan be wanting to render themequally flourishing, The Over-growth of Graziers and Stockmasters, is the strongest Indication that can be of national Waste and Decay, in respect of Inhabitants. What could a Foreigner, travelling among us, particularly in thewesternCounties, some Summers past, judge of our national Wisdom and Oeconomy? Would he not start even at our Humanity, on seeing the best arable Grounds in the Kingdom, in immense Tracts, wantonly enjoyed by the Cattle of a few petulant Individuals; and at the same Juncture, our high Ways and Streets crowded with Shoals of mendicant fellow-creatures! reduced, through Want of proper Sustenance, to the utmost Distress?[pg 064]Would not aFrenchmanfor Example, give a Shrug extraordinary, at finding, in every little Inn,BourdeauxClaret andNantzBrandy, though, in all Likelihood, not a Morsel ofIrishBread?It is much to be hoped, That, when the Spirit of Tillage should become more general and active, our Farmers more attentive to the Growth of the best Kinds of Grain, and our Brewers, more attentive to the Rules and Precepts for that Purpose laid down by the Honourable theDublin Society; we shall have little or no Occasion for that Inundation ofLondon Porter; (an heavy, cloudy, intoxicating, ill-flavoured Liquor) that annually overflows this City and other Parts of the Kingdom; as, in the above Case, we may have a sufficient Plenty and Variety of Malt Liquors, our own native Produce, far better than any imported; and, in Case of a Redundancy of Grain, (a Matter not very likely to happen) may, with moderate Care, have Spirituous Liquors of far a more wholesome Nature, exquisite Taste, and delicate Flavour, than those imported at an extraordinary Expence; and but too often adulterated, in the first Concoction.We have, in several Parts of this Kingdom, (in the Province ofMunsterespecially) a recy, spirituous, fine-flavoured Cyder, very little, if at all, inferior to the best imported White Wines; and a moderate Plenty of grateful Honey-Liquors, which, with our prime Beef, Mutton, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Variety of Fowls, tame and wild; red and fallow Deer; Hares, Rabbits, Pidgeons, Pheasants, Grouse; and Partridge; wild Duck, Plover, Snipe,&c.Lake, River, Shell and Sea Fish, of all Kinds;[pg 065]the Produce of the Garden, (Horticulture having of late Years so vastly improved among us, that we now have many curious Plants, Fruits, and Flowers, not only notknown, but never evenheard of, in former Times) andallin such Plenty and Perfection, as demonstrateIrelandhappier than most other Countries, in regard of the Necessaries and even of the Delicacies of Life; to which may be added, the great Number of our beautiful Lakes, noble Rivers, pure Fountains, limpid Streams, and Health-restoring mineral Wells.4In this Country are bred valuable Horses, for the Draught, Road, and Chace; and for the Course, as high-formed ones, as in any Part ofEurope; and large horned Cattle, and Sheep in Abundance.It must afford real Satisfaction to consider the universal and visible Reformation in the Lives and Morals even of our common People, clearly evinced in this, that (thank Heaven) fewer legal Punishments succeed an entire Circuit, in our happy Days, than did a single Assize in former Reigns: And, without Question, this Reformation must still rise higher, in Proportion to the Lenity of our worthy Legislature, and wise Indulgence of our landed Men, who must certainly find it more conducive to the Welfare of the State, and to their own Strength, Honour, and Interest, to have their Estates farmed and inhabited by a great Number of honest, laborious improving Families, than wasted by a few Purse-proud Bullock-Brokers, who rarely allow the wretched Herd of an hundred, as much Ground[pg 066]for his own and poor Family's Support, as is equal to that of two Bullocks.Suppose a Gentleman was to let two thousand Acres of arable Ground to farm; were it not demonstrably more conducive to all the foregoing Motives, to dispose of these to twenty honest, industrious Families, at an hundred Acres each, than to any one Beau-Grazier whatever? From the twenty Tenures, the Landlord may, in any national Shock, raise a considerable Number of effective Hands, and zealous Hearts, for the Service of the Crown, or Defence of his Country; and reap many signal Advantages to the public and private Concernments of Life, not possibly derivable from the anti-social Monopolizers and Forestallers of Farms; who ever fondly attribute their Growth to their own Sagacity and Cleverness, without any the least Gratitude or Obligation to the Land-owner. These Sentiments, it is hoped, will every Day gain more and more Consideration with our wise and beneficent Legislature, Nobility and Gentry.Many intelligent Persons, of all Ranks, complain much of the Want of some Establishment in the Way of a national Bank, to secure popular Credit, and the Kingdom from the various alarming Shocks it is so frequently incident to, on Account of the Failure of particular Banks.The Nobility and Gentry ofIreland, are Loyalists and Patriots by Principle and Education: They are brave, without Arrogance; gay, without Levity; polite, without Affectation; charitable, without Ostentation; religious, without Formality; affable, without Meanness; generous, without View; and hospitable, without Reserve: In their Converse, easy; in their Dealings just; placable in their Resentments, in[pg 067]their Friendship steady:—They have neither the volatile Airyness of theFrenchman, the stated Gravity of theSpaniard; the supicious Jealousy of theItalian; the forbidding Haughtiness of theGerman; the saturnine Gloominess of theFlandrican, nor the sordid Parsimony of theDutchman: In short, they are neither whimsical, splenetic, sullen or capricious:—And, as for Cunning, Craft, or Dissimulation, these are such sorry Guests as never found Shelter in the generous Breast of anIrishNoble or Gentleman; so that, if we consider this Country, with regard to its military Fame, constitutional Wisdom, Learning, Arts, Improvements, and natural Advantages; and above all, the benevolent Temper, charitable and hospitable Disposition of its Inhabitants; it is true, we may find many of more popular Bustle and Eclat, more extensive Commerce, greater Opulence and Pomp; but none of more general, solid, and intrinsick Worth, thanIreland.I shall conclude with the following Proposition to any one, who may arrogate to himself Praise or Wit, by ridiculingIreland.
Genus acre Bello, Studiis Genus acre Minervæ, Devotumque mori pro Rege, Fidêque tuendis.Among those who followed the Fortunes of KingJamesthe Second, were SirRichard Neagle, his Attorney-General, and Dr.Moore, Provost ofTrinity-college, nearDublin; 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.Louisthe Fourteenth, then King ofFrance, protected those worthy deserving Men, with singular Tenderness and Attention; and was instructed and guided solely by Dr.Moore, in the restoring, establishing, and modelling the University ofParis, at that gloomy Period! quite buried in perplexed, unintelligible, peripatetic[pg 047]Philosophy, and disfigured with romantic Legends, and Gothic Jingle! But, at the Doctor's Appearance, Entities, 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, andArabic, were Languagesuntaught,unknown, in the University ofParis, before Dr.Moore; for whom particularly,Louisthe Fourteenth founded, established, and endowed the Royal College, now calledCollege du Cambray: And how well our Doctor succeeded therein, may be inferred from the Character and Writings of his Pupils and Hearers,Boileau,Fontinelle,Poréc,Montesquieu,Fleuri,Lauguet, with many others, andRollin, his peculiar Favourite and immediate Successor,allgreat Genius's, applauded Writers, and celebrated Wits. So that, asIrelandhad the Honour of founding, it had also that of restoring and reviving the great University ofParis, in the Persons of two of its learned Natives.The Reign of her Majesty QueenAnne(glorious to her Arms, under the Conduct ofJohn, Duke ofMarlborough, 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 inadditionalActs against the further Growth of Popery: And many there were, who deemed it an unparallel'd Severity in her Majesty, to give her Royal Assent to them particular Laws; by which theRoman CatholicksofIreland(already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her[pg 048]Royal Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) wereprecludedfrom 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 ofIrelandwas 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, didHiberniatune 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 priscæ redeunt Artes, felicibus inde Ingeniis aperitur iter, despectaque Musæ 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[pg 049]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 appointedTrusteesfor the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.TheLinen-Hallwas erected inDublin, under as just and nice Regulations as any commercial House inEurope.The North ofIrelandbegan to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost exhausted Nursery of ourAmericanPlantations, 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 HonourableDublin 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 theirprivate 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[pg 050]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 oftruly honourable, andgenerousPersonages, instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts, encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their inexhaustible Bounty!Such, andsuch unrivalled, is theIllustrious Dublin Society! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published, inLatin,English, andFrench, 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 thePhilharmonic Society, that, (from a few Gentlemen, who usedoccasionallyto meet, in order to while away an Hour with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for theeffectual Reliefalso of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and Confinement:Concordiâ res parvæ crescunt.Orpheus, we are told, built the Walls ofThebes, 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[pg 051]an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,Omne tulit Punctum quæ miscuit utile dulci.In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment ofProtestantCharter-Schoolsthroughout the Kingdom: An Institution 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, thanPunishments,Persecution, orSequestrations.In this Reign shines out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable individual Dr.Madden, collectsa 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 noble Imitation, to his Countrymen in general.OnMadden, 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'sHospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a lasting Monument of the late DeanSwift'sCharity, as are his various[pg 052]Writings, of his great Genius and Wit:Mercer'scharitable Hospitable inStephen-street: The noble 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: TheCharitable Infirmaryon theInns-Quay: The New Hospital forIncurables, onLazer's-Hill: St.Nicholas'sHospital, inFrancis-street: TheMeathHospital, inSkinner's Alley: TheLockHospital, inGeorge's-Lane, for hapless Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the Charitable Hospital inKing-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, pronounceDublinas 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,[pg 053]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 Amusements and Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to every thinkingIrishSpectator, 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.Mossewill not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:Eternal Joys toMossekind Heaven give,By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!TheMarine Society, of recent Institution 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, pass for Matter of slight or casual Consideration; seeing theRomans, the greatest of all People, esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws,Roscia Lex Theatralis, &c. Mr.[pg 054]Sheridan's general Merit as aPlayerstands confessed; but as aManager, 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 thelong lost Art of Oratoryamong us: Had Mr.Sheridanattended 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 ofDemosthenes,Plato,Isocrates,Cicero, andPlinythe Younger; from the Rules and Precepts ofAristotle,Longinus,Horace,Quinctilian,Scaliger,Rapin,Porée, andRollin; he had beenthenconvinced how little Occasion there was for hislamentingtheLossof an Art in this Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it's persuasive Charms. This his dogmatical Assertion of thelong-lost Art of Oratory, his wildAcademicalProjects, with the foregoing theatrical Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given, by theRomanSatirist, of an assuming sharp-setGreekling:[pg 055]Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur, Scœnobates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit.Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr.SheridanaRoscius, if the Name can sooth him; aCritic; nay, anOrator; but I shall be bold to assert, 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 MessieursQuin,Ryan,Delane,Sheridan,Barry,Mossop,Dexter,Sparks, Mrs.Woffington, the inimitable Mrs.Fitz-Henry, and several others, of either Sex.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 inLondon, orParis: From the obliging Decency the respective Performances thereof are conducted with, and evidently from the surpassing theatrical Abilities of the Company, that, with the most engaging Variety, entertains the Publick inCrow-streetPlay-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 MessieursDufrésne,Gossin, andQuinault; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein clear that Mr.Barry, in the exquisitely[pg 056]pathetick Strokes of deep Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous Passions, 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 declareElocution lostin 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 ofIreland, 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 Nobility; and,[pg 057]Reality, derive their superior Rank, as much from the Pre-eminence of their Virtues, as from the constitutional Dignity of their Titles?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 impassable,) with the visible Reformation in national Harmony, and Allegiance, will best suggest an Idea of the Honourable the House of Commons ofIreland, 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 noble Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into Execution.Our Constitution, partly ofGothic, partly ofNormanInstitution, (the first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been ordained in the Reign ofHenrythe First, Son ofWilliamthe Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of aDemocracy, the factious domineering Temper ofAristocracy, and the variable oppressive Sway ofArbitrary Monarchy; but including, by an harmonious Assemblage, the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is unquestionably thebest digestedandwisestin the known World: Under which, the King and the Nobles, with the Commons,unite, to extend the Commerce,[pg 058]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 Constitution! O! may it ever flourish! under whose mild and preservative Influence, a few only feel Restraint; except from the Commission of private Evil, or social Injury.I have said aFew 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 ofLimerick, 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 excellent3Pamphlets, 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 seeIrelandone 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;[pg 059]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 theKing-Bench, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Natives ofIreland, formed a Triumvirate, whose Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently respectable in the brightest Æras, either of theRomanCommonwealth, 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 shining out together; such asTully,Hortensius, andPliny, 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 inEurope.In the Diocese ofDublinexisteth 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) asIrelandis, that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not beenuniversallyfollowed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Institution, and expensive University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary ofFortyPounds 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 aforeign Fidlershall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one Night's Performance.[pg 060]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 Competition 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, asmallMatterannually set apart, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous noble 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 Circumstances, 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 ofIreland.OurProtestantBrethren, theDissenters, by a prudent and pious Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for this[pg 061]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!The most convincing and decisive Method of adjudging Causes, being by a comprehensive View and critical Examination of their Effects; of Streams, by a nice Scrutiny and Investigation of their Sources; hence may we, from the shining Characters, and extensive Abilities of our Divines and Barristers, frame a just Idea of the University ofDublin, which, for Compass and Extent of the Sciences, Variety of elegant Arts, found Erudition, and polite Literature therein taught, in the most regular and perspicuous[pg 062]Methods, is equalled by few, excelled by none.The Students are carefully instructed in the more refined Parts of classical Learning; oriental, antient, and modern Languages; Criticism, sacred and profane History, Oratory, Logick, Ethicks, and Metaphysicks; in natural and experimental Philosophy; Anatomy, Botany and Chymistry; the mathematicks, in Theory and Practice; Civil and Canon Laws; Theology, Controversy, and Ecclesiastical History: So that, with a good Capacity, and regular Application, one may depart this University, as completely and happily instituted for the honorary Professions of Life, as may be reasonably expected from any Nursery of Learning extant. The obtaining a Fellowship in this University, is a demonstrative Test of comprehensive native Talents, thorough intellectual Cultivation, deep and various learned Acquirements.TheNewtonianPhilosophy, the excellentBoyle's experimental Philosophy, and Mr.Locke's Metaphysicks, prevail much in the College ofDublin: Which, for Extent, Convenience, Magnificence, and a most sumptuous elegant Library, exceeds any one College inEurope. The beautiful Parks belonging to it, seem actually, on a serene Evening, the delightful Vale ofTempe, or enchanting Recesses ofParnassus, inhabited by all the Muses, all the Graces, with their charming Train.The Trade ofIreland, however in former Times miserably restrained and limited, hath in this happy Reign received considerable Enlargements; such as, the opening several Wooll-Ports; the Bounty onIrishLinens, now our staple Commodity, imported intoGreat-Britain;[pg 063]and the Immunity lately granted of importing thither Beef, Butter, Tallow, Candles, Pork, Hides, live Cattle,&c.a Privilege that, in its Consequences, must prove of signal Advantage to both Nations; tothisespecially, as we shall hereby be enabled, upon any occasional Exigency, to supply our protecting Friends, and proportionably stint the Hands of our Enemies, who, (by the Profusion of Wines and spirituous Liquors, annually exported fromFranceto Ireland, in Exchange for our Beef, Butter,&c.to pass over the Gluts of Teas and Spirits,&c.smuggled thence by thewesternRunners) have constantly the Balance on their Side. Our Exports, with those already mentioned, consist in a few Cheeses, Salmon and Kelp: But, as our Linens are, without Question, become the vital Spring ofIrishCommerce, it is Matter of great Concern and equal Surprize, that the other Provinces do not moreuniversallyandeffectuallyfollow the lucrative Example of theNorth! since, it is evident, nothing butequal Industrycan be wanting to render themequally flourishing, The Over-growth of Graziers and Stockmasters, is the strongest Indication that can be of national Waste and Decay, in respect of Inhabitants. What could a Foreigner, travelling among us, particularly in thewesternCounties, some Summers past, judge of our national Wisdom and Oeconomy? Would he not start even at our Humanity, on seeing the best arable Grounds in the Kingdom, in immense Tracts, wantonly enjoyed by the Cattle of a few petulant Individuals; and at the same Juncture, our high Ways and Streets crowded with Shoals of mendicant fellow-creatures! reduced, through Want of proper Sustenance, to the utmost Distress?[pg 064]Would not aFrenchmanfor Example, give a Shrug extraordinary, at finding, in every little Inn,BourdeauxClaret andNantzBrandy, though, in all Likelihood, not a Morsel ofIrishBread?It is much to be hoped, That, when the Spirit of Tillage should become more general and active, our Farmers more attentive to the Growth of the best Kinds of Grain, and our Brewers, more attentive to the Rules and Precepts for that Purpose laid down by the Honourable theDublin Society; we shall have little or no Occasion for that Inundation ofLondon Porter; (an heavy, cloudy, intoxicating, ill-flavoured Liquor) that annually overflows this City and other Parts of the Kingdom; as, in the above Case, we may have a sufficient Plenty and Variety of Malt Liquors, our own native Produce, far better than any imported; and, in Case of a Redundancy of Grain, (a Matter not very likely to happen) may, with moderate Care, have Spirituous Liquors of far a more wholesome Nature, exquisite Taste, and delicate Flavour, than those imported at an extraordinary Expence; and but too often adulterated, in the first Concoction.We have, in several Parts of this Kingdom, (in the Province ofMunsterespecially) a recy, spirituous, fine-flavoured Cyder, very little, if at all, inferior to the best imported White Wines; and a moderate Plenty of grateful Honey-Liquors, which, with our prime Beef, Mutton, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Variety of Fowls, tame and wild; red and fallow Deer; Hares, Rabbits, Pidgeons, Pheasants, Grouse; and Partridge; wild Duck, Plover, Snipe,&c.Lake, River, Shell and Sea Fish, of all Kinds;[pg 065]the Produce of the Garden, (Horticulture having of late Years so vastly improved among us, that we now have many curious Plants, Fruits, and Flowers, not only notknown, but never evenheard of, in former Times) andallin such Plenty and Perfection, as demonstrateIrelandhappier than most other Countries, in regard of the Necessaries and even of the Delicacies of Life; to which may be added, the great Number of our beautiful Lakes, noble Rivers, pure Fountains, limpid Streams, and Health-restoring mineral Wells.4In this Country are bred valuable Horses, for the Draught, Road, and Chace; and for the Course, as high-formed ones, as in any Part ofEurope; and large horned Cattle, and Sheep in Abundance.It must afford real Satisfaction to consider the universal and visible Reformation in the Lives and Morals even of our common People, clearly evinced in this, that (thank Heaven) fewer legal Punishments succeed an entire Circuit, in our happy Days, than did a single Assize in former Reigns: And, without Question, this Reformation must still rise higher, in Proportion to the Lenity of our worthy Legislature, and wise Indulgence of our landed Men, who must certainly find it more conducive to the Welfare of the State, and to their own Strength, Honour, and Interest, to have their Estates farmed and inhabited by a great Number of honest, laborious improving Families, than wasted by a few Purse-proud Bullock-Brokers, who rarely allow the wretched Herd of an hundred, as much Ground[pg 066]for his own and poor Family's Support, as is equal to that of two Bullocks.Suppose a Gentleman was to let two thousand Acres of arable Ground to farm; were it not demonstrably more conducive to all the foregoing Motives, to dispose of these to twenty honest, industrious Families, at an hundred Acres each, than to any one Beau-Grazier whatever? From the twenty Tenures, the Landlord may, in any national Shock, raise a considerable Number of effective Hands, and zealous Hearts, for the Service of the Crown, or Defence of his Country; and reap many signal Advantages to the public and private Concernments of Life, not possibly derivable from the anti-social Monopolizers and Forestallers of Farms; who ever fondly attribute their Growth to their own Sagacity and Cleverness, without any the least Gratitude or Obligation to the Land-owner. These Sentiments, it is hoped, will every Day gain more and more Consideration with our wise and beneficent Legislature, Nobility and Gentry.Many intelligent Persons, of all Ranks, complain much of the Want of some Establishment in the Way of a national Bank, to secure popular Credit, and the Kingdom from the various alarming Shocks it is so frequently incident to, on Account of the Failure of particular Banks.The Nobility and Gentry ofIreland, are Loyalists and Patriots by Principle and Education: They are brave, without Arrogance; gay, without Levity; polite, without Affectation; charitable, without Ostentation; religious, without Formality; affable, without Meanness; generous, without View; and hospitable, without Reserve: In their Converse, easy; in their Dealings just; placable in their Resentments, in[pg 067]their Friendship steady:—They have neither the volatile Airyness of theFrenchman, the stated Gravity of theSpaniard; the supicious Jealousy of theItalian; the forbidding Haughtiness of theGerman; the saturnine Gloominess of theFlandrican, nor the sordid Parsimony of theDutchman: In short, they are neither whimsical, splenetic, sullen or capricious:—And, as for Cunning, Craft, or Dissimulation, these are such sorry Guests as never found Shelter in the generous Breast of anIrishNoble or Gentleman; so that, if we consider this Country, with regard to its military Fame, constitutional Wisdom, Learning, Arts, Improvements, and natural Advantages; and above all, the benevolent Temper, charitable and hospitable Disposition of its Inhabitants; it is true, we may find many of more popular Bustle and Eclat, more extensive Commerce, greater Opulence and Pomp; but none of more general, solid, and intrinsick Worth, thanIreland.I shall conclude with the following Proposition to any one, who may arrogate to himself Praise or Wit, by ridiculingIreland.
Genus acre Bello, Studiis Genus acre Minervæ, Devotumque mori pro Rege, Fidêque tuendis.
Among those who followed the Fortunes of KingJamesthe Second, were SirRichard Neagle, his Attorney-General, and Dr.Moore, Provost ofTrinity-college, nearDublin; 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.Louisthe Fourteenth, then King ofFrance, protected those worthy deserving Men, with singular Tenderness and Attention; and was instructed and guided solely by Dr.Moore, in the restoring, establishing, and modelling the University ofParis, at that gloomy Period! quite buried in perplexed, unintelligible, peripatetic[pg 047]Philosophy, and disfigured with romantic Legends, and Gothic Jingle! But, at the Doctor's Appearance, Entities, 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, andArabic, were Languagesuntaught,unknown, in the University ofParis, before Dr.Moore; for whom particularly,Louisthe Fourteenth founded, established, and endowed the Royal College, now calledCollege du Cambray: And how well our Doctor succeeded therein, may be inferred from the Character and Writings of his Pupils and Hearers,Boileau,Fontinelle,Poréc,Montesquieu,Fleuri,Lauguet, with many others, andRollin, his peculiar Favourite and immediate Successor,allgreat Genius's, applauded Writers, and celebrated Wits. So that, asIrelandhad the Honour of founding, it had also that of restoring and reviving the great University ofParis, in the Persons of two of its learned Natives.
The Reign of her Majesty QueenAnne(glorious to her Arms, under the Conduct ofJohn, Duke ofMarlborough, 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 inadditionalActs against the further Growth of Popery: And many there were, who deemed it an unparallel'd Severity in her Majesty, to give her Royal Assent to them particular Laws; by which theRoman CatholicksofIreland(already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her[pg 048]Royal Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) wereprecludedfrom 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 ofIrelandwas 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, didHiberniatune 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 priscæ redeunt Artes, felicibus inde Ingeniis aperitur iter, despectaque Musæ 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[pg 049]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 appointedTrusteesfor the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.
TheLinen-Hallwas erected inDublin, under as just and nice Regulations as any commercial House inEurope.
The North ofIrelandbegan to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost exhausted Nursery of ourAmericanPlantations, 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 HonourableDublin 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 theirprivate 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[pg 050]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 oftruly honourable, andgenerousPersonages, instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts, encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their inexhaustible Bounty!Such, andsuch unrivalled, is theIllustrious Dublin Society! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published, inLatin,English, andFrench, 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 thePhilharmonic Society, that, (from a few Gentlemen, who usedoccasionallyto meet, in order to while away an Hour with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for theeffectual Reliefalso of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and Confinement:Concordiâ res parvæ crescunt.Orpheus, we are told, built the Walls ofThebes, 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[pg 051]an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,
Omne tulit Punctum quæ miscuit utile dulci.
Omne tulit Punctum quæ miscuit utile dulci.
In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment ofProtestantCharter-Schoolsthroughout the Kingdom: An Institution 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, thanPunishments,Persecution, orSequestrations.
In this Reign shines out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable individual Dr.Madden, collectsa 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 noble Imitation, to his Countrymen in general.
OnMadden, kindred Angels smile!Bright Mirrour to his native Isle!To whom old Age shall say, and Youth,With grateful and prophetic Truth,
OnMadden, 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'sHospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a lasting Monument of the late DeanSwift'sCharity, as are his various[pg 052]Writings, of his great Genius and Wit:Mercer'scharitable Hospitable inStephen-street: The noble 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: TheCharitable Infirmaryon theInns-Quay: The New Hospital forIncurables, onLazer's-Hill: St.Nicholas'sHospital, inFrancis-street: TheMeathHospital, inSkinner's Alley: TheLockHospital, inGeorge's-Lane, for hapless Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the Charitable Hospital inKing-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, pronounceDublinas 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,[pg 053]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 Amusements and Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to every thinkingIrishSpectator, 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.Mossewill not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:
Eternal Joys toMossekind Heaven give,By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!
Eternal Joys toMossekind Heaven give,
By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!
TheMarine Society, of recent Institution 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, pass for Matter of slight or casual Consideration; seeing theRomans, the greatest of all People, esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws,Roscia Lex Theatralis, &c. Mr.[pg 054]Sheridan's general Merit as aPlayerstands confessed; but as aManager, 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 thelong lost Art of Oratoryamong us: Had Mr.Sheridanattended 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 ofDemosthenes,Plato,Isocrates,Cicero, andPlinythe Younger; from the Rules and Precepts ofAristotle,Longinus,Horace,Quinctilian,Scaliger,Rapin,Porée, andRollin; he had beenthenconvinced how little Occasion there was for hislamentingtheLossof an Art in this Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it's persuasive Charms. This his dogmatical Assertion of thelong-lost Art of Oratory, his wildAcademicalProjects, with the foregoing theatrical Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given, by theRomanSatirist, of an assuming sharp-setGreekling:
Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur, Scœnobates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit.
Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr.SheridanaRoscius, if the Name can sooth him; aCritic; nay, anOrator; but I shall be bold to assert, 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 MessieursQuin,Ryan,Delane,Sheridan,Barry,Mossop,Dexter,Sparks, Mrs.Woffington, the inimitable Mrs.Fitz-Henry, and several others, of either Sex.
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 inLondon, orParis: From the obliging Decency the respective Performances thereof are conducted with, and evidently from the surpassing theatrical Abilities of the Company, that, with the most engaging Variety, entertains the Publick inCrow-streetPlay-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 MessieursDufrésne,Gossin, andQuinault; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein clear that Mr.Barry, in the exquisitely[pg 056]pathetick Strokes of deep Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous Passions, 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 declareElocution lostin 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 ofIreland, 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 Nobility; and,[pg 057]Reality, derive their superior Rank, as much from the Pre-eminence of their Virtues, as from the constitutional Dignity of their Titles?
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 impassable,) with the visible Reformation in national Harmony, and Allegiance, will best suggest an Idea of the Honourable the House of Commons ofIreland, 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 noble Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into Execution.
Our Constitution, partly ofGothic, partly ofNormanInstitution, (the first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been ordained in the Reign ofHenrythe First, Son ofWilliamthe Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of aDemocracy, the factious domineering Temper ofAristocracy, and the variable oppressive Sway ofArbitrary Monarchy; but including, by an harmonious Assemblage, the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is unquestionably thebest digestedandwisestin the known World: Under which, the King and the Nobles, with the Commons,unite, to extend the Commerce,[pg 058]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 Constitution! O! may it ever flourish! under whose mild and preservative Influence, a few only feel Restraint; except from the Commission of private Evil, or social Injury.
I have said aFew 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 ofLimerick, 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 excellent3Pamphlets, 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 seeIrelandone 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;[pg 059]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 theKing-Bench, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor of the Exchequer, Natives ofIreland, formed a Triumvirate, whose Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently respectable in the brightest Æras, either of theRomanCommonwealth, 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 shining out together; such asTully,Hortensius, andPliny, 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 inEurope.
In the Diocese ofDublinexisteth 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) asIrelandis, that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not beenuniversallyfollowed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Institution, and expensive University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary ofFortyPounds 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 aforeign Fidlershall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one Night's Performance.[pg 060]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 Competition 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, asmallMatterannually set apart, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous noble 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 Circumstances, 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 ofIreland.
OurProtestantBrethren, theDissenters, by a prudent and pious Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for this[pg 061]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!
The most convincing and decisive Method of adjudging Causes, being by a comprehensive View and critical Examination of their Effects; of Streams, by a nice Scrutiny and Investigation of their Sources; hence may we, from the shining Characters, and extensive Abilities of our Divines and Barristers, frame a just Idea of the University ofDublin, which, for Compass and Extent of the Sciences, Variety of elegant Arts, found Erudition, and polite Literature therein taught, in the most regular and perspicuous[pg 062]Methods, is equalled by few, excelled by none.
The Students are carefully instructed in the more refined Parts of classical Learning; oriental, antient, and modern Languages; Criticism, sacred and profane History, Oratory, Logick, Ethicks, and Metaphysicks; in natural and experimental Philosophy; Anatomy, Botany and Chymistry; the mathematicks, in Theory and Practice; Civil and Canon Laws; Theology, Controversy, and Ecclesiastical History: So that, with a good Capacity, and regular Application, one may depart this University, as completely and happily instituted for the honorary Professions of Life, as may be reasonably expected from any Nursery of Learning extant. The obtaining a Fellowship in this University, is a demonstrative Test of comprehensive native Talents, thorough intellectual Cultivation, deep and various learned Acquirements.
TheNewtonianPhilosophy, the excellentBoyle's experimental Philosophy, and Mr.Locke's Metaphysicks, prevail much in the College ofDublin: Which, for Extent, Convenience, Magnificence, and a most sumptuous elegant Library, exceeds any one College inEurope. The beautiful Parks belonging to it, seem actually, on a serene Evening, the delightful Vale ofTempe, or enchanting Recesses ofParnassus, inhabited by all the Muses, all the Graces, with their charming Train.
The Trade ofIreland, however in former Times miserably restrained and limited, hath in this happy Reign received considerable Enlargements; such as, the opening several Wooll-Ports; the Bounty onIrishLinens, now our staple Commodity, imported intoGreat-Britain;[pg 063]and the Immunity lately granted of importing thither Beef, Butter, Tallow, Candles, Pork, Hides, live Cattle,&c.a Privilege that, in its Consequences, must prove of signal Advantage to both Nations; tothisespecially, as we shall hereby be enabled, upon any occasional Exigency, to supply our protecting Friends, and proportionably stint the Hands of our Enemies, who, (by the Profusion of Wines and spirituous Liquors, annually exported fromFranceto Ireland, in Exchange for our Beef, Butter,&c.to pass over the Gluts of Teas and Spirits,&c.smuggled thence by thewesternRunners) have constantly the Balance on their Side. Our Exports, with those already mentioned, consist in a few Cheeses, Salmon and Kelp: But, as our Linens are, without Question, become the vital Spring ofIrishCommerce, it is Matter of great Concern and equal Surprize, that the other Provinces do not moreuniversallyandeffectuallyfollow the lucrative Example of theNorth! since, it is evident, nothing butequal Industrycan be wanting to render themequally flourishing, The Over-growth of Graziers and Stockmasters, is the strongest Indication that can be of national Waste and Decay, in respect of Inhabitants. What could a Foreigner, travelling among us, particularly in thewesternCounties, some Summers past, judge of our national Wisdom and Oeconomy? Would he not start even at our Humanity, on seeing the best arable Grounds in the Kingdom, in immense Tracts, wantonly enjoyed by the Cattle of a few petulant Individuals; and at the same Juncture, our high Ways and Streets crowded with Shoals of mendicant fellow-creatures! reduced, through Want of proper Sustenance, to the utmost Distress?[pg 064]Would not aFrenchmanfor Example, give a Shrug extraordinary, at finding, in every little Inn,BourdeauxClaret andNantzBrandy, though, in all Likelihood, not a Morsel ofIrishBread?
It is much to be hoped, That, when the Spirit of Tillage should become more general and active, our Farmers more attentive to the Growth of the best Kinds of Grain, and our Brewers, more attentive to the Rules and Precepts for that Purpose laid down by the Honourable theDublin Society; we shall have little or no Occasion for that Inundation ofLondon Porter; (an heavy, cloudy, intoxicating, ill-flavoured Liquor) that annually overflows this City and other Parts of the Kingdom; as, in the above Case, we may have a sufficient Plenty and Variety of Malt Liquors, our own native Produce, far better than any imported; and, in Case of a Redundancy of Grain, (a Matter not very likely to happen) may, with moderate Care, have Spirituous Liquors of far a more wholesome Nature, exquisite Taste, and delicate Flavour, than those imported at an extraordinary Expence; and but too often adulterated, in the first Concoction.
We have, in several Parts of this Kingdom, (in the Province ofMunsterespecially) a recy, spirituous, fine-flavoured Cyder, very little, if at all, inferior to the best imported White Wines; and a moderate Plenty of grateful Honey-Liquors, which, with our prime Beef, Mutton, Pork, Veal, Lamb, Variety of Fowls, tame and wild; red and fallow Deer; Hares, Rabbits, Pidgeons, Pheasants, Grouse; and Partridge; wild Duck, Plover, Snipe,&c.Lake, River, Shell and Sea Fish, of all Kinds;[pg 065]the Produce of the Garden, (Horticulture having of late Years so vastly improved among us, that we now have many curious Plants, Fruits, and Flowers, not only notknown, but never evenheard of, in former Times) andallin such Plenty and Perfection, as demonstrateIrelandhappier than most other Countries, in regard of the Necessaries and even of the Delicacies of Life; to which may be added, the great Number of our beautiful Lakes, noble Rivers, pure Fountains, limpid Streams, and Health-restoring mineral Wells.4In this Country are bred valuable Horses, for the Draught, Road, and Chace; and for the Course, as high-formed ones, as in any Part ofEurope; and large horned Cattle, and Sheep in Abundance.
It must afford real Satisfaction to consider the universal and visible Reformation in the Lives and Morals even of our common People, clearly evinced in this, that (thank Heaven) fewer legal Punishments succeed an entire Circuit, in our happy Days, than did a single Assize in former Reigns: And, without Question, this Reformation must still rise higher, in Proportion to the Lenity of our worthy Legislature, and wise Indulgence of our landed Men, who must certainly find it more conducive to the Welfare of the State, and to their own Strength, Honour, and Interest, to have their Estates farmed and inhabited by a great Number of honest, laborious improving Families, than wasted by a few Purse-proud Bullock-Brokers, who rarely allow the wretched Herd of an hundred, as much Ground[pg 066]for his own and poor Family's Support, as is equal to that of two Bullocks.
Suppose a Gentleman was to let two thousand Acres of arable Ground to farm; were it not demonstrably more conducive to all the foregoing Motives, to dispose of these to twenty honest, industrious Families, at an hundred Acres each, than to any one Beau-Grazier whatever? From the twenty Tenures, the Landlord may, in any national Shock, raise a considerable Number of effective Hands, and zealous Hearts, for the Service of the Crown, or Defence of his Country; and reap many signal Advantages to the public and private Concernments of Life, not possibly derivable from the anti-social Monopolizers and Forestallers of Farms; who ever fondly attribute their Growth to their own Sagacity and Cleverness, without any the least Gratitude or Obligation to the Land-owner. These Sentiments, it is hoped, will every Day gain more and more Consideration with our wise and beneficent Legislature, Nobility and Gentry.
Many intelligent Persons, of all Ranks, complain much of the Want of some Establishment in the Way of a national Bank, to secure popular Credit, and the Kingdom from the various alarming Shocks it is so frequently incident to, on Account of the Failure of particular Banks.
The Nobility and Gentry ofIreland, are Loyalists and Patriots by Principle and Education: They are brave, without Arrogance; gay, without Levity; polite, without Affectation; charitable, without Ostentation; religious, without Formality; affable, without Meanness; generous, without View; and hospitable, without Reserve: In their Converse, easy; in their Dealings just; placable in their Resentments, in[pg 067]their Friendship steady:—They have neither the volatile Airyness of theFrenchman, the stated Gravity of theSpaniard; the supicious Jealousy of theItalian; the forbidding Haughtiness of theGerman; the saturnine Gloominess of theFlandrican, nor the sordid Parsimony of theDutchman: In short, they are neither whimsical, splenetic, sullen or capricious:—And, as for Cunning, Craft, or Dissimulation, these are such sorry Guests as never found Shelter in the generous Breast of anIrishNoble or Gentleman; so that, if we consider this Country, with regard to its military Fame, constitutional Wisdom, Learning, Arts, Improvements, and natural Advantages; and above all, the benevolent Temper, charitable and hospitable Disposition of its Inhabitants; it is true, we may find many of more popular Bustle and Eclat, more extensive Commerce, greater Opulence and Pomp; but none of more general, solid, and intrinsick Worth, thanIreland.
I shall conclude with the following Proposition to any one, who may arrogate to himself Praise or Wit, by ridiculingIreland.