The following passage, which contains a curious proposition relating to
Ireland, will probably be new and interesting to many readers of "NOTES
AND QUERIES," since the book from which I extract it is a scarce one,
and not often read. Among the many various schemes that have of late
been propounded for the improvement of our sister country, this is
perhaps not the least remarkable, and shows that the _questio vexata_,
"What is to be done with Ireland?" is one of two centuries' standing.
James Harrington, in his _Oceana, the Introduction_, {180} (pp. 35, 36.,
Toland's Edition, 1700), speaking of Ireland under the name of Panopea,
says,--
"Panopea, the soft Mother of a slothful and pusillanimous
people, is a neighbor Iland, antiently subjected by the Arms of
_Oceana_; since almost depopulated for shaking the Yoke, and at
length replanted with a new Race. But (through what virtues of
the Soil, or vice of the Air, soever it be), they com still to
degenerat. Wherfore seeing it is neither likely to yield men fit
for Arms, nor necessary it should; it had bin the Interest of
_Oceana_ so to have dispos'd of this Province, being both rich
in the nature of the Soil, and full of commodious Ports for
Trade, that it might have bin order'd for the best in relation
to her Purse, which, in my opinion (if it had been thought upon
in time), might have bin best don by planting it with _Jews_,
allowing them their own Rights and Laws; for that would have
brought then suddenly from all parts of the World, and in
sufficient numbers. And though the _Jews_ be now altogether for
merchandize, yet in the Land of _Canaan_ (except since their
exile, from whence they have not bin Landlords), they were
altogether for Agriculture, and there is no cause why a man
should doubt, but having a fruitful Country and excellent Ports
too, they would be good at both. _Panopea_ well peopled, would
be worth a matter of four millions of dry rents; that is besides
the advantage of the Agriculture and Trade, which, with a Nation
of that Industry, coms at least to as much more. Wherfore
_Panopea_ being farm'd out to the Jews and their Heirs for ever,
for the pay of a provincial Army to protect them during the term
of seven years, and for two millions annual Revenue from that
time forward, besides the customs which would pay the provincial
Army, would have bin a bargain of such advantage both to them
and this Commonwealth, as is not to be found otherwise by
either. To receive the _Jews_ after any other manner into a
Commonwealth, were to maim it; for they of all Nations never
incorporat, but taking up the room of a Limb, are no use or
office to the body, while they suck the nourishment which would
sustain a natural and useful member."