Melantius upon the education of the people. 1789
Tighe, Edward
4 \ %. | J * LT wH : - of | = ; ; / - 1 — * * * ; ; | * oY 4 * - o <4 * 4 A | | | p P "4 4 . - ; — of ; 4 * * » * N .ĩ„«%ꝙ ———ß cate con. ohh | * b * 5 UPON THE. 1 | 5. 1 FB-U CA TION -. a} q . | OF THE 0 N WES , & A £ 54 ww 45 1. * | TY. ; a 0 * , 3 / (1 * : 1 W 4 7 D U B L I N: 3 „ | PxinTED BY P. BYRNE, No. 108, GRArrox-sTREET. 9 | M. pcc. LXxxix. £3 * 12 rr (PRICE ONE BRITISH SHILLING. ) 4 . | 5 2 —— Cray * - [07500 u#s Oe * - ox, any * 7 4 * 8. WW % - wo e * 327 _ ; : p__— © ++ — a *4 — „ „ | n 2 W . | By * _- = *p W344 egy i” ” K * — — — —— w— p —— 5. — 1 * 14 ** — 4 70 N 1 vs 2 A r „ UE TT EM; Oi My DEAR SIR, SEPTEMBER, 1787. Tu E long and ſatisfactory converſation with which you favoured me in March laſt and your ſubſequent opening to the Houſe of Commons of your great plan for the education of the people of this kingdom have occupied my mind for a part of every day ſince that period. It is almoſt the only ſubject in which no claſs of rational beings can be unintereſted. The deficiency of education no ſplendor can conceal, no ſtation can ſup- ply; nor is there any perſon, however elevated his rank, who would not willingly relinquiſh ſome part of his envied pre- eminence to be numbered with the children of knowledge. On the other A 2 X hand, 628-3 hand it is to be ſuppoſed, that no perſon whoſe early youth has bcen well trained and cultivated, would conſent to exchange that ineſtimable bleſ- ſing for the languor and vacuity of unlettered grandeur. That great deſtroyer, Kouli Khan, could not either write or read; the bloody buſineſs of the ſield being over, his recreqgion was, as we are informed by his hiſtorians, to contemplate a large emerald in his tent. Could he have em- ployed ſome of his hours in ſtudy, the intrepid barbarian might have learned that conqueſt has nobler ends than the plunder of the wealthy, and the maſſacre of the defenceleſs. Well might it be perhaps for the community, that ſo many who reſemble the Khan in his ignorance, would alſo imitate him in his retirement; but for want of ſome food for the mind, of ſome occupation for 0 the underſtanding, much the greateſt part of life is conſumed either in deplorable idleneſs, or ſhameful debauchery. The power of thinking, without objects for its exerciſe, is one of the moſt tormenting properties annexed to the conſtitution of human nature, Plutarch in his parallel between Lycurgus and Numa gives the preference to the former for having employed ſo much of his attention, and framed ſo many of his inſtitutions expreſsly for the education of the children of the ſtate, which he ſays the Roman legiſlator had entirely neglected. The conſe- quence was, that by adhering to this early diſci- pline Sparta flouriſhed near five hundred years, while the ordinances of Numa fell into neglect upon 1 18 8 upon his demiſe, and their efficacy periſhed with himſelf. Vour plans are great indeed, comprehending the happineſs of millions, and of ages yet un- born, beginning with the child of the meaneſt and moſt unlettered peaſant, and ending in ſuch as by their ſucceſsful toils in the beſt ſervice of the public, (the training and forming of its. youth) ſhall be entitled to the moſt honourable diſtinc- tions. It was ſaid by Milton, that “ the improve- « ment of education is one of the greateſt and % nobleſt deſigns that can be thought of, and « for the want of which this nation periſhes.” If a juſt cultivation of learning was ſo eſſential to the welfare of Britain in his day, what ſhall be ſaid of its importance at preſent in a ſiſter iſland leſs indeed in extent and comprehenſion, but much more fertile in weeds and brambles, and almoſt choaked by their exceſſive exuberance ? By edu- cation is meant the breeding up of all perſons of either ſex, and this is evidently the education in- tended in the ſpeeches from the throne. There cannot be a more exalted ſubject for conſideration, whether the manner of improving the minds of the higher or of the lower orders of the people is to be diſcuſſed. Both ranks partake in ſome degree BJ degree of the ſame qualities and colour. The firſt matter that occurs upon this truly important ſub- ject is the groſs and hourly abuſe of time. Viſit a cottage in Leinſter, and the following picture will be preſented to your view: Near a ſmoaky fire- place a woman ſubdued by dull habit into torpor and apathy, with two or three dirty children of dilterent ages near her, not only in utter inactivity themſelves, but preventing the mother from exe- cuting or purſuing with effect any work of utility or tending to cleanlineſs: Every one of theſe children might be occupied either in ſpinning, knitting, weeding in gardens, or in ſome other of thoſe employments which, though highly uſe- ful, are not laborious : Inſtead of theſe, their only occupation is to torment their parents or other perions living with them. Almoſt all the evils of this country proceed from the vile education of the people, who are brought up in lazineſs, dirt, equivocating, lying, pilfering, and . artful talk. Amongſt thoſe of a rank next above the common people (I mean ſuch as live upon their means, as it is called, without any calling or ſta- tion) what is to be obſerved but a liſtleſs inſipid exiſtence or mere vegetation, kept up by the pitiable habits of ſwilling pernicious draughts, of ſwearing, lying, and contriving artful ſchemes to circumvent and impoſe upon their ſuperiors ? This [winiſh picture is too deteſtable to dwell upon. In order to give, and we need not go far for it, one of a better ſort, let us turn our eyes to a large part of the Northern Province, which is in many inſtances a ſtriking contraſt to the three other * 1 be oF 2 1 by 4 HF 2 G ® 8 7 wat 5 * L 1 other diviſions of this beautiful and fertile iſland. In many parts of Ulſter, the appearance of induſ- try immediately preſents itſelf upon your en- trance into a cottage; ſpinning, weaving, or pre- paring the raw material previous to thoſe opera- tions employs the principal part of the family, except at thoſe ſeaſons of the year when their few acres call them abroad to the labours of huſban- dry, and the renovation of their bodily ſtrength, which would otherwiſe ſuffer from a conſtant ſuc- ceſſion of ſedentary employments. You find them coarſely but comfortably cloathed, moderately ſupplied with the neceſſaries of life, many of them attentive to the duties of religion, poſſeſſed of as much learning as is neceſſary for their ſtations, and obſerving a degree of cleanlineſs which, though far below what it ought to be, bears evident marks of improvement in civilization. One of the worſt yet moſt ſtriking features of this country is a neglect, and, I might ſay, a con- tempt of laws. Moſt perſons, however unin- formed, think they have wiſdom and knowledge enough to juſtify a contradiction to legal reſtraints. They ſet up their own judgments againſt the go- vernment and againſt the legiſlature, and unfortu- nately have done ſo too often with effect and with impunity by aſſiſtance from ſlanderous and ſeditious prints, the ſcum of literature. The conſtant and univerſal profanation of the Lord's day is a re- markable inſtance of this truth. The magiſtracy ſeem to be infatuated in regard to this ſubject. They and the clergy throw the blame upon each other, while the reſt of the world do not ſcruple to r She, — — —— ä . —— . en em k — 3 5 F F - — —— « - * * * CA * 1 « 1 * * * 7 * 3 * * 5 to paſs a cenſure freely on both. If people in this quarter of the world imagine that the Sabbath is treated in moſt parts of the neigh- bouring iſland, or in Ulſter, in the manner in which it is near the metropohs, they are very much miſtaken. Even in the luxurious and immenſe cities of London and Weſtminſter there is by every mechanic and ſhop-keeper at leaſt the greateſt reſpect paid to Sunday. Nothing is to be bought and fold upon that day. It is needleſs to paint the very different conduct in Dublin and the neighbouring towns. It is a picture not to be endured by well-wiſhers to this kingdom, to the government, the laws, or to religion. Your juſt and generous deſign of making the pariſh ſchools effectual by appointing in each a maſter of ſound and good principles to train the riſing generation to induſtry, truth, cleanlineſs, and Chriſtianity, and to inſtruct them in good Engliſh, writing and arithmetic, inſpires every thinking mind with the beſt hopes for the future proſperity of this nation. Is it neceſſary to prove that the greateſt good to be conterred upon a nation, even in a temporal light, would be to ſow the ſeeds of Chriſtianity in the riſing generation? Piety and virtue thereby enforced are the beſt ſecu- rity of civil power. But this is ſo obvious a truth, and religion appears ſo perfectly adapted to the political intereſt of government, that one of the moſt plauſible objections which its adverſaries have raiſed againſt it is, that it was | an _—_ +4 : WEE WES AE iy 3 P 3 % > 8 | * 4 2 22 88 % 4 4 n x 8 1 x * * 5 ® ” - 6 3 ". y o 1 an invention of policy, an engine invented by ſtateſmen to keep them in ſubjection. Vet fmall are thoſe advantages when compared to the certain, the infinite bleſſings which the truths of the goſpel impart to every individual who cordially embraces them: ſuch have in their own boſoms a ſure preſervative againſt every violation of moral juſtice ; the law is in- deed written in their hearts. Nor is the recep- tion of Chriſtianity only a negative good, but the ſtrongeſt ſtimulus to labour for the good of all. Who that has the feelings of huma- nity can reflect without a degree of anguiſh on the miſery of the greateſt part of the wretch- ed inhabitants of this iſland ? yet may we not be bold to ſay, that could they be inſtructed in ge- nuine Chriſtianity, and prevailed upon to embrace it, the picture would be reverſed. Their ex- treme poverty is not owing to the ſoil, or the climate, but to the ſloth, the pride arid drunken- neſs of the lower claſs, and the unfeeling laviſh- neſs, covetouſneſs, or penury of their ſuperiors ; I dare not ſay their betters. Now who that has any knowledge of the goſpel need be told it is a medicine for the root of all theſe evils, and muſt, ſo far as it is embraced, effectually eradicate them. That the greateſt part of the poor does not em- brace it ſeems eaſily accounted for. How ſhall they believe that which they do not know, nor have the means of knowing. Vaſt multitudes in this kingdom are in the moſt brutal ſtate of igno- rance, and know ſo little of the truths of religion, B that * 1 PS LE... ao © 21 8 DOE. OC 22 „„ dt % K * ro 3 » a # A ö rr (10:3 hat it is a profanation of the word to call them Chriſtians. Bleſſed be God, the great and neceſ- ſary truths of Chriſtianity require no great ex- pence of time or learning, they are fo plain to the ſimple and upright that “ a way-faring man though a fool (as the prophet ſays) ſhall not err therein.” Shall we not then joyfully labour to put into the hands of the poor the means of finding this pearl of great price. Notwithſtanding it muſt be admitted that perſons of birth and fortune ſeem to require improvement in their education at leaſt as much as the inferior orders of mankind, yet until the latter ſhall be in a .good degree purged from their baſe and pernicious habits, ſuch a wotk cannot be carried on with much proſpe@ of ſucceſs. One great cir- cumſtance in a ſuperior ſyſtem of education is a reaſonable degree of liberty. At one of the great ſchools (Eton, Weſtminſter, Wincheſter, and Harrow) a boy finds at a very early age (par- ticularly a boy of parts and memory) that he has much time to manage, and that although bounds are aſſigned, the limits of his little reign,” as the poet deſcribes them, yet that it is in his power to ramble to a certain diſtance with impunity. Theſe habits ſeem to be of great advantage to the health and even to the minds of the young ſtudents, and certainly render their labours de- lightful. I have never known any one bred up in places where ſuch a degree of liberty as has been mentioned prevails, who did not recol- tect, with pleaſure and exultation, the times of | | lis — "4 2 of * „ 5. « — - 7 p ©, 5, "vn _ "HE * 4 „ is 1 . 4 4 * A . _ *. © F" 2 »**%.. £>- ** 0 r _ e 1 — 2 0 — 2 4 c . Sg — nf * »+ 4 n * r * | T4 % * 2 ” b \ 3 w „„ bs St ag. 2 3 j bi wh 3% us <1. 2 a — © ISS % oo Mn e 3 2 * * Sd PR * \ AST 1 2 — TV 1 2} Gn) his early education; nor any of thoſe who have been bred under ſtricter rules of conſtraint, cir- cummured in a narrow ſpace, and fecluded en- tirely from the commerce of mankind, who did not recolle& them with diſguſt and abhorrence. A very diſtinguiſhed character, as well for taſte in literature as for talents for the public ſervice, whoſe lot it was to have been educated in this ſtate of impriſonment, declered that the remembrance of his boyiſh days recalled nothing to his mind but pain and miſery ; whereas the moſt abſolute blockhead who has received any part of his educa- tion at a great public ſchool, finds ſomething in the recollection which he dwells upon with pleaſure. +: It ſeems at firſt view aſtoniſhing that in the multitude of adminiſtrations which this nation has ſeen ſince the RrORMA“TION, no one has in any degree attempted a plan for the amendment of the morals of the people until the arrival of his Grace of Rutland. If any attempt of this ſort had been made, the pariſh-ſchools could not have remained in the ſtate in which they now are. The cauſes why they have remained in this {tate are ſo obvious to every thinking obſerver, that | it + What has been ſaid of public ſchools ſhould not have been urged to you who know them all as well as any perſon can know them, but that I lately found a gentleman educated at one of them, and afterwards at Oxford, who had not conſider- ed the matter in that light, yet confeſſed the truth of the obſervation when brought before him, Whilſt lying, pilfer- D 2 ing, E249" 3 it does not ſeem neceſſary at preſent to expatiate upon them. The RETORMATION and a delire of propagating pure and genuine piety, 18 probably the reaſon why the 29th of Henry the VIII. is the period of the well intended act for pariſh-ſchools, The beneficed clergy were obv touſly the perſons to look to for a ſupply, when it was intended to inſtruct the illiterate not only in the Engliſh lan- guage, but in Englith RETORMATION. Would to God the clergy had made this work the chief object of their ſtudy; truth, induſtry, and ho- nelly would then have filled the land. You will obſerve that I chooſe to conſider your excellent ſyſtem as conſiſting of ſix different plans. My reaſon for ſo doing is this, that I am unwilling to conſider all projccts for the better breeding of the youth of this country as em- barked in the ſame veſſel, and ſubject to the ſame attacks and dangers. If any circumſtance of locality or the terrors of expenſe, ſhould obſtruct the progreſs of any one or more of the ſchemes which you have propoſed for the benefit of the youth of family and expectation, there ſeems no reaſon why ſuch as are for the uſe of the inferior orders of mankind, particularly ſuch as the laws in being ought now to govern, ſhould not be put ing, and dram-drinking, continue to be the uſual occupations of the common people, how is it poſſible that a ſuperior ſyſtem for the higher orders can be eſtabliſhed conſiſtent with that liberty which upon _ experience appears to be abſolutely necellary ? in : 7 * : _— F N 83 — - * 4 ( E in motion without delay. I have the fatisfaRtion to believe that they are already in motion; that fit perſons are choſen and determined upon to be the directors of this large machine, and that they are now preparing the ground for a good and laſting foundation.“ To dwell longer upon the hopes of a new mode of governing parochial inſtitutions is unneceflary. I quit therefore the ſubject, although with ſome regret; for who could not expatiate with delight on an attempt  obſerved. the manner: of the ditterent ranks of people in this kingdom) ſeemed to conceive that the higher orders ſhould be obliged to ſet an example of truth, honeſty, induſtry and ſobriety, not only te ſvch perſons as are immediately dependent on them, but alſo to the community at large. If my friend can deviſe any means of inforcing his juſt doctrine effeQually upon perſons born to the poſſe ſſion of the goods of fortune, and who, by her means, have opportunity of copying all the vices of all countries, he will doubtleſs have the aſſiſtance of every well-wiſher to Ireland. The immortal Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, compleated, flagrante bello, compleated the great work for England. from „ from baſe culture, baſe habits, and all tlie vile- neſs that at preſent exiſts through the greateſt part of this kingdom, The next head, the better ordering and govern- ing twenty-two dioceſan ſchools, is of great import- ance; but when I conſider that the ſentiments of Government and of Parliament are known to my lords the Biſhops, who are excellent judges of this matter; that the laws for theſe purpoſes have been ſtrictly examined, and that there are large funds which have been too long miſuſed, I am the leſs ap- prehenſive for any miſcarriage in this part of the ſyſtem. If the preſent bench of Biſhops were juſtly and fairly eſtimated, (for Biſhops are ſpoken of with more envy than any claſs of men what- ever) the major part would be found men of excel- lent learning, and of admirable diſpoſition for the purpoſes of education; ſome of them in train and antient habits cxaRtly ſuited to ſupermtend improvements of this nature; ſo much ſo, that it ſeems likely that they would of themſelves have engaged in this noble cauſe, although the govern- ment, ſo much to their eternal honour, had not propoſed it. Upon looking over the liſt of ſpi- ritual lords I ſee eight or nine names of ſuch as have been already well employed in this great ſervice, I mean the training of youth either at ſchool, at the univerſity, or in private. I there- fore conſider that the ſtate has a right to expect every thing from their aſſiſtance, more than their aſſiſtance, their government of theſe ſchools, as well as bountiful contribution to them, and above all, TED all, that through the exerciſe of their autho- rity the pious and benign intention of Eraſmus Smith and other founders ſhall not be fruſtrated. Upon the third head, that of Provincial hoſpi- tals or academies, little need he urged. Every inch of that ground, provided good maſters of every fort ſhall be procured, will tend to the beſt of purpoſes; the good of mankind, and the glory of the Almighty. Suppoſing their plans and merits not to exceed the diſcipline of the Blue-Coat Hoſpital, can any rational perſon have a doubt that four additional Blue-Coat Hoſpi- tals would be of advantage to this ignorant and - thoughtleſs people? Although no one perſon ap- pears capable of conducting a Provincial Acade- my in all its parts, yet there is an expectation in the public, that a gentleman and a ſcholar who has long laboured in the mines of Engliſh lite- rature, and particularly in the ſcience of pro- nouncing that language, may be appointed a maſ- ter. This gentleman has been conſtantly gaining ground upon the general attention by his lectures and publications, which have raiſed him to the top of his art, not only in the opinion of the natives of Great Britain and Ireland, but in that of foreigners alſo. Here therefore he may have an oppoturnity of cultivating objects worthy of his genius and knowledge and of the unremitted attention which he has given to theſe ſubjects for more than thirty years paſt. His experience and character ſeem to point him out in a peculiar manner to preſide over ſtudies and exerciſes in the RP, the Engliſh language in the firſt Provincial Aca- demy. The fourth head I confider as doing the greateſt honor to the projector of any of the ſchemes which have been ſtated to Parliament. It will be virtually tranſplanting into this neglected foil the beſt ſhoots of the mot flouriſhing claſſical inſtitutions now exiſting. If theſe plants take firm root, there will be no need of ſending children to gather the fruits of literature, however delicious, in other countries, which may be procured more eaſily, cheaply, and perhaps in greater perfection at home. I fay in greater perfection, not ſo much in- dulging a hope of being able to ſhut out a taſte for expenſe and the conſequent vices, as from a belief that the directors will cull out the beſt parts of the methods and plans of the preſent great ſeminaries, omitting thoſe which are cenſurable, and extracting from the whole a ſyſtem better than any of the beſt models that have hitherto exited. The maſter of the ſchool of Armagh has ſet the example of purſuing a plan of learn- ing which muſt appear to every impartial perſon to be ſuperior to that of any of the principal ſchools. In ſome points a ſmall ſchool (as Armagh (till is) cannot anſwer the full purpoſes of public educa- tion, for number is eſſential to emulation, and by emulation every public object mult be promot- ed and kept alive, The endowments propoſed under this head muſt operate as a ſtimulus and 2 very eſſential benefit to the cauſe of learning. That 1 That a ſilence upon the remaining part of your fyſtem may not be imputed to diſappro— bation, it ſeems neceſſary to add, that as a capital city, and the near vicinity to c/zbs of various ſorts does not ſeem a good fitua- tion for the cultivation of ſcience, morals, or re- ligion, my ſuſfrage muſt go for a college in the fields, and I freely exclaim, as you did to a ſtrenu— ous aſſertor of the celebrity and dignity of the mother univerſity, I decus, I naſtrum, melioribus utere campis! In the report of your ſpeech of April laſt mention is made in more than one place of an oat! to be taken by the viſitors previous to the exami- nation of ſtudents and ſcholars. If the reverend perſons whom I have in my mind's eye are choſen for directors, fuch an impoſition will be totally ſuperfluous, and will probably hurt their feelings. To a general cath upon entering into office there ſeems to be little objection, though certainly oaths even in this inſtance are too frequently admini— ſtered, and therefore too lightly regarded. But 2n oath upon every circuit and at every {chool muſt appear unneceſſary, and impels one to cry out with Brutus, % No, not an oath, if not the faith of men, „The ſuff'rance of dur fouls, the times abuſe, % If theſe be motives weak, Sc.“ Here it occurs to remind you of the neceſſity of providing for what you touched in your (; ſpeech, 0 00-3 ſpeech, but did not dwell upon with that energy which attended you in other parts of your ſyſtem. I mean the education of females. I am ready to allow every thing that can be advanced in favour of their ſuperior innocence, but 1t they are not trained with greater care, (as their wit 1s gene- rally ſharper than that of men, and their atten- tion leſs occupied) many of the evils complained of mult remain, BUT at a time when the education and morals of the people are to be ſubjects of the at- tention of Parliament, it is hoped their wiſdom will be directed to a point of the greateſt im- portance, and, as I conceive, moſt ' intimately connected with the ſucceſs of your noble deſign. Obſervation of ſeveral years has corvinced me, that the early and conſtant uſe of ſpirituous I:quors is the grand evil of this Kingdom. Hoc fonte derivata clades In patriam populumque Juxit. It would be endleſs to enumerate the vices and miſchieis which flow from this fource. If the go- vernment means, as there is every aſſurance it does, to give good education to the people of this Kingdom, it muſt begin by the abolition of whif- key. There is (one can ſcarcely believe an evil fo very dreadful) a fort of whiſkey which ſells for two ſhillings per gallon. Let Parliament raiſe the duty fo as to make it ſell at treble the price, (lomewhat leis than brandy) and ſpirits will not any longer be the common drink of the common people. mies ! « EEK ²˙ -i 8 r * n 4 b. * 4 ha, J LL * 4 & 4 * N 1 2 1 4 (+9 ] people. It is impoſſible that any perſon ſhould have looked upon this country even for a very few years, and not have eagerly wiſhed to make the people better. A race ſo well featured, ſo ſtrong, ſo animated, ſhould be trained up to the beſt purpoſes, and not, as they have been, to their oppoſites. The opportunity is now given! the time is come! FpvucaTtion has been twice recommended from the Throne. . Dod optanti Divum promittere nemo Auderet volvenda dies en attulit ultro ! One does not look for arguments in ſuch a cauſe. Almoſt every object you can look upon is an argument, and would have ſerved as a memento to a people not plunged in perpetual intoxication. There is not a day or hour in which an obſerver does not ſee the evils ariſing from whiſkey. Even while I write I hear of death violently accelerated in three inſtances by its operation. One dreadful inſtance lies within a few yards of my pen, in the perſon of one who might probably have lived near forty years longer but tor the conſequences of ſpirits. Were a ſtranger to form an eſtimate of the population of Ireland, from the number of li- cences for the ſale of ſpirituous liquors in every town and village of this kingdom, he would be induced to think that the millions of France and Germany were inconſiderable compared to theſe multitudes ; but he would find upon exami- C2 nation, | : j i þ 4 1 N | | — — —— —  out of all proportion either to the neceſſities or to the number of the people. I have never beheld theſe fatal words, /iccnjed to fell ſpirits, (always diſtinct, clean, and legible) without dejection of mind, and inexpreſſible horror. Theſe few words contain the diigrace and rum of a nation. Without any ſtrained paraphraſe, their import is, here you are invited to the purchaſe of crimes, diſeaſe, and miſery. This is the true Circe's cup, and the wretch who drinks becomes inſtantly degraded beneath the condition of a hog, for his reaſon is loſt, and his carcaſe can neither be fold nor eaten. Enter into any of the innumerable ſhops or hovels where ſpirits are retailed, and one object inſtantly attracts your notice, the veſſel which contains this liquor; you ſee that this is the hope, the darling of the fa- mily, this is the proud idol: Pueri circum innuptaeque purlle Sacra canunt. Its ſtaves are ſound, its hoops are ſtrong, and its ſides are painted, while every other utenſil, every other article in the habitation 1s ſhattered and filthy. The caſk alone without its contents 1s of more value than the whole houſhold inventory. To think of infuſing any notions of induſtry, probity, or comfort, into ſouls devoted to ſloth, and into brains overwhelmed with intoxication, is a vain ſpeculation. It is to ſcatter ſeeds upon the water, and to expect thrubs and fruit without foil ( 22 ) foil or ſunſhine. A. peafant ſtruggling under his morning draught being aſked why he was intox- icated at fo early an hour, anſwered, that by being drunk at ſun-riſe, he had the comfort of it the whole day afterwards. Such is the princi- ple, and ſuch the practice of theſe untutored, unfortunate people. The comfort of a peaſant in other countries, is to have his cottage clean and warm, and to ſee his children cloathed, induſtri- ous and honeſt. The comfort of a peaſant in too many parts of this country, is to wallow with fo. ine, and to forget his exiſtence. Nor is this drink confined to the common people only. In two great provinces it 18 faid to be in general abuſe amongſt all ranks, except thoſe of conſiderable diſ- tinction. It ſeems probable that all the evils which the immoderate conſumption of this liquid poi- ſoa has produced, gin would have brought upon the neighbouring iſland, had not the legiſlature wifely and timely interpoſed. To diminiſh the number of venders, and to pro- hibit the very ſmall retail ſeem to be methods obvious and practicable. Great vigilance will certainly be - requifite to counteract the in- genuity of fraud, and reſolute perſeverance can alone conquer habitual depravity; but extra- ordinary efforts muſt be exerted for extraordi- nary purpoſes. Let this ſubject be conſidered as it ougut to be, and difficulty will vaniſh. The morals of the people deſtroyed, the ſtrength of a nation waſted, the very vitals of the ſtate con- ſumed ahd withered, and the cauſe of all theſe calamities ———  — = 2 2 — —— 2 — a — . ̃ ͤlr— — . œQmw wr — nn nt — r . ˙tiXAA ̃ œͤ1l! n. ee _ > — 4 ( 22 ) calamities, glaring and acknowledged, muſt re- proach the law-makers either with inſenſibility or with weakneſs. Were it poſlible to commute a political for a natural evil, and the melancholy alternative were left to election, no friend to this country would heſitate to prefer all the plagues of Aſia to the ſingle plague of whiſkey. 'The former have their times and periods, thou- fands are ſent to the grave, and the devaſtation ceaſes. But in the plague of whiſkey there is no intermiſſion, inceſſant as the Vulture of Prometheus, Immortale jecur tondens ; one generation periſhes, and the next ſucceeds to the ſame cataſtrophe. If it ſhall be objected, that the exigencies of the ſtate cannot afford ſuch a defalcation from the revenue as the loſs of the income ariſing from the duty upon licenſes, and the exciſe of ſpirits, let it be confidered, that to obtain funds for the ſupport of government by the deſtruction of the people who are governed is a {trange perverſion of the purpoſes of revenue. But ſome other beverage muſt be ſubſtituted in the place of that which ſhall be taken away, and if it be made pleaſant, wholeſome, and invigorating, there will be a certainty of its conſumption, and in all probability an encreaſe inſtead of a diminution of revenue. While this potation ren- ders artizans and labourers unhealthy and penny- leſs, did it at the ſame time make them innocent and Eo, and contented, there would be ſome compen- ſation ; but on the contrary, they become at once the molt poor, debilitated and the moſt wicked race in the univerſe. Wine and malt liquors when not {wallowed to ſuch exceis as to over- whelm the faculties, ſometimes open the natural benignity of the ſoul, and brighten the imagina- tion. But in this poiſon there is ſome infernal quality, which not only extinguiſhes all that is amiable in the diſpoſition, but excites the ſot to every ſpecies of outrage and barbarity. While he has any uſe of ſpeech, he will utter execra- tions and blaſphemy ; while he has any power of motion, he will move to miſchief. Theſe are the parents, the brethren, and the kindred of the children intended to be educated, and this is the domeſtic example for the riſing generation! we muſt reverſe the decalogue, and inſtead of honor, inſert abhor your father and mother, and your days ſhall be long in the land. If you ſuſpect that my zeal may have hurried me into exaggeration, | conſult thoſe who have ſeen moſt and are beſt informed, conſult the judges of the land, who | have too frequent opportunities of contemplating | the dreadful effects of ſpirituous liquors. You will find upon this point no contrariety of evi- dence and little difference of opiniofl. Should | the good genius of Ireland conſiderably prolong | the duration of the preſent government, great | reformation may be expected in many material ö points of management and polity. Fluctuating  — — ( 24 3 the diſtinguiſhed curſes of this kingdom. What great ſcheme of improvement, what ſubſtantial plan for public benefit could be digeſted and perfected, while government was hardly a fix months tenure in the hands which held it? The attention of ſtateſmen in Ireland was diverted from national objects to the cabals at Weſtmin- iter, and congratulatory addreſſes were ſcarcely offered up to one Lord Lieutenant, when Collins and Dugdale were to be ranſacked to furnith ſub- jets for panegyric on the anceſtry of his ſucceſ- for. To unſay what had been faid, to undo what had juſt been done, to vilify what had been praiſed, and to extol what had been reprobated ſeemed to be the ſafeſt rule for the temporizing politician. All that might naturally be expected followed of courſe. The executive power was ſet at defiance. The laws were eluded, the legiſlature was treated with deriſion and inſult, and the very vileſt of the populace trampling upon all ſubordi- nation, iſſued wild mandates, and dictated to their rulers. Take a {hort retroſpect but to the appear- ance and condition of the metropolis when the Duke of Rutland arrived in Ireland. Gangs of drunken banditti took poſt in the ſtreetsand avenues of the city by day, and favoured by darkneſs and a deſpicable* magiſtracy committed all forts of de- predations by night. Seditious clubs hatching miſ- chief, and diſſeminating anarchy among the people aſſembled in every quarter, exhortations to trea- ſon on ; ſon, aſſaſſination, and rebellion were the conſtant burden of the newſpapers, and theſe were publicly and for a time with impunity hawked about and fold all over the capital. The moſt reſpectable ſenators were proſcribed ; liſts of their names were handed round, and they were marked out as the proper victims for the fury of an intoxicated and deſperate rabble. The rage of democratic madneſs could proceed no farther. The perma- nency even of a four years government has pro- duced ſuch an entire change, that were not the revolution ſo recent one could hardly believe the neceſſity for it had exiſted, Seeing order riſe out of confuſion, ſecurity in the place of dan- ger, and law with liberty ſupplanting licenti- ouſneſs, it is impoſſible not to wiſh that power be long veſted in hands which have uſed it ſo worthily, and for the beſt purpoſes of rational government. twenty natives of rank who have ſeen ſo much of it. Repreſentations will not come under the ſame diſadvantages as might have attended them with moſt of his predeceſſors. How often muſt his eyes have been ſhocked and his heart chilled by the ſpectacles which whitkey preſented to him! - It is a miſtake to conceive that the people of Ireland are by nature more lazy, more fero- cious, or more cruel, than in other countries. Tranſplant them and the reverſe of the aſſertion is more near to truth. The hardeit labour (that of coalheaving, and the carrying of ſedan chairs) is performed in London chiefly by Iriſhmen. But their liquor is porter, not ſpirits. Vices and crimes are not of their nature but of their ha- bits, and until theſe are ſubdued or eradicat- ed, they will continue to be peſts of ſociety. While the means of intoxication are at hand, to be procurcd at every corner and in every hovel, 2 reformation of manners cannot be expected. The chalice will be drained to the fouleſt dregs, and the major part of the peaſantry of this ill- iated land conſigned to debauchery and perdition. Many well-difpoſed and well informed per ſons, who have often turned their thoughts to this ſubject, lament the continuance of theſe evils, and „ and acknowledge the ſource of them, but tell you that prevention is impoſſible; that were all licenſes withdrawn, ſhould the legiſlature impoſe duties amounting to prohibition, the clande/tine diſtilla- tion would ſtill fruſtrate all good purpoſes, and the deluge would not be ſtopped, but turned into another channel. If this indeed be true, the proſpect is moſt melancholy ! but the difference is wide between difficulty and impoſſibility. It is not eaſy to conceive that if licenſes were with- drawn, the fale of ſpirits by retail prohibited, and {tills rendered uſeleſs, that there would not be ſome diminution of the quantity conſumed, and conſequently a diminution of the miſchief. A ſtill is an expenſive and capacious veſſel ; were Parliament to call in every one of them, and in- demnity the proprietors for the loſs ſuſtained by the ſurrender, could the public money be better ex- pended, or is it poſſible that ſuch a meaſure would not have ſome operation? To deſtroy at once more than a thouſand fountains and reſervoirs of drunk- enneſs and debauchery, one would imagine might be to make ſome progreſs in the cauſe of retorma- tion. A thouſand and a thouſand times has it been declared, that it was impoſlible to reſtrain the i- centiouſneſs of the preſs, that it was impoſſible to paſs a riot-at: We have lived to fee both theſe impoſſibilities ſurmounted. To check the whul- key of the preſs ſcemed to be a more deſperate un- dertaking than to aboliſh the whiſkey of the ill. Men were not aihamed to ftand up as advocates for the former, tor liberty throws a luſtre and a ſunſhine around its exceſſes. The cauſe itſelf, the D 2 very ( 28 ) very name could dazzle, where it could not per- ſuade. But where is the eloquence, who is the ſophiſt that can be heard with favour while a caſk of whiſkey is the theme of his encomium ? A diſtiller ſuperintending the proceſs of his {till always reminds me of the occupation of the devil. The great enemy of mankind is for ever buſy in preparing ſnares and temptations to entrap the unwary : His underſtrapper is not idle, and is a fellow-labourer in the ſame vineyard. Permit me now to give an abſtract of the pro- ceedings in the Houſe of Commons of Great Bri- tain upon a ſubject exactly ſimilar to the preſent, On Friday, Feb. 2oth, 1729, Sir Charles Turner, according to order, reported from the committee of the whole Houſe, to whom it was referred to conſider further of ways and means for raiſing the ſupply granted to his Majeſty, the reſolutions they had directed him to report to the Houſe, which he read in his place, - and afterwards deli- vered in at the clerk's table; where the ſame were read, and are as follows, viz. Reſolved, That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that for every gallon of mixed or com- pound waters, or ſpirits commonly called gin, that any diſtiller or retailer of ſuch liquors (ex- cept apothecaries) ſhall be poſſeſſed of on the twenty-fourth day of June, 1729, there be grant- ed to his Majeſty a ny of hve ſhillings per gal- lon. Reſolv ed, ( 29 ) Reſolved, That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that for every gallon of ſuch mixed or compound-waters or ſpirits, which from and after the twenty-fourth day of June, 1729, ſhall be made by any diſtiller, dealer, or retailer of ſuch I1quors for fale, (except apothecaries) there ſhall be granted to his Majeſty a duty of five ſhillings per gallon. Reſolved, That it is the opinion of this com- mittee, that from and after the twenty-fourth day of June, 1729, the ſum of twenty pounds, yearly, | ſhall be paid to his Majeſty, by every perſon who ſhall ſell or retail any ſuch Na tn: ſtrong wa- ters or ſpirits, The faid reſolutions being ſeverally read a ſe- cond time, were, upon the queſtion ſeverally put thereupon, agreed unto by the Houſe. Ordered, That a bill be brought in upon the ſaid reſolutions, and that Sir Charles Turner, Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, - Mr. Attorney General, Mr. Solicitor General, Sir George Ox- enden, and Mr. Scrope, do prepare and bring in the ſame. Houſe of Commons, Anno. 1735. 