Conduct of _John_, Duke of _Marlborough_, and her other Generals, and
justly distinguished by the Number of great Genius’s and Wits, who
enlightened that Period) was in this Kingdom chiefly employed in
_additional_ Acts against the further Growth of Popery: And many there
were, who deemed it an unparallel’d Severity in her Majesty, to give her
Royal Assent to them particular Laws; by which the _Roman Catholicks_ of
_Ireland_ (already ruined by their inimitable Allegiance to her Royal
Father, Uncle, and Grandfather) were _precluded_ from availing themselves,
by a tolerable easy Lease, of any Part or Parcel of these Estates,
forfeited by their Ancestors, thro’ their unremitting Endeavours, to
support and maintain that Stem, of which she was herself an immediate
Branch.
So late even as this Reign, the whole Kingdom of _Ireland_ was a desolate
diffusive Scene of total Decay! covered with all the ghastly Symptoms of
the Consumption of Centuries! But, at length, on the happy Accession of
his late Majesty of glorious Memory, the blissful Morning of Peace and
Concord began its auspicious Dawn! Yet, as Time, publick Spirit,
Patriotism (in its highest Conception) and unwearied Diligence, were all
collectively essential to the giving Life, Vigour, and Activity, to
national Industry and Improvement, so very long in a melancholy State of
Languor and Oppression: Not before the present truly glorious Reign, did
_Hibernia_ tune her old Harp, now newly strung to universal Harmony and
Elegance, and rear her awful Head from the stupid dismal Dozes of Ages;
where comes the literal Application of my third Motto, RENASCIMUR.
_Hinc 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 of the Mind, and
refined Gratification of Sense; before I attempt that Display of them to
which I have no Occasion of professing my Inequality.
In this Reign, and not before, our Linen Manufacture, in many Respects one
of the most profitable Branches of our national Commerce, received all the
Encouragement from Royal Bounty, and Parliamentary Sanction, that could be
reasonably hoped for.
Persons of the highest Rank, Dignity, and Fortune, were appointed
_Trustees_ for the Propagation, Encouragement, and Diffusion, of this
beneficial Trade, throughout the respective Provinces.
The _Linen-Hall_ was erected in _Dublin_, under as just and nice
Regulations as any commercial House in _Europe_.
The North of _Ireland_ began to wear an Aspect entirely new; and, from
being (through Want of Industry, Business, and Tillage) the almost
exhausted Nursery of our _American_ Plantations, soon became a populous
Scene of Improvement, Traffic, Wealth, and Plenty; and is, at this Day, a
well-planted District, considerable for Numbers of well-affected, useful,
and industrious Subjects.
Now arose, now shone forth, the ever Honourable DUBLIN SOCIETY; a Society
equalled by none. It is true, we read of Patriarchs, Philosophers,
Warriors, Orators, and Poets; of Senates, Parliaments, Councils, _&c._ but
we no where, abstracted from our own Country, meet a Set of pious
Patriots, from their _private Funds_, adorning their Country in general,
in every Degree and Branch of Industry, and Improvement; and, inspired
with Sentiments truly public and social, munificently rewarding their
Countrymen, of whatsoever Denomination, without Favour or Distinction; for
meliorating their proper Estates, or Farms; for excelling in any
Production of Nature, or Art; for any Discovery, or Invention, useful to
Mankind: A Set of _truly honourable_, and _generous_ Personages,
instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts,
encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their
inexhaustible Bounty! _Such_, and _such unrivalled_, is the ILLUSTRIOUS
DUBLIN SOCIETY! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive
Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published,
in _Latin_, _English_, and _French_, for the peculiar Honour of this
Nation, the Edification of Posterity, and as a bright Pattern of Imitation
to all other civiliz’d Countries!
Now likewise appeared the _Philharmonic Society_, that, (from a few
Gentlemen, who used _occasionally_ to meet, in order to while away an Hour
with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not
alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for the
_effectual Relief_ also of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and
Confinement: _Concordiâ res parvæ crescunt_. ORPHEUS, we are told, built
the Walls of _Thebes_, by the irresistible Powers of Harmony: Be this true
or fabulous; how many Iron Gates have we not seen open, to the persuasive
Charities of this tuneful Society! how many gloomy Cells vacated by their
Charms! This elegant Society, by moderate Loans, Interest-free to the
industrious Poor, prevents many such from getting into the Distress of
Prisons, or following offensive Courses; and, by enabling them to obtain
an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So
that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,
_Omne tulit Punctum 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 of
_Protestant_ CHARTER-SCHOOLS throughout 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, than _Punishments_, _Persecution_, or
_Sequestrations_.
In this Reign shines out a Christian Divine, who, in the inestimable
individual Dr. _Madden_, collects _a whole Society of Patriots_; a
venerable Man, not alone the Guide of his particular Congregation, but a
pure, also clear and lasting Light of Perfection, and noble Imitation, to
his Countrymen in general.
On _Madden_, kindred Angels smile!
Bright Mirrour to his native Isle!
To whom old Age shall say, and Youth,
With grateful and prophetic Truth,
_Semper Honos, Nomenq; tuum, Laudesq; manebunt._
St. _Patrick’s_ Hospital, for the Reception of Lunaticks and Ideots, a
lasting Monument of the late Dean _Swift’s_ Charity, as are his various
Writings, of his great Genius and Wit: _Mercer’s_ charitable Hospitable in
_Stephen-street_: The 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: The _Charitable Infirmary_ on
the _Inns-Quay_: The New Hospital for _Incurables_, on _Lazer’s-Hill_: St.
_Nicholas’s_ Hospital, in _Francis-street_: The _Meath_ Hospital, in
_Skinner’s Alley_: The _Lock_ Hospital, in _George’s-Lane_, for hapless
Women and Children, tainted with the Venereal Infection: And the
Charitable Hospital in _King-street, Oxmantown_, are all the humane and
pious Growth of this transcendent Reign.
Those Hospitals are duly and regularly attended, by the most eminent
Physicians, and skilful Surgeons, without Fee or Reward: So that, from
this obvious Consideration, the frequent and large Collections in our
Churches, for the comfortable Support, and Christian Education, of
indigent Boys; the stated Distributions of our Chief Magistrates, to the
Helpless and Needy; and, in Truth, from the general Disposition of its
worthy Inhabitants; we may, without any Risque of incurring the least
Censure of Adulation, or Vanity, pronounce DUBLIN as charitable a
Metropolis as any in the known World. In the beautiful new Garden, plann’d
by Dr. _Mosse_, breathing in all the natural Fragrance of the Spring,
adorned with all the Elegancies of Art, all the Splendor of Illumination,
and inspired with the most soothing Charms of delightful Harmony; to
behold Crowds of young Ladies, in the full Glow of Beauty, and Bloom of
Youth, finely habited, and elegantly decorated in the Manufactures of our
own Country, (and finished in the most exquisite Taste, by our own
Artizans); to behold them, I say, converting their very Amusements and
Recreations to the heavenly Purposes of relieving the Distressed, must, to
every thinking _Irish_ Spectator, afford a Prospect of the utmost rational
Joy!
As all Men, who render their Country distinguished Honour, or singular
Service, deserve, therefore, lasting Monuments of public grateful
Acknowledgment to their Memories; it is hoped that, in this Respect, Dr.
_Mosse_ will not be forgotten by those who are evidently fond of
encouraging and rewarding public Zeal:
Eternal Joys to _Mosse_ kind Heaven give,
By whom, on Earth, so many Thousands live!
The _Marine Society_, of recent 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 the _Romans_, the greatest of all People,
esteemed the Theatre worthy the Attention of particular Laws, _Roscia Lex
Theatralis_, &c. Mr. _Sheridan_’s general Merit as a _Player_ stands
confessed; but as a _Manager_, that Gentleman’s falling frequently under
the heavy Displeasure of the Public, (whether from an haughty Distaste to
his Profession, or indulged Arrogance of Temper) with his violent
Introduction of anti-dramatick Rope and Wire-dancing, Tumbling, and
Fire-eating, to the visible Degradation of a liberal Stage, whereon
nothing mean, shocking, or monstrous, should ever appear; he hath not
succeeded so well: Then, his Scheme of uniting an Academy, for the sober
regular Education of Youth, with a publick Theatre, seemed rather the
feverish Delusion of a distempered Brain, and heated Imagination, than the
cool deliberate Result of rational Judgment; from which fermented Source,
also seem’d directly to flow his avowed Concern for the _long lost Art of
Oratory_ among us: Had Mr. _Sheridan_ attended to the Debates of our High
Court of Parliament; been frequent in our different Churches, and at the
Bars of our Courts of Judicature; and had, in this Case, formed a
comparative Judgment, from the Writings of _Demosthenes_, _Plato_,
_Isocrates_, _Cicero_, and _Pliny_ the Younger; from the Rules and
Precepts of _Aristotle_, _Longinus_, _Horace_, _Quinctilian_, _Scaliger_,
_Rapin_, _Porée_, and _Rollin_; he had been _then_ convinced how little
Occasion there was for his _lamenting_ the _Loss_ of an Art in this
Kingdom, which breathes there in full Maturity of all it’s persuasive
Charms. This his dogmatical Assertion of the _long-lost Art of Oratory_,
his wild _Academical_ Projects, with the foregoing theatrical
Inconsistencies, too much subject that Gentleman to the Character given,
by the _Roman_ Satirist, of an assuming sharp-set _Greekling_:
_Gramaticus, Rhetor, Geometres, Pictor, Aliptes, Augur,
Scœnobates, Medicus, Magus, omnia novit._
Upon the Whole, I will readily grant Mr. _Sheridan_ a _Roscius_, if the
Name can sooth him; a _Critic_; nay, an _Orator_; but I shall be bold to
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 Messieurs
_Quin_, _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 in _London_, or _Paris_: 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 in _Crow-street_
Play-house. I have sometimes seen, and have been as often delighted, with
Performances of the Gentlemen just mentioned, as with those of the admired
Mr. _Garrick_, and the famous Messieurs _Dufrésne_, _Gossin_, and
_Quinault_; and, if I may take Leave to declare my Opinion, am therein
clear that Mr. _Barry_, in the exquisitely pathetick Strokes of deep
Tragedy, touches the Soul with as much delicate Sensibility, and, in the
irrefrainable Sallies of the more boisterous 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 declare _Elocution lost_ in our native Country; an
illiberal Censure, which, if true, had necessarily wrapped our High Court
of Parliament, the whole Body of our Clergy, our University, Bench and
Bar, in Shades that, I am certain, had been never dispell’d by the
Approach of Light, so dim and glimmering as that Gentleman’s.
Let us now take a summary View of the Inhabitants of _Ireland_, in their
respective Ranks: And to begin with the Peers: Are they not such
Personages, as, by their Munificence, Affability of Manners, Easiness of
Comportment, Propriety of Appearance, and Generosity in dealing, reflect
true Honour on Nobility; and, 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 of _Ireland_, composed of
such candid Spirits, as, neither the Smiles or Frowns of superior
Influence, popular Views, or private Connections, can bend from the
various essential Duties due to their King, their Country, and themselves;
constant in their Attendance; careful in their Protection; and zealous in
their Promotion of publick Felicity; not more extensive in their noble
Projects, for this great Purpose, than expeditious in carrying those into
Execution.
Our Constitution, partly of _Gothic_, partly of _Norman_ Institution, (the
first High Court of Parliament on the present Establishment, having been
ordained in the Reign of _Henry_ the First, Son of _William_ the
Conquerer) avoiding the turbulent Licentiousness of a _Democracy_, the
factious domineering Temper of _Aristocracy_, and the variable oppressive
Sway of _Arbitrary Monarchy_; but including, by an harmonious Assemblage,
the essential Virtues of those different Systems of Government; is
unquestionably the _best digested_ and _wisest_ in the known World: Under
which, the King and the Nobles, with the Commons, _unite_, to extend the
Commerce, promote the Happiness, guard over the Safety, preserve the
Lives, defend the Characters, support the Liberties, and protect the
Property of the People. Bless’d 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 a _Few only_; because there are some among us, who, on the
Score of Religion, are secluded from permanent Property: And even Those,
it is hoped, will, in Consideration of the invariable Tenor of their
humble and pacific Conduct, from the Capitulation of _Limerick_, to this
Day; and from their unanimous and chearful Obedience to our Civil
Government, e’re long obtain some Mitigation of their Affairs; such the
benevolent Temper and Disposition of the present incomparable Reign! Some
late excellent(3) Pamphlets, wherein these Gentlemen’s political
Principles are fully and clearly explained, shew of what signal Advantage
it had been to the Numbers, Industry, Health, Wealth, and Beauty of this
Kingdom, to indulge them a Property, even in our uncultivated Mountains,
dreary Wastes, and noxious Marshes: Which Measure, should it appear in a
true Light to our worthy Representatives, we may in a few Years more, hope
to see _Ireland_ one of the most beautiful, best-improved,
best-conditioned Islands in the Universe. Our Bench is adorned with
Honourable Personages, conspicuous for Learning, Integrity, Humanity, and
Impartiality; of whom, it may be boldly affirmed, and with the strictest
Truth, that they are not Favourers of Persons. The present Lord Chief
Justice of the _King-Bench_, the late Master of the Rolls, and Chancellor
of the Exchequer, Natives of _Ireland_, formed a Triumvirate, whose
Learning, Worth, and distinguished Abilities, had rendered them eminently
respectable in the brightest Æras, either of the _Roman_ Commonwealth, or
Empire.
Our Attorney and Solicitor General, our Serjeants at Law, and King’s
Council, with many eminent Barristers, and a Set of learned eloquent young
Gentlemen, all shining out together; such as _Tully_, _Hortensius_, and
_Pliny_, had with fond Tenderness cherished and with pleasing Pride,
avowed for their Pupils; form as distinguished a Body of Advocates and
Orators, as adorn any Courts of Judicature in _Europe_.
In the Diocese of _Dublin_ existeth a truly pious Society for the Relief
and Support of the Widows and Children of the inferior Clergy thereof. It
is, indeed, surprizing in a Kingdom, such (thank Heaven) as _Ireland_ is,
that the Example of this charitable Society, hath not been _universally_
followed. It hath often affected me to the Quick, to have seen a learned
Divine, after a tedious and painful Free-School Institution, and expensive
University Education, struggling, upon a poor Pension or Salary of _Forty_
Pounds a Year, to maintain an honest Gentlewoman, Children, and Servants,
(and really with some Decency of Hospitality) sedulously discharging, at
the same Time, the different Duties of the pastoral Function; when a
_foreign Fidler_ shall run away with tripple that Sum, or more, for one
Night’s Performance. I would by no Means be understood to derogate from
the Merits of fine Performers in the different Parts of Musick, or
endeavour to diminish their reasonable Perquisites: But, surely, such Men
and such Things are not to be thought of, in 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, a _small_ Matter _annually set
apart_, from even the superfluous Outgoings of the Wealthy and Opulent, of
different Ranks, would very happily answer the generous 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 of _Ireland_.
Our _Protestant_ Brethren, the _Dissenters_, by a prudent and pious
Regulation of secreting one Pound a Year, each parochial Minister, for
this religiously humane Purpose, have constantly a Fund sufficient to
allow the Relict of each Clergyman twenty Pounds a Year, (which preserves
her from the Miseries of Want and Dependance) and have, at some Periods,
where-with to set their Children up, in an honest and creditable Way of
living. As we are emulously fond of adopting the Wisdom and Virtues of
each Christian Sect and Society, it is fervently hoped we will also this
tender and pious Scheme; a Scheme so comprehensive of true Charity, and so
productive of social and happy Effects! How difficult is it for Minds,
crowded with Cares, and beset with the pressing Calls of
Family-preservation, to attend, with due Composure and Inclination, to the
various indispensible Duties of the pastoral Office? But how chearfully
would those Reverend Gentlemen proceed in their divine Mission, when, by
some visible Provision for the proper Objects of their present Cares and
future Concern, they should, in a great Measure, be released from
domestick Anxiety, from gloomy Apprehensions, and alarming Prospects, into
the temporal Futurity of those, for whom they must be necessarily affected
with the most tender Feelings!
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 of _Dublin_, 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 Methods, is equalled by few, excelled by none.