} FORTUNA FORTES. JUVAT E.O.Bleackley Manchester. 828 4849 / E. O. Bleackley, Esq., THE Miſcellaneous Works, I N VERSE AND PROSE, . GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. VOL. III. Τ Η Ε Miſcellaneous Works, IN VERSE AND PROSE, GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. A U THOR OF SEVERAL TREATISES OF LAW, EQUITY, AND REVENUE. 1 1 .**** st “ Interpone tuis interdum gaudia curis, “ Ut poffis animo quemvis ſufferre laborem.” CATO, Let lighter pleaſures mingle with thy care, That mental labours thou may'ſt better bear. <...> VOL. III. 1 DU BL L | N : PRI N T E D BY R. MARCH BANK IN Roze AND SOLD BY S. PRICE, W. WATSON, EY LYNCH, W. WILSON, C. JENKIN, AND R. BURTON. M.DCC.LXXXII. me leish 12-19-31 31389 TO THE R E А D E É R. I } HAVE before mentioned in the Ad- vertiſement prefixed to my volume of APOTHEGMs, the hopes I have of the great advantage the following Collection of the CELEBRATED ACTIONS AND REMARKABLE SAYINGS OF WISE AND GREAT Men among the Ancients, digeſted under their proper heads, may be, not only in compoſition of every kind, but in public declamation : i have only to wiſh, that I had ſet down to each the name of the Authority whence I had taken it; but, as I have alſo before mentioned, when I tranſlated, or copied and collected them, I did ſo only for my.own amuſement and inſtruction, in the courſe of a long life ſpent abundantly in reading : However, the authors in general are COR- NELIUS. Neros, POLYBIUS, PLINY, Aulus GELLIUS, . 2 vi TO THE READER. 1 1 Gellius, PLUTARCH, Live, CICERO, PHÆ- DRUS, Erasmus, JUSTIN, QUINTILIAN, VALERIUS MAXIMUS, Dion CASSIUS, HE- RODOTUS, QUINTUS CURTIUS, Cato, Ap- PIAN, Xenophon, Diodorus Siculus, Di- OGENES LAERTIUS, SUETONIUS, ÆLFAN, SENECA, THUCYDIDES, and SOCRATES's MEMOR A BLES, &c. And now, although I have had no hand in the compoſition of any of them, yet I will hope to be allowed ſome merit in the collecting and digeſting in the manner I have, what I had found fcattered through the works of different authors, up- on various ſubjects and occaſions, as alfo for the conciſeneſs to which I have reduced ſea veral of them, compared to what they are in the former compilers, or even in the firſt relators thereof; and in refreſhing the memory, by reviving thoſe inimitable col- lections of the ancients, and exciting, by ſuch illuſtrious examples, an emulation in pofte- rity to the imitation thereof. THE V . Y Τ Η Ε ( C ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S OF THIS V O 0 L L UM E. The Subjects of the SAYINGS OF WISE AND Great Men, &c. are the following: 1 Page 1 hotely prepare ib. ADMONITION and Advice Adverſity and Afli&tions Age Ambition Anceſtry Anger Avarice Beneficence and Benevolence. Cenfure, Defamation and Detraétion Chaſtity and Continence Content Courage and Fortitude Cuſtom Death and the Dead Diligence and Induſtry O ta 12 16 22 zb. 23 Diſcretion viii со C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S. Τ Ε Ν Τ S. .. Page 25 26 ib. 27 29 33 36 ib 37 38 ib. l! 39 41 42 43 Diſcretion and Prudence Drama Diſpute and Diſputation Drunkenneſs Education, Knowledge and Learning Eloquence Emulation Employments and Offices Envy Equanimity Fation and Party Fame and Reputation Flattery Fortitude Friends and Friendhip Generoſity and Liberality Government, Governors and States Great Men and Men of Power Grief and Sorrow Happineſs Honour and Preferment Hope Humanity Humility, Meekneſs and Modeſty Idleness Ingratitude Irreligion and Unbelievers Judges and Juſtice Kings and Princes Law and Lawyers Luft 45 :47 48 49 50 52 54 ib. 56 61 62 nad 63 ܐ ib. 69 80 ib. Luxury C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν ix Τ Τ S. . Page 81 85 87 99 107 108 ibi III I13 ib. I18 I1g I 20 I 22 Luxury Magnanimity and True Greatneſs Marriage and Married State Meekneſs and Patience Merit Oeconomy Oftentation, Self-Conceit, Vain-Glory and Vanity Parents and Children Paſions Patriot and Patriotiſm Peace and War People and Popularity Philoſophers and Philoſophy Pleaſure Preſence of Mind Pride Prodigality Promiſes Profperity Raillery and Repartee Religion Revenge Riches and Love of Wealth Silence and Talkativeneſs Slander Temperance Time Truth Virtue and Vice Wiſdom 123 ib. 125 126 ib. 1 127 ib. 129 130 I 32 133 134 136 137 139 141 il 1 C Ο Ν Τ Ε Ν Τ S. Page 141 142 Women E S S A Y S. Advice to a New-Elected Member of Parliament, with Obſervations on the Legiſlative Conſtitų- tion, and the Contract relating thereto, between Repreſentatives in Parliament and their Con- ftituents; with ſome Thoughts upon the Intereſt- ing Queſtion of Poynings' Law 147 Obſervations on the Proceedings in the Dublin $o- ciety, in the granting and diſpoſong of Premiums and Bounties for ſome Years paſt, eſpecially with Regard to Huſbandry, and the Improve- ment of Waſtes 223 POETICAL ADDRESSES TO THE AUTHOR. 1 On the Tragedy of Almeyda, by Philip Doyne, Eſq. 333 On the Same Tragedy, by an anonymous. Au- thor 334 To the Author, on his Writings in general 335 To the Author, on his Poetical Productions, by Mr. Samuel Whyte, Schoolmaſter To the Same, on the Same, by Mr. J. S. Dodd, Surgeon 237 TOG. E. Howard, Esq. on the New Year, 1773, by the Same 339 Verſes 336 C Ο Ν Τ xi T T S. Ε Ν Τ 346 Verſes to Mr. Howard, by a Gentleman of the Army Page 340 On Mr. Howard's Writings, Anonymous 342 To Mr. Howard, Anonymous 343 To Mr. Howard, on his Siege of Tamor, by an anonymous Writer 344 The firſt Ode of Horace modernized; addreſſed to Mr. Howard, on the Report of his being made Poet Laureat, by William Glaſcock, Eſq. The Counſel; addreſſed to Mr. Howard, on the envious Compofitions, which for a Courſe of Years had been inſerted in the Public Papers, and in Pamphlets, on him and his Productions ; by Mr. Richard Lewis 349 Verſes addreſſed to Mr. Howard, on his Female Gameſter; by Anthony King, Eſq. 352 Mr. Macklin's Letter to the Author, on the Siege of Tamor 353 Alteration for the laſt Scene of the Siege of T'amor. 355 1 1 2 A COL- 1 1 1 1 5 А. COLLECTION OF THE ACTIONS AND SAYINGS Ο F GREAT AND WISE MEN, . SE L ECTED FROM FROM THE M OST Ε Μ Ι Ν Ε Ν Τ GRECIAN AND ROMAN HISTORIANS. Sic me Formabat puerum dictis : et live jubebat Ut facerem quid ; habes auctorem, quo facies hoc; Unum ex judicibus ſelectis objiciebat ; Sive vetabat; an hoc inhoneftum, et inutile factu ; Necne fit, adjubites, flagret rumore malo cum Hic atque ille? Hor. Lib. I. Sat. 4. Thus did he form my youth with lenient hand; When he for virtue urged the mild command, Pointing ſome awful character to view, $6 His grave example conſtantly purſue." Would he diſſuade me,--- ---" Can you doubt,” he cries, 66 That equal ruin and diſhonour riſe 65 From ſuch an action, when that worthleſs name Is branded with the flagrant marks of ſhame!” FRANCIS 1 CO L L E C TI ON OF THE ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 0 1 GREAT AND WISE MÊN, &c. R- ADMONITION AND ADVICE. D' IONYSIUS the elder, tyrant of Syracuſe, without the qualifications, had a ſtrong paſ- ſion for the character of a great poet. Having read one day ſome of his verſes to Philoxenus the Greek poet, and preſſing him to give his opi- nion of them, he plainly told the tyrant his ſenti- ments. DIONYSIUS, not accuſtomed to ſuch lan- guage, and aſcribing the poet's boldneſs to envy, ſent him directly to the mines. CAMBYSES, king of Perſia, having, at a public entertainment, obliged PRAX aspes, one of his VOL. III. B principal I ACTIONS AND SAYINGS principal officers, to declare to him what his ſub- jects ſaid of him : “ They admire (faid PRAXAS- PES) a great many excellent qualities they ſee in your majeſty; but they are ſomewhat ſurpriſed at your immoderate love of wine." Upon which, the king began to drink exceſſively; then ordering PRAXAspes's ſon, who was his chief cupbearer, to ſtand upright at the end of the room, with his left hand upon his head, he took his bow, and declar- ing he aimed at his heart, let fly, and ſhot him dead; he then ordered his body to be opened, and ſhewing the father the heart of his ſon, which the arrow had pierced, aſked him, in an inſulting, ſcoffing manner, “ If he had not a ſteady hand ?” When CARACALLA, emperor of Rome, had murdered his brother GETA, he deſired PAPINIAN the famous lawyer, to write an apology for him: But the lawyer having told him, that “ It was “ much eaſier to commit a parricide, than to juſtify "? he cut off PAPINIAN's head. it; See hereafter GREAT Men and Men of Powerg and KINGS and PRINCES, 1 ADVERSITY AND AFFLICTIONS. S * ENECA ſays, “If a man truly great falls, “honour attends him in his loweſt condition " the ſame veneration is paid to him, as to a tem- Bs ple in ruins." OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 3 He alſo ſaid, " That he who never was acquaint- ed with adverſity, lias ſeen the world but on one ſide, and is ignorant of half the ſcenes of nature." “ And that to eſcape misfortunès, is to want inſtruction, and that to live at eaſe, is to live in ignorance." When ANAXAGORAS the philoſopher was told of the death of his ſon, he only ſaid, “I knew he was mortal." 1 1 Demetrius the philoſopher uſed to ſay, “That none were more unhappy, 'than ſuch as never had been unfortunate ; thoſe being often inſupportable in proſperity, who had never met with adverſity.” PAULUS EMILIUS put away his wife, who ſeem- ed to be miſtreſs of all the qualifications requiſite to render herſelf beloved, which ſurpriſing all his friends, he ſhewed them his ſhoe, and ſaid, you ſee is ſkilfully made, and ſeems to fit me per- fectly well; but none of you ſee where it wrings me moſt." 66 This } DEMOCRITUś the philoſopher, in order to com- fort DARIUS the Perſian monarch, who had loſt the deareſt of his wives, promiſed to bring her to life again, provided the king could procure him the names of three perſons free from adverſity in this world, to be engraved on the queen's tomb; but íone fuch being to be found in Aſia, DÉMOCRI: tus told the king, that he ought to abate his grief, ſince none were free from afflictions. B 2 A perfon 4 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS A perſon endeavouring to conſole Solon the philoſopher for the loſs of his ſon, ſaid, • That this loſs was irreparable”-“ 'Tis this very circum- ſtance, ſaid he, that grieves me moit.” See hereafter GRIEF and Sorrow, FORTITUDE, MEEKNESS, PATIENCE and PHILOSOPHY. . A G E. U Na PON Pompey's hearing that LUCULLUS, that luxurious Roman, had given over med- dling with public affairs, and retired to enjoy his plentiful eſtate, “ He ſaid, that the fatigues of lux- ury were more unſeaſonable for an old man, than thoſe of government.” 1 1 An antient citizen of Athens coming rather late into the public theatre of that boaſted ſeat of the Muſes, the place was ſo much crowded, that all the ſeats were full, and none of his countrymen, though moſt of the ſpectators were young people, had the politeneſs or humanity to quit their places to make room for him : But when he came into the quarter in which the Lacedemonian ambaſſadors and their attendants were ſeated, they all roſe up to a man, and placed the old gentleman in one of the front boxes. The whole company were ſo much ſtruck with their behaviour, that they applauded it with a general clap; which one of the Spartans returned by obſerving " That the Athenians underſtood good manners, but the Lacedemonians practiſed them. AMBITION. jog OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 5 t А Μ Β Ι Τ Ι Ο N. X ERXES, who had croſſed the Helleſpont with a million of men, ſo that they drank ri- vers dry, and levelled mountains in their march in his flight back, was obliged, to ſave himſelf, to croſs the ſame ſea, in a little boat, wanting even the attendance of neceſſary ſervants. The reward of great actions,' ſays ALCIBIADES, is to be honoured by poſterity, and to have your kindred pretended to by private perſons, and your birth by your country. SEVERUS, ſeeing his urn before his death, ſaid, $6 Thou ſhalt contain the man, whom the whole earth could not contain." When PERTINAX was killed, DIDIUS, who had bought the empire, repaired to the palace, and there feaſted on the ſupper which was prepared for PER- TINAX, who at the ſame time lay there murdered. Within fixty-ſeven days, DIDIUS was likewiſe murdered in the ſame palace. 1 CALIGULA, rather than be thought the legiti- mate ſon of AGRIPPA, would derive himſelf by adultery and inceſt from AUGUSTUS, Two kings of Egypt, who erected two of the moſt ſtately pyramids for their tombs, when they came to die, left the people, out of revenge for their tyranny, ſhould inſult over their dead bodies, gave orders to have them privately interred. ALEXANDER 6 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS ALEXANDER THE GREAT one day aſked a pirate, whom he had taken, what right he thought he had to infeſt the ſeas? “ The ſame, anſwered he bold- ly, that you have to over-run the world, but be- cauſe I do it in a ſmall vefſel, I am called a pirate, whilft you, for doing it with a great fleet, are called şa conqueror." When king Pyrrhus prepared for his expedi- tion to Italy, his wiſe counſellor CYNEAS, to make him ſenſible of the vanity of his ambition : “ Well, Sir, ſaid he, to what end do you make all this mighty preparation?" ( To make myſelf maſter of Italy,” replied the king, and ſo proceeded to men- tion all the conqueſts he intended making when you ſhall have done all this, what mean you then ?” “I will, ſays PYRRHUS, ſit down and reſtat my eaſe.” To which replied CYNEAS, “Tell me, I beſeech you, ſir, what hinders you, if you pleaſe, from being now in the condition you ſpeak of, and {pare the labour and hazard you mean to interpoſe ?” The emperor CONSTANTINE THE GREAT, tra- cing out to his ſon, with a half pike, five or fix feet of earth, ſpake thus to him ;-" Wherefore ſhould we ſweat and toil fo much? After we ſhall have done all this, neither you nor I, ſhall have more than the little ſpace of earth before us; nor are we ſure even of that." 66 And I See hereafter Kings and PRINCES, &C. ANCESTRY > > OF GREAT AND WISE MEN, 7 Α Ν C E S E S T R Y. TH HÉ emperor VESPASIAN did not only not ſeek to hide the lowneſs of his birth; but would often glory in it; and he publiekly made a jeſt of thoſe, who, by a falſe genealogy, would have derived his pedigree from HERCULES. The ſame emperor, without being aſhamed of an object which continued the remembrance of his original, went conſtantly every year, even after he came to the empire, to paſs his ſummer in a ſmall country-houſe near Rioti, where he was born; and to which he would never make any addition, nor embelliſhment. And his ſon Titus cauſed himſelf to be carried thither in his laſt illneſs, that he might die. in the place where his father had begun and ended his days. PERTINAX, the greateſt man of his age, and ſoon after advanced to the empire, during the three years he tarried in Liguria, lodged in his father's houſe ; and raiſing a great number of fine buildings around it, he left the cottage in the midſt; an illuſ- trious monument of his low birth, and his greatneſs of fout. ANG ER 1 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS А NG E R. THENODORUS the philoſopher, who was tutrc to TIBERIUS, to reſtrain the natural impetuoſity of his pupil, uſed to adviſe him to repeat the twenty-four letters of the Greek alphabet before he obeyed the dictates of his paf- fon. PLATO, ſpeaking of paſſionate perſons, ſays, “ They are like men who ſtand on their heads, they ſee all things the wrong way." SOCRATES being aſked what a man was doing, who was ſeen in the ſtreet chafing himſelf in a rage, anſwered juftly: “ He is puniſhing an angry man.” > He ſaid alſo, “ that it is like a ruin, which breaks itſelf on that it falls. See hereafter Meekness and PATIENCE. : А À V A R I CE. D' IONYSIUS the elder, tyrant of Syra- cuſe, being advertiſed that one of the inha- bitants had hidden certain treaſure within his houſe under ground, commanded him to bring it before him ; which the man did in part, but reſerved ſome ſmall portion, with which he removed into another city, OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 6 city, where he bought a piece of land, which when DIONYSIUS underſtood, he ſent for him, and gave him all the wealth he had before deprived him of: * For now, quoth he, thou knoweſt what to do with thy riches, not to make that lie dead and unprofita- ble, which is given for man's uſe and benefit.” Zeno faid, “that an avaritious man, was like a barren, ſandy ground, which ſucks in all the rains and dews with greedineſs and thirſt, but yields no fruitful herb or plant to the inhabitants," The emperor VESPASIAN, who was extremely avaritious, having laid a tax upon urine, his fon TITUS repreſented to him, that it was thought dif- honourable. Shortly after, the emperor being to give him money, he took a piece of gold out of his pocket, and holding it to Titus's noſe, aſked him " if he ſmelled it?” Who anſwered, “No:" " Why then,” ſays the emperor, " this very piece came from the tax upon urine.' At another time, a city having ſent deputies to him, to acquaint him that they had paſſed a reſolu- tion to ſet up a ſtatue in his honour, and ſhewed the money it was to coſt; when ſtretching forth his hand, he ſaid to the deputies, “ Place it here.” CALIGULA uſed to walk barefoot over his heaps of gold, and ſometimes, that he might touch it with every part of his body, would roll over it. 12 1 DIODORUS, having deſcribed the pains which the Ethiopians take in procuring gold, exclaims thus, * Nature herſelf, I think, declares manifeſtly, that gold 1 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS -- gold is to be acquired with great labour, kept with great difficulty and as great care, and that it pro- duces to us a mixture of pleaſure and pain.” SENECA, after ſuch frequent and high encomi- ums of poverty, had great reaſon to reproach him- ſelf for his extravagant attachment to wealth, and thoſe numberleſs acquiſitions he had made of lands, gardens, and magnificent buildings, not ſcrupling the practice of the moſt enormous uſury to obtain them, and bringing a diſgrace entirely, if not upon philofophy, at leaſt upon the philoſopher. + BENEFICENCE AND Β Ε Ν Ε V Ο L Ε Ν C Ε. AN N intimate friend of Pliny was deeply irr- volved in debt; and, not being able to dif- engage himſelf, was liable every moment to be ſtripped of his all, and given up to the mercy of his creditors. Pliny, being informed of his ſituation, took the management of his affairs upon himſelf, and advanced the whole fum required. When his friend died, his only daughter CALVINIA would have reſigned all her father's effects to reimburſe lim ; but Pliny, with a goodneſs which is ſcarcely to be paralleled, not only forgave what her father owed, but even made her a preſent of a conſidera- ble fum, as an addition to her fortune when ſhe married. TITUS OF GREAT AND WISE MEN, II Titus VESPASIAN, if he let a day paſs by with- out doing ſome good, uſed to enter this memoran- dum in his diary : “ I have loſt a day." ALPHONSUS king of Sicily being aſked what he would reſerve for himſelf, as he gave ſo much away?.-"Even thoſe things, faid he, that I do give away, for the reſt I eſteem as nothing." It was a common ſaying of Julius CÆSAR, that no muſic was fo charming in his ears, as the requeſts of his friends, and the ſupplications of thoſe in want of his aſliſtance. MARCUS AURELIUS tells, that he could not re- liſh a happineſs which nobody ſhared in but him- ſelf. M. ANTONY, when depreſſed, and at the ebb of fortune, cried out, “That he had loſt all, except what he had given away.” See hereafter GENEROSITY and LIBERALITY. CENSURE, DEFAMATION AND DE T R A C TI O N. PLATO LATO hearing it was aſſerted by ſome per- ſons that he was a very vicious man, “I ſhall take care to live fo, faid he, that nobody will believe them.". DIOGENES ! ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 1 DIOGENES being aſked how he ſhould be re- venged of one who defamed him ? anſwered, “By being an honeſt man.” SOCRATES, when informed of ſome derogating ſpeeches one had uſed of him behind his back, made only this facetious reply: “Let him beat me too when I am abſent."At another time, on the like occaſion, he ſaid, “ My other faults are hid from him, or I ſhould have heard of them too." CHASTITY AND CONTINENCE, A NTIOCHUS, the third king of Macedon, feeling in himſelf a growing paſſion for the prieiteſs of DIANA, a young lady of incomparable beauty, left his palace, and retired for ſome time into Epheſus; left the fight of ſuch an alluring ob- ject might tempt him to tranſgreſs againſt the pi- ety due to her order. A perſon of high rank and fortune, ſtruck with the beauty of a Lacedemonian lady, ſent her a let! ter, intreating her to comply with his fond wishes; to which ſhe returned him the following anſwer : “When I was a child, I acted in obedience to my parents; fince I became a wife, I have been obedi- ent to my huſband; wherefore, if my conſent be wanted to a diſhoneſt action, let the matter be firſt propoſed to him." It is remarked by JUSTIN of HANNIBAL, the famous Carthaginian commander, that he always ſhewed OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 13 ſhewed uncommon wiſdom and continence, with regard to the great number of women taken pri- ſoners during the courſe of his wars, inſomuch, that no one would have imagined he had been born in Africa, where incontinence is the predominant vice of the country. When CYRUS, the young prince of Perſia, was in the meridian of his glory, and havirig in a great battle defeated the Aſſyrians; among the priſoners of war, a young princeſs named PANTHEA, wife of ABRADATES king of Suſiana, of exquiſite beau- ty, was reſerved for him: Upon the report of her beauty, Cyrus refuſed to ſee her, fearing the temp- tation might lead him to tranſgreſs, defeat his great deſigns, and take from his high character. Nor was the continence of the great Scipio, ſur- named AFRICANUS, leſs glorious. Having in a great defeat of the Carthaginians, taken a young princeſs, whoſe beauty was repreſented to him as ſuperior to any that had been ſeen; he not only dear clined ſeeing her, but gave the ranſom that was tendered by a nobleman her father, as an addition to her portion, to a young prince, alſo his captive, to whom ſhe was betrothed. It is alſo told of ALEXANDER The Great, that on his great overthrow of the Perſian monarch Da- RIUS, having taken him, and his wife, and ſeveral daughters priſoners, and hearing that one of them was fo remarkably beautiful, that ſhe was called the Princeſs of the Sun, he declined entering the tent until ſhe was veiled, although, at this time, under the t i ACTIONS AND SAYINGS the age of thirty, when the paſſions are uſually the ſtrongeſt, and in the very heat of victory, when all things ſeem allowable ; and then adminiftered every comfort their ſtate would admit of. With what infinite pleaſure ſuch actions as theſe inſpire a truly virtuous ſoul ! : со Ν Τ Ε Ν Ε Ν Τ. Α LEXANDER THE GREAT had ſo great an eſteem for Xenocrates the philoſopher, that he ſent him, by his ambaſſadors, thirty talents of gold, which he declined accepting; and having treated the ambaſſadors at his table, and made but a ſlender meal of plain food, “ You ſee, faid he, I do not need your preſents, for a little ſatisfies me; money is neceſſary to kings ; philoſophers have little occaſion for it." Seneca fays, there is no difference between por ſeſſing a thing, and not defiring it. SOCRATES ſaid, that content is the wealth of Nature, for it gives every thing that we want and really need. ALEXANDER ſeeing Diogenes ſitting in the ſun-ſhine, deſired to know what he ſhould do for him, and that he would gratify his wiſhes. The philofopher made anſwer : “Do not ſtand between me and the fun. You take from me what you can- not give me.” Whereupon ALEXANDER ſaid, “If he were not ALEXANDER, he would wiſh to be Di- OGENES." SOLON : OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 15 60 Solon being aſked by CRÆSUS, the rich king of Lydia, “Who in the world was happier than he ?” anſwered, One TELLUS, who, though he was poor, was a good man, was content with what he had, and died in a good old age.” “He that needs leaſt, ſays SOCRATES, is like the Gods, who need nothing." ARISTIPPUS the philoſopher, made this reply to one of his friends who condoled him upon the loſs of a farm:“ Why," ſays he, “I have three farms ſtill, and you have but one, ſo that I ought rather to be afflicted for you, than you for me." When PITTACUS, one of the ſeven wife men of Greece, after the death of his brother, who had left him a good eſtate, was offered a great ſum of mo- ney by the rich king of Lydia, he thanked him for his kindneſs, but told him, he had already more than he knew what to do with, “ Content, ſays Socr ATES, is natural wealth, and luxury is artificial poverty." Blon the philoſopher faid, that “no man had fo much care, as he who endeavours after the moſt happineſs. The Samnites, when MANNIUS Curius had conquered them in a battle, fent unto him as a pre- fent a good ſum of gold. The ambaſſadors found him ſitting by the fire-fede tending his pot, in which fome coleworts were boiling; and when they ten- dered him the preſent, he made them ihis an. fwera 16 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 7 ſwer: " That he who could content himſelf with ſuch a ſupper, had not any need of gold :" Alſo, " that he thought it more honourable to command them, who had gold, than to have gold himſelf.” See AVARICE, GREAT-Men and GREATNESS. COURAGE AND FORTITUDE TCM IMOTHEUS, that renowned Athenian captain, when he beſieged Samos, ſeeing fan arrow fall very near him, ſaid, “How much am I aſhamed for having needleſsly expoſed myſelf, like à raſh young fellow, and further than became the commander of fo great an army; for, as the con- ſequence of the fall of the commander may be the utter ruin of the whole, he ought therefore never to perform the part of a common ſoldier, unleſs fuc- ceſs depended on his expoſing himſelf.” The anſwer of old AntiGONUS, juſt before a great fea fight near the iſland of Andros, to one who told him the enemy was far ſuperior to him in number of thips, was very great: “ For how many then, ſaid he, doſt thou reckon me?" Thereby, lay- ing a ſtreſs upon the importance of a chief com- mander. On a time, whien Pelopidas the Theban gene- ral, was ſetting out for the army he was to com- mand, his wife followed him to the door, and ear- neſtly OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 17 neſtly befought him, with tears in her eyes, to take care of himſelf; he replied, “ Private men are to be adviſed to take care of themſelves, but generals to take care of others." When M. ANTONY, after the battle of Ac- tium, challenged AUGUSTUS, he took no further notice of the inſult, 'than ſending back this anſwer, " That if ANTONY was weary of his life, there were other ways of diſpatch beſides fighting him; and for his part, he ſhould not trouble himſelf to be his executioner." Pompey being commiſſioner for ſending grain to Rome in time of dearth, and there being a great ſtorm when he was about to embark, inſomuch, that thoſe about him adviſed him to poftpone it awhile, as he might be loſt, faid, “ It is of neceſſity I go, not that I live." 99 A ſoldier came in a great fright to LEONIDAS, and told him, “ Captain, the enemy are very near us.” “ Then we are very near them too,” ſaid Leo- NIDAS.--Soon after another came in a greater fright, and ſaid, “The enemy are ſo numerous, that one can hardly ſee the fun for the number of their arrows.” To whom he anſwered ſmartly, and with all the coolneſs; and unconcern imaginable, “Why then the battle will be more pleaſant, we ſhall fight them in the ſhade." 1 When a meſſenger was ſent to SOCRATES, to acquaint him, that the Athenians had pronounced ſentence of death upon him, he very calmly told VOL. III. C С them, ACTIONS AND SAYINGS them, that “Nature had long ſince condemned them to the ſame puniſhment.” When king PHILIP came with his army into the Peloponnefus, one told DEMADES the Athenian orator, that if the Lacedemonians did not make im. mediate peace with him, they would be very great ſufferers. " Thou coward, ſaid he, what can thoſe men ſuffer, who are not afraid of death ?” The people of Thebes liaving put two of their generals upon trial for their lives, for having conti- nued in arms beyond the preciſe time of their com- miſſion, very hardly pardoned PELOPIDAS, who, labouring under the weight of fo dangerous an ac- cuſation, made no manner of defence for himſelf, nor produced other arguments than prayers and ſupplications to ſecure his head; whereas, on the contrary, EPAMINONDAs being brought to the bar; and falling to magnify the exploits he had perform- ed in their ſervice, and after a haughty and arro- gant manrer, reproaching them with ingratitude and injuſtice, they had not the heart to proceed any further in his trial, but broke up the court and de- parted; the whole aſſembly highly commending the courage and confidence of this man. 1 DIONYSIUS the elder, after having by a tedious. hege, and through exceeding great difficulties, taken the city of Rhegium, and in it the governor PHYTON, a very gallant man, who had made fo obſtinate a defence, he was reſolved to make him a tragical example of his revenge, and in order there- unto, and the more fenfibly to afflict him, he firſt told t OF GREÁT AND WISE MEN. 19 1 7 that might lufte told him, that he had the day before cauſed his foni and all his children to be drowned ; to which Phy Ton returned no other anſwer but this, that “they were by one day happier than he.” SCANDERBEG prince of Epirus, in great wrath, purſuing one of his ſoldiers with a reſolute purpoſe to kill him, and the foldier having in vain tried by all ways of humility and ſupplication to appeaſe him, ſeeing him notwithſtanding abſolutely bent to his ruin, reſolved, as his laſt réfuge, to face about and expect him with his ſword in his hand; which behaviour of his, put a ſudden ſtop to his captain's fury, who ſeeing him aſſume ſo noble a reſolution; received him to gráce. Ani example, however, have not read of the prodigious force and valour of that invincible prince. Agis the king of Lacedemor, was wont to ſay, that is the Lacedemonians uſed not to aſk how ma- ny their enemies were, but where they were.' Another time, before an engagement; the enemy being very numerous, a perſon aſked him, how many the Lacedemonians were in number, he an- ſwered, “ Thou wouldeſt fay, they were a great number, if thou ſaweſt them fight." ور At another time, being told that the enemy far exceeded him in number, “ Come; come, ſaid he's we will count them after we ſhall have defeated them." BRASIDAS, a famous gerieral of the Lacedemo- nians, chancing to find a mouſe among fome dried figs, C 2 20 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS figs, and it biting him ſo, that he was glad to let it go, he ſaid to thoſe about him, “ See, there is no- thing fo little, but is able to make ſhift and ſave its own life, if it have but heart to defend itfelf againſt thoſe who aſſail it." When DEMADEs the Athenian orator,, mocking at the ſmallneſs and ſhortneſs of the Lacedemonian fwords, as that the jugglers and players at legerde- main could eafily ſwallow them: Agis the young- er, afterwards their king, made anſwer very fitly, and faid, “ Yęt as ſhort as they be, the Lacedemo- nians can reach their enemies very well with them.” So when the mother of EPAMINONDAS, the great Theban general, gave him his father's ſword, fie obſerved it was very ſhort; “ Get near enough to your enemies, ſaid ſhe, and you will find it long enough.” CLEOMÈNES king of Lacedemon, when one pro- miſed' to give him certain cocks of the game, ſo courageous, thats fighting, they would die in the place and never give over, “ Give me not; quoth he, thoſe that will die themſelves, but ſuch rather as in fight will make others to die." .66. PAULUS ÆMILIUS, when Perseus king of Macedon being taken priſoner, was brought before him, and behaving in a moſt abject and unmanly manner, with cries and petitions, faid to him, 4. What, doſt thou take away from my victory, and make my conqueſt little, by proving thyſelf a cow- ard, and a. foe below a Roman?”. The moſt unhapa PY valour challenges a great reſpecty even from enemies; OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 21 1 enemies; but cowardice, though ever ſo ſucceſs- ful, from the Romans always meets with ſcorn. ARCHIDAMUS king of Sparta, when firſt he ſaw the arcubaliſta, or engine to fling ſtones, ſaid, that “ True manhood and courage was going out of the world, when men were inventing ways to fight at a diſtance.” Being aſked how far the Lacedemonian domini- ons extended ? He ſaid, “ As far as they could car- ry their lances.” Hearing how Philip king of Macedon, after a victory obtained, threatened the Lacedemonians, “Let him, ſays he, look upon his ſhadow in the fun, and he ſhall find it no larger than before the victory." رو Cato the elder, anſwered certain perſons that beſtowed great praiſes on à man, who was beyond meaſure, daring in the perils and hazards of war, " That there was a great difference between ſetting a valué upon virtue, and undervaluing one's ſelf ;--- or having an eſteem for valour, and a contempt for life.” “Courage, ſays Cicero, cannot exiſt without vir- tije;" 10, Virtuş is the Latin word for courage. CUSTOM ACTIONS AND SAYINGS CUS Τ ο M. P 'me INDAR fays, that cuſtom is the king of all men, and bears an univerſal ſway. Plato, ſeeing a young man playing at dice, re- proved him. The young man anſwered, ſo ſmall a matter ?” “ Cuſtom, replies the philoſo- pher, is no ſmall thing.” 6. What, DEATH AND THE DEAD, Shin OCRATES, when the news was brought him, that he was condemned to death by the Athenians, ". And ſo are they, ſaid he, by Nature :"> But replied his wife, “ Alas! they have condemned you unjuſtly:"! What, ſaid he, would you then have had me juſtly condemned.” And the day he was to drink the fatal draught, one of his friends having ſent him a fine new gown, " Why, ſaid he, will not that which ſerved me alive, ſerve me to die in?” " This life, ſays PLATO, is nothing but a ſhort ftay in a ſtrange and foreign country.” 1 So Cato, ſpeaking to Tully, ſays, "Nature has given us here an inn only to lodge in, not a place to dwell in." The 1 ) ) OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 23 The Egyptians, after their feaſts, were wont to preſent the company with a great image of death, by one that cried out to them, “ Drink and be merry, for ſuch ſhalt thou be when thou art dead." Socrates being told, that the thirty tyrants had ſentenced him to death, made anſwer, “And Na- ture them." ANTIPATER feverely threatening the Lacede- monians, that he might the better incline them to acquieſce in a certain demand he made on them, “ If thou threateneſt us with more than death, re- plied they, we ſhall the more willingly die." And to Philip, having written to them that he would fruſtrate all their enterpriſes, “ What, wilt thou alſo hinder us from dying ?” Bias being aſked 'how a man ſhould order his life; anſwered, “ As if a man ſhould live long, or die quickly.” 1 D E F Α Μ Α Τ Ι Ο Ν. Α Ι See before CENSURE, &C. DILIGENCE AND INDUSTRY W HEN DIOGENES was in the decline of life, he was told by one of his friends, that it was high time for him to quit the fatigue of ſtui- dy: “ Indeed, replied the philoſopher, and if I was running 24 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS running a race, would you think that I ought to ſlacken my ſpeed when I was almoſt arrived at the ſtarting poſt? In my opinion, this ſhould rather be an inducement to quicken it.” The illuſtrious Scipio AFRICANUS uſed to ſay, that " He was never leſs idle, than when he was entirely at leiſure; nor leſs alone, than when he was wholly by himſelf.” AGATHOCLES had been the ſon of a clay-potter, and being made lord of Sicily and declared king thereof, his manner was to be ſerved at the table with earthen veſſels among other rich plate of gold, which he would uſe to ſhew unto young men, and ſay, “Lo! what pots and cups I made at firſt, (pointing unto thoſe of earth and clay); but now I am a maker of theſe, (thewing the other of gold) through my underſtanding, travail and vali- ance." EPAMINONDAS prince of Thebes, finding one of his captains alleep in the day time, ſlew him: At which his nobles ſeeming ſurpriſed, he ſaid, I have but left him where I found him;" Comparing idle men to dead men. 1 Dionysius the philoſopher, being aſked by one who deſired to ſpeak with him, if he was at lei- fure ? made anſwer, “ Heaven forbid that I ſhould be ſo unfortunate !" 1 DISCRE OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 25 DISCRETION AND PRUDENCE. We TISDOM or prudence, like charity, ſhould begin at home. To which purpoſe ALEX- ANDER ſpoke, when he ſaid, “He would give but little credit to that man's wiſdom in others affairs, who was not wife in his own." 1 It was good counſel given to the Athenians, to be certain that king Philip was dead, before they expreſſed their joy at the report, left they might find him alive to revenge their haſty triumph. THALES the philoſopher, and one of the ſeven wiſe men of Greece, uſed to ſay, “That it is the hardeſt thing in the world to know one's felf: The eaſieſt to adviſe another : and the ſweeteſt to ac- compliſh our deſires.- That to live well, we muſt keep from what we reprehend in others.--That we are to ſay nothing to provoke any body that can injure us: and ſhould live with our friends as with people that might become our enemies.” "A man, ſays Tully, ſhould live with his enemy in ſuch a manner, as might leave him room to be- come his friend; and with his friend in ſuch a man- ner, that if he became his enemy, it ſhould not be in his power to hurt him.” / DRAMA . 1 26 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS D R A M A. TH HE drama ſhould never utter any ſentiment againſt the ſtricteſt rules of virtue, morality and decency. EURIPIDES had put an high enco- mium of riches into the mouth of BeLLEROPHON, which he concluded with theſe words, “ Riches are the ſovereign happineſs of mankind, and 'tis with reaſon they gain the admiration of Gods and men.” Theſe laſt lines provoked the whole people of Athens. They roſe up with one common voice againſt the poet, and would have immediately ba- niſhed him the city, if he had not beſought them to ſtay till the play was done, and they would ſee this great commender of riches come to a miſerable end. A poor and ſenſeleſs excuſe! The impreſlion which ſuch Maxims make upon the imagination, is too ſtrong and lively to wait for the ſlow remedies which an author may bring at the concluſion of his performance 5 DISPUTE AND DISPUTATION. W , HAT Tully ſays of war, may be ſaid of difputes, the end ſhould be peace; but ar- guments are, to proud and poſitive people, what bones are to dogs, viz. to ſet them together by the cars. HORACE OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 29 HORACE ſays, " A well bred man ſhould maſk his ſtrength, and artfully affect weakneſs in his diſpute, rather than excite the rançour of his anta- goniſt." DRU N K E N N E S S. P YRRHUS king of the Epirotes, being told that a ſet of young men, as they fat drinking together at a table, had uttered vile and opprobrious ſpeeches againſt him, he cauſed them all to be con- vened before him the next morning. When they were all in his preſence, he demanded of the fore- moſt of them, whether it was true that they had ſuch unſeemly talk of him or not? " True it is, my liege lord," qaoth he; “ but we ſhould have ſaid much more than we did, if the wine had held out longer.” PLAUTUS ſays, “wine would be too cheap at the price it now brings, if a drunken man might do whatever he pleaſed without being called to an ac, count for it." “Drunkenneſs, ſays SENECA, is a voluntary madneſs, and revenges the jollity of one hour, with the nauſeous and ſad repentance of many. ANACHArsis ſays, " the vine bears three grapes, pleaſure, drunkenneſs, forrow,"? The emperor AURELIANUS uſed to ſay of Bo- NOS US one of his captains, who was an exceſſive drinker, ACTIONS AND SAYINGS drinker, by way of raillery, “That he was born not to live but to drink." And being afterwards executed by the order of the fame emperor for ſome high offence, when he was hanging, it was faid, “ That it was not a man, but a bottle." ALEXANDER The Great, in an exceſs of wine, murdered his friend Clytus on the evening of the very day he had faved the prince's life. And in another of his drunken fits, at the in- Itance of THAIS his favourite courtezan, at an en- tertainment, where ſhe was not herſelf in a better condition, ſet fire to, and totally deſtroyed the mag- nificent palace of Xerxes at Perſepolis. Alſo, having invited ſeveral of his friends and general officers to ſupper, propoſed a crown as a reward for him who ſhould drink moſt. He who conquered on this occafion, was PROMACHUS, who fwallowed fourteen meaſures of wine, that is eigh- teen or twenty pints. After receiving the prize, which was a crown worth a talent, that is, about a thouſand crowns, he ſurvived his victory but three days. Of the reſt of the gueſts, forty died inſtantly, The Lacedemonians expoſed their ſlaves. made drink to their children, to cauſe in them an early averſion to a vice, which makes men appear fo monſtrous and irrational. DIONYSIUS, the younger, tyranit of Syracuſe, was to addicted to this enervating folly, that he would fome- OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 29 ſometimes be drunk for a week or ten days toge- ther. By theſe means he ruined his conſtitution, impaired his faculties, and became ſo cruel, ridicu- lous, and contemptible, that, for their own preſerva- tion and happineſs, his ſubjects were obliged to de- throne him. Pliny calls drunkenneſs turning the medicine in- to a diſtemper. And uſed to ſay, that wine is the mirror of man; it diſplaying the utmoſt receſſes of the ſoul. } The ambaſſadors which the Athenians ſent to, PHILIP, being returned home, gave great commen- dations of that prince, as being very comely, elo- quent, and able to drink a large quantity without being diſguiſed. “Thoſe qualifications,” ſaid De- MOSTHENES, “are no ways worthy of a king; the firſt of theſe advantages is peculiar to the female fex, the ſecond to rhetoricians, and the laſt to any fpunge how deſpicable ſoever." EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, A N D L E A R N I N G. 'HEN ANTIPATER demanded fifty. chil- dren of the Lacedemonians as hoſtages, they made anſwer, that “they would rather give him twice as many full grown men;" ſo much did they value the loſs of their country's education, at that time, When 30 ACTIONS AND SAYIN Ġ S When AGESILAUS recommended XENOPHON to ſend his children to Sparta to be bred, “ It is not," faid he, “there to learn logick or rhetorick, but to be inſtructed in the nobleſt of all ſciences; namely, to obey and to command.” Leo prince of the Phliaſians, aſking HERACLÍ - DUS Ponticus of what art or ſcience he made pro- feflion? “I know," ſaid he,“ neither art nor ſci- ence, but I am a philoſopher." One reproaching DIOGENÉS, that being ignorant he ſhould pretend to philoſophy; “ I therefore," anſwered he, pretend to it with more reaſon." Lycurgus ſeeing a keeper teaching a blood- hound to follow a train, “ Obſerve," ſaid he, " what pains yonder maſter takes to make his fer- vant uſeful and profitable for his pleaſure. Who would not then train up his ſon in the ſchool of vir- tue, that he may become in time a worthy member of the commonwealth ?” “To what purpoſe is it, faid Crates, to heap up great eſtates, and have no concern what manner of heirs you leave them to ?” Płocilides the Greek poet, likened education to a ſickle and a hand; for this reaſon, that if there were any vice in the ſoul, it would weed it out; and if there was no virtue as yet in the ſoul, it would plant ſome in. ARISTIPPUS the philoſopher, being aſked what difference there was between a man of knowledge and OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 37 and an ignorant perſon? anſwered, “ That if they were both ſtripped and ſent naked among ſtrangers, the difference would ſoon be diſcovered.” And being aſked at another time, what learning was moſt neceſſary for man's life? made anſwer, 6 To unlearn that which is naught.” ARISTOTLE being aſked, what was the differ- ence between the wiſe and the ignorant? “ As much,” replied he, “as between the living and the dead." ܪ He alfo faid, that “knowředge is an ornament in proſperity, and a refuge in adverſity; that they who give a good education to children, are more their parents than thoſe who beget them.” The aforeſaid ARISTIPPUS being aſked what he got by his learning, made anſwer, “ That he could talk to himſelf without being beholden to others for company." Solon being aſked, what it was in which youth ought principally to be inſtructed ? anſwered, “ What they ought to do when they come to be men." Cicero fays, that “not to know what has been tranſacted in former times, is to continue always a child.” Antisthenes the cynic philoſopher, being told that a certain nobleman was an excellent fidler, “ It may ACTIONS AND SAYINGS may be fo,” ſaid he ; “yet, he muſt be but a ſorry fellow, or he would not have been ſo excellent a fidler." A rich citizen of Athens, defiring the aforeſaid ARISTIPPUs to tell him how much he muſt give him to inſtruct his fon? ARISTIPPUS aſked him a thouſand drachmas.----- How ! ſaid the Athenian, I could purchaſe a ſlave for a leſs ſum than that.” " Do ſo, anſwered ARISTIPPUs, and then you may have two." XENOPHON commended the Perſians for the pru- dent education of their children, who would not admit them to effeminate their minds with wonder- ful ſtories and idle romances; being ſufficiently con- vinced of the danger of adding weight to the bias of corrupt nature. When Cicero conſulted the oracle of Delphos what courſe of ſtudies he ſhould purſue? was an- ſwered, " Follow Nature." 5 ALEXANDER THE GREAT uſed to fay, that " he was more obliged to Aristotle who had inſtruct- ed him, than to Philip his father who had given him life and empire:” And that “ he would rather excel others in knowledge than in power." THEOPHRASTUS the philofopher uſed to ſay, “That a learned man was never alone, a ſtranger in any country, or without friends." + ELOQUENCE. 1 OF GREAT AND WISĖ MIN. 33 E LO Q U E N C E. T HE ambaſſadors of Samos, prepared with a long; elegant oration, came to CleOMENES king of Sparta, to invite him to a war againſt the tyrant PolycrATES; who, after he had heard their harangue with great gravity and patience, gave them this ſhort anſwer, “ As to the exordium I re- member it not, nor confequently the middle of your ſpeech; but for what concerns your conclufi: on, I will not do what you deſire." The Athenians were to chooſe one of two archi- tects for a ſurveyor to a very great building they had deſigned, of which, the firſt, a pert affected fellow, offered his ſervice in a long premeditated diſcourſe upon the ſubject, and, by his oratory, in- clined the voices of the people in his favour; but the other, in three words, “Lord's of Athens, all that this man hath ſaid, I will do.” When Cicero was in the height and heat of his éloquence, many were ſtruck with admiration; but Caro only laughed at it, faying, “ We have a plea- fant conſul:" ARISTOPHANEs the grammarian, having repre- hended Epicurus for his plain way of deliver- ing himſelf, he made anſwer, " That the end and deſign of his oratory was only perſpicuity, and to be underſtood." VOL. III. D A certain 1 34 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS A certain young man, one of ANAXIMANes the rhetorician's ſcholars, having pronounced by heart, before ANTIGONUS king of Macedon, an oration: compoſed long before with great premeditation, the king aſked him a queſtion, as being deſirous to learn ſomewhat of him; the young man, who knew not what anſwer to make, ſtood filent: Whereupon, quoth the king, " What ſayeſt thou? Is there no- thing in thee, but what is in thoſe written tables there? Another rhetorician of the ſame fort, made an oration before him, and when he came to theſe words, “ The ſnowy ſpring hath cauſed the graſs in the fields to be very ſhort,” he could no longer for- bear, but break off his ſpeech and ſay, “ What, ſirrah, can you make no end, but ſpeak unto me as you would to the ignorant multitude ?" ... The Athenians,” ſays PLATO, " are obſerved to ftudy length and elegancy.of ſpeaking ;, the Lace- demonians to affect brevity; and thofe of Crete to aim more at the fecundity of conception, than the fertility of ſpeech; and theſe are the beſt ſpeak- ers." > Whenever PHOCION roſe to fpeak, DEMOSTHE- NEs uſed to ſay, “ This is the pruning hook of my periods;" and at other times he uſed to ſay, “ That not only a word, but even a nod from a perſon had in reverence for his goodneſs and virtue, is of more weight and force, than the moſt ſtudied elaborate fpeeches of others." PHOCION OF GREAT AND WISE MËN. 35 + Phocion being inſulted by a young man, who in an aſſembly of the Athenians had huffed and ſwaggered much, “ Young man, faid Phocion, your language is like cypreſs trees, tall and topping, but without fruit." THEOPHRASTUS the philoſopher ſaid, “That an orator without judgment, was a horſe without a bri- dle.” A perſon diſcourſing upon a ſeaſonable topick before the Ephori, was more circumſtantial than was neceſſary; upon which ANAXANDRIAS the Spartan king replied, “ Stranger, you treat a neceſſary ſub- ject in an unneceſſary manner.” Cicero ſays, “That the efficacy of eloquence can never appear, but when the orator is a compleat maſter of the ſubject.” He alſo ſaid, “What can look more like a mad- man, than to pour out an empty jingle of words, let them be ever ſo beautiful or well choſen, if they are not connected by method or meaning?” Alſo, “That oratory was but his ornament as a commonwealth man, but that philoſophy and rea- fon were his profeſſion as a man." D 2 EMULA. 36 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 E M U L A T I O N. HEMISTOCLES the famous Athenian captain, in his youthful days, did nothing but follow drunkenneſs and every kind of debauchery; but after MILTIADES the captain general of the Athenians had vanquiſhed the Barbarians, he was never known to commit any riot or diſorder : and when ſome marvelled to ſee in him ſo great a change, he ſaid, “ That the trophies and monu- ments of MILTIADES's victory would never let him ſleep." EMPLOYMENTS AND OFFICES, . A NTISTHENES deſired the Athenians upon a certain time, to decree, that thereafter aſſes ſhould be called horſes. Some preſent replied in banter, " That can't be.” * But, gentlemen,” ſaid he, “you can chooſe for your generals, men who know nothing of warlike affairs, and whoſe qualifi- cations conſiſt only in having a greater number of voices." CALIGULA had his horſe choſen conſul in full ſee nate, in ridicule of the unfit choices which had been made to that office. ALEXANDER the 25th emperor of Rome, pro- hibited the ſale of any offices, as being ſatisfi- ed, that none made a ſcruple to ſell what they had bought. He OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 37 He alſo ſettled, honourable ſalaries upon all thoſe whom he conſtituted governors of provinces, left they ſhould ſqueeze and oppreſs the people. In the time of HelioGABALUS, his predeceſſor, there was a ſet of cheats called ſellers of ſmoke, be cauſe they took money of people to help them to offices and preferments, but never did any thing for them: And ALEXANDER hearing that one of this fraternity had in his time taken a hundred crowns of a ſoldier, for which he had engaged to obtain a certain office for him, the emperor had him faſtened to a poſt, where he was choaked by the ſmoke of a heap of wood which was ſet on fire about him, with this infcription over the poſt, FUMO PERIIT QUI FU- MUM VENDIDIT. Hethat ſold ſmokeisſtifled by ſmoke. A young man coming to ANTIGONUS to make fuit for his father's command, a valiant ſoldier, but lately dead : “Friend,” ſaid he, “in ſuch prefer- inents as theſe, I have not ſo much regard to the no- my ſoldiers, as their ſtrength and courage.' A great man recommending a friend of his to AUGUSTUS CÆSAR, for an office of high truſt, for that he was very honeſt. " Oh then," replied the emperor, “ I will make him a door-keeper.” bility of See hereafter Honour and PREFERMENT, and KINGS and PRINCES. E N V Y B ION aſked an envious man that was very fad, “ What harm had befallen him, or what good had befallen another?” CICERO 38 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS Cicero uſed to ſay, “ He could not be envious of another's merit, who is conſcious of his own." Ε Ω Ο Α Ν Ι Μ Ι Τ Υ. THE brave and juſt ARISTIDES being ſen- tenced to baniſhment, only ſaid, “I wiſh my country no more harm, than that they may ne- ver have any more need of ARISTIDES;" and ſign- ed the oſtraciſm for his own baniſhment. Where- fore Pope ſays of him, “ In all things juſt, but when he ſigned the ſhell.” See before Courage and FORTITUDE, and DEATH and the Dead. FACTION AND PARTY. IT T is an obſervation of ARISTOTLE, " That the moſt virtuous, though they have the beſt plea to raiſe commotions in a ſtate, are, notwithſtanding, the fartheſt of all from doing it.” 7 When THEOPOMPUs was king of Sparta, one told him by way of compliment, “ That it went well with the city, becauſe their king had learned how to govern.“ No, rather," replied he very mo- deſtly,” becauſe the city has learned how to obey : intimating thereby, that popular cities are moſt in- jurious to themſelves by factious tumults and diſor- ders; for whilſt they are ſo unhappily divided, they are not eaſily reſtrained, even by the beſt of magi- Stratès. FAME OF GREAT AND WISE MEN 39 / FAME AND REPUTATION. PHAS HILIP of Macedon, who, in vanity, perhaps was exceeded by none, among other weak- neſſes, uſed to give lectures on muſick, and under- took to correct the ableft maſters of it; which occa- fioned one of them to make that ingenious anſwer, which, without offending him, might eaſily have led him to a ſenſe of his miſtake. 66 The Gods forbid, Sir, you ſhould be ſo unhappy as to know theſe matters better than I do." . 1 And yet he himſelf gave a leſſon to his ſon, upon obſerving at an entertainment that he had ſhewed too much ſkill in muſick. “Are you not aſhamed," ſays he to him, « that you can ſing ſo well ?” A wiſe. prince, how great an inclination foever fie may have for the ſciences, even thoſe that are moſt valuable, will not give himſelf up entirely to them, but ſtudy them in a princely manner; i. e. with that fober and diſcreet moderation, which TACITUS admired in his father-in-law AGRICOLA. RETINUIT, QUOD EST DIFPICILLIMUM EX SAPI- ENTIA, MODUM. It was a good piece of advice the wiſe FABIUS gave to the Conſul PAULUS ÆMILIUS, as he was ſetting out for the army. He exhorted - him, to defpiſe the railleries and unjuſt reproaches of his colleague ; to be above any reports that might be raiſed to his prejudice; and diſregard all the pains that might be taken to diſgrace or diſhonour him. This 40 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS This part Fabius himſelf took in the war againſt HANNIBAL, and ſaved the commonwealth. Not- withitanding the provoking infult he received from MINUTIUS, he reſcued him from the hands of Han- NIBAL, ſetting aſide his reſentment, and conſulting only his zeal for the public good. There are few who talk and think like the Lace- demonian; that ſeeing himſelf left out of the new erected council, ſaid, “ He was overjoyed to find there were three hundred men in the city more worthy than himſelf." f EPAMINONDAS being aſked, whether CHABRIAS IPHURATES, or he himſelf, deſerved moſt to be eſteemed?" You muſt firſt ſee us die, ſaid he, be- fore that queſtion can be anſwered.” Julius Cæsar always thought, that his reputa- tion depended more on what he had to do, than on what he had done ; for he who has filled all the of fices of life with dignity and honour till yeſterday, and to day forgets his duty, has done nothing. G. PLUTARCH uſed to ſay, “That good fame is like fire ; when you have kindled it, you may ea- fily preſerve it; but if once you extinguiſh it, you will not eaſily kindle it again ; at least not make it burn as bright as it did.” Pliny maintains, that pride of reputation is lay- dable; and only thoſe who are below ſcandal ima- gine themſelves above it, and ſcorn the ill opinion of the world. ز 1 ARCHI- OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 41 ARCHIDAMUS king of Sparta, ſeeing a phyſician that would needs be making verſes without any ſuc- ceſs, " I wonder, ſaid he, that you ſhould rather chooſe to be counted a bad poet, than a good phy- fician." AGESILAUS the fixth king of the Lacedemoni- ans, upon his death-bed forbade any ſtatues to be erected to his memory, as defiring no other monu- ments, but thoſe of his own actions. 1 F L A T T E R Y. WHI HEN TIMOLEON after having expelled the tyrants, and reſtored Syracuſe to its antient liberty, was extolled for his wiſdom, valour and glory, in his preſence: Such was his averſion from Aattery, that he made no other anſwer, but “ That he thought himſelf no more than an inſtrument of that Divine Providence, by which all human events were ever guided and diſpoſed." PTOLEMY EVERGETEs king of Egypt, having ihot the ſon of PRAXAspes through the heart, in his father's preſence, aſked him, in an inſulting ſcoffing manner, “ If he had not a ſteady hand ?” The wretched father, meanly replied, “ APOLLO himſelf could not have ſhot better." After the defeat of DARIUS by ALEXANDER THE GREAT, one of his courtiers having publiſhed in the field that he was a God, and ought to be worſhip- ed; the king ſent for him, and deſired that the ſlave who cleaned out his bed-chamber, ſhould be firſt conſulted on the matter. DIOGENES 42 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS Diagenes being aſked, “ What beaſt was moſt dangerous, in caſe he ſhould bite one ?” replied, "If you mean the bite of a wild beaſt, 'tis that of a flan- derer; if of a tame one, that of a paraſite." ALEXANDER THE GREAT being wounded in battle by an arrow, ſaid to ſome of his paraſites that itood round him, “ You all of you call me immor- tal and the ſon of Jove; but what do you think of me now ? Does not this wound give you all the lye! This blood that runs from me, is it not of the ſame colour with that of the meaneſt of my ſoldiers ? Are you not now convinced that I am but man?” The inhabitants of Tarragona, being deſirous of paying their court to AUGUSTUS CÈSAR, preſent- ed him with a palm, which they told him grew up- on his altar.--The emperor ſaid, to ridicule their fiattery, “ This ſhews my altar is feldom lighted up." See hereafter KINGS and PRINCES. FORT I TU DE. See COURAGE. 0 R TU N E. Soul ESOSTRIS king of Egypt, having cauſed four of his captive kings to draw his triumphal chariot, inſtead of horſes, one of them kept his eyes fixed OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. fixed on the two foremoſt wheels; which, when SE- SOSTRIS obſerved, he aſked him, “ What he found worthy his attention in that motion ?" To which he replied, “ The mutability of all things, ſoon up and foon down." Sesostris, reflecting on his artful anſwer, fet all his royal ſlaves at liberty. FRIENDS AND FRIENDSHIP. A FRIEND of Pericles the Athenian ge- neral, having requeſted him to bear witneſs for him againſt the truth, where he was to bind the fame alſo with an oath : “ You muſt pardon me, quoth PERICLES; I am your friend, indeed, but ſo far only as the altar.” ANTIPATER uſed to ſay, “ He had two friends at Athens, PHOCION and DEM ADES, and that he could never perſuade the former to take any of his preſents, nor had ever enough to ſatisfy the latter." But on a time, when ANTIPATER was courting the former to do a thing which was not juſt, “ You cannot, quoth he, O ANTIPATER ! have me to be. your friend, and a flatterer too.” Hesiod being aſked, when he was lending mo- ney, " Why all theſe niceties and forms of law among friends ?” He anſwered, “By all means, that we may be ſure to continue fo.” " It was ever my opinion," ſays HORACE, “ that a chearful good-natured friend is ſo great a bleſſing, that it admits of no companion but itſelf.” Late ACTIONS AND SAYINGS “ Late ere I love, faid AUGUSTUS, as long ere I leave" Cicero uſed to ſay, “ It was no leſs evil to be without a friend, than to have the heavens without a fun." And Socrates uſed to ſay, “That he thought friendſhip the ſweeteſt poſſeſſion, and that no piece of ground yielded more or pleaſanter fruit." Antisthenes the cynic philofopher uſed to ſay, “That enemies were more neceſſary than friends; becauſe the firſt uſually corrected thoſe faults which the other did but flatter." ARCHYTAS the philoſopher uſed to ſay, “ That the uſe of a friend is more pleaſing and neceſſary, than the elements of water and fire.” ARISTOTLE being aſked one day, “What a true friend was?” made anſwer, “ One ſoul in two bodies." " That DAMOn the philoſopher, ſcholar to PYTHACO- RAS, contracted ſuch a ſacred friendſhip with his ſchool-fellow PYTHIAS, that DIONYSIUS the ty. rant having ſignified to them his reſolution, one of them ſhould die," permitted DAMON to go home and ſettle his domeſtic affairs before his death; provided he could find one to be furety for his return: Which PYTHIAS forthwith offered vo- luntarily, and put himſelf in the tyrant's power. DAMON coming back preciſely at the time appoint- ed, DIONYSIUS ſo much admired their mutuaļ fidelity, OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 45 1 fidelity, that he pardoned both; and prayed “ that he might be admitted the third into their friend- hip." G А M I Z. G See before CUSTOM. GENEROSITY AND LIBERALITY, W , HEN PHILIP, father of ALEXANDER THE Great, was an hoſtage in Thebes, Philo, a Theban gentleman, in whoſe houſe he had lodged, had done him many pleaſures whilſt he reſided there; wherefore, when he came to be king of Macedon, - he would fain have requited his hoſt with gifts and preſents, which he ever refuſed; whereupon Phi- Lip took occaſion to ſay thus to him, “ Take not from me this title in my ſtile of INVINCIBLE, in ſuffering myſelf thus to be vanquiſhed and over- come by you in courteſy and liberality.” PTOLEMEUS the ſon of Lagus king of Egypt, who exhauſted all his income in acts of bounty and beneficence, lived for the moſt part in the houſes of his friends; and, if at any time he had them to ſup- per, he would borrow their furniture and other neceſſaries for their accommodation, for he had never more about him, than was ſufficient for the ſervice of his own perſon ; and he was wont to ſay, " That to enrich others, was more regal than to en- rich himſelf." The 46 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS The action of the great Scipio in Spain, when he added to the portion of a young captive princeſs the ranſom her parents had brought to redeem her, gained him no leſs honour than the moſt famous of his conqueſts. Cimon the Athenian general, thought his poffef- fions were for no other end, than to be diſtributed among his fellow citizens; to clothe fome, and re- lieve the wants of others. What PHILOPOEMON the general of the Achai- ans gained from the enemy, he beſtowed in furniſh- ing ſuch of the citizens with arms and horſes, as ſtood in need of them; and in redeeming their prie foners that were taken in war. ARATUS, general of the Achaians, made himſelf univerſally beloved, and ſaved his country, by ap- plying the preſents he received from the kings, in appealing the diviſions which prevailed among his countrymen; in paying the debts of fome, alliſting others in their neceſſities, and redeeming captives, See before BENEFICENCE and BENEVOLENCE. See GREAT Men and GREATNESS. GOVERN OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 47 GOVERNMENT, GOVERNORS AND STATES. S. OME one endeavouring to perſuade Lycur- GUS to erect the popular government called democracy, wherein every one in his courſe hath as much authority as another, he anſwered, “Begin thou firſt to ſet up this government in thine own houſe." CHARILAUS king of Sparta being aſked, “ Why LYCURGUS nade ſo few laws?" anſwered thus, They who uſe few words, have no need of many laws." PLUTARCH ſaid, “It is otherwiſe in a common- wealth of men than of bees; the hive of a city or a kingdom, is in beſt condition, when there is leaft noiſe or buzz in it." AUGUSTUS CÆSAR being told, that ALEXAN- DER THE GREAT having at thirty-two years of age almoſt finiſhed all his intended conqueſts, had ex- preſſed, "That he was perplexed and at a loſs, how he ſhould employ himſelf afterwards." der, quoth CÆSAR, that ALEXANDER thought it not a more difficult matter to govern and preferve a great empire after it is once gotten, than to with and conquer it at firſt." I won- G RAT I TU DE. See before GENEROSITY and LIBERALITY, GREAT 48 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS GR É À T MEN AND MEN 0 F PO W E R. A ور u DRIAN, the fifteenth emperor of Rome, taking great pleaſure in diſputing publickly with learned men, one FAVORINUS by name, hay- ing owned himſelf outdone by the emperor, al- though he could eaſily have repelled the force of his arguments, had he been ſo minded ; and his friends blaming him for it, “ Why," ſays he, Why," ſays he, “ would you not have me ſubmit to the man, who has thirty le- gions at his command ?” AUGUSTUS wrote ſeveral verſes againſt AsiNIUS Pollio: “ And I,” ſaid POLLIO,“ ſay nothing; as a conteſt would not be prudent with him who has power to proſcribe." Plutarch ſaid of men of weak abilities in high places, “ That they were like ſmall ſtatues ſet on great baſes ; made to appear leſs by their advance- ment.” The emperor GRATIAN obſerved, “ that when excellence occurs with high birth and fortune, it paſſes for a prodigy." See before ADMONITION and Advice, and FAME and REPUTATION; and hereafter Kings and Princes, and MAGNANIMITY and TRUE GREATNESS. GRIEF OF GREAT AND WISE MEN, 49 Ġ RIEF AND SORROW. Polen SAMMENITUS king of Egypt, being de- feated and taken priſoner by CAMBYSES king of Perſia, ſeeing his own daughter paſs by him in a wretched manner, with a bucket to draw water, though his friends about him were ſo concerned as to break out into tears and lamentations at the mi- ferable ſight, yet he himſelf remained unmoved and ſilent, with his eyes fixed upon the ground; as he did alſo on ſeeing his ſon immediately after led to execution : Till ſpying at laſt one of his friends dragged away amongſt the captives, he could hold no longer, but fell to tearing his hair, and beating his breaſt, with all the other extravagances of a wild and deſperate forrow; whereupon, CAMBYSES aſk- ing him, “Why, not being moved at the calamity of his ſon and daughter, he ſhould with ſo great impatience, bear the misfortune of his friend?” “ It is, anſwered he, becauſe this laſt affliction was only to be manifeſted by tears; the two firſt ones ex-. ceeded all manner of expreſſion." And peradventure, fomething like this might be working in the fancy of the ancient painter, who being, in the facrifice of IPHIGENIA, to repreſent the ſorrow of the aſſiſtants, proportionably to the ſeveral degrees of intereſt every one had in the death of this fair innocent virgin; and having in the other figures, exerciſed the utmoſt power of his art, when he came to that of her father, he drew him VOL. III. E with 50 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS with a veil over his face; meaning thereby, that no- countenance was capable of expreſſing ſuch a de- gree of ſorrow : Which is alſo the reaſon, why there poets feigned the miſerable mother Niobe, having firſt loft ſeven fons, and ſucceſſively as many daughter's, to be at last transformed into a rock. Cicero faid, " That the cauſe of grief is not in the nature of the thing, but in our opinion only.". See before ADVERSITY. H A P PIN E S S. C RÆSUS king of Lydia, being taken priſon- er by Cyrus, and by him condemned to die, as he was going to the execution, cried out, “ O SOLON ! SOLON !" which being preſently re- ported to Cyrus; and he ſending to enquire of him what it meant ? CRÆsus gave him to underſtand, * That he now found the advertiſement SOLON had formerly given him, true to his coſt; which was, that men, however Fortune may ſmile upon them, could never be ſaid to be happy, till they had paſs- ed over the laſt day of their lives.” And Agesi LÁUS made anſwer to one that was ſaying, “ What a happy young man the king of Perſia was, to come ſo young to ſo mighty a king- dom?” “ Tis true," ſays he, “ but neither was PRIAM unhappy at his years." And mo OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 52 And it ſhould ſeem alſo, that Fortune lies in wait to ſurpriſe the laſt hour of our life ; to thew the power ſhe has in a moment to overthrow what ſhe was ſo many years in building; making us to cry out with LABERIUS, NIMIRUM HAC DIE PLUS VIXI MIHI, QUAM VIVENDUM FUIT.-“I have lived longer by this one day, than I ought to have done." UNA EPAMINONDAS being aſked, “ Which of the three he had in greateſt eſteem, CHABRÍAS, IPHI- CRATES, or himſelf?” “ You muſt firſt ſee us die,” faid he, “ before that queſtion can be reſolved." Epicurus makes the two bleſſings of life, to be a found body and a quiet mind; which is only a compendious reduction of human felicity, to a ſtate of health and Virtue. 1 DEMETRIUS king of Macedonia; upon taking the city of Megara, alked STILPO the philofopher, Ć What he had loft?” H P E. O T HALES the philoſopher being aſked, “ What was the moſt univerſally enjoyed of all things?" anſwered, “Hope; for they have it, who have nothing elſe.?? When the great JULIUS Cæsar had given away all his eſtate among his friends, one of them aſked him, "What he had left for himſelf?” to which the great man replied, “Hope." incitore that H U M A N I TY. THE HE good emperor Marcus Aurelius ſaid to one who endeavoured to prevail on his ſong not to weep as he did for the loſs of his tutor, “ Pray," OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. *** Pray,” ſaid he, “ ſuffer my ſon to be a man, be- fore he be an emperor," Alex ANDER THE GREAT, was 'naturally of ſo tender and humane a diſpoſition, as made him fen- fible of the diſtreſs of perſons of the loweſt rank. A poor Macedonian ſoldier was one day leading before him a mule, laden with gold for the king's uſe, the beaſt being ſo tired, that he was not able either to go, or ſuſtain the load : The mule-driver took it up and carried it, but with great difficulty, a conſiderable way. ALEXAnder ſeeing him juſt ſinking under the burthen, and going to throw it on the ground, in order to eaſe himſelf from it, cried out, “ Friend, do not be weary yet, try and carry it quite through to thy tent, for it is all thy own.” When Q. CÆCILIUS METELLUS the Roman proconſul had inveſted Nertobrigia, a chief lord of the country, named Rhetogenes, came out of the place, and ſurrendered himſelf to the Romans; but as he had left in the city his wife and children, the inhabitants, enraged at his deſertion, placed them in the breach which the Legionaries were to mount. Hereupon the good-niatured general, finding he could not attack the city without ſpilling their blood, abandoned a certain conqueſt, and raiſed the ſiege. The fame of ſuch an act of humanity, be- ing ſoon ſpread through all Tarraconian Spain, the inhabitants of the revolted cities ftrove who ſhould firſt ſubmit to him. METELLUS received them, and amongſt the reſt the Nertobrigians, into an al- Jiance with Rome, and at length recovered the whole country, HUMILITY, 56 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 HUMILITY, ME EKN ES AND MODESTY, A LEXANDER SEVERUS, the ſucceſſor of TRAJAN in the Roman empire, having or- dered ſeveral of the buildings of TRĄJAN to be repaired, cauſed that emperor's name to be fixed upon them all, without allowing his own to be men- tioned thereon. AUGUSTUS was always content with the ſame apartment and the ſame furniture, during a reign of near fifty years. VespaSIAN and Titus looked upon it as an honour and a pleaſure, to preſerve the little country houſe that was left them by their anceſtors, without making in it any alteration. Thoſe maſters of the world did not think them- ſelves too ſtraitly lodged in a houſe, which had been built only for a private perſon. The footſteps of Adrian's country feat are ſtill remaining, and it does not exceed the bigneſs of one of our common houſes, and is by no means equal to that of ſeveral private perſons now living. And it was ſo among the antient Romans, with whom it was not the houſe which honoured the maſter, but the inafter who brought honour to the houſe. A cottage with them, became as auguſt as a temple, when juſtice, gene- roſity, probity, ſincerity and honour were lodged in it 3 OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 57 it ; and how cạn a houſe be called ſmall, which contains ſo many and fo great virtues ? * 1 PHILOPÆMON, the greateſt ſoldier of his age in Greece, who conferred ſo much honour upon the republick of the Achaians, by his extraordinary me- rit, and whom the Romans have called by way of admiration, “ The laſt of the Greeks,” this Philo- PÆMon was uſually clad in a very plain dreſs, and often went abroad without any ſervant or attend ance. In this condition, he came alone to the houſe of a friend who invited him to dinner. The miſs treſs of the family, who expected the general of the Achaians, took him for a fervant, and begged he would give her his aſſiſtance in the kitchen, becauſe her huſband was abſent. PHILOPÆMON, without ceremony, threw off his cloak, and fell to the cleay- ing of wood. The huſband coming in at that in- {tant, and ſurpriſed at the oddneſs of the fight, © How now, PHILOPÆMON," fays he, “what's the meaning of this ?” « Oh,” anſwered the other, "I am paying the intereſt of my bad looks." Seneca, as much a philoſopher as he was, or had a mind to be thought, had always ſomewhat of a falſe ſhame hanging about him; and owns him- ſelf, “ That going down ſometimes to his country ſeat in an ordinary chariot, he has bluſhed againſt his inclination at the being caught upon the road in ſuch an equipage by perſons of diſtinction;" “A certain proof,” as he ſays himſelf, as he ſays himſelf, “ that he had not thoroughly reduced to practice, what he had faid and wrote upon the advantages of humble life. He that bluſhes at a mean chariot,” adds he, “ is fond 58 ! ACTIONS AND SAYINGS fond of a finer ; and he has made little progreſs in virtue, who dares not openly declare in favour of poverty and frugality, and is at all concerned about the judgment of paſſengers. AGESILAUS, king of Lacedemon, was herein a greater philoſopher than Seneca ; a Spartan edu- cation had armed him againſt this falſe Thame. PAARNAB AZES, governor of one of the provinces belonging to the king of Perſia, had deſired to treat of peace with him, and the interview was appointed in the open field. The firſt appeared in all the pomp and luxury of the Perſian court; he was lothed in a purple robe, embroidered with gold and ſilver. The ground was ſpread with rich car- pets, and fine cuſhions were laid to ſit down upon. AGUSILA US, in a very plain dreſs, without further ceremony, fat himſelf down upon the graſs. The pride of the Perſian bluſhed at this behaviour, and not being able to hold out againſt ſuch a compari- Ton, paid homage to the plainneſs of the Lacedemo- nian, by following his example. And this, becauſe a quite different train, which far outfhone all the gold and ſilver of Perſia, furrounded AGESIL AUS, and gained him reverence ; his name, his reputation, his victories, and the terror of his arms, which made the king of Perſia tremble even upon his throne. VESPASIAN upon folemn days, drank out of a ſmall ſilver cup, which had been left him by his grandmother, who brought him up.. TRAJAN's, retinue was very modeſt and mode- rate: He had nobody to clear the way before him, and } 1 OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 59 and was pleaſed ſometimes to be under a neceſſity of ſtopping in the ſtreets, to let the attendants of others paſs by him. .? MARCUS AURELIUS was ſtill more averſe to every thing that had the air of pomp and luxury. He lay upon the bare ground. At twelve years old he took the habit of a philoſopher. He forbore the uſe of guards, the imperial ornaments, and the enligns of honour, which were carried before the CÆSARS and the AUGUSTI. Nor was this conduct owing to his ignorance of what was grand and beautiful, but to the juſter and purer taſte he had of both; and to an intimate perſuaſion, that the great- eft glory and principal duty of a man, eſpecially if in power, and raiſed to a place of diſtinction, is lo far to imitate the Deity, as to throw himſelf into a condition of wanting as little as may be for him- felf, and doing all the good to others he is capa- ble of. i The famous Cornelia, daughter to the great Scipio, and mother to the GRACHI, is univerſally known. Her extraction was the nobleſt in Rome, and her family the richeſt. A lady of Campania, coming to make her a viſit, and lodging in her houſe, diſplayed with pomp whatever was then moſt faſhionable and valuable for the toilette ; gold and ſilver, jewels, diamonds, bracelets, pendants, and all that apparatus which the ancients called Mun- DUM MULIEBREM. She expected to find ſome- what ſtill finer in the houſe of a perſon of her qua- lity, and deſired very importunately to ſee her toi- lette. Cornelia artfully prolonged the converſa- tion ACTIONS AND SAYINGS tion till ſuch time as her children came home, who were then gone to the public ſchools, and pointing to them as they entered, “ See here,” ſays ſhe, 66 are my jewels." ET HÆC INQUIT, ORNAMEN, TA MEA SUNT. 1 Archelaus king of Macedon, as he fat one day at his table drinking, one of his courtiers, whom he indulged to be familiar with him, requeſted the king to beſtow on him a golden cup, which was upon the board; but the king gave orders to one of his ſervitors, to give it freely to the poet EURIPI- des: The other perſon marvelled thereat ; but ſays ARCHELAUS, “ Think it not ſtrange, for thou de- ſerveſt to aſk and go without; but he is worthy to have, although he craved not. ANTIGONUS king of Macedon, having lain fick a long time of a lingering diſeaſe, when he recover- ed, “I have gotten no harm,” quoth he,” “ by this long ſickneſs; for it hath taught me not to be fo proud as I have been, by putting me in mind that I am but mortal." And to one that wondered at his mildneſs in his old age, ſeeing he was very ſevere when young, he anſwered, “That mildneſs was the ſureſt way of preferving what was got by force.!? And he told one of his ſons, a proud young man, $ That to be a king, was to be but a royal ſlave ; and that if he knew the weight of a crown, he would be cautious how he put it on his head," SOCRA OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 68 SOCRates being told, “That the oracle at Del- phos had declared him the wiſeft man in Greece, ſaid, “ There was nothing in him to verify that de- claration, but this, that all he knew, was, that he knew nothing; whilft others that were not wiſe, conceived themſelves to be fo.” AGATHOcles tyrant of Sicily, being from a mean fortune advanced to the royal dignity, would be ſerved with earthen ware; being aſked the rea- fon for ſuch an act of condeſcenſion, “I hope," ſaid he, “ that my recollection of being once a poor potter, will check that pride, which the vain pomp of royalty might poſſibly raiſe in me. I DL E N E s S. TH HE firſt Scipio AFRICANUS uſed to ſay, " That he was never leſs idle, than when at leiſure, nor leſs alone, than when alone." " A fine faying,” cries CICERO, “and well worthy of that great man.” It ſhews, that when inactive, he yet was employed, and that when alone, he knew how to converſe with himſelf. Labour,” ſays PŁATO, “ is preferable to idle- nefs, as brightneſs is to ruſt." > See before Diligence and INDUSTRY. INGRA 62 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS I N G R A T I T U D E. T the time the Athenians were moſt full of their famous captain ThemisŢOCLES, yet taking pleaſure in raiſing ſlanders and contumelious reproaches of him, he ſaid unto them, “ That he was like unto thoſe good and broad plane trees, under whoſe boughs men are wont to ſhelter them- ſelves in time of ſtorm and rain ; but when the wea- ther grows fair, they pull off its leaves and fruit, and cut down its faireft branches." - ! 9 Tacitus ſays, “ That benefits are fo far ac- ceptable, as they are in a capacity of being return- ed; but once exceeding that, hatred inſtead of thanks is returned." Quintus Cicero, brother to the orator, ſays, · He who thinks himſelf behind hand in obligation, can by no means be a friend ; for that none but truly noble minds are capable of gratitude.” And Seneca boldly ſays, “He who thinks it a ſhame not to requite, would not have that man live to whom he owes return." L Cato faid, that “ The beſt way of keeping good acts in the memory of a ſordid mind, is to refreſhi them with new." IRRELL- 1 OF GREAT AND WIS E MEN. 63 IRR E L I G I ON A N D 1 UN B E L I E V E R S. 1 COLE ICER O ſays, “ He can hardly think that man to be in his right mind, who is deftitute of religion.” They lie,” ſays Seneca, “ who ſay, that they believe there is no God; though they may profeſs this ſomewhat confidently in the day time and when they are in company, yet in the night and when alone, they have doubtful thoughts about it." And again, “ That it were adviſeable in all un- believers, to be ſure there is no GOD, before they preſume to defy him, left they find him at laſt, to aſſert his being, to their -utter ruin and deſtruc tion." JUDGES AND JUSTICE. TI HE kings of Egypt, according to an antient law and ordinance of their country, cauſed the judges to be ſworn when they were inſtalled in their offices; that howſoever the king commanded them to do injuſtice, yet they ſhould obſerve the laws inviolably: Philip king of Macedon, had beſtowed the dig- nity of a judge upon a perſon who had been re- commended 64 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS commended to him, but hearing that he was ſo ef- feminate, as to colour or die his beard and the hairs of his head, diſplaced him ; ſaying, “He that will be falſe to his own hairs, is not fit to be truſted ini weighty affairs." The fame Philip liaving given an unjuſt fen- tence againſt one MACHÆTAS, who pleaded his cauſe before him, but who had obſerved the king dezing at intervals during the trial, having been juſt before intoxicated at a feaſt, cried out in a loud voice, * I appeal.”—“How,” ſaid Philip, “ from your king?"_" From PHILIP alleep;” ſaid he, to Philip awake."--PHILIP, touched with theſe words, aroſe from his feat, and coming better to himſelf, and hearing what MACHÆTAS had to ſay, found he had done him manifeſt injury, by giving fentence againſt him ; howbeit, revoke he would Rot, nor reverſe the judgment ſince it had paſſed ; but paid MACHÆTAS out of his own purſe, the coſts and damages of the ſuit. Simonides the poet, having requeſted Themt. : STOCLES the great Athenian captain, to give judga ment on his fide, in an unlawful and an unjuſt cauſe, he made him this anſwer, “ Neither were you, O! SIMONIDES, a good poet or muſician, in caſe you ſing againſt the rules of meaſure; nor I a good magiſtrate, if I ſhould judge againſt the laws.” AGESI LAUS king of Sparta, ufed to ſay, " That juſtice was the chief of virtues, and that valour with- out juſtice was uſeleſs; and that if all the world were juft, there would be no need of valour." And A : 5 1 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 65 And when any would ſay to him, “The great king (meaning the Perſian,) will have it ſo," he would ſmartly reply, “ How is he greater than I, unleſs he be juſter ?” He took the meaſure of great- neſs in the true ſenſe, which is to be computed by juſtice, not by force. When AGESILAUS king of Sparta, was ſolicited by his father on a public trial to give ſentence cona trary to law; “ My dear fir;" replied the king, you have taught me from my childhood to ad hiere inviolably to the laws of my counity; I ſhall now therefore obey you in the moſt honourable manner, by paſſing ſentence as they direct." Aristides being judge between two private perſons, one of them declared, “That his adverſa- ry had greatly injured ARISTIDES:" " Relate ra- ther, good friend,” faid he, interrupting him, * what wrong lie hath done thee? For it is thy cauſe, not mine, that I now fit the judge of.” ARTIBAR ZANES, an officer of ARTAXERXES king of Perfia, begged his majeſty to confer a fa- vour upon him, which, if complied with, would have been an act of injuſtice. The king being in- formed, that the promiſe of a conſiderable ſum of money was the only motive that induced the officer to make fò unreaſonable a requeſt, ordered his trea- ſurer to give him thirty thouſand Dariuſes ; being a preſent of equal value with that which he was to have received : And giving him the order for the money, “Here, fake," ſays the king, “ this token of my friendſhip for you ; a gift of this nature can- VOL. III. F not } 66 ACTIONS AND SAYING.S not make me poor; but complying with your re- queit, would make me poor indeed, for it would make me unjuſt." NOUSCHỊRVÀN the Perſian king, having been put a hunting, and deſirous of eating ſome of the veniſon in the field, ſeveral of his attendants went to a neighbouring village, and took away a quan- tity of ſalt to ſeaſon it. The king, ſuſpecting how they had acted, ordered that they ſhould immedi- ately go and pay for it. Then turning to his at- tendants, he ſaid, “ This is a ſmall matter in itſelf, but a great one as it regards me : For a king ought ever to be juſt, becauſe he is an example to his ſub- jects; and if he ſwerves in trifles, they will become diffolute. If I cannot make all my people juſt in the ſmalleſt things, I can, at leaſt, ſhew them it is poſſible to be fo.! 11 Mysias the brother of ANTIGONUS king of Macedon, deſired him to hear a cauſe, in which he was a party, in his chambers. “No, my dear brother,” anſwered ANTIGONUS," I will hear it in the open court of juſtice, becauſe I muſt do juf- tice." The emperor Trajan, when he affumed the imperial faſces in the preſence of the people, bound himſelf by a ſolemn oath, to obſerve the laws; de- claring, “ Thạt what was forbidden to private citi- zens, waș, at leaſt, equally forbidden to princes; who, as they cannot be raiſed above the laws of their country, are as much bound to conform to them, as the meaneſt of the people.” In 17 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 63 In conformity to this generous ſentiment, the fol- lowing conditions were annexed, by his own deſire, to the public vows, which were offered at the be- ginning of every year, for the health and proſpe- rity of the emperor, viz. “ If he obſerves the laws, if he governs the ſtate with juſtice and fidelity, and if he makes the happineſs of his people the principal object of his attention." It is likewiſe recorded, to his honour, that, during a long and proſperous reign, he would ne- ver fuffer any one to be condemned upon mere ſuſpicions, however ſtrong and well grounded; fay- ing, “ That he had rather a thouſand criminals ſhould eſcape unpuniſhed, than one innocent perſon ſhould be condemned." When CALLICRATIDAS a Spartan admiral, was ſo much diſtreſſed for money, that he was unable to provide neceſſaries for the fleet, he received a vi- ſit from fome of LYSANDER's partiſans, who made him an offer of fifty talents, (a very conſiderable ſum), on condition that he would ſurrender up a perſon of the oppoſite faction to be put to death. But CALLICRATIDAS, preferring the pleas of equity, and the dictates of honour, to the acquiſiti- on of a temporary gain, nobly refuſed to comply. “ If I had been CALLICRATIDAS," ſaid CLEAN- DER, (who happened to be preſent on the occaſion), 66 I'would have accepted the money :** “. And ſo would I,” replied the gallant Spartan, “if I had been CLEANDER." Cambyses, one of the kings of Perſia, who was famous for his unalterable regard to juſtice, having F2 been 68 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS been informed, “ That a favourite whom he raiſed to the office of a judge, had proſtituted the honour of his government, and the rights and properties of his fellow ſubjects, in fuch a daring manner, that cauſes were bought and ſold in the courts of judica- ture, as openly as proviſions in the market,” was ſo much exaſperated, that he not only ordered him to be fèized and publicly degraded, but to have his ſkin ſtripped over his ears, and the ſeat of judg- ment covered with it, as a warning to others. But to convince the world, that he was influenced to, this extraordinary act of ſeverity by no other mo- tive than the love of juſtice, he afterwards appoint- ed the ſon to ſucceed to the office of his fa- ther. CAIUS LUCIUS, the nephew of the famous CAIUS MARIUS, a Roman conſul, having at- tempted the moſt infamous debauchery upon a young foldier of great perſonal beauty, whoſe name was TREBONIUŞ, the gallant youth, being fired with indignation at the ſcandalous inſult which was offered him, ſtabbed the villain to the heart. As LUÇius was a military tribune, his death made a great noiſe: But the conſul, though much affected with the loſs of his nephew, and warmly ſolicited by his fatterers to puniſh TREBONIUS as a daring mutineer, not only acquitted him, but rewarded his courage, by placing upon his head, with his own liand, one of thoſe honorary crowns, which were beſtowed upon ſoldiers who had ſignalized them- ſelves by ſome uncommon act of bravery. The whole army applauded the juflice of their general; and ) OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 69 and the news being afterwards carried to Rome, the people were ſo highly pleafed with it, that Ma- RIUS was choſen conſul the next year, and ho- noured with the command of the army in. Tranſal- pine Gaul. Philip king of Macedon, being urged to inter- poſe his credit and authority with the judges, in be- half of one of his attendants, whoſe reputation, it was ſaid, would be certainly ruined by a regular. courſe of juſtice, “ Very probably,” replied the king; 6 but of the two, I had rather he ſhould loſe his reputation, than I mine." Leon, one of the Spartan kings; being once aſked, “ Under what government the ſubjects might live moſt ſecurely ?” 4. Under that;" faid he, “ where juſtice guides the helm, and the op- poſite vice is moſt effectually humbled and dif- armed." See hereafter Kings and PRINCES. 1 KINGS MO ACTIONS AND SAYINGS KINGS AND PRINCES. TH HE great Cyrus was wont to ſay, “ That it appertained to none by right to command and rule, unleſs they were better than thoſe whom they ruled." ARTAXERXES, the brother to the younger Cy- ŘUS, and who, for his ſingular memory, was ſur- named MNEMON, not only gave free acceſs and au- dience to all ſuitors; and thoſe who had any thing to do with him, but which is more, commanded his lawful wedded wife, to take away the rich hangings and curtains that covered her chariot, to the end, that, whoſoever would, might have the full ſight both of him and her, and ſpeak with them on the way. PARISATES, the mother of Cyrus the younger, and ARTAXERXEs, uſed commonly to ſay, “That whoever would ſpeak freely and make remon- ſtrances unto a king, ought to uſe ſilken words.” ORONTES, ſon-in-law to king ARTAXERXES by marriage with his daughter, being, upon the king's wrathful diſpleaſure, condemned and deprived of his eſtate, ſaid, “That the minions of kings and princes, reſembled very properly, the fingers of thoſe who counted by arithmetic; for like as they made a finger ſtand for one, and another while for ten thouſand, even ſo thoſe who are about princes at one time, can do all at once, and another time again as little, or rather juſt nothing." After OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 11 After Philip king of Macedon had vanquiſhed the Greeks, ſome gave him counſel to plant ſtrong garriſons in their cities, for more furety to curb and bridle them : But he anſwered, “I had rather be called a long time a good and gracious prince, than a little while a fovereign lord.” When ANTIGONUS was king of Macedon, one of his flatterers having ſaid in his preſence, “ That áll things were honeſt and juſt with kings,” “True, indeed,” quoth he; “it is fo with kings of barba- rous nations; but unto us, that alone is honeſt and juſt, which is ſo by Nature and in itſelf.” Solon being ferit for by CRÆsus, adviſed and counſelled him wiſely, but was diſmiſſed with re- ſpect: At which Æsop ſaid to him, “ We muſt either tell kings nothing at all, or what we know will ſuit with their inclinations or pleaſe them.” > (6 Dionysius the tyrant, aſking ARISTIPPUš the philoſopher, Why philofophers were ſeen fre- quently making their court to princes, but princes. never enquiring after philoſophers ?” ARISTIPPUS made anſwer, « Thàt philoſophers very well under- Itood their own wants, but princes did not unders ſtand theirs." Who would not defire the horiour that Acesi- L A US kirig of Sparta had? who was fined by the Ephori, for having folen away all the hearts of the people to himſelf alone; of whom it is ſaid, “ That he ruled his country by obeying it." Some perſon wondering in the preſerice of Alex- ANDER THE GREAT, at his acquiring fo young fo >si 72 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 fo large an empire, and adding, that it was ſtill ſtranger he preſerved it, he thereupon turned about and ſaid, “ By two maxims :- I have taken care to treat my enemies ſo well, that they have found it their intereſt to become my friends; while, on the other hand, my care of my friends has been ſuch, as to raiſe out of gratitude a double affection for my intereft." When Porus king of India was taken priſoner by ALEXANDER THE GREAT, and that ALEXAN- Der aſked him, “How he expected to be uſed ?" he anſwered, “ Like a king.” “And haft thou nothing elſe to demand ?” ſaid Alexander. “No;" replied Porus,“ in the word king every thing is : comprehended.” i 1 The emperor TRAJAN, in giving his ſword to the colonel of the guards, according to the uſual cuſtom, uttered theſe glorious words, “ Take this fword, and if I uſe it like a juſt prince, employ it in my ſerviee; but if I abuſe my authority, draw it againſt me." He alſo ſaid, “ That he who gave laws to the reſt of the world, lay under greater obligations to obſerve them, than any of his ſubjects. Being reproached on a time by, ſome of his friends, for his too great condeſcenſion and good- nature, he anſwered, " That he lived with his ſub- jects juſt as he would have wiſhed them to live with him, if they had been the maſters,” His memory was held in fo great efteem by pof- terity, that when any perſon was promoted to this high OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 73 high dignity, amidſt the other acclamations that were made in the ſenate houſe, they uſed to wiſh, " That he would prove as happy as AUGUSTUS, and as good as TRAJAN." The emperor ADRIAN gave this reaſon for his travelling much through his vaſt dominions, “ That a prince ought to imitate the ſun, who carries his light through all the corners of the world, and illu- minates all the regions of the earth.” But in this, ANTONINUS Pius, his ſucceſſor, was of a different opinion, and gave the following reaſon: “Let a prince,” ſaid he,“ take ever ſo much care, yet his retinue will be a charge and burthen to the people." The ſame emperor, ANTONINUS Prus, uſed to fay, - That he would rather chooſe to preſerve the life of one Roman citizen, than kill a thouſand ene- mies.” And when his wife FAUSTINA blamed him, on his being too liberal, he laughed at her avarice. “ Don't you know," ſays he to her, " that now we are in poſſeſſion of the empire, we have nothing that we can call our own, all belongs to the people. talen He turned out of their places, all ſuch as were unſerviceable, ſaying, “ Nothing is ſo ſcandalous, and indeed fo cruel, as to ſuffer the commonwealth to maintain thoſe lazy mouths that did nothing at all for it.” 07 So great were the moderation and clemency of ADRIAN, that after his arrival to the empire, he would 74 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS would by no means revenge the injuries that had been done him before; and having once met a perſon who had offended him, “You have eſcaped, faid he, “ ſince I have been made emperor." The courtiers of PHILIP king of Macedon, ad- viſing him to revenge himſelf of a man of merit who had ſpoken ill of him; “ I muſt know,” ſays Philip, “ whether I have not given him cauſe for it;" when being informed that this perſon never had received any favours, though he deſerved them, he immediately took care to be no longer deficient in that reſpect. Hearing ſome time after, that this man beſtowed great eulogiums on him, “You ſee," faid Philip to the ſame courtiers,“ that I am bef- ter acquainted than you are, with the ſecret how to check flander.” He added, “ That kings had it in their power to procure love whenever they pleaſed; and that it was their own fault when they were not beloved.” Seleucus king of Syria uſed to ſay, “ That he that knew the weight of a ſceptre, would not deign to take it up." Which he ſaid in reference to the great and painful duty of a good king. And king Hiero in Xenophon uſed to ſay, “ That in the fruition even of pleaſures, kings are in a worſe condition than private men; for that the opportunities and facility they have of commando ing thoſe things at will, take off from the delight.' Alſo, “ That his royalty had ſtripped him of all friendſhip, and deprived him of all natural ſociety; wherein the true and moſt perfect fruition of hu- man life conſiſts: And that the honours and reſpects which OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 75 which kings receive, are paid to their royalty, and not to them.” The emperor JULIAN, being one day applauded for his exact juſtice, “ I ſhould be proud of theſe praiſes,” ſaid he, “ did they come from perſons that durft condemn, or diſapprove the contrary in caſe I ſhould do it." The ſenate having awarded the prize of elo- quence to TIBERIUS, he paid little or no regard to it ; ſuppoſing, “ That though it had been juít, he could derive no advantage from a judgment ſo par- tial, and that was ſo little free to judge. A prince learning to play on a muſical inſtru- ment, touched the wrong chord; the muſician re- primanded him. " What ſignifies,” replied the prince, “ whether I ſtrike this or that chord ?” “ If you do it as a king,” ſaid the maſter, the right; but if as a muſician, you are wrong.” Though Philip king of Macedon loved flattery on particular occafions, he nevertheleſs kept a man in his ſervice, to tell him every day before he gave audience, “ PHILIP, remember thou art mortal.” you are in AGESILAUS king of the Lacedemonians, on his death bed, forbade any ſtatues to be erected to his memory, as deſiring no other monuments than thoſe of his own actions. ALEXANDER the twelfth Roman emperor, one of the greateſt princes that ever lived, was moſt ſpar- ing of the public money, though liberal of his own. He 26 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 He retrenched all the penſions which HeLIOGA- ROLUS, that infernal prince, his predeceſſor, had fetiled on buffoons, ſtage players, charioteers, gla- diators, &c. ſaying, “ That the emperor was but the fteward of the people, and therefore could not, without the utmoſt injuſtice, thus wantonly ſquan- der away their revenue upon perſons no ways uſeful to them.” The great ScipIO AFRICANUS, being accuſed before the ſenate of Rome, upon ſome important affair, inſtead of accuſing himſelf or flattering his judges, “ How little does it become you," ſaid he to them, "to fit in judgment on his head, by whoſe means you are invested with authority to judge the whole world ?" . Another time being accuſed before the people of Rome, inſtead of anſwering to the charge, “ I re- | member," ſaid he,“ that on ſuch a day as this, I gained a ſignal victory over the enemies of the commonwealth; let us go then," added he, ad- vancing towards the temple of Jupiter, “ and re- turn thanks to the Gods for it." Upon which, the people, inſtead of judging, attended him thi- ther. Philip king of Macedon, enquiring of ARISTIP- PUS the philoſopher, “By what means he might enjoy a long reign?" The fage immediately re- plied, “ By doing good to all, and truſting few." The ſame king, having aſked his ſon ALEXAN- DER, " What he had learned to the moſt perfecti- on?" OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. on?” “ To ride;" anſwered he, becauſe his horſes did not flatter him. The emperor AUGUSTUS having ſupped at a ſe- nator's houſe, who had treated him but indifferently, faid, when he left him, as reproaching him for his covelouſneſs), “ I did not imagine we had been ſo intimate.” NeryA the Roman emperor, who was of a mild diſpoſition, having fucceeded the tyrant DOMITI- AN, it was ſaid, “ That it was almoſt as great a misfortune to live under the government of a prince, who would not allow his ſubjects the leafi liberty, as under one who granted too much.” The emperor VESPASIAN being told by his fon Titus, “ That the people murmured at ſome tax as a hard one,” he replied, " Why let them ſpeak, they ought to have ſome pleaſure for their money." CONSTANTIUS the Roman emperor, having lig- nified, " That all his officers who were chriſtians, ſhould change their religion, or that they ſhould loſe thieir offices ;” and ſome of them having complin, ed, the emperor turned them inſtantly out with diſgrace; ſaying, “That thoſe who were not true to their God, would never be fo to their prince." The ambaſſadors from ArTAXERXES king of Perſia, were received at the court of Philip of Ma- cedon, in his abſence, by his fon ALEXANDER : They admired him all the while for the queſtions he put to them; and perceiving, even at that time, how great 78 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS great he might one day become, they obſerved in a few words, the difference between ALEXAN- Der and ARTAXERXES, by ſaying one to ano- ther, “ This young prince is great, and ours is rich." ! ARISTON, king of Lacedemon, being told, “That it was the duty of a king, to do good to his friends and evil to his enemies," anſwered, “ It was moſt becoming a prince, to preſerve his friends, and endeavour to gain his enemies by kind of- fices.” 66 Another time, having been aſked, “How many Lacedemonians he had?" made anſwer, As many as were neceſſary to repel his enemies. And being told, that funeral orations had been made for the Athenians, who fell as fighting valiantly againſt the Lacedemonians, “ If the vanquiſhed are ſo highly honoured,” ſays he, “ what applauſe do the victorious deſerve ?" One night as Titus the eleventh emperor of Rome was at ſupper, he remembered himſelf that he had done good to nobody that day. “My friends," ſaid he, to thoſe who were about him, “ Į have loſt a day.” DIEM PERDIDI, Juſt before the battle of Cunaxa, between Cyrus and his brother ARTAXERXES, CLEARCHUS, who aſſiſted CYRUS with ten thouſand Greeks, adviſed him not to charge in perſon, but to cover himſelf at the rear of the Grecian battalions. " What is it you ſay?” replied Cyrus, " At the time I am en- deavouring OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 79 deavouring to make myſelf king, would you have me ſhew myſelf unworthy of being fo?” When Severus the twenty-firſt emperor of Rome, and a great conqueror, was dying, he cried out, “I have been all that a man can be, but it Nands me in no ſtead now." Then he ordered his urn to be brought to him, wherein his aſhes were to be incloſed, and taking it between his hands, "Little urn," ſays he, “thou ſhalt contain that, which the whole world was not able to contain." 1 On his death, it was ſaid of him as had been be- fore faid of AUGUSTUS CÆSAR, " That it had been very advantageous for the republick, if he had ne-- ver been born, or had never died;" becauſe, as on the one hand he had been ſerviceable to the com- monwealth, ſo on the other, he had been ſomewhat too cruel. See before ADMONITION and ADVICE, AMBI- TION, EDUCATION, &c. EMPLOYMENTS. and Offices, Fame and RepUTATION, FLAT- TERY, GREAT Men and Men of Power, and Judge and Judges. Κ Ν NOW L E D G E, See before EDUCATION. LAW 80 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS L AW AND LAW YER S. 1 А 66 Let LAWYER and a phyſician having a dif- pute about precedency, they referred the merits of the cauſe to Drogenes, who gave ſen- tence in favour of the lawyer in theſe terms, the thief go before, and the executioner follow.” ARCHIDAMUS king of Sparta, being aſked, 66 Who was the mafter of Sparta ?”. “ The laws,” ſaid he, “and next them the magiſtrates.' 1 ANACHARSIS told Solon, " That laws are like cobwebs, where the ſmall and ſimple flies are only. caught; whilft hornets and the other boiſterous great ones, break their way through them.” L E A R N I N G. A See before EDUCATION. 3 L U S T. A DRIAN the emperor, aſked EPICTETUS, “ Why the goddeſs Venus was repreſented by painters perfectly naked ?” Becauſe," ſaid he, * The ſtrips all ſuch of every thing they have, who are too fond of her careſſes." LUXURY OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 81 LUXUR U RY. W HAT deſtroyed the great republick of Athens, but the conduct of Pericles, who, by his pernicious politicks, firſt debauched the peo- ple's minds with ſhews and feſtivals, and all the ſtudied arts of eaſe and luxury; that he might, in the mean time, ſecurely guide the reins of empire, and riot in dominion? He it was that laid the foun- dation of Philip's power: Nor had the man of Ma- cedon ever thought of enſlaving Greece, if PERI- cles had not firſt made them ſlaves to plea- ſure. It was from the victory over ANTIOCHUS, and the conqueſt of Aſia, that Pliny dates the corrup- tion of the manners of the Roman commonwealth; and of the fatal change that happened in it, by in- troducing at Rome, with the riches it brought thi- ther, a taſte for luxury and voluptuouſneſs; ſo that Aſia, conquered by the arms of Rome, in its turn conquered Rome by its vices. When CYRUS had received an account that the Lydians had revolted from him, he told CRÆSUS, with a good deal of emotion, “That he had almoſt determined to make them all flaves.". CRÆSUS begged him to pardon them. " But,” ſays he, " that they may no more rebel or be troubleſome to you, command them to lay aſide their arms, to wear long veſts and buſkins; that is, to vie with each other in the elegance and richneſs of their VOL. III. G dreſs. 82 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS dreſs. Order them to ſing and play on the harp, let them drink and debauch, and you will ſoon ſee their ſpirits broken, and themſelves changed from men to women.” And the event anſwered the ad- vice, The luxury of Capua deſtroyed the braveſt ar- my which Italy ever ſaw: Fluſhed with conqueſt, and commanded by HANNIBAL, the moment Ca- pua was taken, that moment the walls of Carthage trembled : They caught the infection, and grew fond of pleaſure, which rendered them effemi- nate, and of courſe an eaſy prey to their ene- mies. 1 39 “ Pray what were you made for?” ſays the emperor AURELIUS : " For your pleaſures?" Common ſenſe will not bear fo fcandalous an an- (wer. ANTIPATER, king of Macedon, faid of DEMA-, DES the famous Athenian orator, who had been a common mariner, and was a friend to ANTIPA- TER, by being a traitor to his country, “ That he was ſure of his friendſhip whilſt he could ſupply him with good cheer, and money ;" for each of which he had a violent paflion: But Demades having at length ſpent his whole ſubſtance in riot and luxury, ANTIPATER compared him to the fa- crifices, of which nothing remained but the tongue and the paunch. As the great Roman emperor PROBUS, during his war with Perſia, was ſitting at dinner upon thie bare ground, and eating a meſs of pork and peas, OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 83 peas, word was brought him that the Perſian ambal- fadors were arrived. Without changing either his poſture or dreſs, which was no other than a purple coat, but made of woollen, and a cap which he wore for want of hair, he ordered them to be in- troduced; and taking off his cap, told them, “ That he was the emperor, and they might go and tell their maſter, that if he did not take care, he would in a month's time, lay all his fields as naked of trees and corn, as his head was of hairs." He then invited them to eat part of his dinner, in caſe they were hungry; if not, they had nothing to do but to go back immediately. The ambaſſadors made their report to their prince, who was ſo terri- fied at a people, who were ſuch profeſſed enemies to luxury and pleaſure, that he came in perſon to meet the emperor, and granted him whatever he de- manded. Diogenes being aſked at a feaſt, “Why he did not continue eating as the reſt did ?” thus anſwered the perſon who queſtioned him, “ Pray, why do you eat ?” “Why,” ſays he, Why,” ſays he, “ for my pleaſure:" “ And I,” ſays DIOGENES, “ abſtain for my plea- ſure:” : ARTAXERXES, the brother of the younger Cy- RUS, upon a time, when he was put to flight, and all his baggage ranſacked, and proviſion loft, info- much, that for want of other viands, he was fain to eat a few dry figs and barley bread, in a rapture thus expreſſed himſelf, “O! what a deal of plea- ſure have I heretofore miſſed, and never ſo much as once taſted !" Among G 2 84 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS lib. 4 Among the ancient Gauls, STRABO relates, “ That the young men were fined for ex- ceeding the meafure of their girdles; becauſe they took it for granted, that ſuch a large paunch at ſuch early years, could proceed only from lazineſs and gor- mandizing.” The Iberians uſed a girdle of a certain meaſure, and whoever ſuffered himſelf to grow beyond theſe bounds, was looked upon as highly infamous. Seneca ſays, " That the pleaſures of the palate deal with us like Ægyptian thieves, who ftrangle thoſe they embrace." Alſo, “ That we have as many diſeaſes as w liave cooks and diſhes." The Ægyptians at their feaſts, to prevent ex- ceffes, fet a ſkeleton before their gueſts, with this motto, “ Remember ye muſt be ſhortly fuch.” On a time, when the Romans were by their lux- ury in a ſtate of diſtreſs, Cato the cenſor ſaid, “ It was hard to ſave a city, where a fiſh was ſold for more than an ox." And ſeeing a huge fat fellow pampered with lux- ury, ſaid, “ Of what ſervice can a body be, that is nothing but belly ?" At another time, when a certain voluptuous epi- cure courted his friendſhip, he peremptorily ſaid, " That he could not live with a man whoſe palate had a quicker ſenſation than his heart.” See hereafter MAGNANIMITY and TRUE GREATNESS. MAGNA- OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 8 M A G Ν Α Ν Ι Μ Ι Τ Υ Α Ν D TRUE GREATNESS. SCH cure his brother the conduct of the important war which was to be waged againſt ANTIOCHUS THE GREAT, engaged to ſerve under him as one of his lieutenants. In this ſubaltern poſt, he was ſo far from endeavouring to divide the honour of the victory with his brother, that he made it both a dú- ty and a pleaſure to leave the whole glory of it en- tirely to him, and to make him his equal in every reſpect, by the defeat of an enemy no leſs formida- ble than HANNIBAL, and by the title of ASIATI. cus, as glorious as that of AfricanUS. M. AURELIUS, by a like delicacy, and as gene- rous a diſregard of glory, denied himſelf the plea- ſure of attending upon his daughter LUCILLA into the Eaſt, whom he married to Lucius Verus, who was at that time engaged in the war with PAR- THIA, left his preſence Thould give a check to the growing reputation of his ſon-in-law, and ſeem to draw upon himſelf the honour of putting an end to that important war, to the other's preju- dice. What Tully ſays of the perfect union which fubſiſted between him and HORTENSIUS, and the mutual care they took to affiſt one another at the bar, to communicate reciprocally what they knew, and to raiſe the credit of each other, is a very rare exampie 86 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS example in perſons of the ſame profeſſion, and at the ſame time very worthy of imitation : And Cor- NELIUS NEPOS the hiſtorian obſerves, “That AT- TICUS, their common friend, was the band of this intimate union; and that it was by his means, that the emulation of glory in theſe two famous orators, was not impaired by any mean ſentiments of envy and jealouſy." MEMNON, a certain great captain, who under DARIUS warred againſt ALEXANDER THE GREAT, when one of his mercenary ſoldiers came into his preſence, and ſpoke in moſt opprobrious terms of ALEXANDER, ſmote him on the head with his lance, and faid, “Sirrah, I pay you wages to fight againſt ALEXANDER, and not to revile and miſcall him." Philip of Macedon having on a time deſired his ſon ALEXANDER, who was exceeding ſtrong and agile of body, to run a courſe in the race for the prize in the olympick games; “ I could be very content and willing,” quoth ALEXANDER, " ſo to do, in caſe kings were to run with me, and king- doms the prize." One evening, when it was very late, a young wench was brought unto the ſame ALEXANDER, when a very young man, to be his bed fellow, when he demanded of her the cauſe why ſhe came ſo late? She anſwered, " That ſhe tarried until her huſband was in bed :" Whereupon, he chid and re- buked the pages and grooms of his chamber, fay- ing, “ I was within a very little of committing adul- tery, and all by your means.” LALIUS, OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 87 LÆlius, the intimate friend of the ſecond Sci- PIO, had twice pleaded in a very important cauſe, and the judges had twice ordered a more ample enquiry. The parties exhorting him not to be dif- couraged, he perſuaded them to put their affair into the hands of GALBA, who was a fitter perſon than he to plead for them, as he ſpoke with more force and vehemence. In ſhort, GALBA, in one ſingle audience, carried all their voices, and abſolutely gained his cauſe. Such a diſintereſted diſpoſition in point of reputation, muſt be owned to have fome. thing very great in it. “ But,” ſays CICERO, “it was then cuſtomary to do juſtice to another’s merit without ſcruple." The ingenuity and candour of Virgil, who was under no apprehenſion, by introducing HORACE to MÆCENAS, of raiſing himſelf a rival that might contend with him for wit and genius; and if not entirely carry away, at leaſt divide with him the favours and good graces of their common protector of genius and learning, is molt worthy of admira- tion. “ But,” ſays HORACE, we do not live thus at MÆCENAS's; never was houſe more removed from mean ſentiments than his ; nor a purer nor more noble manner of living any where practiſed : The merit and credit of one never gave offence to another; every one has his place, and is content with it." - ALEXANDER THE GREAT having ſent a preſent of an hundred talents to PHOCION, that moſt excel- lent orator, as well as chief of his commanders, he aſked thoſe who brought them to him, “ Whar reaſon 88 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS reaſon ALEXANDER had for ſo diſtinguiſhing him?" and being anſwered, “ That it was for the ſervice he had done, and that he was the only perſon in Athens whom ALEXANDER acknowledged to be an honeſt man." “ If he had acknowledged me to be ſuch,” ſaid Phocion, “in my mean condition, he ſhould have left me in the ſame circumſtances ;!* and while he was ſpeaking thus, he drew water out of the well himſelf, and his wife was making bread. Another time, upon a future occaſion, ALEXAN- Der having again ſent him a conſiderable preſent, and they who were around him preſſing him to take it, on account of the ſmallneſs of his circumſtances, he made this wife anfwer, “ I have as much as I can uſe with reaſon ; if I had more it would be ſuper- fluous; and to accept this preſent, would give more cauſe of jealouſy, both of your maſter and myſelf, to the reſt of the citizens." 1 And after the death of ALEXANDER, ANTIPA- ter, one of his ſucceſſors, having alſo ſent him a large ſum of money, Phocion likewiſe refuſed it and it being repreſented to him by the perſon who brought it, " That if he would not take it for him- ſelf, he ought to accept it for his children,” he an- ſwered, “ That if his children imitated him, they would have enough as well as he; and if they must be debauched, he would leave them nothing where- with to entertain their debaucheries." CATO the cenfor, finding that his enemies hated him becauſe he roſe before day, not to take care of his OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 89 his own affairs, but thoſe of the commonwealth, faid, " That he had rather do well, and not be re- warded, than do ill and not be puniſhed; and that he could pardon other mens faults, but not forgive his own." " That ; Having taken a great booty in his expedition into Spain, he divided it among the ſoldiers, ſo that every man had a pound of ſilver, ſaying, it was better that all of them fhould return home with a little ſilver, than only a few with a great deal of gold.” Speaking of thoſe who fought for ſtatues to be erected to them, he ſaid, “That they were not aware that they gloried in the workmanſhip of ſtatuaries, founders and painters; and that for his part, he would chooſe to glory in leaving a beauti- ful image of himſelf, in the breaſts of his fellow-ci- tizens." 37 : And to ſuch as expreſſed their ſurpriſe, that fo many obſcure perſons of no merit at all ſhould have ſtatues, and he ſhould have none; he uſed to ſay, " I had rather it ſhould be aſked, why no ſtatue has been erected to CATO, than why there has?" To whom ought not perfidy to be hateful, when even TIBERIUS himſelf refuſed it in an affair of the greateſt importance to him? Advice was ſent him from Germany, that if he thought fit, they would rid him of ARMENIUS by poiſon. ARMENIUS was the greateſt and moſt powerful enemy the Romans had ! 5 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS go had to deal with; he had deſtroyed their legions un- der the conduct of Varus, and was the only ob- ſtacle to the enlargement of their dominions in that vaſt country. But Tiberius made anſwer, “ That the Romans were uſed to take vengeance on their enemies by open and honourable means, with their fwords in their hands, and not by fraud and de- ceit." CYRUS THE GREAT, king of Perſia, uſed to ſay, “ That he preferred his-bounty and benefits much before his valour." And the elder Scipio wherever he would raiſe his eſteem, ſet a higher value upon his affability and humanity, than his proweſs and victories; and had always this glorious ſaying in his mouth, $6 That he had given his enemies as much occaſion to love him as his friends." DARIUS, king of Perfia, fent ſeveral very confi- derable preſents to EPAMINONDAS general of the Thebans, with a view of bribing him. " If DA RIUS,” ſaid that great captain, to thoſe that brought him the preſents, “ is inclined to be friends with the Thebans, he need not buy my friendſhip; and if he entertain any other thoughts, he has not riches enough to corrupt me :" And ſo fent them back to their maſter with what they had brought. After the defeat of POMPEY THE GREAT, the troops which followed Scipio into Africa having run away, CATO, who ſaw the victory in CÆSAR'S hands, killed himſelf rather than be vanquilhed by his 5 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 9$' his enemy. CÆSAR, hearing of that great man's fall, cried out, “Oh CATO! I envy thy death, ſince thou haft envied me the honour of giving thee life. CLEOmenes, king of Sparta, fent a herald to ac- quaint the people of Megalopolis, that he would re- ſtore them the poſſeſſion of their city, provided they would renounce their league with the Achæans, and enter into friendſhip and confederacy with Sparta. But notwithſtanding this offer was ex- tremely advantageous, they declined it without the leaſt heſitation : And rather choſe to ſee themſelves deprived of their eſtates; in thort, of every thing that was dear and valuable to them, than violate the faith they had ſworn to their allies. The famous PHILOPÆMON, who was then at Mel- fene, contributed not a little to this generous reſo lution. 1 CAMILLUS the Roman dictator, brought the Fi- denates and the city of Faliſci into ſubjection, by the following noble action: A ſchoolmaſter put the moſt conſiderable children for their birth in the town in his hands, expecting a mighty reward for his pains; but CAMILLUS ordered him to be ſtrip- ped ſtark naked, and ſo to be foundly whipped from his camp to the city, whither he ſent him with all his boys. After PYRRHUS king of Epyrus, the ally to the Tarentines, had defeated the Romans, and FA- BRICIUS the conſul had got the command of the army, PYRRHUS's phyſician came to FABRICIUS, offering 92 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS offering to poiſon his own maſter; but the generous conſul ſent him back to PYRRHUS, who ordered him to be inſtantly hanged." The Athenians having declared for Pompey againſt CÆSAR, after Pompey was vanquished at the battle of Pharſalia, CÆSAR having it then in his power to puniſh his enemies, moſt nobly ſaid, Truly, the Athenians deſerve to be chaſtiſed; yet, in conſideration of the merit of the dead, I pardon the living." They were undoubtedly a people ne- yer ſurpaſſed, if equalled, in excellence of every kind. a" POLYxenUS, DIONYSIUS's brother in law, who had married his fifter THESTA, having joined in a conſpiracy againſt him, fled from Sicily, to avoid falling into the tyrant's hands. DIONYSIUS ſent for his ſiſter, and reproached her very much for not appriſing him of her huſband's intended flight, as ſhe could not have been ignorant of it. She replied, without expreſſing the leaſt ſurpriſe or fear, “ Have I then appeared ſo bad a wife to you, and of ſo mean a foul, as to have abandoned my huſband in his flight, and not to have deſired to ſhare in his dan. gers and misfortunes? No! I knew nothing of it! or I ſhould have been much happier in being called the wife of PolyXENUS the exile, in all places, than in Syracuſe, the fifter of the Tyrant.” Dio. NYSIUS could not but adrnire an anſwer ſo full of {pirit and generoſity; and the Syracufans in gene- ral, were ſo charmed with her magnanimity, that after the tyranny was ſuppreſſed, the fame honours, equipage, and train of a queen, which ſhe had be- fore, OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 93 ; fore, were continued to her during her life ; and after her death, the whole people attended her body to her tomb, and honoured her funeral with an ex- traordinary appearance. When EPAMINOND AS the Theban general, was dying of the wound he had received at the battle of Mantinea, where he had defeated the Lacedemoni- ans, as he had before done at the battle of Leuctra, he ſaid to a friend of his, that bewailed his dying without iſſue, “ You are deceived; I leave two daughters behind, the victories of Leuctra and Mantinea." When AGESILAUS was declared king, he was put into poffeffion of the whole eſtate of his bro- ther Acis, of which Leotychides was deprived, as a baſtard; but ſeeing the relations of that prince, on the fide of his mother LAMPITO, were all very poor, he divided the whole inheritance with them, and by that act of generoſity, acquired great repu- tation, and the good will of all the world, inſtead of the envy and hatred he might have drawn upon himſelf by the inheritance. Theſe ſort of ſacrifices are glorious, though rare; and can never be ſuffici- ently admired. ARISTIDES, an Athenian, ſurnamed the juſt, notwithſtanding he managed the public treaſury, and had been all along in great employments, died ſo poor, that he was buried at the public charge. The ſtates alſo took care to marry his two daugh- ters, and allowed his ſon a good maintenance. LEONIDAS ACTIONS AND SAYINGS LEONIDAS the Lacedemonian king, being aſked by XERXES, monarch of Perſia, “ Why brave men preferred death before life ?” “ Becauſe,” ſaid he, " they have the one of Fortune, but the other of Virtue." PAPIRIUS CARBO; the Roman conſul, being impeached as an accomplice in the aſſaſſination of the ſecond AFRICANUS, and having affronted one of his ſervants, he ſtole the box in which his maſter kept all his papers, and carried it to LICINIUS Crassus, who was employed to make good the in- dictment. Crassus had conceived an implacable hatred to PAPIRius, and theſe papers would have furniſhed him with ample matter to gratify it; but the generous Roman had ſuch an abhorrence of the treachery, that he ſent back the ſlave in chains, and the box unopened ; ſaying, " That he had ra- ther let an enemy or a criminal eſcape unpuniſh- ed, than deſtroy him by baſe and diſhonourable means." 1 When Scipio was going to command in Spain during the war with NUMANTIA, ANTIOCHUS SIDE- tes ſent him rich and magnificent preſents. Some generals would have appropriated them to their own uſe ; Scipio received them in publick, ſitting upon his tribunal in the view of the whole army; and gave orders that they ſhould be delivered to the quæſtor, to be applied in rewarding thoſe officers and ſoldiers who ſhould diſtinguiſh themſelves in the ſervice. ABDOLONYMUS, who, though a common day- labourer, was deſcended from the Sidonian kings, whom OF GREAT AND WISE MĚ N. 95 whom ALEXANDER THE GREAT had conquered, declined accepting the throne, which ALEXANDER, by his meſſengers, had, on account of his great vir- tues, offered him; but ALEXANDER cauſed him to be elected, and to be brought before him ; when admiring his good preſence, he aſked him, “ How he could patiently endure ſo much miſery, as he had ſuffered ?” “ Would to the Gods!" replied he, “ that I may bear this crown with equal patience. Theſe hands have procured me all I deſired ; and whilft I poſſeſſed nothing, I wanted nothing.” This anſwer gave ALEXANDER ſo high an idea of AB. DOLONYMUS's virtue, that he preſented him not only with all the rich furniture which had belonged to STRATO, who had fided with DARIUS, and part of the Perſian plunder, but likewiſe annex- ed one of the neighbouring provinces to his domi- nions. The inhabitants of Privernum, being ſubdued and taken priſoners after a revolt, one of them be- ing aſked by a Roman fenator, who was for put- ting them all to death, “What puniſhment he and his fellow captives deſerved ?" anſwered with great intrepidity, “ We deſerve that puniſhment that is due to men who are jealous of their liberty, and think themſelves worthy of it." PLAUTINUS per- ceiving that his anſwer exaſperated ſome of the ſe. nators, endeavoured to prevent the ill effects of its by putting a milder queſtion to the priſoner : “ How would you behave,” ſays he, “if Rome ſhould par- don you ?” “ Our conduct,” replied the generous captive, “ depends upon yours.” SUBRIUS : 96 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS رو SUBRIUS FLAVIUS, the Roman Tribune, being impeached for having conſpired againſt the life of the emperor Nero, not only owned the charge, but gloried in it. Upon the emperor's aſking him what provocation he had given him to plot his death ? " Becauſe I abhorred thee ;” ſaid FLAVIUS, " though there was not in the whole army one more zealouſly attached to thee than I, ſo long as thou didſt merit affection; but I began to hate thee when thou becameſt the murderer of thy mother, thy brother and thy wife; a charioteer, a comedi- an, an incendiary, and a tyrant.” TACITUS " That the whole conſpiracy afforded nothing which proved ſo bitter and pungent to NERO, as this reproach.” He ordered Flavius to' be immediately put to death; which he ſuffered with amazing intrepidity. When the executioner deſired him to ſtretch out his neck valiantly, “I wiſh,” replied he, “ thou mayeſt ſtrike as vali- antly.” tells us, . SULPICIU S ASPER, the centurion, another of the conſpirators, being aſked by Nero, “Why he had conſpired againſt him ?” anſwered in a few words, “ Becauſe there was no other relief againſt thy abo. minable enormities." While Athens was governed by the thirty ty- rants, SOCRATËS the philoſopher was ſummoned to the ſenate houſe, and ordered to go with ſome other perſons, whom they named, to ſeize one LÈON, a man of rank and fortune, whom they de- termined to put out of the way, that they might en- joy his eſtate. The commiſſion SOCRATES flatly refuſed, 1 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 97 refuſed, and not ſatisfied therewith, added alſo his reaſons for ſuch refuſal. “I will never willingly, faid he, “ aſlift an unjuſt act." CHERICLES ſharp- ly replied, " Doſt thou think; SOCRATES, to talk always in this high ſtile, and not to ſuffer ?” “ Far from it,” added he, “ I expect to ſuffer a thouſand ills, but none ſo great as to do unjuſtly.” PYRRHUS, king of Epirus; finding that he could not by all his mighty offered. preſents corrupt FA- BRICIUS, faid, “ It would be as difficult to turn the ſun from his courſe, as FABRICIUS from the courſe of honour." See before CHASTITÝ and CONTỈNence, and KINGS and PRINCES. 1 MARRIAGE AND MARRIED S Τ Α Τ Ε T رو HALE S being aſked, “ When a mari ſhould marry ?” ſaid, “ Young men not yet, old men, not at all." Nicoles, king of SALAMINÉ in the iſland of Cyprus, gloried in having never known any wo- man beſides his wife, during his reign; and was amazed that all other contracts of civil ſociety ſhould be treated with due regard, while that of marriage, the moſt ſacred and inviolable of obliga- tions, was broken through with impunity. VOL. III. When 98 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS When the mother of DIONYSIUS the tyrant, acquainted him fhe wiſhed to marry a young man who was in love with her, he anſwered, “ That by his regal power, he could not abrogate thoſe of Na- ture, to make it fit for an old woman to marry a young man." Themistocles being aſked, how he would marry his daughter, whether to one of ſmall for- tune, but honeſt, or to one that was rich, but of an ill reputation? made anſwer, “I would rather have a man without an eſtate, than an eſtate with- out a man." At another time, he made anſwer to the like queſtion, “ That he who gets a good huſband for his daughter, hath gained a fon; and he who meets with a bad one, hath loft a daughter." ICARUS, king of Sparta, having married his dar- ling daughter Penelope to Ulysses, he ſolicited his ſon-in law to fix his houſhold in Sparta, to which ULYSSES would not confent. Fruſtrated in his application to the huſband, he made the like re- queſt to his daughter, conjuring her not to abandon him : But ſeeing them ready to depart, he redou- bled his efforts to detain her ; nor could he be pre- vailed on to defift from following the chariot in the way; ULYSses, ſhocked at the deſperate fituation of his father-in-law, and wearied with his importu- nities, ſaid to his wife, as her father came up to the chariot, “ You can beſt anſwer this requeſt; it is your's to determine, whether you will remain with your father at Sparta, or depart with your huſband for 1 OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 99 for Ithaca ? you are miſtreſs of the deciſion.” The beautiful PENELOPE, finding herſelf in this dilemma, bluſhed, and without making the leaſt reply, drew her veil over her face; thereby intimating a denial to her father's requeſt, and ſunk into the arms of her huſband; ICARUS being very ſenſibly affected by this behaviour, conſecrated a ſtatue to modeſty, on the very ſpot where PENELOPE had thrown the veil over her face; that it might ever after be an univerſal ſymbol of delicacy with the fair ſex. See before CHASTITÝ and CONTINENCE, and hereafter WOMEN. 1 ME EKNESS AND PATIENCE. SBC OCRATES having once received a violent blow on the head, by the careleſſneſs of a per- ſon who paſſed him in the ſtreet, “ If I had been aware of this,” ſaid SOCRATES, ſmiling, “I would have put on an helmet before I came out." 56 If Another time, having met a perſon of rank, fa- luted him very reſpectfully, but he walked on with- out taking the leaſt notice of the philofopher ; at which incivility, his friends in company exclaiming greatly, SOCRATES very coolly interpoſing, you had met any perſon,” ſaid he, “ of a worfe habit of body than yourſelves, would you have any right to be angry with him on that account?" To which they replying in the negative; + And what great reaſon," purſued the philoſopher, “ can you have for being angry with another, becauſe his habit of mind is worſe than your's?" When OM I00 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS When he was aſked by a friend, “ Why he did not return a blow which had been wantonly given him in the ſtreet ?” he replied, “ Would you have me, if an aſs had kicked me, kick at him in re- turn." . Another time, a filthy ſlave having caſt dirt at him, and his patience then alſo ſurpriſing the per- fons who were preſent, “ Why," quoth he, “he has too much the advantage of me, I cannot dirty him." Finding himſelf in great emotion againſt a ſlave, “ I would beat you,” ſays he, “ if I were not angry." His friend ALCİBI ADES, once taking the liberty to mention his wife, “How is it poſſible,” faid he, " my SOCRATES, that you can endure ſuch an eternal fcold in the ſame houſe with you ?”-“No- thing can be more eaſy,” replied the philofopher ; “ for it is owing to the conſtant exerciſe which my uſeful wife beſtows upon my patience, that I am ſo well able to bear with the folly and inſo- lence of others." At another time, when ſhe had overturned the table, juſt as his gueſts were ſeated at dinner, " Every one,” ſays he, " has his calamity; and he is a happy man who has no greater than this." He behaved with equal moderation and magna- nimity in the preſence of his judges on his trial I am going," ſaid he, with the moſt heroic indif- ference, OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. IOI. ference, " to ſuffer death by your order ; a fata- lity to which Nature herſelf had condemned me from the firſt moment of my birth : But my ac- cuſers will ſuffer abundantly more, from that infa- my and univerſal odium, to which the voice of truth will conſign them.” APOLLODORUS, one of his friends and diſciples, having expreſſed his grief that his maſter ſhould die innocent, “What !” ſaid Socrates with a ſmile, would you then wiſh me to die guilty ?" VESPASIAN (TITUS FLAVIUS), the famous Ro- man emperor, was ſo far from ſeeking to revenge the affronts which he had ſuffered in the reign of Nero, that he generouſly forgave every one who had abuſed and injured him. Having, during the time above mentioned, been forbid the court, he applied to. PHOEB US, the emperor's freedman, and aſked his advice, Whither it would be beſt for him to go?” Phoebus replied, with great inſolence, 6. That he might go and hang himſelf," and then turned him forcibly out of the room. After Ves- PASIAN was made emperor, the contemptible wretch coming haſtily to beg his pardon, the generous prince took no farther notice of what had paſſed, than in theſe words, “Begone, live and reflect:" Yet a ſevere puniſhment, if he had the leaſt feelings. One MUCIANUS, alſo, having treated him in a very unbecoming manner, he, indeed, complained of him to a friend, but he concluded his com- plaints with theſe memorable words"I myſelf," faid 102 : ACTIONS AND SAYINGS. } faid he, “ am only a man, and have my failings as well as he." Philip of Macedon, when he was beſieging the city of Metho, had the misfortune to loſe his right eye by an arrow which was ſhot from the walls ; and, as appeared from a written paper which had been fattened to it, was deſignedly aimed at him- ſelf: But the anguiſh of the wound neither leſſened his attention to the fiege, nor increaſed his reſent- ment againſt the inhabitants; for, ſoon after, he ac- cepted the ſurrender upon the moſt favourable terms, and treated them with the greateſt mildneſs and humanity As ANTIGONUS king of Macedon was one day ſitting in hủs tent, two of his ſoldiers on the outſide, who had no ſuſpicion that the king was ſo near them, abuſed and ridiculed him in the moſt licen- tious manner : But the good-natured monarch, in- ſtead of puniſhing their inſolence as it deſerved, be- haved with this wondrous lenity, putting the tent curtain gently aſide with his cane, “ Soldiers," ſaid he, “ ſtand farther off, left the king ſhould overhear you:" And took no farther notice of the matter. At another time, as he was marching with his army in the night, ſome of his men began to curſe him very bitterly, for leading them through a road which was clogged with dirt and mire; happening to hear what they ſaid, he inſtantly diſmounted, and, without diſcovering who he was, helped the weakeſt 7 OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 103 weakeſt of them forward with his own arm, till the road grew better. 1 The emperor Titus, the ſon of the famous VespasLAN, was as much diſtinguiſhed for the gentleneſs of his temper, as his worthy father. Be ing once adviſed, and even ſolicited to proſecute ſeveral of his ſubjects who had ſpoken of him with the greateſt difreſpect," I muſt beg to be ex- cuſed;" replied the generous prince, “ for if they have aſperſed my character undeſervedly, they ought rather to be pitied for their ignorance, than puniſhed ; and if they have reproached me deſerv- edly, it would be a flagrant act of injuſtice to pu- niſh them for ſpeaking the truth.” TIBERIUS, though he was naturally cruel and ſuſpicious, behaved in the former part of his reign with ſuch, gentleneſs and moderation, as would have done honour to the beſt prince upon earth. The many flanderous reports and lampoons which were daily vented both againſt himſelf and his mi- niſtry, he bore with aſtoniſhing patience; “ In a free ftate,” ſaid he, “the meaneſt citizen ſhould have a right to ſpeak what he pleaſes." When the ſenate would have proſecuted ſeveral perſons who had libelled him, “ We have not time," ſaid he, “ to attend to ſuch trifles; And, be. ſides, if we once open a door to informations of this kind, in a ſhort time, we ſhall have nothing elſe to do; for every ſcoundrel will then endeavour to re- venge himſelf upon his enemy, accuſing him of ſpeaking againſt the government." At .. 104 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS At another time, being told of a perſon who had made very free with his character, " If he diſap- proves of my conduct,” replied the emperor, “ I will at any time give him the beſt account of myſelf I am able; and if that ſhould not ſatisfy him, I will be contented to have as bad an opinion of him as he hath of me.” Had this artful prince behaved with the ſame moderation in the remaining part of his reign, his name would have been tranſmitted to poſterity with as much applauſe, as that of VESPA- SIAN Tirus, or as it is with infamy." PERICLES, the moſt diſtinguiſhed orator, and the ableſt ſtateſman of his time, being inſulted by one of the rabble in the moſt fcurrilous manner, while he was haranguing the people in the forum, bore the abuſe with ſuch admirable patience, that he not only forbore to retort upon him, but ſcarcely ſeem- ed to hear him. When the buſineſs of the day was over, and he was retiring to his own houſe, the other followed him through the ſtreets, inſulting and re- viling him the whole way in the ſame manner as before : But PeriCLES, initead of chaſtiſing him as he deſerved, had no ſooner entered his door, than he ordered one of his fervants, it being then alt moſt dark, to provide a flambeau, and light him home. Philip, king of Macedon, when the Athenian ambaſſadors had complained to him of fome act of hoftility, very politely aſked them, “ If he could do them any ſervice.?" " The greateſt ſervice you can do us," replied DEMOCHARES, who was one of the number, " is to go and hang yourſelf.” Every one OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 105 one preſent was highly incenſed at the ſcurrility of the anſwer ; but with an incredible calmneſs which does honour to his memory, " Go home," ſaid Philip, “ and tell your maſter, that thoſe who can treat me with ſuch infolent language in my own court, are much more inclined to commence hofti- lities, than he who can forgive it.” Upon a time as Archelaus king of Macedon went along the ſtreet, one chanced to daſh and caft water upon him, taking him for another ; whereup- on, they who were about the king, faid, “That he ſhould be puniſhed.”. “And why ſo," quoth he, " for he hath not wet and daſhed me with the wa ter, but him whom he took me for " Upon a time the Peloponneſians, who had receiv. ed many benefits from Philip king of Macedon, hiſſed him at their feſtival of the olympian games, at whịch his friends being highly offended, “What would they do then,” quoth he, 5 if we ſhould offer to do them any diſpleaſure ?" Word was brought upon a day to ALEXANDER THE GREAT, that there was a certain fellow at a feaſt, who did nothing elſe but miſcall and revile him ; he made anſwer, " That it was a royal and a kingly fufferanee, to have blame for well do- ing." One of thoſe flaves called Helotes, behaving most inſolently to CHARILAUS king of Lacedemon, “Now, by the twins," quoth he, " CASTOR and Pollux! were I not angry, I would do thee death out of hand." Telechus f 106 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS TELECHUS, king of Sparta, anſwered unto a bro- ther of his who complained to him of the citizens, faying, “ They uſe me more uncivilly and uncour- teouſly than they do you.” “ It is for nothing elſe,” quoth he," but becauſe you know not how to en- dure and put up any wrongs." CATO the cenfor, being fcurrilouſly treated by a fellow who led a licentious and a diſſolute life, “A contest,” ſaid he, “ between me and thee, is very unequal; for thou canſt bear ill language with eaſe, and return it with pleaſure ; but as for my part, it is unuſual for me to hear it, and diſagreeable to fpeak it." Plato being highly offended with one of his Alaves, gave SpeUSIPPUS orders, to chaſtiſe him excufing himſelf from doing it, becauſe he was in anger. Philip of Macedon being told that a perſon had fpoken ill of him, and that every one wiſhed he might be baniſhed; but Philip anſwered, “ Better he fhould ſo ſpeak of me where we are both known, than where we are both unknown.” DIOGENES went about the city of Athens, begging to the ſtatues : being aſked the rea- fon, he replied, “ He was learning to bear a re- pulſe." EPICTETUS reduced all his philoſophy to two points only; viz. To ſuffer evils with patience, and en- joy pleaſures with moderation : which he expreſſed in theſe two celebrated words, TO BEAR and for- BEAR OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 107 BEAR. Of the former he gave a memorable ex- ample. As EPAPHRODITUS his maſter, was one day ſqueezing his leg, in order to torment him, EPICTETUS ſaid to him calmly, “You will break my leg;” which happening accordingly, “ Did not I tell you," ſaid he ſmiling, “ that you would break my leg ?” One time a fellow purſuing Aristippus with opprobrious and ſcurrilous language, and aſking him, “ Why he made fuch halte away." “ Be- cauſe,” ſaid he,“ thou art accuſtomed to give foul language, and I have no pleaſure in hearing it." . When Zeno the philoſopher was told, that all his goods were drowned, “ Why then," ſays he, “ Fortune has a mind to make me a philofo- pher.” See before ADVERSITY and AFFLICTIONS, and hereafter PHILOSOPHY, 1 M E R. I T. T HE famous philofopher ANACHARSIS was a Scythian by birth; and a Grecian, who had no other merit than being a native of Greece, look- ing upon him with an eye of contempt and envy, reproached him with the unpoliteneſs of his country; “ I confeſs," replied ANACHARSIS, "my country is a ſhame to me; but thou art a ſhame to thy coun- try.” OECO-. 108 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS O E C Ο Ν Ο Μ Υ. . FRI RUGALITY,” Cicero ſays, “muſt in- clude in it three of the great virtues, Forti- tude, Juſtice, and Prudence.” AUGUSTUS CÆSAR, upon viewing a beautiful hotel of one of his great officers, ſaid, “ It had but one defect, viz. that the kitchen was too ſmall;" To which the officer replied, “ Your highneſs ſhould not be ſurpriſed at this ; for I owe the beauty of my houſe to the ſmallneſs of my kit- chen." See before DISCRETION and PRODIGALITY, and hereafter Riches, pos 0 Ř A T O R Y. See ELOQUENCE. OSTENTATION, SELF-CONCEIT, VAIN-GLORY AND VANITY. HILIP the father of ALEXANDER THE GREAT, beautifully expoſed the ridiculouſneſs of yanity in a phyſician named MenocRATEs, who tools PER - OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 10g took upon himſelf the name of Jupiter SERVA- Tor, upon account of fome extraordinary cures he had wrought, which he attributed wholly to his own ſkill. Having invited him to dinner, he was placed at a table by himſelf, on which was ſerved up a veſſel ſmoaking with incenſe. The doctor at firſt thought himſelf highly honoured, but having nothing to eat during the entertainment, he ſoon perceived the meaning of the ſmoke of the incenſe; and thus ſerving for a laughing ſtock for the reſt of the cornpany, he carried from the feaſt, with the title of Jupiter, his hunger unſatisfied, and the ſhame he had fo juſtly deſerved, in aſcribing the ſuc- ceſs to his own abilities, which was derived from Heaven. ARISTOTLE ſeeing a youth as conceited as he was ignorant, which is generally the caſe, “ Young man,” ſaid he, “I wiſh I were what you think yourſelf, and my enemies what you are." Tully finds a pitiful vanity in the ſecret joy which DEMOSTHENES felt upon hearing himſelf praiſed by a poor herb-woman as he was paſſing by; and yet he himſelf was much fonder of com- mendation, than the Greek orator. { í This he freely owns upon an occaſion where he ſurpriſingly deſcribes the effects of human weak- neſs. He was returning from Sicily, where he had been quæſtor, with a ſtrong imagination that no- thing was talked of in Italy but himſelf; and that his quæſtorſhip was a ſubject in every body's mouth. Pafling by Puzzoli, whither the baths had drawn abundance I10 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS وو Sicily:" " abundance of company, “Is it long," ſays fome- body to him, “ fince you left Rome? Pray what is doing there !" "I," ſays he, “ am juſt come from my province.” “That's true;" fays the other, “I beg pardon; from Africa ?” “No;" anſwers Tul- LY, with an air of ſcorn and indignation, “ from Why,” ſays a third, who pretended to know more than the reſt, “ Don't you know he has been quæſtor at Syracuſe?” where indeed he had not; for his province lay in a different part of the iſland. TULLY was quite out of countenance; and to get rid of the affair, threw himſelf into the crowd, and fo marched off. This adventure, he adds, was more uſeful to him, than all the compliments he had expected could have been. He laid hold of every opportunity to talk of him- ſelf, ſo as to become inſupportable. He preffed the hiſtorian Lucceius, to write the hiſtory of his con- ſulſhip, and publifh it in his life time; “ To the end,” ſaid he, “ that I may be the better known, and perſonally enjoy my glory and reputation." He importuned him not to keep ſcrupulouſly to the ſtrict laws of hiſtory, but to make ſome allowances to friendſhip, even at the expence of truth ; and not to be afraid of ſpeaking more to his advantage, than perhaps he thought was due. 1. A painter producing one day, to ſome of his profeſſion, a piece of his, but very indifferently performed, boaſted much of his having finiſhed it in a few days; “ Friend, faid Apelles, you need not have told me that circumſtance, the pic- ture itſelf aſſerts the truth of it.” It A OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. III. ! It is a very great unhappineſs for a man to be too well known to the world, and too much unknown to himſelf. ALEXANDER was below a man, when he affected to be a GOD, SOCRATES had ſo little eſteem of himſelf, that he thought he knew nothing certainly, BUT THAT HE KNEW NOTHING. He ſaid of a'prince who had been at vaſt charges to build a ſtately palace, but had taken no pains to make himſelf virtuous, “That the people flocked from all parts to ſee his houſe, but that none were preſſing to ſee himſelf.” 1 PARENTS AND CHILDREN. A FTER the taking of Troy, the Greeks, re- lenting at the cruel fortune of the inhabitants, ifſued a proclamation, " That every free citizen might carry off upon his ſhoulders, whatever he thought moſt valuable. Æneas immediately load- ed himſelf with his houſhold gods, and left the rest of his property behind : the victors, being charmed with ſuch a ſingular inſtance of piety, permitted him to return, and carry off a ſecond load; he ac- cordingly went home, and took upon his ſhoulders his father ANCHISES, a venerable prince, who was almoſt crippled with the infirmities of age. The Greeks were now more aſtoniſhed than before ; and, to reward ſuch extraordinary merit as it deſerved, reſtored to him all his effects, and gave him leave to retire with them wherever he pleaſed. ANTIGONUS ! ACTIONS AND SAYINGS 1 ANTIGONUS king of Macedon, the ſecond of that name, when his father, having been taken priſoner: had ſent him word by one of his truſty and familiar friends, “ That whatever he wrote to him, he ſhould take no heed thereof, give no credit thereto, nor do any thing that was contained in his letters, if Seleucus, who held him prifoner, ſhould endea- vour to force him to it; and in no wife to render into his hands any cities of which he was then ſeized, any thing in his letters to the contrary notwith- ſtanding." But inſtead thereof, he, wrote into Seleucus to this effect, “ That he would yield unto him all the lords under his obeiſance; yea, and deliver his own perſon as hoſtage for ſecurity; up- on condition that he would diſmiſs his father in ſafety." ور The great EPAMINOND ÀS declared, “ That the greateſt ſatisfaction he ever had in his whole life, was the contentment he gave his father and mother in his victory of Leuctra." One of Agesilaus's friends, having obſerved him playing with his children, and riding on a hob- by horſe to amuſe them, ſeemed ſurpriſed at his conduct, as being beneath the dignity of one fo highly valued; but the king replied with a ſmile, “ Say not a word of what thou haſt ſeen to day, till thou haſt children of thy own.” 1 PASSIONS.. OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. II3 Ρ Α S SI O N S. IONYSIUS reprimanding his ſon for hav- ing violated the chaſtity of one of the citizen's wives, aſked him, among other things, " Whether he ever knew or heard of any ſuch flagrant act of injuſtice done by him ?” “No,” ſaid the ſon, “be- cauſe you were never a king's ſon.” Neither,” ſaid Di- ONYSIUS, “ will you ever be the father of one, if you thus ſhamefully give way to your unruly paſſions." Ρ Α Τ Ι Ε Ν C Ε. See before MEEKNESS. PATRIOT AND PATRIOTISM. > , UTILIUS, an illuſtrious Roman, who was baniſhed by SYLLA, being told in his exile, that, for his comfort, there would ere long be a civil war, which would bring all the baniſhed men home again; “God forbid;” ſaid he," I would rather my country ſhould bluſh for my baniſhment, than mourn for my return." When CATO the younger had, in an oration againſt CLODIUS, the feditious orator and abuſer of the moſt reſpectable characters, . made him appear ſo infamous, that he was forced to leave the town, and that CICERO, whoſe wife had not eſcaped, came to thank him for what he had done, “ You muſt. thank the commonwealth ;" ſaid he, “ for whoſe fake alone it is that I do every thing.” VOL, III, I Agesi- f $ 4. 7-14 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS } AGĖSILAUS, the ſon of NeoCLES, or rather of THEMISTOCLES, employed as a ſpy in the army of Xerxes, who had marched with 800,000 men to the conqueft, as he intended, of Greece, fo well or- dered his buſineſs, that he remained ſome time in Xerxes's army, in a Perfian habit; and at length coming up to the king's tent, he killed MARDO- NIUS, one of his favourites, inſtead of the king. On which, being ſeized and brought to the king, who was then offering at the altar of the fun, he thruſt his right hand into the fire, where, after he had held it a conſiderable time, “ Such are all the Atheni- ans, O king !" ſaid he," and if you will not believe me, I will thruſt my left hand alſo into the ſame flames." Which undaunted act, ſo ſurpriſed Xerxes, that he ſet him at liberty. So, among the Romans, CAIUS MUTIUS, named CORDUS, and afterwards SCÆVOLA, when Por- SENNA king of Tuſcany was beſieging Rome to re- ſtore the family of TARQUIN, MUTius refolving to diſpatch him, killed his fecretary in his ſtead; and being brought before PORSENNA, who was offering a ſacrifice, he told him boldly, " That three hun- dred young men like him were bound by oath to murder him : But ſince my hand hath miſſed you,' " added he, “it muſt be puniſhed for it.” Then put- ting his right hand on the burning coals, he let it burn with ſuch a conſtancy, that the beholders were all amazed. - PORSENNA, charmed with his virtue, fent him ſafe to Rome; where they gave him the name of SCÆYOLA, or left-handed, which remain- ed to his family. Q. CUR OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 115 Q. Curtius, a Roman knight, on his per- ceiving a great gulf in the middle of the forum at Rome, which made an impreſſion upon the people, and ſeemed to preſage misfortune, and the oracle declaring that this charm could not be filled up, unleſs the moſt valuable thing in Rome were to be thrown into it ; Curtius, conceiving that a valiant foldier was that moſt valuable thing, armed himſelf as for the field, and ſpurring his horſe, rode in full gallop into the gulf. 1 HORATIUS, called Coclés, a Roman captain, when the aforeſaid PORŠENNA was purſuing the Romans over the bridge on the Tyber, himſelf ſingly oppoſed the enemy's army, until the part of the bridge behind him was cut down by his own order ; then threw himſelf into the river, and got into the city with his arms; where they erected him a ſtatue, and gave him as much land as he could run through with a plough in one day. Decius (P. Mus) a Romani conſul of great va- lour, in an engagement between the Romans and the Latins, having, according to thie then prevailing fuperftition, conceived, that if he devoted himſelf for his country, the Romans would ſucceed, arming himſelf, pronounced ſome words which the pontiff put into his mouth, and ruſhing amidſt the oppoſed army, was inſtantly diſpatched : But the Romans following him quickly with great intrepidity, the victory was gained by them. His fon did the ſame afterwards in a war with the Gauls, &c.--As did I 2 his 1 * my, and afterwards fir- 116 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS his ſon afterwards, in the war with PYRRHUS king of Epirus. ATTILIUS REGULUS, the Roman' conſul, being takeri priſoner in Africa, in an engagement between the Romans and Carthaginians, and the Carthagini- ans afterwards ſuing for peace, fent ReGULUS with ambaſſadors to Rome, obliging him by oath to return if peace was denied, at the ſame time, imagining, that his deſire of liberty would make him ſolicitous for peace; but he, well knowing the weak condition the Carthaginians were then in, vi- olently oppoſed it; yet, according to his oath, he returned with the ambaſſadors into Africa, where he was put to a moſt cruel death. The Faeri, an antient family in Rome, and of long continuance, when the Romans were in great diſtreſs in the war with the Vell, the declared enemies of the Romans, offered at their own expence to carry it on. Accordingly, three hundred and ſix of the family went out to battle, and all, ſave one only, were ſlain ; having fallen into a ſnare which the ene- my had prepared for them; and the gate, through which this honourable family had fallied out of Rome, was ever afterwards called the Scelerata or the wicked. After the defeat of the Romans by HANNIBAL at Cannæ, it having been debated by ſome in af- ſembly, and in danger of being determined, that they ſhould leave Italy, PUBLIUS CORNELIUS Sci- nained AFRICANUS, for his conqueſts in Africa, drew OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 117 drew forth his ſword, and ſwore he would kill the man who would not take an oath never to go out of Rome. And fuch was the magnanimity, fortitude, and love of their country in this great people, that after the aforeſaid terrible defeat, inſtead of ſeeking a peace with the Carthaginians, receiving advice that the conſul VARRO, whoſe raſhneſs was in part the cauſe of the defeat, was on his way home, all the city went out to meet him and thank him, becauſe he had not deſpaired of the fafety of the commonwealth, ARETAPHILE, the wife of NicOCRATUś tyrant of Cyrene, whom he fondly loved, and in order to gain her, had ſlain her firſt huſband, having exer-- ciſed unheard of cruelties upon his people, reſolved to deliver her country from his oppreſſion, by poi- Koning him; and being detected in the deſign, was racked; but pretending it was only a philter, ſhe was acquitted. Afterwards, ſhe gained LYSANDER the tyrant's brother, by promiſing him her daugh- ter, to murder Nico.CRATUs and ſupply his room ; to which LYSANDER was eaſily perfuaded; but proving no leſs cruel than his brother, ſhe had him ſurpriſed, put into a fack, and thrown into the ſea. After this, the Cyrenæans in acknowledgment of their liberty, offered her the ſovereignty, which ſhe refuſed, that ſhe might lead a private life with her friends. Lucius JUNIUS BRUTUS, who was declared con- Hul with L. TARQUINIUS COLLATINUS, after they lad ! 118 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS had driven the Tarquins from Rome, having diſco- vered that his two ſons had conſpired with the young men of Rome to reſtore the Tarquins, he cauſed them to be brought to the public place, where they were firſt ſcourged, and then be- headed And his deſcendant MARCUS BRUTUS fo loved his country, that finding Julius Cæsar, his friend and great benefactor, meaned to be king, he and ſeveral others, to prevent the change of that conftitution to which they were devoted, killed this firſt of heroes in full ſenate. When XERXES the Perſian monarch, ſent word to LEONIDAS the Spartan king, that if he would make his peace with him, he would beſtow upon him the empire of Greece; 06 I had rather," ſaid he, “die for my country than be a tyrant IR over it.” PEACE AND WAR. ERICLES the famous Athenian general, upon a time when the Athenians were earneſt for a war which he did not approve of, ſaid, " That trees when they are lopt and cut, grow up again in a ſhort time; but men being once loſt cannot eaſily be recovered," 98 ANTISTHENES the cynic philoſopher being told by a perſon, " That war carried off the miferable;" & You OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 119 6 You are, deceived," ſaid he, “it makes a great many more than it takes off.” PEOPLE AND POPULARITY, Care TATO the cenfor ſaid, “That the perſon who firſt began to give treats and largeſſes to the people, was he that firſt deprived them of their Strength and power." Solon compared the people to the ſea, and ora- tors and counſellors to the winds; for that the ſea would be calm and quiet, if the winds did not trou- ble it 1 Cicero ſays, “ I am of opinion, that though a thing be not foul in itſelf, yet it cannot but become So, when commended by the multitude.” Again, “ Can any thing be more foolih, than to think that thoſe you deſpiſe ſingle, can be leſs con- temptible when joined together?" The EPHORI at Sparta, ſeeing a diffolute fellow propoſe a wholeſome advice to the people, com. manded him to hold his peace; and entreated a vir- tuous man to attribute to himſelf the invention, and to propoſe it. The liberty and freedom of a man who ſpeaks on public affairs without any intereſt of his own, never hateful nor ſuſpected ;, and he may very well make uſe of the anſwer of HYPERIDES the orator 1@ is I 20 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS to the Athenians, who complained of his harſh way of ſpeaking to them, “ Gentlemen,” ſays he,“ do not conſider whether or no I am free, but whether I am fo without a bribe, or without any advantage to my own affairs. " PHocion the Athenian, a man of great ſeverity, and no way flexible to the will of the people, one day, when he ſpake to them, in one part of his ſpeech was applauded: whereupon, he turned to one of his friends, and aſked, “What have I ſaid amiſs ?" PHILOSOPHERS AND P HI Lo So Ρ Η Υ. D IONYSIUS the younger, king of Syracuſe, after he had been depoſed from his royal dig nity and baniſhed, a perſon thus queſtioned him, « What good hath PLATO with all his philoſophy done you?” “Marry," quoth he, “this benefit I have thereby, that I bear with patience this change and alteration of my fortune, and this your infolence with ſuch an even temper." « Demetrius king of Macedon, upon the taking of Megara, aſked Stilpo the philoſopher, What he had loft?” “ Nothing;" faid he, “ for I had all that I could call my own about me.” And yet the enemy had then ſeized his patrimony, his children and his country, but theſe he looked upon only as : adventitious goods, and under the command of Fortune. ANTIS- OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. IT ANTIsthenes the cynic philofopher, being aſk- ed, “ What he had learned by philoſophiſing?" “ To do voluntarily," anſwered he, “ what others do by conſtraint." ARISTIPPUS the philoſopher, the diſciple of So- CRATES, was wont to ſay, “ That the principal benefit he had extracted from philoſophy, was, that he ſpoke freely and openly to all.” And being aſked at a time, “ What he had learn- ed by his philoſophy ?" made anſwer, “ To live amicably with all men.” And dying in a very advanced age devoted to ſtudy, ſaid, “ That he was forry to die, juſt as he was beginning to know how to live." “True philoſophy," ſays SOCRATES, “ conſiſts more in fidelity, conſtancy, juſtice, ſincerity, and the love of our duty, than in great knowledge, or a great capacity. 1 When SocRATEs was told of the falſe accuſati ons of his adverſaries, They may,” ſays he, procure ſentence againſt me, but they cannot hurt me.” 6 He SOCRATES ſo hated the affected, beggarly habit of ANTISTHENES, that he frankly told him, ſaw a deal of vanity peeping through the rents in his cloak." So when DIOGENES had been invited to an en- tertainment by ARISTOTLE, where rich carpets were I 22 ACTIONS ACTI . AND SAYINGS 66 were under the feet of the gueſts, “How I tread," ſays DIOGENES, “ on the pride of ARISTO- Tue?”“ Ay,” replies Aristotle, “ with ten times greater.” 1 See before AdveRSITY and AFFLICTIONS, MAG- NANIMITY and True GREATNESS, MEEKNESS, and PATIENCE. PL E A SURE, L YSIMACHUS, one of the ſucceſſors of ALEXANDER THE GREAT, being ſurpriſed in the country of Thracia by king DROMICHETES, within a certain ſtraight, where, for very extreme thirſt, he was driven to yield himſelf and all his ar- my to the mercy of his enemy. After he had drunk, being now a priſoner, “Ye Gods!" quoth he, * for how little pleaſure am I now become a ſlave, who ere while was a king." ANTIGONUS, king of Macedon, ſeeing one day a religious votary or prieſteſs of Diana exceeding fair and beautiful, he preſently diſlodged and de- parted from Epheſus, for fear he ſhould be over- taken with wanton love, and tempted to commit, againſt his will, ſome unlawful impious act. SOCRATES faid, “ That he abſtained from vo- Juptuous pleaſures, not out of temperance, but merely for pleaſure's fake;" Meaning, that the evils 1 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 123 evils which thoſe draw after them, are greater than the pleaſures by which they are accompa- nied . PRESENCE OF MIN D. JUALANCE ILIUS CÆSAR, landing on the ſhore of Africa, happened to have a fall, which, for fear it ſhould be interpreted by his followers as an ill omen to his deſigns in that country, he turned, by a ſudden thought and preſence of mind, into a lucky preſage; for, as he fell, he extended his arms, and cried out aloud, “ With what pleaſure, O Africk! do I thus embrace thee." P R I I D E. WH HEN DARIUS king of Perſia offered ALEXANDER ten thouſand talents, and the half of Aſia, to put an end to the war, “ Tell your maſter," ſays he to the ambaſſadors, “ that the earth cannot bear two ſuns, nor Aſia two kings." PARMENIO, a friend of ALEXANDER's, hearing the great offers DARIUS had made, ſaid, “ Were I ALEXANDER, I would accept them." “So would !,” replied ALEXANDER, were I PARMENIO." PLAUTIANUS, the prime miniſter of Severus, was arrived at ſuch a degree of pride, that he ſent ſome of his attendants before him, who were or- dered 1 124 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS dered to make proclamation, " That no perſon ſhould dare to meet him, or even to look at him." Diogenes, on a ſevere froſty, morning, came into the market place, and ſtood naked, ſhaking, to ſhew his tolerance ; many came about him, pitying him: Plato paſſing by, and knowing he did it to be ſeen, ſaid to the people as he went by, “ If you pity him indeed, let him alone to himſelf.” When it was repreſented to ALEXANDER, to the advantage of ANTIPATER, who was a proud, ſtern and imperious man, that he only of all his lieu- tenants wore no purple, but kept the Macedoni- an habit of black; ALEXANDER ſaid, “ Yea, but ANTIPATER is all purple within.” Croesus king of Lydia, after he had cauſed all his wealth and ſplendor to be ſhewn to SOLOn the philoſopher, aſked him, “ If he had ever ſeen any thing equal to the grandeur of them?” “ Yes;" ſays Solon, “ Peacocks, pheaſants and cocks, for their beauty and bravery are natural; whereas your's but borrowed." One day when ALCIBIADES was boaſting of his wealth, and the great eſtates in his poffeffion, which generally blow up the pride of young people of quality, Socrates carried him to a geographical map, and asked him to find Attica : It was ſo ſmall, it could ſcarce be diſcerned upon that draught; he found it, however, though with ſome difficulty : But, upon being deſired to point out his own eſtate there, OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 125 there, “ It is too ſmall,” ſays he, “ to be diſtinguiſh- ed in ſo little a ſpace. " See then," replied So- CRATES, “how much you are affected about an imperceptible point of land !" The vain pomp and haughty pride of DEME- TRIUS, one of ALEXANDER's ſucceſſors, was ſuch, that he would not allow, even thoſe who had affairs to tranſact with him, the liberty of ſpeech; and would keep them waiting months for their audi- ence; which, inſtead of gaining him the reverence and eſteem which he thereby intended to obtain, that it rendered his government fo inſupportable to his ſubjects, that they expelled him the throne. It is one of PYTHAGORAS's golden ſayings, 66 That a man ſhould take care above all things to have a due reſpect for himſelf.” See before MEEKNESS and Humility, as alſo OSTENTATION, &c. PRODIG A L I TY. HELI LIOGABALUS, the Roman emperor, was ſo ſhamefully fond of fuperfluity and exceſs, that, for one ſingle meal, he has had two thoufand different kinds of fiſh, and ſeven thouſand fowl. In ſhort, ſo boundleſs was his extravagance in every thing, that “ The wealth of the whole Roman em- pire,” ſays HerodIAN," was ſcarcely ſufficient for its ſupply." How 1 26 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS How very different, but how much more com- mendable, was the conduct of Cyrus king of Per- ſia, who, having condeſcended to the entreaties of one of his friends, to take a dinner with him, and being deſired to name his viands, and where he would have his table ſpread, made this unexpected anſwer, “It is my pleaſure,” ſaid the king, “that you prepare this banquet on the ſide of the river, and that one loaf of bread be all the diſhes." Plato ſeeing once a young ſpendthrift eating bread and water at the door of an inn where he had ſquandered away a confiderable eſtate, ſaid, Young man, had you dined buit moderately, you need not have ſupped ſo poorly." See before LUXURY. P R 0 M 1 S E S. TH HE emperor THEODOSIUS, being preſſed by a fuitor whom he denied, and the ſuitor hav- ing faid, “ Why, ſir, you promiſed it," anſwered, " I ſaid it, but I did not promiſe it, if it be unjuft." P R OS PER I TY. et ROSPERITY,” ſays ANACHARSIS, the Scythian philoſopher, 66 bears three grapes, of drunkenneſs, pleaſure and ſorrow: And happy it is, if the laft can cure the miſchiefs which the two former work." RAILLERY . OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 127 RAILLERY AND REPARTEE. A GESILAUS, king of the Lacedemonians, who had a halt in his gait, being told in his conteſt with LeotICHIDES the natural ſon of AL- CIBIADES his brother, that the oracle had ex- cluded all that were lame from the crown; made anſwer, that “ The oracle meant only thoſe that were defective in their ſouls, or in their births." R E L I G I ON. T S an obſervation of CICERO'S, that no men are more afraid of God, than ſuch as pretend not to believe his being. “ Theſe,” ſays he, are the men who of all others are the moſt liable to be affected with a tremor and dreadful apprehen- fions in the time of fickneſs and the approaches of death." Lord BACON, towards the latter end of his life, faid, “That a little ſmattering in philoſophy, would lead a man to atheiſm; but a thorough inſight into it, would ſend him back again to a firſt cauſe, and that the firſt principle of right reaſon is reli- gion." PLUTARCH ſays, “He would as ſoon believe that a city could be built without any foundations, 26 Greate و مهمته 128 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS as that a government could be framed and preſerva ed without any religion.” The opinion of the divine Plato, was, “That great minds are apt to produce great virtues, and as great vices.” Wherefore, religion only can ſe- cure from the latter. > He alſo ſaid, “That there are few men ſo ob- ftinate in their atheiſm, that a preffing danger will not reduce to an acknowledgment of the divine power." “Though I never had a ſight of my ſoul,” ſaid the emperor ANTONINUS, “ yet I have a great va- lue for it, becauſe it is diſcoverable by its operati- ons; and, by my conſtant experience of the power of God, I have a proof of his being, and a reaſon for my veneration.” 1 They have gained a great prize, indeed,” ſays CICERO,“ who have perſuaded themſelves to be- lieve, that when death comes, they ſhall utterly pe- riſh. What comfort is there in this ? What is there to be boaſted of in that opinion ? If in this I err," ſays he, “ that I think the fouls of men immortal, I err with pleaſure; nor will I ever, whilſt I live, be forced out of an opinion which yields me ſo much delight.” “ The conſent of all men,” ſays SENECA, “is of very great weight with us: A mark that a thing is true, is, when it appears ſo to all the world. Thus we conclude there is a divinity, becauſe all men be- lieve OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 629 1 lieve it; there being no nation, how corrupt foever they be, which deny it." SOCRATES, on the day of his execution, in diſ- courſing with his friends, on the immortality of the foul, ſaid, “Whether God will approve of my ac- tions or not, I cannot fay; but this I am ſure of, that I have at all times made it my endeavour to pleaſe him; and I have great hopes that this mý endeavour will be accepted by him.” 1 R Ε Ρ U Τ Α Τ Ι Ο Ν. See FAME. RE V E N G E. IT CT was a glorious victory which Euclid got of his angry brother, who, being highly diſpleaſed, čried out; " Lét me perith, if I be not revenged;" but he anſwered, “And let me periſh, if I do not make you kind, and quickly to forget your anger." Diogenes being aſked, " How one ſhould be revenged of his enemy?" anſwered, “By being a virtuous and an honeſt man." VOL. III. K RICHES 130 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS RICHES AND LOVE OF W E A L T H. 7 SAM AYS Cicero to his ſon, “ I wiſh to have you rich; viz. That the method employed by you in gaining wealth, may neither bring ſhame upon yourſelf, nor draw upon you the public odium, Let vigilance and economy add to your wealth; and employ it in acts of beneficence and liberality, rather than in gratifying your paſſions." ARISTIDES, the Athenian general, when CAL- LIAS the torch-bearer, who had amaſſed great wealth, offered him money in his diſtreſs, made this . anſwer, “ It better becomes ARISTIDES to make a fhow of his poverty; than CALLIAS of his wealth; and that they only are aſhamed of poverty, who are forced to bear it." : THEMISTOCLES the Athenian captain; ſaying one day, “ That he looked upon the greateſt ex- cellency of a general, to be to foreſee and know the deſigns of an enemy.” ARISTIDES replied, “That it was indeed a neceſſary qualification ; but that there was another which he had not mentioned, that was equally illuſtrious and becoming a general, which was to have clean hands, and not to be a flave to money." , ۰۱ ۱۲۰ The divine PLATO uſed to fay, " That the cer- tain way to be truly rich, is, not to be ſo folicitous to OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 131 . to encreaſe a fortune, as to give limits to our de- fires." ALEXANDER ſent to Procion the Athenian ge- neral, a great preſent of money. PHOcion ſaid to the meſſenger, “ W’hy doth the king ſend to me, and to no one elſe?” “ Becauſe," ſaid the meſſen- ger, " he takes you to be the only honeſt man in Athens.” Procion replied, “ If he thinks me fo, pray let him ſuffer me to be ſo ſtill.” PHILIP of Macedon, propoſing to make himſelf maſter of a very ſtrong citadel, was informed by his ſpies, that an attempt to take it, would prove impracticable; for there was no way to get at it: “ Is the way ſo difficult,” ſaid he, “ that a mule laden with gold, cannot get thither ?” “Not ſo diffi- cult, neither,” ſaid they. “Then,” ſaid he, “I find it is not impregnable.” Simonides the lyric poet, being aſked, which was moſt to be deſired, riches or wiſdom? “ That is,” ſaid he, “ a hard queſtion to be reſolved ; for I have ſeen a great many wiſe men make their court to the rich." ARISTOTLE wondered at nothing more than at this, that they were thought richer who had ſuper- fluous things, than they who had what were profita- ble and neceſſary. See before PHILOSOPHY, &c. K% SILENCE 132 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS SILENCE AND TALKATIVENESS. A , " barber, a prattling talkative fellow, coming to trim him, would needs know in what manner he was to cut the king's hair : “ Marry," quoth he, “ by holding your peace, and ſaying not a word.” 1 Zeno, the ſtoick philoſopher, hearing a young man ſpeak too freely, told him, 66 That we have two ears and but one tongue, for this very reaſon, that we ſhould hear much, and talk little.” And he uſed to ſay, “That he choſe ſilence for this reaſon, “ That by it he heard other mens im. perfections, and concealed his own.” SOLON, one of the ſeven wiſe men of Greece, when he was ſilent at an entertainment, being aſked by Periander, “Whether he was ſilent from want of words, or from folly ?” “No fool,” anſwered he, “can be filent at a feaſt." MEGABYŚUS, the great Perſian general, going to ſee Apelles in his painting-room, ſtood for ſome time without ſpeaking a word, and at length began to talk of the paintings, for which he receive ed this rude reproof: “ Whilft thou waſt ſilent, thou ſeem'dſt to be ſome extraordinary perfon, by reaſon of thy chain and rich habit; but now that we have OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 133 have heard thee ſpeak, there is not the meaneſt boy in my ſhop, that does not deſpiſe thee. A great talker aſking a kindneſs of Bion the phi- loſopher, “ If you would have me,” ſaid he, « to grant it to you, take care to get one to ſpeak for you, but come not yourſelf." Theophrastus the philoſopher, obſerving a perſon in a company he was of, who ſaid no- thing, “ If you are a man of parts,” ſaid he, you do ill; if you are not, you are an able man." So XENOCRATEs the philofopher of Athens uſed to ſay, “ That ſeveral have repented of ſpeak- ing; but none, or very few, of holding their tongue." Confucius, the Chineſe the Chineſe philoſopher, faid, * That Glence is a friend that will never be- tray." SL A N D E R. DO IOGENES being aſked, what beaſt was moſt dangerous in caſe he ſhould bite one ? replied, “ If you mean the bite of a wild beaſt, 'tis that of a flanderer; if a tame one, that of a para- site." increase in TALK 134 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS TAL KA TIVENESS See before SILENCE. T E M P E R A N C E. TH HE queen of Caria, named ADA, was ever more ſending to ALEXANDER The Great, many dainty viands, and exquiſite marchpanes, with junkets, curiouſly wrought by moſt excellent cooks, confectioners and workmen in paſtry ; which ſhe did from liberality, and to ſhew her magnifi- cence : But ALEXANDER at length fent word to her, “ That he had far better cooks, confectioners, and workmen in paſtry, to dreſs his dinner, than ſhe had ; to wit, early riſing in a morning, and to prepare his fupper a ſparing dinner.” One of SOCRATes's friends, faying, “ That he had loſt his ſtomach, and could eat nothing," So- Crates aſſured him, “That the phyſician Açu- MENUS had a remedy would cure him, which was to faſt for ſome time.” LYSANDER, one of the Spartan chiefs, having the command of an expedition in lonia, ſome of the natives, who were his friends, brought him an ox, and a large cake. The general fixing his eyes up- on the cake, enquired very bluntly, “ What it was?" They informed him it was a kind of loaf, but OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 135 but much ſuperior to the common fort; for it was enriched, they aſſured him, with the fineſt honey, and the moſt delicious ingredients that could be procured. a Say you fo?" replied the Spartan, then let it be inſtantly taken away, and diſtri- buted among my ſlaves :" But he politely thanked them for the ox; and ordering it to be killed and dreſſed after the Spartan faſhion, he and his com- panions made a hearty meal of it in the even- ing The Pythagoreans, who conſidered temperance as the mother of the virtues, took an extraordinary method to acquire a habit of it; after loading the table with every kind of delicacies, and feaſting their eyes upon them, till they had raiſed their appetite as high as poſſible, they ordered the whole to be taken away, and left the room without taſting a morſel. Catò faid, “We ſhould eat to live, and not live to eat." It is related of Socrates, that having once in- vited a company of gentlemen to ſup with him, and his wife XANTIPPE being alhamed of the hum- ble fare ſhe had provided, he deſired her to make herſelf eaſy; “ for if my viſitors," ſaid he, “ are men of ſenſe and fobriety, they will be very well ſatisfied ; and if they are perſons of an oppo- ſite character, it will be no matter whether they are pleaſed or not." When TIMOTHEUS, an Athenian general of the moſt diſtinguiſhed reputation, went to ſup with PLATO 3 136 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS PLATO in the academy, the philoſopher compli- mented him with a neat but frugal entertainment, which he reliſhed and enlivened with ſuch agree- able and improving converſation, that the general was highly pleaſed at his reception. Meeting Plato in the city the next morning, “ Really, ſir," ſaid Timotheus, "you gave me the fineſt ſupper laſt night, I ever had the pleaſure of eating ; for it was not only agreeable for the time preſent, but has left a reliſh behind it, which I feel to this very moment.” * زو The ſame excellent philoſopher, obſerving the Agrentines to be very expenſive in their buildings, and no leſs in their entertainments, « Theſe people, ſaid he,“ build houſes, as if they were to live for ever; and beſtow as much upon a ſingle ſup- per, as if they believed it to be the laſt they ſhould ever eat.” See before LUXURY and PRODIGALITY. TI M E. HEOPHRASTUS the philoſopher, uſed to ſay, “ There was nothing ſo precious as time; and that they who laviſhed it to no purpoſe, were the moſt prodigal people of the world." A perſon once having given a public ſpecimen of his dexterity, by drawing a carriage along a ſtraight line, * This is alſo related of ATTICUS the friend of TULLY. 1 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 137 1 line, all the beholders were aſtoniſhed, except PLATO; who, ſhaking his head, ſaid, “ This man can have done nothing uſeful, who has ſpent his time ſo much upon trifles. Another, ſhewing his dexterity of hand before ALEXANDER THE GREAT, by throwing peas through the eye of a bodkin without miſſing once, ALEXANDER made him a preſent of peas. R U T H. T. " T HERE is nothing,” ſays PLATO," ſo der lightful, as the hearing and ſpeaking of truth.” As an advocate was pleading the cauſe of his client before one of the prætors, he could only pro. duce a ſingle witneſs, in a point where the cauſe required two; upon which the advocate inſiſted on the integrity of that perſon whom he had produced ; but the prætor told him, “ That where the law re- quired two witneſſes, he would not accept of one, though it were Cato himſelf.” What a leſſon for truth and juſtice is here for every member of the profeſſion! It were well it ſtood ever written at the heads of their beds, and on the walls of their chambers. Plato ſays, "That if truth could be ſeen in her naked beauty, it would make the whole world in love with her." XENOCRATES, the Athenian philoſopher, was a man of that truth and fidelity, that the Athenians gave 138 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS gave him alone this privilege, That his evidence ſhould be lawful without ſwearing. " That PYRRHUS ſaid of the conſul FABRICIUS, a man might as well attempt to turn the ſun from its courſe, as to bring him to act againſt the ſtricteſt truth." : Aristotle lays it down for a maxim, “ That a brave man is clear in his diſcourſe, and keeps cloſe to truth.” And Plutarch calls lying, “ The vice of a ſlave." “ Truth is ſo great a perfection,” ſays PYTHA- GORAS, that if God would render himſelf viſible to men, he would chooſe light for his body, and truth for his ſoul." CLEOMENEs, king of Sparta, diſpatched a herald to acquaint the people of Megalopolis, " That he would reinſtate them in the poſſeſſion of their city, if they would renounce their league with the Achæ- ans, and enter into a friendſhip and confederacy with Sparta :” But, notwithſtanding the advantage- ouſneſs of the offer, they declined it without a mo- ment's heſitation, and rather choſe to be deprived of their eſtates, and in ſhort of every thing that was dear and valuable, than violate the faith they had pledged to their allies. The great PHILOPÆMEN, who was then at Meſſene, is ſaid to have encouraged this generous reſolution. When ARISTOTLE was aſked, what a man could gain by telling a falſehood ? “ Not to be credited," ſaid he," when he ſpeaks truth." APOLLO OF GREAT AND WISE ME N. 139 APOLLONIUS of Chalcis, the ſtoick philoſopher, uſed to ſay, “ That the wretch who has been mean enough to be guilty of a lie, has forfeited every claim to the character of a gentleman, and degraded himſelf to the rank of a ſlave." 2 VIRTUE AND VICE. T HEOGNIS, the Grecian tragic poet, ſays, " That vice is covered by wealth, and virtue by poverty." When Socrates was under ſentence of death, one of his accuſers having expreſſed his ſurprize at the fortitude and ſeverity of mind which appeared in the demeanour of this firſt of philoſophers, in the ſtate he was in, “ Why, man,” ſaid he, “ the guilty part of the world are incapable of the happineſs which is in the very ſorrows of conſcious virtue and innocence." When it was told to DEME'TRIUS PHALAREUS the philoſopher, that the Athenians had thrown. down his itatues, “ Well,” ſaid he, “ but they cannot overturn that virtue for which they were erected." 1 THALES, the Milefian, being aſked, what was the beſt thing in life ? ſaid, “ Virtue; for that without it, nothing that is good can be ſaid or done." AGES! 1 1.40 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS AGESILAUS, the great king of Sparta, uſed to ſay, 4 That virtue alone immortalizes a man." And when he died, he charged his friends to make no image or ſtatue of him ; “ For if I have,” ſaid he, “ done any thing in my life worthy of remem- brance, that will be a ſufficient monument and me- morial for me after my death: If not, all the ſtatues and images in the world, ſhall never be able to per- petuate my memory." EUDAMIDAS, ſeeing in the great ſchool academy, XENOCRATEs, an ancient man, among other diſci- ples of Plato, ſtudents in philoſophy, and under- ſtanding that he ſought for virtue, " And when will he uſe virtue," ſaid he, “if he hath not yet found it." ANTISTHENES ſaid, “That virtue was the ſtrong- eſt of armour, and the only armour of which none can deprive us." SOCRATES being aſked, if he accounted not the great king of Perſia happy? " I know not,” ſaid he, " bow he is furniſhed with virtue."? ARCEŞILAUS, the ſtoick philoſopher, being aſk- ed one day, why ſo many of his ſect turned epicų- reans, when none of the epicureans ever quitted theirs ? anſwered, “ That a man might eaſily make himſelf an eunuch, but an eunuch could never make himſelf a man." Meaning, that it was eaſy to flip from wiſdom to debauchery, but al- moſt impoſſible to return from debauchery to wiſ- dom. See COURAGE, WISH 1 ! 1 OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 141 W I S DO M. S but OCRATES uſed to ſay, “ That there are but two things which can reaſonably deſerve the care of a wiſe man; the firſt is the ſtudy of vir- tue, which makes him honeft; the ſecond, the uſe of life, which makes him content. Yet, how im- perfect, how vain,” ſaid he, “ without the fear and love of God, would even ſuch content and honeſty prove ?” Cato the elder, uſed to ſay, “ That a wiſe man may learn more of fools, than fools can of wiſe men.” See before KNOWLEGE. W I T. TICERO obſerved, " That a jeſt is never ut- tered with a better grace, than when it is ac- companied with a ſerious countenance.” WOMEN. 142 ACTIONS AND SAYINGS ! W O M E N. PEN ERICLES, the Athenian orator and general, in his celebrated funeral oration, which he made in honour of the brave Athenians, who fell in a fight with the Lacedemonians, after adviſing and exhorting his countrymen how to behave them- felves, turning to the female part of his audience, “ And as for you," ſaid he, “I ſhall adviſe you in a very few words: aſpire only to thoſe virtues, that are peculiar to your fex; follow your natural modeſty, and think it your greateſt commendation, not to be talked of one way or other." SIMONIDES, the Grecian lyric poet, ſays, “A man cannot poſſeſs any thing that is better than a good woman, nor any thing worſe than a bad one." PHIDIAS made the ſtatue of Venus at Elis with one foot upon the ſhell of a tortoiſe, to ſignify two great duties of a virtuous woman, which are, To keep home, and be filent. A lady of Athens, aſked one of Lacedemon by way of reproach, “ What fortune ſhe had brought her huſband ?" To which the other made anſwer, “ Chaſtity.” JULIUS CÆSAR uſed to ſay to his wife Pom- PEIA, " That it was not enough for a wo- man ? OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 143 man to be chaſte, but ſhe muſt avoid all ſuſpi- cion.' The wife of king Hiero, in XENOPHON, being aſked, how ſhe could endure her huſband's ſtinking breath? made anſwer, “That ſhe imagined, it was common to all men." ARCHIDAMUS, the daughter of ClEONYMUS king of Sparta, underſtanding that the ſenate had made a decree, that all the women ſhould depart the city, before Pyrrhus fåt down before it, as he had threatened to do, went with a ſword in her hand into the council chamber, and told the ſenators, that “ The mothers of ſo many brave warriors as were preparing to fight the public enemy, had no leſs courage than themſelves in the defence of their country :". And, by that means, obliged the ſenate to revoke their decree. At the ſiege of Aquileia by MAXIMIN the Roo man emperor, the ſoldiers wanting cordage to ftring their bows, and ſerve the machines that were employed in throwing of ſtones, the women cut off their own hair, and made cords of it. In the laſt war between the Romans and the San bines, who were mightily enraged at the taking away their wives and daughters, the ſame had been exceeding bloody, if the Roman wives, that had been carried off by force, had not thrown them- felves between the two armies, and obtained a peace with their tears. The 1 144 ACTIONS AND SAYING $ 1 The great Cyrus having taken captive a moſt beautiful lady, who had been lately married to an Armenian prince, TIGRANES, he immediately ſent to treat for her ranſom' ; Cyrus returned, “ That he wiſhed to ſee the prince himſelf."--: He came; when the Perſian prince reſtored the princeſs to her huſband, but on condition, it being then late in the evening, that they ſhould not de- part until the next day, and ſhould that night take à repaſt in his tent. Cyrus did all he could to make the entertainment agreeable to them; and aſked TIGRANES, “What was the ranſom he would have given for his princeſs?” who made anſwer, “A thouſand lives if he had them. When they had retired, the prince, quite in raptures with the deportment, vivacity and nobleneſs of mind of Cr- Rus, and aſking his princeſs, “What ſhe thought of his carriage and countenance ?" ſhe made anſwer, " I don't know, I did not obſerve him.. " What object then did you fix your eyes' on .” “ The per ' fon," replied ſhe, “who faid, he would have giveni a thouſand lives for her ranſom: >> At a time LycurguŚ was law-giver at Sparta, the women having frequently committed ſuicide, and it encreaſing every day; he made a law, “That the body of every ſuch woman ſhould be expofed quite naked for a whole day in the moſt frequented part of the city, which quickly put a ſtop to this moſt horrid vice. Such is the force of ſhame, carried even beyond life. An Ionian lady brought to a Lacedemonian lady, an acquaintance of hers, a piece of needlework very exquiſitely OF GREAT AND WISE MEN. 145 exquiſitely wrought, and made a boaſt of it, as be- ing a rich curioſity, and that none of her neighbours poſſeſſed any thing like it: The latter, in lieu of it, produced four of her children, of whoſe education ſhe had ever been particnlarly careful : “ Theſe," faid ſhe, “ are the works only that a virtuous lady ought to value herſelf upon. " LYCURGUS made a law, that no woman ſhould have any portion given with her in marriage, in ore der to increaſe the value of their minds. This made the women ſo good, as was his deſign, that for a conſiderable time they needed none; but at length, they grew fo prudiſh, that marriages did but ſeldom happen: Whereupon, he inſtituted a monthly feſti- val, where every girl was to dance with her neck and ſhoulders quite bare, and only to have on her a bodice, with a ſhort filken petticoat not beyond her knees, (of which there are ſeveral ancient paint- ings), and inſtantly the marriages were frequent : but this having been alſo carried to too great an ex- treme, marriages decreaſed again; wherefore it was reſtrained. A finer leſſon cannot be for the conduct of this moſt amiable part of the creation. 다​, VOL. III. L ADVICE À DV I CÉ TO À N É W L Y-E LE C T É D M E M B E R OF P A R L A M E N T. 1 W I TH OBSERVATIONS on the LEGISLATIVE CONSTITU- TION of IRELAND, and the CONTRÀCT between the REPRESENTATIVES of the PEOPLE, and their CONSTITUENTS. $ W ITH SO ME THOUGHTS Upon the INTERESTING QUESTION of PO Y N IN GS' L AW. INSER I BED TO THE HON. WILLIAM FITZGERALD, COMMON Í Y CA L L E D . MARQUIS OF KILDARE. ! Vol. 3. L 2 TO THE R E A D E R. SIMO U INCE I publiſhed the following very important attempt, which was ſo long ago as in the year 1768, I have, I conceive, improved it abundantly, not only from the amazing alterations and changes which have ſince happened in our political circumſtan- ces, and the ſeveral writings thereon, but above all, from thoſe very excellent orati- ons which, in our fenate, I have myſelf heard, equal to any, perhaps, in any nation whatever ; ſeveral of the ſentiments where- in I have not only blended fo with mine own throughout the whole, but alſo in fome inſtances, the very expreſſions, that I ſhall not be ſurpriſed ſhould it be called an arrant piece of plagiariſm; but if I have digefted it well, I ſhall ſeek no other honour. :) ADVICE TO A N E WL Y EL E C T E D M E M B E R PAR L I AM E N T Juftum & tenacem propoſiti virum, Non civium ardor prava jubentium, Non vultus inſtantis tyranni Mente quatit folida, Hor. Lib, ži, Od. 30 MY LORD, YOU U have now the honour of being elected one of the Repreſentatives in Parliament of this large and growing metropolis, having been in- vited thereto by a confiderable majority of thoſe, who had the natural and true right of foliciting you to this important truſt, have ſucceeded there- in againſt the powerful intereſt of that worthy and reſpectable family that oppoſed you, and but for your 152 A D VICE TO Το Α 93 your long delay in declaring yourſelf, I doubt if you would have had a ſingle competitor to contend with. Give me leave, therefore, again to repeat, that however ſuperior you are in dignity, family and power, it is an honour to you, and that this honour is not paid to you only, but on account of thoſe il- luſtrious anceſtors, thoſe champions of liberty and true patriotiſm, from whom you have the bleſſing of being a deſcendant, and upon whoſe ſecurity, (a fay- ing I have ſomewhere met with,)“ a letter of credit is given you by your country, in the confidence, that, at a proper period of life, you will acquit your- ſelf with honour to thoſe who ſtand engaged for you. The eyes of all will therefore be on you, and very great their expectations will be; to anſwer which, will be an arduous taſk, wherefore, and as your noble father, the firſt and oldeſt peer in the realm, may yet live many years, and you remain a commoner until he ſhall be called hence, when you are afterwards to fill an higher department in the itate, I ſhall, as one of your conſtituents, preſume to offer ſome hints which are meant well, and if at- tended to, may, (I will ſo far flatter myſelf) be at leaſt of no prejudice to you. You have now gone through a courſe of ſtudies in the literary way, and are upon your travels for further improvement, both which are moſt necef- ſary for the poliſhing of a gentleman; but iliis is not enough, you muſt be uſeful alſo; and for this purpoſe, the field is very large, and many are the labours you are to encounter, among which, is the ftudy NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 153 Study of univerſal hiſtory, which is the ſtudy of man- kind. . And then, the conſtitution not only of your own country, but of England alſo, and wherein they dif- fer, as alſo the agriculture, trade, commerce and manufactures of both, as it may be frequently ne: ceſſary to draw a comparative view of them; theſe, their reſpective hiſtories, may in ſome meaſure help you to a knowlege of, but not ſufficiently.* The knowlege alſo of the civil government of your country, and the laws relating thereto, will be moſt neceffary; for which purpoſe, you muſt read and ſtudy the original ſources whence theſe are derived: The civil law of the Romans, which, (we' may ſay) is the law of the world ; the law of nature and nations, and the feudal law; without all which, and eſpecially the knowlege of the latter, a ſenator of theſe our kingdoms will be for ever wan- dering in the dark, for ever plunged in ignorance, error, and confuſion. The books on theſe ſubjects are many, but a few ſelect ones will be ſufficient; ſuch as JUSTINIAN'S inſtitutes, otherwiſe called the DIGEST, SANDER- Son, Grotius and PUFFENDORF, but chiefly Tully's Offices, MONTESQUIEU's Spirit of Laws; with * Quodque addit, caufas populi teneto, eſt fenatori neceffarium nofle rempublicam : idque latè patet; quid habeat militum, quid valeat ærario, quos ſocios reſpublica habeat, quos amicos, quos Atipendiarios, qua quiſque fit lege, conditione, fædere : tenere con- fuetudinem decernendi, noffe exempla majorum. Videtis jam, genus hoc omne ſcientiæ, diligentiæ, memoriæ effe, fine quo para- tus eſſe ſenator nullo pacto potelt. Cicero de leg. 3. 18. 154 CE TO A A DVI VI with BURLAMAQUI's Principles of natural Law, the ſeveral Treatiſes on the Feudal Tenures by GILBERT, WRIGHT and DALRYMPLE! And laftly, though not leaſt worthy, BLACKSTONE'S Commentaries on the Laws of England. As for trade and commerce, hiſtory will alſo in fome fort aſſiſt you in the knowlege of theſe, but there are ſome excellent treatiſes written thereon, which you ſhould read moſt carefully; the authors are Decker, TUCKER, GEE, CHILD, POSTLE- THWAITE, &c. The Law and Cuſtom of Parliament, with the Rules and Orders of the houſe of which you are a member, will alſo be a moft neceffary know- lege; the firſt you may learn from a treatiſe inti- tled LEX PARLIAMENTARIA; the latter from the Journals of the houſe. Inſtructed then, as I have here mentioned, the next thing to be conſidered is, your conduct in the Houſe as a member of the Senate. 1 The powers of oratory are ſo alluring, fo extreme- ly enchanting, that whilſt ambition and the love of fame inſpire the human ſoul, it is not to be won- dered at, that eloquence ſhould be ſo earneſtly pur- ſued; but ſtrip it of its plumage, of all its pomp . ous, dazzling, outſide ornaments, and judge of it shen. To ſay, (as has been ſaid) that a profeſſed orator is but another name for an arrant deceiver, might be carrying it too far, and yet the moſt famous ora- tors NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 155 tors of the ancients were almoſt all deceivers; and whether fome of the moderns have been behind- hand with them in deceit, let Britiſh annals tell. To employ,” as Cicero fays, “our ſkill, rather to promote our own reputation and applauſe, than to ferve the real intereſt of truth and virtue; to pro- pofe in an arrogant manner; to teach how a bad cauſe might be managed ſo as to get the better of a good one, that is, to undertake to charm the ears and ſtrike the paſſions of the hearers in ſo powerful a manner by ſophiſtical reaſoning, turns of wit, and fine language, as to impoſe falfhoods upon them for truths, is not only diſingenuous in itſelf, but moſt dangerous, nay moſt miſchievous to fo- ciety." soos And QUINTILIAN, in his advice to thoſe who are to ſpeak in publick, ſays thus, “ A prudent man is not ſo deſirous to ſay a great deal, as to ſpeak to the purpoſe, and therefore will make choice of pro- per arguments, and fuch only as have a direct ten- dency to confirm, or illuſtrate his ſubject; for this purpoſe, it is neceſſary, that he ſhould firſt gain a thorough knowlege of his ſubject, and proper words will not be wanting to convey his ideas." Ignorantia prælonga eit, Scientia brevis. The firſt ſpecies of oratory I have here mention- eil, “ though it may ſplit the ears of the ground- lings," cannot but make the judicious grieve, and be aſſured, that one ſentence of information con- veyed in a plain and ſimple eloquence, than which, there is not any more difficulty to acquire, will be of more real utility, than diſcourſes of hours in a pompous, 1 156 ADVICE TO A pompous, turgid and obſcure rotation of periods, prepared for the purpoſe; nay, although they were every one of them eſſenced as if they had paſſed through an alembic, they will be regarded but as the leſſon of a ſchool-boy, or as the tale of an ideot, full of found and fury, ſignifying no- thing." Nor is the eaſy, flowing, elegant, or florid ſpecies of oratory without matter, (as is generally the caſe,) the leaſt valuable, being of courſe, of little uti- hty. CICERO in his DE ORATORE, dial. 1. ch. II. ſays thus, “ the efficacy of eloquence can never be, but when the orator is a complete maſter of his ſub- ject," and unqueſtionably ſuch a knowlege with a clear head, will make a man eloquent enough, though he ſhould never read a ſentence upon the art of oratory Again, dial. 3. ch. 25, « The moſt eligible kind of ſpeaking,” ſays he, « is that which is the moſt intereſting to the hearer, and gives him the greateſt delight, but a delight without fa- tiety." I remember, ſome years ago, fitting in a certain aſſembly, when one of our firſt-rate ſpeakers had fi- niſhed his oration, a perſon who ſat next to me, and who was in the higheſt ecitaſy, aiked my friend who ſat on the other ſide of me, a plain, fenfi- ble, honeſt country gentleman, if ever he had heard any thing like it? To which he foberly replied, “It may be very fine for what I know.” And yet this Orator NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 159 orator was alſo of the firſt reputation in the fenate of another kingdom. Nor yet conceive, that I would not wiſh to have the paſſions moved upon ſome occaſions, but then they muſt be grand, important, and juſtifiable with- al ; the preſervation of your country, or the defence of its conſtitution. Nec Deus interfit, niſi dignus vindice nodus Inciderit. Hor. But on matters of civil polity, in the formation of laws, or in the relation of facts; in theſe, I ſay, to introduce the extraordinary and the marvellous, the beauty of figures, the ſplendor of metaphors, the luftre of thoughts, and the harmony of num- bers and cadence, is as abſurd and ridiculous as it would be, to ſee a ſage old man, all over bedeck- ed with the gaudy, pageantry of plumes and traps pings. The next thing I will be free to recommend to you, is modeſty ; it is ſo amiable in a ſpeaker, and has ſo powerful an effect upon an audience, that the greateſt matters of eloquence have affected it; how much more amiable muſt it then be, when it is the bluſh of youthful reaſon and virtue? When it mani- feſtly proceeds fromn a real diffidence of one's own abilities, and an awe and reſpect to the aſſembly, than which, there is not any thing that more prepof- feffes an audience in favour of the ſpeaker? No body envies the man, who does not appear to be too much pleaſed with himſelf. Ta 158 A D VICE TO TO A 1 To ſee a young man ſtarting up on every occa- fion, full of himſelf and ſwelling with opinion, dic- tating as it were to age and experience, is, (if I may uſe the expreſſion) a moſt hurting ſight, and his fate will be, like the babbling cur of the pack, whoſe yelping ever paſſes unheeded, although it ſhould happen, that he hath hit aright. Scolding and reviling with bitter, perſonal, in- vective and obloquy, is a mode of oratory that hath of late years much prevailed in a neighbouring na- tion; above all things ſhun it; the more a man ex- cels in it, the greater will be his reproach; it is a diſgrace to humanity : I hope it will 'never gain ground in this kingdom, where perſonal inſults are fo quickly reſented, or we may not need any act for the limitation of parliament. Should any of theſe orators ever in this way attack you, Sir, immes diately call on the preſident of the aſſembly to re- lieve you, it is his duty to do ſo; and ſhould he not be regarded, he is armed with a ſufficient authority to enforcę obedience; he is to call the tranſgreſſor to order, (if he ſhould not be ſo called on by a member of the houſe) and if he ſtill perſiſts to dif- turb the aſſembly, he is to call him to the bar of the houſe, and upon the houſe to ſupport the chair; to ſupport order, to ſupport their own dignity; and the puniſhment may be, cenſure, commitment, nay, even expulſion; were it not for ſuch coercive powers, whilſt there are the leaſt remains among any of us of the ferocious ſpirit of our northern an- ceſtors, as yet unſoftened and untamed by breed- ing, there might be but few aſſemblies where we ſhould : NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 150 Thould meet with more decency or decorum, than in one of our bear-gardens, or at Billingſgate. For ſeveral inſtances of the puniſhments upon ſuch oc- caſions, fee the aforeſaid Law and Guſtoms of Parli- ament. But ſhould your antagoniſt be permitted to pro- ceed, do you that initant quit the aſſembly, and not fit a fixed figure for malignity and rancour to diſcharge their venom on; nor conceive that in fo doing, your reſolution will be ſuſpected; quite the - contrary, for were you to ſtay, and return the abuſe, although you ſhould exceed in it, and that it were in language ever fo GREAT (as it is termed,) pray, where would be the honour where the pro- fit? why, you may have gained the applauſe of the ill-natured and the malevolent, or of the ever-facti- ous levelling mob. To refent it perſonally on the ſpot, you cannot g to do it afterwards in cool blood, is a dreadful iſſue, even to the bráveit; to him, that would undaunted Face an army;, and yet to bear it patiently, might either induce a, belief of a conſciouſneſs in you of having deſerved the abuſe, or call your ſpirit in queſtion, and be the means of inviting eternal in- ſults from all that ſhould afterwards be baſe enough to offer them. Ought humanity then, or even de- cency fuffer a man to be wantonly, and at the will and pleaſure of another, laid under ſuch diſtreſling and perplexing difficulties, as any, even the leaſt of thoſe I have here mentioned? And is not every member of the aſſembly indiſpenſably bound to contribute all in his power to prevent them? But if unguard- ✓ 160 TO A A D VI ĆE i unguardedly permitted, ought not the matter of abuſe be forthwith inquired into ? The accuſer call- ed on to make good his allegations, and the accuſed to ſtand to his defence ? and if facts ſhould be proved which merited ſuch treatment, then let the houſe, not any individual, puniſh; if not proved, let . the puniſhment fall on the accuſer. It muſt be, that either one or the other will not be fit to remain a member of that moſt auguſt aſſembly. But do rìot imagine from wliat I have here ſaid, that I think that wicked men, or their bad meaſures are not to be expoſed or reproved, far be it from my thoughts; but do it as a man of ſenſe and virtue, and as a gentleman ought to do it, and not as if it were the reſult of faction, ſpleen, or malig. nity. Avoid alſo moſt carefully, the leaſt attempt to- wards little gibing wit in the houſe ; it ſurely betrays a malignity of heart and want of abilities, ſo that to gain the ſmalleſt degree of credit in this way, would be the deareſt purchaſe you could make; it would be at the expence of all opinion and love. ü ܝ .. > What though wit tickles, tickling is unſafe, If ſtill 'tis painful whilſt it makes us laugh, Who for the poor renown of being ſmart, Would leave a fting within a brother's heart ? . Nor would you be heeded ſeriouſly, though you ſhould be ſerious, a common joker is a moſt con- temptible character, and to ſee an aſſembly that ought to be exalted in wiſdom, and fedate in beha- viour, having the whole concerns of a nation to tranfact, of modern NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 161 tranſact, in a roar of laughter, be the cauſe what it may; (but in truth no cauſe can juſtify it) is, I ſhould think, as melancholy a ſight as could be pof- ſibly exhibited And laſtly now, upon this ſubject of ſpeaking in the houſe; let it be your determined reſolution ne- ver to ſpeak upon any matter of which you are not a maſter; as to ſpeak well thereon would be impoſ- ſible, unleſs you were inſpired. It is true, from your high quality and large fortune, you ſtand on an advanced ground, to which abundantly the ma- jority of ſociety are diſpoſed to look up with ad- miration, if the poſſeſſors thereof are ever ſo little endowed with abilities; and, as ſays the wiſe ſon of Sirach, “When a rich man ſpeaketh, every man holdeth his tongue; and, look, what he faith, they extol it to the clouds; but if the poor man ſpeak, they fay, What fellow is this? and if he ſtumble, they will help to overthrow him;" Ecclef. ch. xiii. v. 23. But this could neither be any real advantage or honour to you; the incenſe; or ho- mage, which may be thus paid to you for a time, cannot laſt long, if not ſupported by yourſelf, and the deluſion muſt vaniſh. Then there is a commendation too often beſtow. ed on ſuch young men, ſhould they in any the leaſt degree acquit themſelves in publick; as thus, " Why, it was pretty well for a lord's ſon.” Now, can there be a more fevere reproach: or indignity offered? Are they not from their cradles furniſhed with every means to give them" à fuperiority above all others who cannot purchaſe or acquire VOL. III. M thoſe 162 ADVICE TO À thoſe means; as education, company, converſa- tion, &c. &c ? A ſorry fort of negative praiſe; in other words, " That he has made but little uſe of the very advantageous opportunities he had.” On the other hand, ſhould you well acquit yourſelf, and that Envy ſhould ſay, in its ungenerous phraſe, “Who thanks him?" you would be honoured there- by, as it would manifeſt that you had ſeized and uſed thoſe opportunities well. Yet do not think, my Lord, that I conceive that the knowlege and abilities I have here mentioned, how- ever highly poſſeſſed, are alone ſufficient to entitle a perſon to a ſeat in parliament; his conſtituents ought to have particular attention to his principles religi- ous and moral: it will be of little advantage to them that he is clear in his underttanding, unleſs he is un- tainted in his integrity; on the contrary, the two advantages I have firſt mentioned, unattended with the latter, will but furniſh him with the ability of doing greater miſchief to fociety. There is yet another matter, and alſo of no little importance, which is your conduct upon petitions againſt undue elections. It is a common expreſſion, * that a committee of elections is a committee of affections."--If this be fo, where is then our con- ſtitution? If after a perſon hath been duly elected, and perhaps at great expence, he ſhall be turned out by a majority of votes in the Houſe, in confe_ quence of a ſuperior intereſt that his competitor may have from his connections there, of what avail will free electors be? Therefore, bear this alſo ever in your mind, that if you ſhall at any time be applied NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 163 to for your intereſt upon ſuch an occaſion, or very much preffed to attend the committee, it is the higheſt affront can be offered ; for every member is as much a judge in the legiſlature, as any judge upon any bench in the inferior courts of juſtice is of the cauſe depending before him, and it is your duty to attend moſt conſtantly, as a centinel to watch for your country.* And now, as I am on the ſubject of elections, there is a term which hath of late years been much hackneyed upon all ſuch contefts as theſe; a word, which as it hath been uſed by both parties againſt each other, and as a word of war, it is plain hath no preciſe or fixed idea annexed to it: this word is, IN- DEPENDENT. Now, if it means a perſon who, uninfluenced by intereſt, unawed by power, and unbiaſſed by prejudice, gives his vote upon the elec- tion of a candidate according to the dictates of a well informed mind, it is a noble character. But if an INDEPENDENT ſignifies a perſon of a per- turbed, reſtleſs ſpirit, yoked invincibly under the notion of freedom, to a furious firebrand party, fraught with principles of eternal oppoſition and re- ſiſtance, ſubverſive of all government and order, it is then an infernal idea.----_But this matter can only be adjuſted by conſidering the manners and principles of the perſons, who on each ſide are moſt buſy and moſt zealous on theſe occaſions, (for ſuch there always are). Of the firſt of theſe characters, M2 I hope, * An act hath been ſince made, Geo. 3 C6 12. made per- petual.bỳ 13 & 14.ditto, c. 15. “ To regulate trials of con- troverted elections." Whether it has remedied all the evils againſt which it was pointed, is a matter much doubted. ra Α 164 A ADVICE TO I hope, there were numbers in the late election on both ſides; of the latter, none on either. That this city hath been of late years, and ſtill is moſt unfortunately divided, and of courſe'replete with animofities, is a matter, than which there is not any thing more certain ; and the alteration that hath been lately made in its conſtitutiori, with a view to reme- dy theſe evils, hath encreaſed them many degrees : who was or were the firſt promoter or promoters of them, it would be needleſs here to mention, it is in truth no ſecret : if they have any virtue, I will leave them to the puniſhment in their own breaſts; if they have not, a million to one, they will meet it from thoſe they have ſeduced, deluded, or inflamed, it has ſeldom been otherwiſe. Other miſchiefs, and no inconſidérable ones which have ariſen from the alteration in the city conſtitution, are, that, from the frequent elections among themſelves, which have been the conſequences of it, a ſpirit of declamation every day encreaſing, parties and factions form- ing, tavern-meetings and expenſive revellings als moſt every night, among the traders and artificers, to the abſolute miſpending of time and neglect of their affairs and buſineſs, which, if not ſpeedily cor- rected, muft moſt aſſuredly be ever productive of both fraud and bankruptcy, and great diſtreſs to fa- milies. A parcel of beggarly brawlers would be a ſorry ſubſtitute of ſkilful, wealthy merchants, tra- ders, and mechanics. But then, the many ſchemes and various views and expectations of thoſe different parties, may, if you are not much upon your guard, make your ſeat a ſeat NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 165 therefore be your conſtant rule to hear all: ſidės, a ſeat of thorns, a ſeat of eternal diſquiet ; let iť. 1 1 } and then let judgment hold the ſcale. According to the propagated notions and doc- trine of ſome arch incendiaries among us, no mem- ber is to preſume to vote, but even as the moſt in- ferior of the people ſhall direct or dictate ; or if he ſhould, he is to make his ſubmiſſion, and to crave their forgiveneſs, ſhould any factious demagogue, or leader of the rabble, declare in an anonymous letter, or under a fictitious name, in any of the pub- lic factious vehicles of ſcandal, think fit to demand it; which madneſs, or folly, as it has by ſome been meanly ſubmitted to, it were no wonder, if not any law could reſtrain their enormous expectations and inſolence. Now, ſhould it ever be your fate, my Lord, to meet with that ARDOR CIVIUM PRAVA JUBENTIUM, that vulTUS INSTANTIS TYRANNI, mentioned in the motto hereto, be bold to act as I have ventured to recommend to you, what though they raged at your gates; and for ſo doing ſhould any of theſe partial petty tyrants, with their uſual, vulgar, fcurrilous language, attempt to abuſe you in any of their public partial papers, never deign to anſwer one of them; if the charge be falſe, it can- pot affect you ; if you have been miſtaken, (as the beſt and wiſeſt may err) it is better acquieſce in fi- lence, than attempt to juſtify; but let your future conduct make reparation : Beſides, it may be thought, you have not ſeen the charge, or that if you have, from a conſciouſneſs of innocence, you hold it in contempt, which may turn the fickle: vul- gar in your favour, and diſappoint the malicious propagator 166 ADVICE TO A propagator thereof; whereas, the noticing it, will keep it alive, and afford them entertainment at the diſturbance of your peace, as is the caſe with ſome of the moſt reſpectable characters. There is hardly one of human kind, who has not fome foible or {ome weakneſs, which, however innocent, the male- volent and ſarcaſtic may, with a very ſmall portion of low wit, expoſe and turn into ridicule, eſpecially whilſt there is in mankind ſuch an appetite for it; and to attempt reaſoning with them is like hewing a block with a razor ; or if they were capable of it, their prejudices render them deaf as the adder. It were much to be wiſhed that the preſent con- ftitution of the city you now repreſent were reviſed, and carefully conſidered by the judicious and diſa paſſionate, and ſo rectified and ſettled, as to put a ftop to the miſchiefs I have here mentioned, and eſtabliſh peace and harmony, fobriety and induſtry, and a proper demeanour of every man in his call- ing. Your connections and your intereſt, as well on this, as on the other ſide of the water, if not ſu- perior, muſt be allowed on all hands, to be at leaſt equal to any whatſoever. Effect then this good work, and you will merit a monumental ſtatue in eternal remembrance of the deed. At preſent, every ſtranger who viſits it, may juſtly think we have no police As for the giving of money, where it is for the carrying on of public works, the improvement of agriculture eſpecially, manufactures and arts, be not íparing of it; it will be ſpent among us, and can- not be better diſpoſed of; but you cannot be too ſtrict NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 167 ſtrict in your enquiries as to the application of it, and the prevention of jobs, be they who they will, that may be ſo abandoned as to be concerned therein.--Nor be in the leaſt apprehenſive of any danger from a moderate national debt ; it muſt be, as things are cireumſtanced at preſent, the ſecu- rity of the ſtate ; the convenience and advantage of individuals; and the benefit of commerce and trade. Was there a law to enable tenants for life to make long leaſes of our waſte lands, of which above ſeven millions of acres are improveable, it would be quickly ſet about What an acquiſition of po- pulation, ſtrength and wealth would this produce ? In our conſtitution, the prerogatives of our kings were originally given them for the advan- tage of the whole; ſo that theſe, and the rights of the people, are equally ſacred, nor can either be infringed without endangering the whole. King CHARLESI. made this anſwer to the Petition of Right: ** That the people's liberties ftrengthen the king's prerogative, and the king's prerogative is to defend the people's liberties :" Not but that there are ſome of theſe prerogatives that are never to be exerted but in matters of the higheſt importance, and moſt urgent neceſſity. In matters of private property be- tween ſubject and ſubject, never, Now, the granting of penſions, is, and has been, time immemorial, a prerogative of the crown, to enable it to reward merit, and provide for faithful ſervants to their country, where their finances, by accident or misfortune, are ſcanty, even though they ſhould be members of the legiſlature. It is for its lonour 169 AD ADVICE TO A honour and dignity, and by the wiſdom of our an- ceſtors, thought fit it ſhould be fo. It is true, it might be, and perhaps has been at times abuſed, but that cannot in reaſon be an argument againſt the right and legality of granting them, both which have been confirmed by many acts of parliament, and are confirmed every ſeſſions by the tax they are charged with, as our journals will ſhew; and have not the Commons a ſufficient power to prevent the miſapplication of public money, by ſtopping the fupplies ? But as for the granting of penſions, eſpe- cially employments or offices for lives or years, how great a' miſchief this may be to future merit, and how conſiderably it may weaken the honour, dignity, and authority of the preſent, but much more a ſucceſſor prince, however it may anſwer the preſent or immediate purpoſe, are matters which I ſhall not attempt to diſcuſs; however, I could with that all of them, eſpecially employ- ments or offices, were in every inſtance to be only ſo diſtributed, as, upon mature delibera- tion, ſhould be judged the leaſt injurious to the crown and the ſubject.* Alſo the removal of op- poſing powerful Commoners, who have boroughs, to the Upper Houſe, though it may gain the voices of thoſe they return into the Lower Houſe for a time, may, in the end, cut againſt the very purpoſe it was deſigned to promote; the gratitude of theſe digni- fied perſons has too often very quickly vaniſhed, and they have turned the moſt obſtinate and inve- terate opponents. It A $ * As to judges, I hall only obſerve, that they are not choſen to this high ofice here, in the ſame manner as they are in England. NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. . 169 } It may be alſo true, as it is ſaid, that a penſioned member cannot be diſintereſted, and that he will never value how much of the public money is given, who is afterwards to ſhare it; but ſurely, it is not fair, to conclude abſolutely, that the receiving of a penſion ſhould ſo deprave the heart of a man, that for ſo ſmall a conſideration he would either contribute towards, or ſtand by, an idle or uncon- cerned ſpectator of the wreck of his country; how- ever, let it be your buſineſs to watch, and if you find reaſon, it then will be your duty to join in every neceſſary meaſure of REPRESENTING and ADDRESS- ING; we have a good and gracious ſovereign, who has given us the ſtrongeit earneſt that he will not give us cauſe of complaining. But if government ſhould ever be compelled, from either a wanton or ſelf-intereſted oppoſition, in order to carry on the neceffary buſineſs of the State, and without which, it cannot exiſt, to buy off thoſe who are moſt ready to be fold, and who, for the very purpoſe, are ever in array againſt them, where then ought the blame to lie? And how unjuſt would it be (as is too often the caſe in a neighbouring kingdom) to accuſe and cenſure adminiſtration, for not purſuing or effecting thoſe very meaſures, the means for which, theſe pſeudo-patriots have themſelves oppoſed and pre- vented! $ Wherever real grievances are, there, my Lord, let your attention be moſt ſtrenuouſly directed, but to be diſcontented without cauſe, to contend for con- tention fake only, or to raiſe up phantoms for your- ſelf to combat, in order to perplex and haraſs go- vernment 170 ADVICE TO A V vernment; to attempt the alteration of ſuch things as have been eſtabliſhed, in ſuch a manner as that you cannot but know, there is no chance of alter- ing them, or if we could, perhaps the alteration of fome of them would not be to our advantage; to roll the Stone of Sisyphus, or like the viper gnaw the file, theſe things may win you the applauſe of the ever-reſtleſs, fickle vulgar, but it will be at the expence of all credit for ever, with the ſober, the honeſt, and the judicious. They are beneath the dignity of a Senator ; of a man; and are the ſtrong- eſt proof of corruption of heart.–The real love of our country ſtands foremoft in the rank of human virtues; but what puniſhment is not due to that wretch, who, from ſelfiſh views, and for his own private intereſt, ſhould, under the ſhew and fem- blance of patriotiſm, fire with groundleſs fears and jealouſies the poor deluded people, nor reſt until he had rouſed them even to the outrageous diſturbance of ſociety! Fleetere fi nequeo Superos, Acheronta movebo. Beſides, it is a real injury to the publick, as, by fo doing, that portion of time is ingroſſed thereby, which might be otherwiſe employed in uſeful buſi- pelſes, not only in the ſeveral matters I have men- tioned before, but alſo in the encouragement of the biſheries ; in preventing the abuſe of ſpirituous li- quors, and the miſchiefs of brewers, which would lave ſeventy thouſand pounds a year in the king- dom, prevent tumults, and preſerve the lives of thouſands, in providing againft the ſcarcity of corn, by eſtabliſhing public granaries, or in ſuch other manner NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 170 manner as ſhall be thought moſt prudent; as alſo for the protection of the kingdom, by fortifications and an eſtabliſhed militia, which is undoubtedly its true and beſt defence, if we have proteſtants ſuffici- ent to ſpare for the purpoſe; or otherwiſe, by a proper and ſecure, augmentation of forces, to be ever dependant, (as they now are,) for their pay upon the people; in effecting a ſingle colliery, and - thereby preventing the loſs of thouſands upon thou- ſands of pounds to the nation ; in erecting buildings for the preſervation of the public records, the build- ings in which they are now kept, and eſpecially the rolls office, the moſt important of all, being in ſuch a ſituation, as to cauſe every man who has any pro- perty or the leaſt degree of humanity, to ſhudder at the very thought of; as alſo a building for the four courts contiguous thereto, which latter, as it would be out of the gang way of idlers, might be an acquiſition of ſome thouſands in the year to the pub- lick ;* in remedying the moſt diſtreſſing grievances of the laws, not only in their proceedings, but their unbounded expence and endleſs delays, with the impoſitions, exactions, and infolence of office; in effectually preventing the daily practiſed oppoſiti- on here, to the execution of thoſe laws, than which, nothing injures more the commercial intereſt of the country, and its ſecurity, and is unprecedented per- lraps in any other, where any laws exiſt; as alſo in obtaining a NATIONAL BANK, without which it is * I had ſtrongly recommended this, and the ſite'and mode of building ſuch ofices many years ago, in the preface to iny Plcas ſide of the Exchequer ; and the offices are now accordingly building 172 AD VIC E TO A is logically impoſſible this kingdom ever can flou- riſh. Your property is ſo great that it is not likely you will ever grace the penſion liſt; but at the ſame time let me beſeech you not to decline an honour- able employment, or office of truſt in the ſtate, if ſuch, as there is little doubt but it will be the caſe, ſhould be propoſed to you ; perfons of your conſe- quence, as I have ſaid before, are the moſt fit to fill fuch poſts, and the ſafety of both king and country depend upon its being ſo; beſides, without the af- ſiſtance of the knowlege, and immediate informa- tion of theſe officers, upon the frequent occaſions of calling on them in the houſe, the buſineſs of parlia- ment would be exceedingly tedious; and imagine not, that the old faying, to wit,“ That a place at court is a continual bribe," can ever be applied to you; it is appoſite only to the moſt abandoned knaves, who have no credit or good name to for- feit. 1 If the act for the limitation of Parliaments, be of ſuch high import to this kingdom, that, as has been urged, it could not be ſaid we had a conſtitution without it, and will be of ſuch immenſe advantage (as is conceived,) to the proteſtant intereſt, in the encreaſe of conformiſts among the lower people, what grateful thanks are due to our moſt gracious, moſt indulgent fovereign for his aſſent to it? But at the fame time, let it be your care to prevent, as much as may be, the ill effects that may otherwiſe of courſe ariſe from ſuch a frequency of elections, and eſpecially in this, (I may fay,) poor kingdom, as NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 173 as yet but in its infancy of thriving, and where a dif- poſition to labour and induſtry is far from being as vigorous as it is to be wiſhed it was, or all the hoped for good effects of this moft excellent law, may be prevented or defeated. Some writers on govern- ment have mentioned balloting as the moſt effectu- al means of preventing all the evils of elections in general. Suppoſe then, that not only the repreſen- tatives for counties and boroughs were to be choſen by ballot, but alſo all others whatſoever, in every caſe, where elections are to be, from the higheſt to the loweſt office in the community ? This might alſo in ſome meaſure put a ſtop to that unconſtitutional proceeding of obtaining early promiſes of votes; and now, it may not be impro- per here to mention what the moral law has been at all times, and in all nations in regard of pro- miſes. Such promiſes, according to Tully, SAN- DERS, GROTIUS, PUFFENDORF, and other writers of this law, are not to be kept, as are MALUM IN SE, nor ſuch as will but bring a miſchief on him they were made to; no more are thoſe which tend to the damage of the promiſer himſelf, more than the pro- fit of him they were promiſed to: Again, if the promiſe be againſt public utility, or if it be extorted from a man, by the unjuſt means of either fear, or intereſt. And they further ſay, that they to whom ſuch promiſes are made, would be much to blame, Tould they complain of being diſappointed. Buit as many perſons who do not underſtand this mat- ter, may yet have ſcruples, and as it has been faid, that it might lead to introduce the breach of pro- miſe 174 TO A ov ADVICE ... miſe in other matters not juſtifiable, would it not be better upon all accounts, to reſerve the promiſe even to the very hour of election? To determine to be of any junto, cabal, or any party whatſoever, or always on one ſide, muſt dif- grace and leſſen you in the conſideration of all who can judge. It promotes fourneſs, rage, and every violent paffion, and of courſe deſtroys both truth and judgment, be they on which ſide they may. To attempt to juſtify, by, that old, trite, political maxim, That the party muſt ſupport itſelf at all events, may as well juſtify a gang of robbers. It aggra- vates the immorality of the meaſure, and proves it a faction. So, conſtantly to oppoſe every meaſure, right or wrong, that adminiſtration propoſes, betray's the in cendiary, the fool, or the madman, or a compound of the two latter characters, if ſuch be poſſible; and to rejoice in fomenting confuſion, thereby defeat- ing, or at leaſt retarding even the ordinary buſineſs of the nation, betrays the heart of a fiend. But ſhould any ſuch proceeding be the effect of any diſappointment, or diſpleaſure, you would that inſtant loſe all character of candor for ever ; for every, even the meaneſt idler in the gallery knows, or at leaſt pretends to know, the ſecret ſprings of every leader, or forward actor in the houſe. It is true, where ſuch a perſon is poſſeſſed of an extraor- dinary brilliancy of genius, or uncommon abilities, from the fafcination of their powerful charms, he tco often bears down all who oppoſe, and for a time may NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 195 may fo impoſe upon the underſtanding, nay, the very ſenſes of the vulgar, as to make wrong appear right, or the day the night, or the reverſe; whilft he who hath not theſe advantages will but founder in eternal confuſion, and be the mark of ſport and con- tempt. Not, ſir, that I would be underſtood by any thing I have here urged, that I would not have oppoſition, where it is neceſſary; far be from me ſuch a thought! No, wherever it is proper, may a ſpirited and a vigorous one never be wanting, nor ſuch as you be ever abſent on the occaſion; not neglecting this moſt important truſt, or leaving it to the yelp- ers of the claſs I have mentioned, thoſe ſham, de- ceitful, treacherous guards, who only bellow to be taken off, (as it is termed) but with the inſtinct of rats would quit the veſſel the moment they conceiv. ed it to be in danger of foundering. And yet it muſt be allowed, nay cannot be deni- ed, that our glorious conſtitution has at times been preſerved by the moſt abandoned of theſe brawlers. • For," as lord BOLINGBROKE wittily as ſenſibly expreſſes it, “ they are, until they are purchaſed off, the centinels of the day, and whilſt the loaves and fiſhes remain, ſucceſſors will not be wanting, fo let us cheriſh the breed.” But ſuch an occupation would ill become the great houſe to which you are the apparent heir, and who, ſo long as you ſhall be uniform and ſteady in your conduct in the great aſſembly of the nation, muſt ever be a leader of numbers on which foever ſide you engage, and your power, be as reſpected of courſe. But 176 A D VICE: TO A i But ſiun, my lord, for ever ſhun the thirft of POPULARITY. It is a vice the moment it is fought; and he who courts the favour of the populace, that inflant ſurrenders his freedom. But; (according to the ſentiments of an able divine) who are they whoſe praiſes are fought? A miſled multitude of men, who in their whole conduct are guided in the general but by humour, whim and caprice; who admire falſe appearances, and purſue falſe goods; who enquire ſuperficially, and judge raihly , whoſe ſentiments are for the moſt part erro- neous, and as often inconſiſtent. And is it to ſuch judges as theſe, that a man would ſubmit the ſu: preme direction of his conduct; be ſolicitous about a name alone, a fictitious imaginary character, whoſe exiſtence is only in the ſorry opinions of the weak and credulous, who ſee no farther than the fúr: face of things? Nor is this all, the real principles of probity are not only weakened by a ſubſtitution of in- ferior motives in their ſtead, but a ſhipwreck is often made of both faith and conſcience, as the tide of acclamations leads them; fo that vices of va- rious kinds will ſtain the character, the whole will become fictitious; opinions will be aſſumed, ſpeech and behaviour modelled, and even the countenance formed as prevailing phrenſy exacts, and all real worth extinguiſhed. What then from ſuch a cha. racter, from an heart unſound and hollow as this, can be expected ? In private life he will ever be a timorous and treacherous friend ; in public con- duct, ſupple and verſatile, ready to deſert the cauſe which he had eſpouſed, and to veer with every ſhift- ing wind of popular favour; that poor flimſy worth- leſs 0 NEWLY-ELECTED MEMBER. 177 leſs favour, whoſe praiſes in a wiſe retirement, if ſuch a character could ever ſeek it, can never give a ſingle comfortable reflection. * But then, my lord, this paſſion, when it is predo- minant, moſt commonly defeats the end at which it aims, and deprives the man of that honour he is ſo eager to gain. Even the meaneſt of thoſe whoſe favour he courts, will in time defpiſe him, and yet the more he yields, the more they will preſume. They look up with reverence to the man, who, un- awed by their cenſures, dares on occaſions to con- tradict their prejudices, and act according to his proper ſenſe of things, and follows the free impulſe of an honourable mind, which alone can gain an everlaſting fame; but him who hangs entirely on their judgments, they conſider as their vaſſal. They even enjoy a malignant pleaſure in humbling his vanity, and withholding that praiſe he is ſo earneſt to court; ſo that he had better have been the meaneſt mechanic among them. By artifice and ſhow he may ſhine a while in the public eye, yet it is only while he can ſupport the belief of acting from prin- ciple; but when the inconſiſtencies into which he falls, detect his character, his reputation paſſes away like the pageant of an hour. Then, in what light muſt he conſider himſelf, who labours in this ſtate of vaſſalage? If he is aſhamed of himſelf, what then will ſignify the careſſes of thouſands? One ſelf-approving hour, whole years outweighs, Of ftupid ftarers, and of loud huzzas : And more true joy MARCELLUS exil'd feels, Than CESAR with a fenate at his heels. POPE, VOL. III. N Whether 178 TO A ADV I CE TO Whether the preſent too-prevailing mode of cor- ruption originated from government, or from the people, or how, or when it began, is a queſtion would require a diſcuſſion which would too much lengthen this epiſtle; but that the electors have it ſtill in their power, to prevent, correct, or reform this crying abuſe, no man in his ſenſes can doubt; yet if baſe bribes or other lures can win them to barter or betray themſelves, they have no right to complain, if they who buy them, ſhall be pleaſed to ſell them. Or if mere obſequiouſneſs, flexibility, and total vacancy. Of opinion or. judgment, are to be the principles on which they chooſe their ſervants, as they call them, narrow-minded, timid, impotent wretches, may be found to be their mere mecha- nic ſlaves; but ſpirit, ability, and a truly honeſt li- beral mind, would with ſcorn reject ſuch ſervile, baſe conditions as thoſe, were it even for a feat on a throne, as beneath the dignity of a man. The laſt, yet by no means the leaſt eſſential mat- ter I preſume to recommend to your conſideration, is, your conduct to your conſtituents, at which I have before but flightly hinted. They have, as I have before alſo mentioned, freely and cheerfully honoured you with their choice, and this without any previous required teſt, or promiſes as to your conduct, with which many candidates have been af- fronted, and in ſubmitting thereto have affronted themſelves, as they do alſo in the low condeſcenſi- ons, and ſhameful adulation they pay to the meaneſt of wretches who happen to have votes, which muſt render a man ridiculous, and truly contemptible even NEWLY-E LECTED MEMBER. 179 even in his own eyes, and eſpecially, if, at other times, he hath borne himſelf highly. If then, it ſhould ever be propofed to you, to vote for, or againſt a particular meaſure; or to go at any time pre-determined into the houſe, it would neither be conſtitutional, fenfible, nor honeſt to comply with ſuch a requiſition. Electors have a right at all times to inform and inſtruct, though not to dictate to, their re- preſentatives ; and upon every queſtion of im- portance, it is moſt fit they ſhould aſſemble and convene their repreſentatives, whoſe duty it is to meet their conſtituents, hear their information, wiſhes and advice, or inſtructions, as it is alſo their duty of their own accord, to conſult their conſtitu- ents; but for a candidate to enter into any promiſes to them, either previous to, or after election, by which deliberation and judging* ſhall be precluded; but to implicitly obey their dictatorial commands, who are but an one hundred and fiftieth. part of the whole, and which may not only be inconſiſtent, but entirely militate with the intereſt of that whole, and all this againſt the cleareſt conviction of judgment and conſcience, muſt render Parliament either ani aſſembly of advocates only, who are at all events to maintain the various, jarring intereſts of their re- ſpective electors, and make it an eternal ſcene of altercation, rage and confuſion; or to ſpeak more properly, a collection of voluntary bondſmen and ſlaves, * The CONSULTÚDŐ DÉCÉÉ NENDÍ, which ſee before p. 153, in the quotation from Cicero, in which the duty of a ſenator is ſo fully compriſed; that it were well it were engraved in capitals of gold on the doors of the liouſę, N 2 180 A D VICE TO A flaves, or of puppet machines for the crowd to wires pull as they ſhould pleaſe. The inſtant the city of Dublin returned you as a repreſentative, you be- came a Member of Parliament, or in other words, as Repreſentative of the whole Nation; and he only can be called a real friend to his country, who ſupports, or oppoſes a meaſure on no other grounds whatſo- ever, but its being beneficial, or hurtful to the ge- neral intereſts of the publick at large: Nay, ſhould your conſtituents have an intereſt, or form an hafty opinion evidently oppoſite to the real good of the reſt of the community, you ſhould be as far as any other from any endeavour to give it effect. But if the teſt required of a candidate, ſhould be nothing more than an engagement to act with integrity, and do his duty in this high and honourable truſt, every honeft man ſhould ſubſcribe to it cheerfully. And thus conſtituents in having firſt, and they only, the right and power of election, and then the liberty of informing and inſtructing, as I have mentioned, thoſe they have choſen, have every right and power they can in reaſon expect; and there- fore, if from corruption or want of due attention, they do not properly chooſe, they can only blame themſelves for the miſchief. * In ſhort, my lord, the good of ſociety, is to be the polar ſtar of your ſteer- age; that GREAT WHOLE, by which, and for which only, every government that ever hath exiſted, was at firſt created, and is but its inſtrument; as you are allo, with never-ceaſing diligence, to watch, that the public power, with which it is entruſted, for the benefit of that WHOLE, (of which an idle drunken, * Quicquid eſt caufa cauſæ eft caufa cauſati. NEW L Y-ELECTED MEMBER. 187 drunken, diſſipated rabble, can never be conſidered as part), ſhall be confecrated to that purpoſe. And yet, that ſuch a man as I have wiſhed you to be, may err, there can be no doubt; but if even this ſhould happen, after hearing every thing that can be ſaid on the queſtion, on the one ſide and the other, and uſing every poſlible means for informa- tion, unactuated by either ſelfiſh purpoſes, or local prejudices, his error would be blameleſs; ſince it is what might have happened to the beſt and wiſeſt of men. Even the ſenate of Rome in the meridian of its glory might fo at times have erred. * To conclude: as I before mentioned, the eyes of numbers will be on you, and as you have every ad- vantage * It could not be wondered at, if, from the proceedings of facti- ons in the two kingdoms of late, and which have abundantly en- -creaſed, ſince this was firſt publiſhed, that the populace were to be the rulers of every thing : They are appealed to, upon all, even the moſt intereſting occaſions, without diſtinction of place, as the fountain, (and this in nearly expreſs terms,) whence all power originally ſprings, and the tremendous deduction follows of courſe ; and to ſuch a pitch has it raiſed them in both king- doms, that the man who dares, even in Parliament, where, from the very word, debate should be free, ſpeak out any ſentiment now, which might happen to differ from thoſe of the exiſting oppoſition, or faction, which and patriotiſm are now ſynonimous, it is at the peril of the facrifice, not only of his ſubſtance, of which there are not wanting recent inſtances, but of his life, and all that he holds dear. Nay, have not their deſperate inftruments in each kingdom, even ſeized, and groſsly treated ſeveral of the members of both Houſes of Parliament, whom their as infernal abettors have, in their declamations, pointed out as objects of their rage? And who is he who dare to mention puniſhment ? So that, if theſe proceedings continue, a tyrant could not hurt the conſtitution more than they inult Shortly do 182 &c. ADVICE, $ vantage you can wiſh for, in this world, to enable you to be well qualified to fill the high and moſt important poſt to which you have been called and choſen, as birth, dignity, large poſſeſſions, &c. &c. their expectations will be great. That you may moſt fully anſwer them, and equal all the good- neſs and all the greatneſs of your moſt noble an- L ceſtors, Is the ſincere wiſh of, &c. SOME SOM E Τ Η Ο U G H T S U PON AN INTERESTING QUESTION. 1 AS S ſince the publication of my pamphlet fome few months ago, intitled ADVICE TO NEWLY-ELECTED Member of PARLIAMENT, a very intereſting queſtion hath been revived upon that moſt important ſtatute, uſually called Poin- INGS' law, ioth Henry VII. C. 4. which had cre- ated ſo much conteſt in our legiſlative aſſemblies at different times; and as, from a ſilence thereon for theſe ſeveral years paſt, there might not have been an inducement to conſider it, I flatter myſelf it may not be diſagreeable now, ſhortly to ſtate the hiſtory of this matter, and the queſtions ariſing thereon: It is then from the beſt authorities, Sir John Davies and others, as follows: During the long conteſts in England, between the houſes of York and LANCASTER, which had each of them partiſans in this kingdom alſo, who exerted their utmoſt efforts in favour of the princes whoſe cauſe they eſpouſed, the Engliſh inhabitants of it, being drained, by theſe efforts, of their moſt warlike 184 THOUGHTS UPON AN ... warlike men, and deprived of all aſſiſtance from their mother country, were, towards the concluſion of thoſe wars, reduced to ſuch a degree of weak- neſs, that the Iriſh, as the ſaid Sir John DAVIES expreſſes it, became victorious over all without blood or ſweat; except the diſtrict diſtinguiſhed by the name of the Engliſh Pale; which conſiſting ori- ginally but of four ſmall ſhires, was at that time ſtill further reduced; the marches or borders of it being ſo enlarged, as to take up one half of the counties of Meath and Dublin, and one-third part of Lowth and Kildare. The Engliſh within the pale; excluſive of the marches, retained in ſome de- gree their ancient form of government, and kept up a kind of bordering war with the Iriſh. But thoſe who were diſperſed through the other parts of the country, being unable to reſiſt their enemies, had entered into alliances with them, had embraced the laws and cuſtoms, and in ſome places, had even adopted the names of the Iriſh. Even within the pale, many abuſes had prevailed ſubverſive of foci- ety: The principal lords aſſumed the privilege of making war and peace of their own accord: And the power of the legiſlature, from which alone the people when oppreifed can hope for redreſs, was perverted to the moſt pernicious purpoſes; for the chief governors, who were then empowered to give the royal afſent to all bills whatſoever, without any communication with the king, or his Engliſh coun- cil, impoſed many laws upon the people, not tend- ing to the general good, but calculated to ſerve their private ends, to favour the intereſt of their own fac- tions, or to oppreſs their opponents, Such INTERESTING QUESTION. 185 Such was the ſtate of this country, when Sir Ed. WARD POININGS, a conſummate legiſlator, and great military officer, landed here: His principal er- rand was, to ſuppreſs the rebellion of the grand im- poſtor, PERKIN WARBECK; but when that buſi- neſs was over, he applied himſelf to the ſettlement of the civil government, and the reformation of the ſeveral abuſes I have mentioned. He confined the power of making war and peace, to the chief go- vernors only. He revived the ſtatutes of Kilkenny, and added to them many new regulations, the more effectually to aboliſh the Brehon law, and the barbarous cuſtoms of the Iriſh; in the place of which he eſtabliſhed, as the laws of this country, all the ſtatutes which were at that time in force in Eng. land : And to prevent the chief governors for the future, from abuſing their legiſlative authority in the enormous manner they had done theretofore, by giving the fanction of law to tyranny and oppreſ- lion, which of all the grievances the commons en- dured, was the moſt inſupportable, and moſt fatal to liberty, he made that law by which it is pro- vided, “ That no act ſhould be propounded in the Parliament of Ireland, which had not been firſt tranſmitted to England, and approved of by the king, and the council of that kingdom ;" who could not be ſuppoſed to act from private views, but to conſult impartially the welfare of the community. This being the hiſtory, it has been inſiſted on the one ſide, That the chief governors and council of Ireland, may prepare bills for raiſing of money, and certify and } 26 THOUGHTS UPON AN and tranſmit the ſame, to the crown and council of England, to be returned under the great ſeal of England, and afterwards ſent to the commons; al- though the heads of ſuch bills have not their firſt riſe in the Houſe of Commons. On the other hand, it is inſiſted, that it is the ſole right of the commons of Ireland in Parliament aſſembled, to prepare heads of bills for raiſing money. In order then, to ſet this matter in as ſhort and clear a light as I poſſibly can, for the information and judgment of the publick, I ſhall fairly and can- didly ſtate it from the arguments of the beſt autho- rities I have heard and met with thereon. . In the adminiſtration of the lord viſcount SYDNEY, the lord lieutenant of this kingdom, the queſtion having ariſen, it was in debate, as appears by the Journals of the Houſe of Commons at the time, vol. ii. p. 614, 615. reſolved as follows: 27 Die OEtobris, 1692. RESOLVED, That it was, and is the undoubted right of the commons of Ireland, in Parliament af- ſembled, to prepare and reſolve the ways and means of raiſing money. Resolved, That it was, and is, the ſole and un- doubted right of the cornmons to prepare heads of bills for raiſing money. 1 28 Die INTERESTING QUESTION. 187 28 Die QEtobris, 1692. A motion being made, and the queſtion being put, that a bill now on the table, entitled, 6 An act for granting to their majeſties certain duties for one year,' might be read, it paſſed in the negative. RESOLVED, That the ſaid bill be rejected by this houſe. RESOLVED, That it be entered in the journals of this houſe, That the reaſon why the faid bill was re- jected, is, that the ſame had not its riſe in this houſe. Nov. 3. The ſeſſion was cloſed by the following Speech and Proteſt Lord SYDNEY's Speech, Nov. 3d. 1692. UPO • My Lords and GENTLEMEN, PON the opening of this ſeſſion, I did ac- quaint you with the motives which induced $ their majeſties to call this Parliament; which were no other than what entirely regarded a happy ſet- « tlement of this kingdom upon ſuch foundations, as might not only ſecure the peace, but bring you into a proſperous and flouriſhing condition. “I am ſorry I cannot ſay, there has been ſuch a • progreſs made by you, Gentlemen of the houſe of commons, towards thoſe ends, as their majel- ties had juſt reaſon to expect; and I am the more troubled, that you, who have ſo many and ſo great obligations to be loyally and dutifully af- & fected to their majeſties, ſhould ſo far miſtake your- 388 THOUGHTS UPON AN 6 S 1 yourſelves, as to intrench upon their majeſties s prerogative and the rights of the crown of Eng- * land, as you did on the twenty-ſeventh day of October laſt, when by a declaratory vote you af- « firmed, that it is the ſole and undoubted right of & the commons of Ireland to prepare heads of bills s for raiſing money; and alſo again, on the twenty- eighth of the fame month, when you rejected a * bill fent over in the uſual form, entituled, An « act for granting to their majeſties certain duties e for one year,” you voted, that it ſhould be enter- * ed in your journals, that the reaſon why the faid bill was rejected, was, that the fame had not its 6 riſe in your houſe * Theſe votes of yours being contrary to the ſtatutes of the joth of Henry VII. and the 3d and 4th of Philip and Mary, and the • continued practice ever ſince; I find myſelf obliged to aſſert their majeſties prerogative, and < the rights of the crown of England in theſe parti- • culars, in ſuch a manner, as may be moſt pub- * lic and permanent; and therefore I do here in full parliament make my public proteſt againſt thoſe votes, and the entries of them in the journal • of the houſe of commons; which proteſt I require < the clerk of this houſe to read, and afterwards to * enter it in the journals of this houſe, that it may 6 remain as a vindication of their majeſties prero- * gative and the right of the crown of England, in & theſe particulars, to future ages." 1 LO N. B. The Proteſt was delivered by the lord chan- cellor to the clerk of the houſe, who read it as fol- lows: Lord / INTERESTING QUESTION. 189 Lord SYDNEY's Proteſt, Thurſday, November the 3d, 1692. WH 66 SYDNEY. HEREAS at a Parliament holden at Drogheda in the tenth year of the reign of king HENRY VII. an act was made for and concerning the order, manner, and form of Par- liaments to be holden and kept in this realm of Ire- land; and by another act made at a Parliament holden at Dublin in the 3d and 4th year of king Philip and queen MARY, "it was ordained, enact- ' ed, and eſtabliſhed, that no Parliament ſhould be fummoned or holden within this realm of Ireland, until ſuch time as the lieutenant, lord deputy, lord juſtice, lords juſtices, chief governor or gover- 'nors, or any of them, and the council of this * realm for the time being, ſhould have certified the king and queen's majeſties, their heirs and fuccef- + fors, under the great ſeal of this realm of Ireland, « the confiderations, cauſes, and articles of ſuch * acts, proviſions, and ordinances, as by them * ſhould be thought meet and neceſſary to be enact- • ed and paſſed here by Parliament, and ſhould have received again their majeſties anſwer under the great ſeal of England, declaring their plea- • fures either for paſſing the ſaid acts, proviſions, 6 and ordinances, in the form and tenor as they * ſhould be fent into England, or elſe for the change or alteration of them, or any part of the fame; and that as well after every authority and e licence ſent into this realm of Ireland for ſum- “ moning 190 THOUGHTS UPON AN 6 6 moning and holding a Parliament: as alſo at all times after the ſummons, and during the time of every Parliament to be thereafter holden within this realm of Ireland, the lieutenant, lord deputy, ' lord juſtice, lords juſtices, chief governor, or chief governors and council of this realm of Ireland for " the time being, ſhould and might certify all fuch • other conſiderations, cauſes, tenors, proviſions, ' and ordinances, as they ſhould further think good to be enacted and eſtabliſhed at, and in the ſaid · Parliament, to the king and queen's majeſty, their ' heirs and ſucceſſors, under the great ſeal of this ' realm of Ireland, and ſuch conſiderations, cauſes, • tenors, proviſions, and ordinances, or any of " them, as ſhould be thereupon certified and re- turned into this realm under the great feal of England, and no others ſhould and might paſs, • and be enacted here in any ſuch Parliament with- • in this ſaid realm of Ireland, in caſe the ſame con- ' fiderations, cauſes, tenors, proviſions, and ordi- Tiances, or any of them, ſhould be agreed or re- folved on by the three eftates of the ſaid Parlia- ment.' « “ And whereas in this preſent ſeſſion of Parlia- ment, a bill intituled, “An act for granting unto ' their majeſties an additional duty on beer, ale, and * other liquors,' which had been certified by Us the lord lieutenant of this kingdom, and the council, unto the king and queen’s majeſty, under the great feal of this kingdom, and by their majeſties ap- proved of and returned under the great ſeal of Eng: land, and by Us ſent to the houſe of commons, to be conſidered of in this preſent Parliament; the faid INTERESTING QUESTION. 19% faid commons having the ſaid bill lying upon their table, on the 27th day of the month of October laſt, did come to a vote thereupon, and reſolve, That it is the fole and undoubted right of the ſaid com- mons to prepare heads of bills for raiſing money. And further, on the 28th day of the ſame October, a motion being made in the ſaid houſe, and the queſtion put, that a bill then on the table, which had likewiſe been regularly tranſmitted in the ſame form, intituled, "An act for granting to their ma- * jeſties certain duties for one year,' might be read, It paſſed in the negative, and the ſaid houſe of commons reſolved, That the ſaid bill be rejected by that houſe"; and further reſolved, That it be entered in the journals of this houſe, that the reaſon why the Said bill was rejeéted, is, that the ſame had not its riſe in that houſe. All which reſolutions and proceed- ings appear in the journals of the houſe of com- mons, printed by their order and authority; by which votes and reſolutions, the ſaid houſe of com- mons do exclude their majeſties and the crown of England from the right of tranſmitting any bills for granting of money or other aids to their majeſties and their ſucceſſors: which recited votes, reſoluti- ons, and proceedings of the houſe of commons, be- ing contrary to the ſaid recited acts of Parliament, and the continued uſage and practice ever ſince the making thereof, and a great invaſion upon their majeſty's prerogative, and the rights of the crown of England; We, the lord lieutenant, as well to affert the rights of their majeſties, and the rights of the crown of England (whereof We are and ever will be moſt tender) in tranſmitting fuch bills un- der the great ſeal of England, to be conſidered of in 192 THOUGHTS UPON AN in Parliament, as to diſcharge the truſt repoſed in Us, and prevent the inconveniences which may hereafter happen in caſe theſe votes and reſolutions of the houſe of commons ſhould be made public, or remain in their journals without any contradicti- ons or animadverſions, have thought it neceſſary this day, in full Parliament, to proteft; and We do accordingly proteſt againit the aforeſaid vote and reſolutions made by the houſe of commons, and entered into their journals, and do aſſert, proteſt, and declare, That it is their majeſty's prerogative, and the undoubted right of the crown of England (obſerving the forms in the ſaid ſeveral acts pre- fcribed) to tranſmit bills under the great ſeal of England, for granting of aids to their majeſties, their heirs and ſucceſſors; which ſaid bills ſo tranf- mitted, ought to be read and conſidered of by the houſe of commons in this kingdom; and therefore the faid recited votes and proceedings of the houſe of commons are contrary to the acts of Parliament above mentioned, and the conſtant practice and uſage in all Parliaments ſince the making thereof, and alſo highly derogatory to their majeſties royal authority, and the rights of the crown of Eng- land." After lord Sydney had prorogued the Parlia- ment, his excellency and the privy council directed the Judges of Ireland to take into conſideration the act 10 Hen. VII. commonly called Poynings' LAW, and the act 3d and 4th PHILIP and MARY, and the other acts relating to the holding Parliaments and paſſing of bills in Parliament in the kingdom of 1 ! INTERESTING QUESTION. 193 1 of Ireland. And on the 14th of February, 1692, , the judges reported as follows. The Opinion of the Iriſh Judges upon the AEts of 10 Henry VII. and 3 and 4 Philip and Mary. I MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY, &c. N obedience to your excellency's order of refe- rence to us, we conſidered the act of 10 Henry VII. cap. 4, commonly called POININGS Law, and the act of 3 & 4 of Philip and MARY, cap. 4. and the other acts relating to the holding Par- liaments, and paſſing of bills in Parliament in this kingdom of Ireland. And we humbly offer unto your excellency and lordſhips, that by the ſaid act of the 10th of Henry VII. cap. 4, it is vided, it is pro- 6 * That no Parliament be holden in Ireland, but at ſuch time as the king's lieutenant and council & there do firſt certify the king under the great feal 6 of that land, the cauſes and conſiderations, and • all ſuch acts as then ſeemeth ſhould paſs in the o fame Parliament, and ſuch cauſes, conſiderations, ' and acts affirmed by the king and council to be good and expedient for the land, and his licence thereupon, as well in affirmation of the ſaid cauſes " and acts, as to fummon the ſaid Parliament, &c. % That done, a Parliament to be held, &c. And any Parliament to be holden hereafter, contrary to " the form and proviſion aforeſaid, to be deemed void and of none effect in law. Vol. III, O By 194 THOUGHTS UPON AN By which act we conceive, that any former right which either houſe of Parliament might have to pre- pare bills is thereby concluded, and the power of preparing bills is in the chief governor and council, the words of the act being general, and in the af- firmative, that all acts pafled in Parliament ſhould, before the Parliament begun, be certified into Eng- land, and approved of there and remitted back; and then comes the negative clauſe, that Parlia- ments holden contrary to that form, to be void. So that until the act of 3 & 4 of Philip and MARY, there could be no new certificate or tranſmiſſion of any more bills after the Parliament fat, as may ap- pear by the letter of that act, which was made chiefly 10 remedy that inconveniency; and by the reſolution of the judges in England upon the ſaid acts, and by the recital in the act of 11 ELIZ. ſeſſ. 2. C. I. that by occafion of POININGS' LAW, no eſtabliſhments or proviſions can be concluded by the body of your majeſty's Parliament being aſſem- bled, but ſuch only as have been before their affenz- bly certified unto your highneís, and affirmed by the ſame; and by the words of the act of 11 ELIZ. feff. 3. c. 8. that POININGS' Law prohibited any Parliament to be ſummoned, or any act to be treated of in Parliament, before the acts were certi- fied under the great ſeal of Ireland, and returned under the great ſeat of England. And we humbly conceive, that money bills, as well as other bills, even thoſe of grace and indemnity, are within this law of the roth of HENRY VII and therefore the Par- liament in the 28th of Henry VIII. c. 4. did ſuſpend that law for a time, as to acts concerning the king's revenue INTERESTING QUESTION. 19 $ revenue, and the public good; but that being in the copulative, they made another act the ſame ſeſſion, cap. 20. in the disjunctive, ſuſpending POININGS act, as to all ſtatutes of that Parliament, that ſhould concern the public good, or the increaſe of the king's revenue : And in like manner by 11 Eliz. c. 1. POININGS' act is again ſuſpended for that time, as to acts concerning the eſtabliſhment of public policy, quiet, or order of the ſubjects, or augmentation of his majeſty's revenue, &c. which great care and circumſpection to ſuſpend Poinings act, as to bills of any augmentation of the revenue, had been altogether needleſs, if money bills, as well as others, had not been bound by that act, or had been ſet at large by the ſtatute of 3 & 4 PHILIP and MARY, And we conceive, if it were otherwiſe in money bills, the commons in Parliament would have the right, not only to prepare heads, but alſo to prepare the bills themſelves : For, if money bills are not within the ſaid acts, they are not to be certified or tranſmitted at all; the contrary whereof has been conſtantly practiſed ever ſince Poinings' LAW, and ſeems to us, that if the commons in Parliament had the ſole right of preparing heads, &c. they ſhould alſo have a right of having thoſe heads pur- ſued and obſerved. But 'tis manifeſt, that beſides what change and alteration the chief governor and council may make of them here, it is expreſsly pro- vided by the ſtatute of 3 & 4 Philip and MARY, that the king's council of England may change and alter any bills that may be tranſmitted to them there. SECONDLY, 02 : 195 THOUGHTS UPON AN SECONDLY, We humbly conceive, that the des ñign of the ſaid act of the 3 & 4 Philip and MARY, was chiefly to explain and regulate the faid act of the roth of Hen. VII, in the particulars fol- lowing. 1. To comprehend every chief governor (what- ſoever his title were) within the word, King's LiEU- TENANT . 2. To empower the king and council of Eng- land to amend, alter, and change ſuch bills as ſhould be tranſmitted. 3. To empower the chief governor and council here to certify bills after the Parliament begun. And we humbly conceive this act does enlarge the power of the chief governors and council, but does not give or reſtore any thing to the com- mons. For, it is as general and comprehenſive as Poin- ÎNGS’ Law, in impowering the chief governor and council to certify all ſuch other bills, as they ſhall think good to be eriacted in the fame Parliament, and the ſame being returned under the great feal of England, no others may be enacted, &c. So that the difference in the point between POININGS LAW, and this act, is, That the former impowers the king's lieutenant and council to tranſmit bills before the Parliament fits, and the latter impowers them likewife to certify bills PeNDENTE PARLIA- MENTO; but ſtill 'tis they muſt do it; and adds a negative 1 INTERESTING QUESTION. 199 ! negative clauſe, but no other bills but what they certify (therefore not money bills) can be treated of in Parliament. And it ſeems to us, that this law of the 10th Henry VII. C. 4. has been of great conſequence and ſecurity to the Engliſh intereſt in this kingdom, in the judgment of former times; ſuch great reſpect having been given to it, and ſuch great care having been taken of the preſervation thereof, that it is the only act, the repeal whereof cannot be certified into England by the chief governor and council, without a previous conſent of the majority of both houſes of Parliament, as by the ſtatute of 11 Eliz. c. 8, may appear. And we find by the printed ſtatute, made in the 15th Hen. VII. the only bill that paſſed in that Par- Hament was a money bill, which could not be tranf- mitted but before the Parliament fat, and therefore the heads could not be prepared in the houſe. In the like manner we find a ſubſidy granted 3 & 4 Philip and Mary, c. 6. which, as the law was then held, muſt be tranſmitted before the ſeſli ons; and another ſubſidy, granted the 11th Eliz. which being the firſt act of that Parliament, the heads of it could not be prepared in the houſe. We have alſo inſpected the journals of Parlia- ment, of which we find none more antient than thoſe of king James I. and by them it appears, that in the year 1614 there is a grant of four ſubſidies to king JAMES, and by comparing the tranſmiſs with the journal, which we have diligently examined, 198 THOUGHTS UPON AN examined, we find the tranſmiſs dated the 6th of of March, 10 JAc. I. which was before the Parlia- ment began. So that the heads of that bill could not be prepared in the houſe, and yet it paſſed chearfully, and they had the king's letter of thanks for the ſame, which is entered at large in that journal. And in the reign of king CHARLES I, one bill for four ſubſidies was remitted hither 13th of May, 10 Car. I. and another bill for ſubſidies the 13th of July, and both paſſed, though the heads of nei- ther of them could be prepared in the houſe of commons: For the Parliament did not begin till the 14th of July; and we did obſerve, that in the licence to call that Parliament, there was a condi- tion inſerted. ITA TAMEN QUOD, that the bill of ſubſidies be ready for the royal aſſent within three weeks after the beginning of that Parliament, and afterwards a fortnight more was added ; another bill of ſubſidies being propoſed, which alſo paſſed. In like manner the act of ſubſidies is the firſt act that paſſed in the Parliament holden anno 1639. And ſo it was in the reign of king CHARLES II. when an act of four intire ſubſidies, and another for the city of Dublin to raiſe 25,000l. and ſeve- ral other money bills, paſſed in the houſe, with out any previous preparation. But it is true, in fe.. veral Parliaments the commons have prepared bills; and heads of bills, as well for money, as other things, but ſeldomer for money than other matters, as 11 INTERESTING QUESTION. 199 as they did this ſeſſion prepare heads or ſchedules of Engliſh acts to be made of force here, and ſome- times their advices have been purſued, and ſome- times rejected; but this was done as remembrances, and by way of humble advice, and not in point of right, and ſo it is fully expreſſed in the journal of 1614, in theſe words. 6 The houſe of commons acknowleging, “ that is the ſole power and authority to tranſmit ſuch bills s into England, as are to be propounded in Parlia- ment, doth reſt in the lord deputy, do only deſire to be remembrancers unto his lordſhip, and the 6 reſt, touching the acts following, which they humbly offer as meet to be tranſmitted with ſuch 6 other acts, as his lørdſhip, and the reſt, ſmall think fit to be propounded next ſeſtion; and afterwards they alſo deſire, in penning thoſe bills (fome of which are money bills, and more not) his lordſhip 6 would uſe the ſervice of their committee of 6 twelve, with ſuch others, as his lordſhip would * employ.” And in the ſame Parliament they thus anſwer the complaint of the lords; viz. Where • their lordſhips ſeem to tax the houſe of commons 6 with too much forwardneſs in propounding laws for the royal affent, without participating with © their lordſhips, it is far from the judgment of the e houſe to proceed in ſuch a manner, being inſtruct- ed, and having full knowlege how they are li- * mited by the laws, and ſtatutes, and orders of Par- “ liament; and, for their proceedings in this king- dom, they humbly appeal to your lordſhips, whe- * ther they propounded any act of Parliament, fur- ther than to have ſome neceſſary bills to be con- « ferred 17 200 THOUGHTS UPON AN € É • ferred on by your lordſhips and the council, and • with your approbation to be tranſmitted into England, that being ſent over again, and confi- dered of, then to be allowed, or diſallowed after- • wards in both houſes, before they can paſs the ' royal afſent. In like manner, when a committee of the lords, with the aſſiſtance of the judges, had prepared ſome very good bills, which were ap- proved of by the houſe of lords, ANNO 1634, which the lord chancellor on his knee humbly moved the lord deputy to tranſmit to England, his lordſhip made anſwer, 'That he doubted not but their lord- ſhips ſhould have ſatisfaction in the effect of their deſires; but for the manner, his lordſhip's diſſent ç is as much as their lordſhips, by an act of Parlia- ment made in the time of the government of fir EDWARD POININGS, they are debarred from . penning any act, and have power only to move Cand petition the lord deputy and council for drawing and tranſmitting into England, ſuch acts as they deſire to be paſſed;" on the matter, hiş lordſhip aſſured the houſe of the beſt ſatisfaction he could give, and that therein he would do the lords what ſervice lay in him. , His lordſhip directed the clerk to take notice of his diſſent, and to cauſe an entry to be made of his proteſt of it, and of his claim in right of the crown to their drawing of all bills to be paſſed in Parliament in this kingdom ; and thereupon followed the lord deputy's proteſt, which recites the moft material parts of the acts 10 Henry VII. c. 4. and 3 and PHILIP and MARY, C. 4. and the titles of the new acts whichi were propoſed, and concludes in theſe words: Whereas the committee of Privileges directed the lord 4 & j > INTERESTING QUESTION. 6 < ford chancellor to move us the lord deputy, that & divers acts drawn up by his majeſty's judges of the ſeveral courts, and conſidered of and allowed by their lordſhips, might be further proceeded in as appertaineth, which the lord chancellor did ac- . cordingly, all which former proceedings of their « lordſhips we, the lord deputy, taking into due conſideration, and weighing the ſame with the ſta- - jutes alſo, we do not conceive that the ſaid lords adviſedly or purpoſely intended to violate or in- novate in any thing, otherwiſe than as by the ſaid ſtatutes are provided; yet, for avoiding any mil- « repreſentation, which, by reaſon of that manner of proceeding, may in after times be made to the in- trenchments of the ſaid acts of Parliament, or his majeſty's royal power, whereof we are, and al- ways will be moſt tender, in diſcharge of the duty "we owe to the preſervation of his majeſty's ho- nour, and that the like miſtakes in their lordſhips * proceedings may futurely be avoided; we have įherefore thought fit this day, in full Parliament, to proteſt againſt that courſe held by their lord ſhips, as not any way belonging to their lordſhips, • to give order to the king's learned council, or any other, for the framing and drawing up any acts to paſs in Parliament; but that the ſame folely be- longs to us the lord deputy, and we do hereby further declare, that their lordſhips, have power only by remonſtrance or petition, to repreſent • unto the lord deputy and council for the time be- (ing, ſuch public conſiderations, as they ſhall think $ fit and good for the commonwealth, and to ſub- mit them to be drawn into acts and tranſmitted into England, or otherwiſe altered or rejected ac- cording 6 20 THOUGHTS UPON AN cording as the lord deputy and council, in their wiſdom, ſhall judge and hold expedient, and that in ſuch wiſe as the ſaid acts of Parliament, in theſe caſes, have provided, and we the lord deputy do • truſt their lordſhips will take this as a neceſſary and ſeaſonable admoniſhment from us, and for- 6 bear the like courſe hereafter. And thereupon the lords made an order in theſe words; viz. “That the lords above-named ſhall « forthwith attend the right honourable the lord de- puty, and let his lordſhip know, that the lords ne- 6 ver intended to proceed in any thing contrary to the act of POININGS; but only viewed thoſe bills & which the judges had drawn, by his lordſhip's direction, for the better preparing that work.' And we alſo find, that by the journal of the houſe of commons, ANNO 1640, amongſt the in- itructions given their agents to folicit the king, the fecond article which they were to deſire was, that the commons, during the Parliament, may draw up bills by their own committee, and tranſmit them. And ſo in the journal 1661, they expreſs them- felves in this manner; M • ORDERED, That the undernamed perſons be appointed a committee to attend the lords juſtices & this afternoon at three o'clock, in the council chamber, and to join with the committee of the * houſe of lords, in defiring the lords juſtices to * give directions for drawing up, and tranſmitting into England, a bill according to ſuch heads as ihall be propounded by both houſes, for 12,000l. to INTERESTING QUESTION. 203 € to be raiſed for defraying the expence of the agents that are to be ſent into England from both - houſes, and other neceſſary contingencies.' By which it ſeems that they have claimed no privilege in preparing heads for money bills, but ſuch as were communicable to both houſes, and their ad- dreſs is by petition, and not a demand of right. $ 6 And indeed we could not find any other pre- tence or colour for this claim to a ſole right for pre- paring heads of bills, &c. But a vote mentioned in the journal of the year 1662, in theſe words; viz. " The lords having a free conference with the com- mons, differed from them in the manner of raiſing the 30,000l. for the duke of Ormond; it was reſolved, declared, and aſſerted, by this houſe, that the propoſals of ways and means of levying * all money to be raiſed in this kingdom, is the an- & tient and undoubted right of this houſe only, which appears to have reſulted from a conference with the lords, and feems to relate only to them, and tended to aſſert the rights of the commons againſt the lords to have money bills begin in their houſe firſt, as they do it to this day; for, whereas other bills may be promiſcuouſly ſent to either houſe firſt, money bills ought to be and are ſent firſt to the houſe of commons. / But this vote, as we conceive, has no reference to the power lodged by law in the chief governor and council, nor any tendency to diveſt them of it, as may appear from their former votes and proceed- ings; and if it had, would have been of no force againſt ſo many ſtatutes, and ſo long uſage and practice to the contrary, And 1 204 THOUGHTS UPON AN And we conceive no inconveniency can accrue to the ſubject by this interpretation of the aforeſaid ſtatutes; becauſe the commons having a negative vote upon money bills, as well as other bills, can never be burthened with any tax, which they ſhall think unequal or unſeaſonable. Upon conſideration of all which ſtatutes, jour- nals, tranſmiſſes, and other proceedings of Parlia- ment, we are unanimouſly of opinion, 1. That it is not the ſole right of the commons of Ireland, in Parliament aſſembled, to prepare heads of bills for raiſing money, 2. That the chief governor and council may pre- pare bills for raiſing of money, and certify and tranſmit the ſame to their majeſties and council of England, to be returned under the great ſeal of England, and afterwards ſent to the commons, al- though the heads of ſuch bills, have not their firſt riſe in the houſe of commons. All which we humbly ſubmit to your excellency and lordſhips, this 14th of February, 1692. } RICHARD REYNELL. RICHARD PYNE. John Hely. RICHARD Cox. John LYNDON. Henry ECHLIN. JOHN Jefferson. STAND, HARTSTONGE, The INTERESTING QUESTION. 20$ The Opinion of all the Judges of England, about the ſole and undoubted Right of the Commons of Ireland, to prepare Heads of Money Bills. Given the king, June 22, 1693. IM N obedience to your majeſty's commands, fig- nified by the right honourable the lord keeper of your great ſeal of England, requiring us to conſider an act of Parliament, made in Ireland, 10 HENRY VII. intituled, An act that no Parliament be holden in this land, until the acts be certified into England; and an act of Parliament made there, 3d and 4th Philip and Mary, intituled, An act how POININGS ſhall be expounded and taken; we thereupon certify to your majeſties our opinions in writing, under our hands in the particulars fol. lowing: 1. Whether it is the ſole and undoubted right of the commons of Ireland, in parliament af- ſembled, to prepare heads of bills for raiſing money? 2. Whether the lord lieutenant and council may not prepare and certify bills for raiſing money, to their majeſties and council of England, to be re- turned under the great ſeal of England, and after- wards ſent to the commons, unleſs the heads of ſuch bills have firſt their riſe in that houſe? We have met together and conſidered the ſame, and we are thereupon of opinion, 1. That 206 THOUGHTS UPON AN s. That it is not the ſole and undoubted right of the commons of Ireland, in Parliament af- ſembled, to prepare heads of bills for raiſing mo- ney. 2. That the lord lieutenant and council may prepare and certify bills for raiſing money, to your majeſty and council of England, to be returned un- der the great ſeal of England, and afterwards fent to the commons, albeit the heads of ſuch bills have not their firſt riſe in that houſe. S Signed by the judges, J. HOLT, Ch. Juft. B. R. G. TREBY, Ch. Juſt. C. B. R. ATKINS, Ch. Baron. W. DOLBEN, in B. R. W. GREGORIE, in B. R. E. Nevil, in C. B. J. POWELL, in C. B. W. LETCHMORE, B. in Ct. Exch. G. EYRE, Juft. in B. R. T. ROKEBY, in C. B. J. TURTON, B. in Ct. Exch. J. Fowell, in Ct. Exch. 1 The arguments on the other ſide, were, the ſole right of the commons, as aforeſaid, for the raiſing of money; the danger which might one day ariſe from the frequent paſſing a money bill, framed by men, who repreſented no one whomſoever, not even themſelves, but who were repreſented by that very parliament on whom they thus intrude (as is their ! INTERESTING QUESTIO N. 207 1 their expreſſion) a bill for the raiſing of money: and that the apprehenſions of danger from ſuch pre- cedents, have very juſtly encreaſed, ſince the law for octennial parliaments here ; for that when a Par- liament continued.for a length of time, as the one before that law did, for thirty years, a precedent of the kind ſeemed to be almoſt forgot; but that the repetition of ſuch a precedent, every eightyears, be- came an alarming object. On theſe matters then, ſo very intricate and ſo far above my capacity, I ſhall not preſume further to animadvert, than that few laws ſeem to be more miſconſtrued, or leſs underſtood, than this fame act: At the time, however, circumſtances may be fince changed; it was univerſally held to be made for the real national good, and in the introduction, it is mentioned to be, at the requeſt of the commons of Ire- Band; it does not inveſt the crown with any new prerogative; for the power of aſſembling, pro- roguing and diſſolving parliaments, was the fame before and after this act had been paſſed ; nor did it Atrip the people of any privileges which they poſ- feffed before, for their affirmation and negative to every bill, is ſtill the ſame it ever was; nay, inſtead of enlarging, this act appears rather to have great- ly abridged the power of the lord lieutenant and council ; and, inſtead of injuring in the leaſt the conſtitutional rights and liberties of the people, to have, at that time ſtrengthened, and confiderably enlarged them; and every perſon who diſpaſſion- ately conſiders this act, muſt ſee, that a principal part of its intention, was, to remove jealouſies, eſtabliſh harmony, and ſo connect this kingdom to the 208 THOUGHTS UPON AN the crown of England, on whom, its proper de- pendance is as indiſpenſably neceſſary, as is their friendly protection the ſecurity of its freedom, nay, its exiſtence, as to promote the mutual welfare, and ſtrengthen the fafety of both: And this, I conceive, muſt ſtill be the wiſh of every ſerious and conſide- rate thinker. * I now flatter myſelf that I have here laid be- fore the publick, a very candid ſtate of this moſt weighty buſineſs far as I am capable there- in; yet, without ſome further labour, the know- lege of theſe matters, or of any thing elſe, is not to be acquired; for inſtance, the reading and well conſidering the three principal laws relating to this intereſting matter, which are the 10th of Henry VII. C. 4. 3 and 4 Philip and MARY, C. 4. and 11th ELIZABETH, c. 8. with the ſeveral ſubſidy acts in thoſe and other reigns, in ſeveral after years, with the variations therein by the ſuf- penſion of thoſe laws, for certain times, upon certain occaſions, and the cauſes thereof; to conſider alſo, that they are our own laws, and the firſt and prin- cipal of them, made, as is before faid, and is ex- preſſed therein, at the requeſt of the commons; that they were formed at the times, upon the ma- tureſt conſideration, and for the wiſeſt reaſons; then to be well acquainted with the method of paſſing acts in this kingdom, as alſo of tranſacting the pub- lic 1 * See the addreſs of the houſe of lords and commons of Ire- land, 25th October 1692, in which the dependence of this king- dom on the crown of England is moſt fully expreſſed and de- clared, INTERESTING QUESTIO N. 209 lic accounts *; and to bear ever in mind, that each department in the conſtitution hath a ſeparate right thereby, which, neither can apart invade, without defeating the whole; and that although the council may propoſe, the commons may reject any bill that may be ſent to them, and none that is not ſo ſent can paſs into a law; as that the king can pro- rogue, diffolve and call a parliament, 'according as he may at times think fit. The true amor pa- grice is the higheſt quality that marks with excel- lence the human ſoul; but it is not every little, cla- morous demagogue, who, to ſerve his vicious, pri- vate purpoſes, with pompous turgid phraſe allures the populace, of whom, perhaps, the moſt ignorant are not more fo, though leſs noiſy than himſelf; and like the wretch who ſet in flames the temple of DIANA, would for their voices fet a whole fo- ciety in ferment, that can give this glorious cha-- racter. } Vir bonus eſt quis ? Qui conſulta patrum, qui leges juraque fervat. Not that I would be underſtood but to think, that there never yet was a law, which, if found to be injurious to the publick, ought not to ceaſe ; gr that ſhould not, on change of circumſtances, if oc- cafion be altered; “ Nam, ceffante ratione legis, ceffat ipſa lex.” Co. LIT. 0. but let it be conſtituti- onally and calmly tranſacted, upon a full, fair and VOL. III. P candid 1 $ Theſe two laſt matters I have endeavoured pretty fully to ſet forth in my Treatiſe of the Exchequer and Revenue of Ire- land, vol. II. p. 223; &c. which was publiſhed ſome years after this pamphlet. 210 THOUGHTS UPON AN candid conſideration of the matter, and ſeaſonably withal; that it may appear to be the very laudable effort of chaſte patriotiſm only, and not to promote heart-burnings and diſſenſions, between the two kingdoms, inſtead of every means being uſed for union, harmony and mutual aſſiſtance, The INTERESTING QUESTION. The like Proceedings and Event having happened Shortly after the aforeſaid Letter, they are here in- ſerted with ſome few. Obſervations thereon, for the further Information of my Readers. Dec. 26, 1969. t His Excellency GEORGE Lord Viſc. TOWN- SHEND's Speech to both Houſes of Parlia- ment. "T " My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, HE attention you lave ſhewn to the great objects which have been particularly recom- mended by me to your conſideration, and the pro- viſions which have been made for the ſafety and ſe- curity of this kingdom, call upon me not only to expreſs my approbation of, but to thank you, as I now do, for your conduct in theſe particu- lars. “ GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS, “ It is with great pleaſure that I thank you, in his majeſty's name, for the ſupplies which you have granted, and the proviſion which you have made for the preſent eſtabliſhment, the public credit, and the ſafety of this kingdom. “ When I firſt met you in Parliament, as I knew and could rely upon it that nothing could move from his majeſty but what would be expreſſive of his conſtant and ardent deſire to maintain and pre- ſerve every conſtitutional right to his people; I little P 2 thought 212 THOUGHTS UPON AN thought that any thing would happen, during the courſe of this ſeſſion, that could poſſibly affect the juſt rights of his majeſty and the crown of Great Britain, ſo as to afford his majeſty any juft cauſe of diſſatisfaction, and make it neceſſary for me, ſpeci- ally to aſſert and vindicate thoſe riglıts. 2 “ It is with great concern that I have ſeen and obſerved in the votes and journals of the houſe of commons, printed by your order, a late proceeding by you, of ſuch a nature and of ſuch effect, with reſpect to the rights of his majeſty and the crown of Great Britain, as to make it neceſſary for me, on this day, and in this place, to take notice of, and animadvert thereupon. I mean the vote and refo- lution of the 21ſt day of November laſt, by which you, gentlemen of the houſe of commons, declare, that a bill, (entitled, An act for granting to his s majeſty the ſeveral duties, rates, impoſitions and taxes, therein particularly expreſſed, to be applied to the payment of the intereſt of the ſums therein provided for, and towards the diſcharge of the ſaid principal ſums, in ſuch a manner as is therein directed),' which had been duly certified from hence to his majeſty, and by his majeſty had been tranſmitted in due form under the great ſeal of Great Britain, and which had been read a firſt time y you, and which was rejected by you on that day, was ſo rejected, becauſe it did not take its riſe in Four houſe. * $6 This * Here it is moſt worthy of obſervation, that his excellency does not object to the rejection of the bill by the commons, but to their having aſſigned as the reaſon for rejecting it, that it did not take its riſe in their houſe. INTERESTING QUESTION. 213 " This vote and this reſolution of yours, declaring that the ſaid bill was rejected becauſe it did not take its riſe in your houſe, being contrary to the acts of Parliament in this kingdom, of the roth of HENRY VII. and the 3d and 4th of PHILIP and Mary, and the uſage and practice ever ſince, and intrenching upon the juſt rights of his majeſty and the crown of Great Britain, to tranſmit ſuch bill to be treated of and conſidered in Parliament here; I am to aſſert his majeſty's royal authority, and the rights of the crown of Great Britain in this reſpect, and in ſuch a manner as may be moſt public and permanent, and therefore, I do here in full Parlia- ment make my public proteſt againſt the ſaid vote and reſolution of the houſe of commons, by which you, gentlernen of that houſe, declare, “That the ſaid bill was rejected by you, becauſe it did not take its riſe in your houſe,' and againſt the entries of the ſaid vote and reſolution which remain in the journals of the houſe of commons, and I do require the clerk of this houſe now to read my faid pro- teſt, and to enter it in the journals of this houſe, that it may there remain to future ages as a vindi- cation of the undoubted right, and authority of his majeſty, and of the rights of the crown of Great Britain, in this particular. “ In this proteft, I think myſelf warranted in all reſpects, and if it needed, as I conceive it doth not, any other ſtrength than that which it derives from the ſtatutes which I have mentioned, and from the uſage and practice ever ſince, it ſhould be found in that precedent which appears in the journals of this houſe of the 3d day of November 1692, under the reign 21 ,: THOUGHTS UPON AN reign of that glorious and immortal prince king WILLIAM III. the great deliverer of theſe king- doms, and the conſtant and magnanimous aſſertor and preſerver of the civil and religious rights of mankind." And then his excellency the lord lieutenant deli- vered the Proteft to the lord chancellor, who deliver- ed it to the clerk of the houſe, and he read it, as fol- lows: His Excellency George Lord Viſcount TOWNSHEND's Proteſt, Dec. 26, 1769. WH HEREAS at a Parliament holden at Drogheda in the roth year of the reign of king HENRY VII. an act was made for and con- cerning the order, manner, and form of Parlia- ments to be holden and kept in this realm of Ire- land; and by another act made at a Parliament holden at Dublin in the 3d and 4th years of king Philip and queen MARY, 'it was ordained, enacted, and eſtabliſhed, that no Parliament ſhould be fummoned or holden within this realm of Ireland, until ſuch time as the lieutenant, lord • deputy, lord juſtice, lord juſtices, chief-governor or governors, or any of them, and the council of ' this realm for the time being, ſhould have certi- fied the king and queen's majeſties, their heirs and ' ſucceſſors, under the great ſeal of this realm of · Ireland, the confiderations, cauſes, and articles of • ſuch acts, proviſions and ordinances, as by them ſhould be thought meet and neceſſary to be "enacted and, palled here by Parliament, and · ſhould 6 INTERESTING QUESTION. 215 6 C ſhould have received again their majeſties anſwer C under the great ſeal of England, declaring their pleaſures either for paſling the ſaid acts, proviſi- ons, and ordinances, in the form and tenor as they ſhould be ſent into England, or elſe for the change or alteration of them, or any part of the fame ; and that as well after every authority and licence fent into this realm of Ireland for ſummoning and $ holding a Parliament: As alſo at all times after the ſummons, and during the time of every Par- liament to be thereafter holder within this realm of Ireland, the lieutenant, lord deputy, lord juf- tice, lords juſtices, chief governor, or chief go- vernors and council of this realm of Ireland for the time being, ſhould and might certify all ſuch other conſiderations, cauſes, tenors, proviſions, and ordinances, as they ſhould further think good to be enacted and ettabliſhed at, and in the ſaid Parliament, to the king and queen's majeſties, their heirs and ſucceſſors, under the great ſeal of this realm of Ireland, and ſuch conſiderations, cauſes, tenors, proviſions and ordinances, or any of them as ſhould be thereupon certified and re- 6 turned into this realm under the great ſeal of England, and no others ſhould and might paſs, and be enacted here in any ſuch Parliament with- in this faid realm of Ireland, in caſe tlie fame con- ſiderations, cauſes, teriors, proviſions and ordi- nances, or any of them, ſhould be agreed or re- • ſolved on by the three eftates of the ſaid Parlia- menti' 1 $ o is And * On the 20th of April, 1615, the then houſe of commons in i molt ſolemn manner acknowleged, “That the fole power and "author 216 THOUGHTS UPON AN 1 ther motion was made in the ſaid houſe of com- " And whereas in this preſent ſeſſion of Parlia. ment, a bills entitled; "An act for granting to his majeſty the feveral duties, rates, impofitions and taxes, therein particularly expreffed, to be ap- ' plied to the payment of the intereſt of the ſums therein provided for, and towards the diſcharge of * the ſaid principal ſums; in ſuch manner as is therein directed;' which had been certified by Us the lord lieutenant of this kingdom, and by the council of this kingdom, unto the king's majeſty under the great ſeal of this kingdom, and by his majeſty approved of, and returned into this king- dom under the great ſeal of Great Britain, and by Us ſent to the houſe of commons to be conſidered of in this preſent Parliament, the faid commons having the ſaid bill before them, did read the ſaid bill the firſt time on the 21ſt day of November laſt ; and on the fame 21ſt day of November, a motion being made in the faid houſe, and the queſtion putz that the fame bill be read a fecond time on the morrow morning, it paſſed in the negative; and af terwards, on the ſame 2 Ift day of November, ano- mons, and the queſtion being püt, that the ſame bill be rejected, it paſſed in the affirmative; and after- wards on the fame 21ſt day of November, a mo- tion was made in the ſaid houſe of commons, and the queſtion put, that the ſaid bill is rejected, 5 be- caufe . 6 6 authority to tranſmit ſuch bills into England as are to be pro- pounded in Parliament, doth reſt in the lord deputy and coun- cil, and that they only deſire to be remembrancers touching the 6 acts which they then humbly offered, as meet to be tranſmitted with ſuch other acts as his lordship, &c. ſhould think fit to be propounded in the next feflion.' INTERESTING QUESTION. 217 € cauſe it did not take its riſe in that hoife, it was carried in the affirmative, and the ſaid Houſe of commons thereupon the fame day reſolved, that the faid bill was rejected, becauſe it did not take its riſe in that houſe.' All which motions, queſtions, votes, reſolutions and proceedings, appear to Us in the journals or votes of the ſaid houſe of commons, printed and publiſhed by and under their order and authority, and which vote and reſolution of the ſaid houſe of commons, declaring that the ſaid bill was rejected, becauſe it did not take its riſe in that houſe, do tend to exclude his majeſty and the crown of Great Britain from the right of tranſmitting any bills for granting to his majeſty and his ſucceſſors, money or other aids, and are not conſiſtent with, but contrary to the ſaid recited acts of Parliament, and the uſage and practice ever ſince the making thereof, and do in effect intrench upon his majeſty's royal power and authority, and the juſt and un- doubted rights of the crown of Great Britain. * We, therefore, the faid lord lieutenant, as well to aſſert the juſt rights of his majeſty, and of the crown of Great Britain, (whereof We are and ever will be moft a * In ſome years afterwards, on the 19th of June, 1776, after diffolution, a nioney bill having been preſented with two other bills, by the attorney general, to the houſe, all which had been originated in the council, ſent over to England as cauſes and conſiderations for holding a Parliament here, and returned, as ap- proved of, agreeably, as was moſt ſtrongly contended, to the two aforeſaid acts, it was inſiſted on, that as the report from the com- mittee of accounts had not been made, by a reſolution of the commons, 17th May, 1716, and other ſubſequent ones, viz. 24th September, 1729, and 19th of October, 1739; the houſe could not even afford it a reading. 18 THOUGHTS UPON AN moſt tender) in tranſmitting fuch bills under the great ſeal of Great Britain, to be conſidered of in Parliament, as to diſcharge the truſt repoſed in US, and prevent the inconveniencies which may here- after happen by the ſaid vote and reſolution of the houſe of commons, declaring, that the ſaid bill was rejected for the cauſe therein mentioned, being made public, and remaining in their journals with- out any contradiction or animadverſion, have thought it neceſſary this day in full Parliament, to proteſt, and We do accordinglý proteſt againſt the aforeſaid vote and reſolution of the ſaid houſe of commons, made and paſſed, declaring, That the faid bill was rejected, becauſe it did not take its riſe in that houſe, and appearing in their journals or votes. And we do aſſert, proteſt and declare, that it is the juſt and undoubted right of his majeſty, and of the crown of Great Britain, obſerving the forms in the ſaid ſeveral acts preſcribed, to tranſmit bills under the great ſeal of Great Britain, for granting of aids to his majeſty, his heirs and ſucceſſors; which faid bills fo tranſmitted, ought to be read and confi- dered of by the houſe of commons in this kingdom, without being rejected by the faid houſe, on ac- count only of their not taking their riſe in that houſe; and therefore the rejecting of the ſaid bill, becauſe it did not take its riſe in that houſe, and the faid recited vote and reſolution of the ſaid houſe of commons, declaring, that the ſaid bill was rejected, becauſe it did not take its riſe in that houſe, are not conſiſtent with, but contrary to the acts of Parlia- ment herein before mentioned, and the practice and uſage in all Parliaments ſince the making thereof, and alſo highly derogatory to his majeſty's royal au- thority, and the rights of the crown of Great Bri- tain." After INTERESTING QUESTION. 219 After this the Lord Chancellor, by his Excel- lency's Command, ſaid, * MY LORDS and GENTLEMEN, 'It is his excellency the lord lieutenant's pleaſure, that this Parliament be prorogued to Tueſday the 20th day of March next, to be then here held; and this Parliament is accordingly prorogued to Tueſday the 20th day of March next. Now, from what has been faid, if I have fairly ſtated the matter, which, according to the beſt of my abilities, I have endeavoured to do, I believe it muſt, by every candid and judicious reader, be al- lowed, that if by the aforeſaid two acts, the cauſes and conſiderations of every thereafter act to be paſſed in this kingdom, are to be firſt certified to his majeſty by the lord lieutenant and council, it ſurely cannot be ſaid, that a bill of ſupply may not be one of thoſe acts ? And although it ſhould be granted, according to the apprehenſions which are daily clamoured out againſt theſe ancient acts, to wit, that if the powers with which not only the privy council here are inveſted before theſe heads of a bill are by them tranſmitted as an act to England, but alſo the committee of the privy council there, called the committee for Iriſh affairs, by whom it is referred to the attorney ge- neral there for his report thereon, have of altering or totally ſuppreſling the act, in thoſe two different ſtages through which it is to paſs after it has left the houſe, wherein it took its riſe, were to be exerted to the THOUGHTS UPON AN 1 the extent, to which it is urged' they may by theſe two ancient laws be carried, the powers of Parlia- ment here might not be ſuch, as in the entire con- ftitutional ſenſe thereof, it is conceived ſhould be the caſe; yet, at the ſame time, although we might be diſappointed in, or debarred of ſome laws which we conceived for our benefit, yet, whilft our Parlia- ment enjoy their undoubted right of a negative vote upon all bills whatſoever, if we are injured or op- preſſed by any act, they are only to be blamed. * But let theſe matters be as they may, I conceive it will alſo be admitted, that whilſt thoſe acts ſtand unrepealed or unannulled, a vote or reſolution of ei- ther one, or both of the houſes, cannot by our con- ftitution in the leaſt invalidate the fame, and that ſhould any correction, amendment, or alteration whatever, upon cool and calm deliberation, be judged neceſſary therein, they ought to be tranſact- ed in the very ſame method or like manner only, in which the fame were conſtructed ; at the ſame time, with the ſtricteſt attention to the ſituation of the two kingdoms with reſpect to each other; their mutual and connected rights and intereſts, as alfo, that the fame one monarch is the ruler of both; and that as to the controlling power in this kingdom in regard to * It may be very proper here to obſerve, that in the making of laws, the conſtitution of England and Ireland are the reverſe of each other'; in England, the propofitions, which are in the na- ture of a petition, come from the houſes of Parliament, and the negative is in the crown ; in Ireland, the propofitions come from the crown, and the negative is in the houſes; wherefore, in Eng- land it is called a bill, in the firſt inſtance, and when the two houſes have agreed to the act, it is immediately brought to the king for his royal afſent. See before the note to page 209. INTERESTING QUESTION. 221 1 to our laws, it can hardly be conceived, that they, who in the proſperity of their country, are, from every valuable conſideration in life, ſo intimately intereſted, would, from any influence whatſoever, even if they wanted virtue, contribute to the injur- ing it; and as to the other controlling power in our neighbour kingdom, upon full conſideration of our confidence in, with our juſt dependence on them, for our protection and ſafety, they muſt, not only in honour, but from their own intereſt alſo, be as far from contributing to the injuring our rights and privileges as a free people, as they, as ſuch, are ever jealous of their own; and that ſhould they con, tribute in the leaſt to the deſtruction of our's, their own might ſpeedily follow. * To conclude: in order to ſhew with what caution and delicacy any proceeding on this moſt importa ant queſtion on this law, which for near three hun- dred years hath been the uniform guide to every houſe of commons here, ſhould be conſidered; and, as all its operations, fo far, on our conſtitution, may not be well known to all, it may not be amiſs, in finiſhing this, to fignify, that by this law all bills are to be certified into England; that heads of bills, not bills, are to be framed in our houle of com- mons; that thoſe bills are to be ſent to the Lord Lieutenant; that they are not to receive the Royal affent * Death has no terrours in his blackeft : frowns, To ſhake the firmneſs of the mind, which knows, That, wanting VIRTUE, life is pain and woe; That, wanting LIBERTY, even Virtue mourns, And looks around for happineſs in vain. GLOYER'S Leonidas. 222 THOUGHTS UPON, &c. aſſent immediately, as the act requires a tranſiniſs to England thereof, to be returned under the great ſeal thereof; and that the reading of them afterwards is the firſt buſineſs upon which every houſe of com- mons here have ever ſince this law uniformly pro- ceeded, with a full and uncontrolled power, that, if any alterations ſhould be therein they do not like, either by the council here or in England, they may immediately reject the whole: At the ſame time, which is moſt worthy of obſervation, that, in the whole of this buſineſs, there are not the leaſt pretenſions of the Engliſh parliament to ſhare with the crown in the government of this kingdom. SOME - S 0 M E OBSERVATIONS ON THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE D U BLIN SOCI E T Y IN THE GRANTING AND DISPOSING OF PREMIUMS AND BOUNTIES, FOR SOME YEARS PAST; Eſpecially with Regard to HUSBANDRY, and the prodi- gious WASTES of the Kingdom. W I тн SOM E Η Ι Ν Τ S I N T S FOR IMPROVING AND ENRICHING THEREOF. That Art is moſt worthy to be approved of by all wife Men, which brings the greateſt Convenience and Profit to the State ; and, whilſt it is in good Health, every other Art grows flouriſhing and ſtrong. XENOPHON's Oecon. c. 15. Why, ſays SOCRATES, may not that be ſtyled generous and noble, which is moſt uſeful, moſt pleaſant to practiſe, moſt honourable and acceptable both to the Gods and to Men, and, beſides all this, soft eaſy to learn. SOCRATES'S MEMORABLES. $ P R E FACE TO HE following OBSERVATIONS were at firſt cómpriſed in ſeveral Letters inſcribed to that moſt important aſſembly, The Duelin Society, publiſhed ſome years ago at different times in the DUBLIN JOURNAL, and afterwards, in the year 1774, in a pamphlet; the matter of which I had collected, not only in â courſe of reading whicli I had purſued on thoſe moſt delightful as uſeful ſubjects of agriculture, trade and commerce, but from the many ingenious diſcourſes I had heard thereon at the weekly meetings of the ſociety. But it is moſt proper to premiſe, that as the Bri- tiſh legiſlature liave of late thought moſt wiſely fit to remove a number of the reſtrictions, which by former laws froin time to time had been impoſed upon this kingdom, ſo as to have reduced us to the very verge of abſolute bankruptcy, * undoubtedly, ſome of the principles on which I had, in my ſaid letters, founded part of my arguments, have been thereby removed, or at leaſt, much altered ; yet I conceive, that upon mature conſideration of the matter, my reaſonings for giving agriculture the VOL. III preference By an ac made in the 20th year of our moſt gracious fove- reign George III, and by another act at the ſame time, ſo to indulge us, as to allow the trade between us and the Britiſh colonies and plantations in America and the Weſt-Indies and the Britiſh fer- tlements on the coaſt of Africa, to be carried on in like manner as it is now carried on between Great-Britain and the ſaid colonies and ſettlements. As to the Eaft-India part of Afia, exclufive charters of trade will not permit the ſame indulgence ibitber. a Q [ ccxxvi ] preference to all other manufactures whatever, as the firſt and principal of all, and without which none other can flouriſh in any eminent degree, will, notwithſtanding, remain as forcible as they were before theſe great and unexpected acquiſitions were had; nay, I will be bold to ſay, much more, as en- creaſe of population muſt follow that of trade of courfe, which likewiſe muſt of courſe require more food, on the cheapneſs of which, and of labour, the proſperity of the trade and commerce of a nation muſt alſo of courſe for ever depend; but theſe are axioms or ſelf-evident principles. Yet, alas! unleſs there be the interpoſition of a miracle, a generation may not ſee the leaſt advan- tage therefrom ; for the indolence and ebriety, with every kind of immorality, and of courſe poverty, of the lower claſſes here, are, I believe I may venture to ſay, unequalled in the world, and that ſo far from endeavouring to correct theſe evils, they are labouring every day to make them worſe, and to- tally to mar the golden proſpects which have burſt upon us, by the moſt audacious, wicked.combinati- ons, in ſpite of the laws, for raiſing the prices of la- bour, that ever yet. diſgraced the police of a civi- lized people: So that manufacturers cannot proceed with ſucceſs; and then amongſt them and the traders, there are but few who have capitals fuffici- ent for an extenſive commerce with the world. Whereas, it is only by fobriety, diligence, eco- nomy and fair dealing, that a trading nation can grow wealthy and flouriſh; and this is a maxim ſo certain, from the experience of all nations ſince the creation, that to attempt to prove it, would be an inſült [ ccxxvii 1 inſult to the underſtandings of men; wherefore, were our ſuperior ports and harbours to be opened to the whole world, and theirs to us, unleſs we change our preſent mode of life, it is impoſſible we can ever be a proſperous people. A perſon of for- tune, nobleman or gentleman, who lives within the bounds of it, is now almoſt a rarity, and as to thoſe of a middling rank, even of profeſſions, manufac- tures, trade and buſineſs of every fort, they are every where, and on all occaſions, ſo aping, how- ever aukwardly, the vanities, luxury and extrava- gance of their ſuperiors, a folly quite peculiar to this country, to the neglect of every attention to their ceconomic affairs, and to the levelling of all dif- tinction and order, (the preſervation of which is the fureft baſis of proſperity) and, of courſe, to the de- ſtruction of all the ſocial pleaſures of life, that cer- tain beggary muſt for ever be the iſſue. There are many now living who muſt remember, that for one carriage or one country-houſe, according to the common phraſe, which were kept here about fifty years ago by any of the latter; rank of which I am ſpeaking, there are ten now at leaſt; although pro- viſions of almoſt every kind, are, at this day, three- fold, the price they were then, and that the riſe of lands bears, no proportion therewith. A perſon in thoſe days of four or five hundred a year, nay more, would almoſt as ſoon have thought of pur- chaſing a kingdom, as keeping a carriage, which and country houſes are almoſt as numerous now, as writers in offices; and accordingly, for one incum. bered gentleman of fortune then, there are ten now at leaſt; as there were alſo ſeveral wealthy mer-- chants then, for one there is now. Q2 It ( ccxxviii] It is not thus the Dutch or Engliſh trader grows into wealth; it is by the means I have mentioned, ſobriety, the moſt active induſtry and frugality, (the latter often in the extream) with honeſty and confidence of courſe, and the Scotch, that acute, ſagacious, frugal and induſtrious peo- ple, are now following their example: No country houſe, no carriage, until they have realized wherewithal to defray the heavy expences thereof; for heavy, very heavy they are, eſpecially of the former, from the loſs of time, neglect of buſineſs, with the paſſion of thewing a taſte for improvements, and the conſequential luxury too often attending it: So that, when upon death or other accident, theſe villas come to be fold, two-thirds at leaſt of their coſt are for ever loft to the families : * No man ſtraying from the ſphere or rank of life he is in, or vying with his ſuperiors, but herding with his ſuitable and friendly aſſociates, who only can be friendly toge- ther : In ſhort, they adhere to the old ſenſible max- im, that it is far better that pleaſure ſhould follow labour, than that labour ſhould follow pleaſure ; whereas, thoſe of that rank here ſo entirely reverfe it, that buſineſs here of almost every fort above the mere mechanic, is rarely began until about the hour of ten or rather eleven; and from that of din- ner, viz. about four; (ſuch is the habit of feſtivity here) it is in the general over for the reſidue of the day; ſo that but about five hours, or fix at the moſt, in 1 ? * The man who builds, and wants wherewith. to pay, Provides a home from which to run away. YOUNG. What brought Sir Visto's ill-got wealth to waſte ? Some dæmon whiſperid, Visto, have a taſte. POBE. [ ccxxix 1 in the four and twenty, may be ſaid to be employa ed here; in England, double the number at leaſt. Then, as to the journeymen or lower claſſes of workmen, although, as I have ſaid before, it is be- yond all doubt impoſſible, that any manufacture can flouriſh in a very proſperous capacity, either in quality or wealth, unattended by the virtues I have mentioned, of induſtry, frugality and honeſty, al- though aſſiſted by bounties upon bounties, and pre- miums upon premiums, * and this the returns to the Dublin Society for ſeveral years will fully evince. Our proviſions here are cheaper than in England, and ſo of courſe ſhould labour be; and, if the jour- neymen here, whio, I believe it will be granted me, have it abundantly in their power, either to promote or injure any manufacture whatſoever, would uſe every means they can legally and with propriety exerciſe to diſcountenance and bring to juſtice that deſperate enemy to their trade, themſelves, and their country, who, inſtead of applying his week's wages to the ſupport of his family, ſhould get him- ſelf intoxicated with ſtrong and ſpirituous liquors, and ſo continue for ſeveral days away from his work, as is well known to be the caſe, and every day exhibits to our view in the ſtreets,) and after- wards dared by debauching others, endeavour to promote combinations and riots, not only to raiſe the prices of their labour, thereby to repair and fupply their own-created loſſes and wants, but to abuſe 7 Some of the ableſt writers upon this ſubject, have ſaid, that premiums and aſſociations to fupport an infant manufacture, have often proved the greateſt miſchief it could have met with. ( ccxxx ] abuſe and ruin the induſtrious who ſhould not con- cur with him; I ſay, would they exert themſelves thus laudably, their employers would be well enabled to pay them properly; which ever ought to be the caſe, as the labourer is worthy of his hire, and they themſelves would be happy ; fo that with theſe, and the other miſchiefs of non-importation agreements, inſtead of exporting, we may ſoon be reſtored to the naked ſtate of our firſt parents in paradiſe; than whichi no folly can be more flagrant, when nothing is better known, that in moſt of our manufactures the very implements and inſtruments which are uſed in working them, to our eternal re- proach, are not to be had here, but as they are ex- ported from England; nor will theſe combination- miſcreants ſuffer thoſe who could inſtruct them, to inhabit among us, in order that all the reſt of fo- ciety may be totally in the power of a parcel of in- toxicated, vagrant, ruthleſs tyrants. And how proper and becoming would it be in theſe our journeymen of every manufacture here, to act as I have mentioned? And how are they in gratitude and honour bound to thoſe their very ge- nerous benefactors, who, by premiums and boun- ties, and the wearing of our own manufactures, though of inferior quality, and yet in ſome inſtances of higher price, than thoſe their conduct often drives us to import, have left no means untried to promote their proſperity, inſtantly to ſet about what I have here recommended; the kingdom then would ſoon be a flouriſhing one, and our ſtreets and roads no more infeſted with ſuch fwarms of wretched mendicants, or rapacious plunderers, as are [ ccxxxi ] are the terrour of ſociety. ; whereas, otherwiſe let our advantages in trade be encreaſed as they may, our condition will not be bettered as no foreigners would deal with us; without which, there is not any manufacture can be worth the purſuit. Trade knows no faſt and conſtant friend, but intereſt; and ſelf-intereſt, which never dies, will always direct the cuſtomer to the faireft dealer, who ſells his goods at a reaſonable, merchantable price : So manu- factures, in order to flouriſh, ſhould be free to the world. The prevention then of this acceſſion of foreign- ers, from that wicked and deſtructive jealouſy, pro- ceeding from the diſſipation and idleneſs, which fo much prevails among our lower manufacturers eſpe- cially, nay, they not receiving them as real friends and certain benefactors, is the grotfelt ignorance, or the worſt of wickedneſs and malice; nor is any thing more certain, than that all thoſe partial, ſelfiſh cor- poration laws for the purpoſe, are as much the deadly bane of ingenuity, induſtry, improvement and decency, as they are the promoters of idleneſs, inſolence and poverty: Where competition is pre- vented, there will never be excellence; beſides, every fixpence which theſe corporation monopoliſts wring from the ingenious and induſtrious, is too often ſpent in feaſting, revelling and debauchery. That frauds and deceits muſt be the certain con- fequence of theſe fatal proceedings, there wants no logick to demonſtrate; it is felf-evident, but it is ratified beyond all poſſibility of doubt, in the reci- tals of ſeveral of our own ſtatutes, eſpecially thoſe relating [ ccxxxii ) relating to our woollen trade, beginning with that very remarkable one, 14th and 15th CHARLES II. C. 15. before the hard reſtrictions therein, as alſo in ſeveral of the linen, proviſions, butter and tallow acts; ſo that, unleſs we, in the moſt conſpicuous manner, exert ourſelves for the future in the ſtrict- eſt juſtneſs in our commerce, trade and dealings, were all the ports in the known world to be us, it would not avail us any thing. open to 3 Nor yet have we any chance of improvement in the riſing generation of theſe people, whilft their children are taught from their very cradles, to pur- ſue the vices of their parents; they get that curſed fpirit, whiſkey, (as I have myſelf ſeen,) on the very breaſts of the mothers, congenial with the poiſon they fuck from them, and are taught to pilfer, pick and ſteal, the inſtant they are able to crawl : A load of hay, or ſtraw, or coals, * cannot paſs on a road, or ſtreet, by the filthy wretched dwellings wherein they were born, nothing better than the ſtye of a pig, whence they do not dart and pluck away a tribute : Nor can a cap lye on a hedge that is As to the theft of coals, it is thus dextrouſly managed; the car- riers purpoſely have ſuch holes in their bags, as that ſmall coals imay be ſhook thereout on the ſtreets; whence, their children who follow the carriages, being ſo inſtructed, pick up whatever falls out, which is received by the motheſs, who wait at diſtances for the purpoſe, with the greateſt applauſe; and the hay and Atraw fo plundered, is made up in truffes, and the coals in pecks, and all ſold in cellars, &c. Even the Spartans, among whom theft was not punithed, if it was dextrous, did not exceed them. Now, muſt not ſuch an education fit thefe unfortunate creatures, when they grow up, for any miſchief whatever ? 3 L [ ccxxxiii] is not a free booty to them, whenever opportunity offers, even from their kindeſt benefactors; inſtead of being taught to contribute in ſome degree to their ſupport : As are the children of carpenters in Nuremberg, who, at ſix years old, make various little articles known in England and here, by the names of Dutch toys, which are ſhaped by the boys out of the chips and ſhavings of their father's work, and the girls paint them : Of which toys, it is ſaid, there are yearly imported here, to the value of fix or eight thouſand pounds; into England, many more. They may be alſo taught to ſpin and knit, and yet have time enough for the primmer and for bodily exerciſe, as I have heard is of late practiſed in the highlands of Scotland; but let their earnings thereby be ſmall as they may, they would thence contract that firſt of all acquiſitions to a trading country, an habit of induſtry. But until the uſe of ſpirituous liquors ſhall be dil- continued, and a peaceable condue, and ſober di- ligence confirmed among theſe lower claſſes of the people, as has been in England, there is but little chance of any reformation among them; nor until then, of any foreign manufacturers, of any reputa- tion ſettling among us; whereas, if this flow, though certain deadly poiſon was rejected, and good malt liquor ſubſtituted, it might be ſpeedily effected. And then, there is this very material difference in the effects of an over indulgence in theſe two li- quors, malt and ſpirituous; that the firſt but ſtupi- fies and ſends to ſleep, but, if taken in moderation, is a wholeſome beverage, and much ſtrengthens the hard ! [ ccxxxiv ] + rage and hard labourer; whereas, the other taken in the ſmalleſt proportion, not only waites the ſtrength he hias, as the many objects we daily meet reduced thereby may evince, but fires the ſoul to rage deſperateneſs, and is the certain inſtigation, I may fay, nine times in ten, to thoſe horrid perpetrations in this country, unheard of, even among the wildeſt ſavages; but this, it is to be feared, the avarice of brewers will ever prevent, unleſs the legiſlature ſhall interfere effectually to regulate their trade, to which few objects are, for the aforeſaid reaſons, fo worthy of their immediate attention. * 1 That I have not here exaggerated any thing, nor aught ſet down in malice, I can appeal with ſafety to the publick; yet will not ſay, that I have aught extenuated ; as they are evils, that, like the gan- grened wound, demand the deepeſt probing for their cure. Is there a day in the year that our ga- zette and other public prints do not announce them to the world? And are they not ratified in our ma- ny ineffectual acts to prevent or remedy them? The houghing not only of cattle, but of fellow chriſtians, thereby rendering them helpleſs and uſe- leſs for ever ; or the wantonly gaſhing and disfigur- ing Suppoſe the whole, or a part of the preſent tax upon malt liquors, which are ſo common a neceſſary of life, were rather on the malt, as it is in England, or rather in a higher ſtage, if poffi- ble, by which the public revenue, inſtead of being injured, may- be greatly encreaſed.? But what an imịnenſe fuin would it ſave to the kingdom in the non-importation of malt liquors ! For ſome, (it may not be immaterial) obſervations upon which, I refer for this, my readers to the preface to my Treatiſe of the Exchequer and Revenue of Ireland, [ ccxXXV ] ing the faces, eſpecially of defenceleſs, harmleſs wo- men; the deſtruction of whole properties by dila- pidation and fire ; the raviſhment of virgins in ſeve- ral counties in the kingdom, from the boſoms of their parents, and the broiling upon gridirons to ex- tort diſcovery of money; the wantonly, or for wicked ſport, caſting perſons over the quay walls at night into the river, to ſwim or fink there, as it may happen. The robbing and without reſiſtance maiming, nay, murdering others; ſo that after nightfall, there is no walking the ſtreets in the leaſt degree of ſafety : The watchmen of the city, either ſuperannuated and fitter for an hoſpital, or in league with the plunderers, and therefore filent, quiet ſpec- tators, whilft the civil police revels at the feaſt, or regardleſs, ſleeps ſecure; as further proof whereof, are the filthy, miry, broken ſtreets, with trap-holes in almoſt every one of them, by ſtealing the ftones that cover the vault-holes, for the ſake either of the penny or two-pence they are ſold for, or from mere wickedneſs of heart, to the deſtruction of the health and limbs of the inhabitants of the city; ſo that ſtrangers are afraid to viſit it, nor are the avenues thereto in better order, or more ſafe to paſſengers. The conſtant riſings of theſe people in oppoſition to the execution of the laws of the land, in reſcuing from the hands of juſtice, not only debtors, but the moſt atrocious robbers, raviſhers and murderers; even when condemned to puniſhment; and when executed, at noon day, bearing their corpſes away through the public ſtreets, amidſt the magiſtrates of the city, and laying them at the doors of the in- jured, for daring to proſecute theſe deſtroyers of the peace . [ ccxxxvi) peace and ſafety of ſociety, and in order to terrify others therefrom: So that theſe flagitious villains may commit all crimes they pleaſe with impunity, contrary quite to the proceedings of every civilized nation, whoſe people riſe in defence, and to the af- ſiſtance of their laws, and to the eternal diſgrace of the police of this unfortunate kingdom in every cor- ner of the earth, to which our prints or annals are fent. Then the weak or wicked applications of juries to the judges who tried the criminals, to re- preſent them as objects of mercy, thereby actually throwing the crime of ſcreening them from public juſtice off themſelves upon him, or on government; and this not now and then, or inadvertently, but moſt frequently; eſpecially if there be any electi- oneering intereſt in the caſe ; ſo that the moſt atro- cious offences, inſtead of being diſcouraged, are pro- moted, and the laws made uſeleſs. Quid triſtes querimoniæ, Si non ſupplicio culpa reciditur ? Quid leges fine moribus Vanæ proficiunt ? Hor. lib. ii. Ode 34. 1 But wherefore do we thus complain, If Juſtice wears her awful ſword in vain ? And what are laws unleſs obey'd, By the ſame moral virtues they were made ? FRANCIS. Nor can I upon this occafion omit what the fame excellent author ſays upon magiſtrates and judges. Conſulque non unius anni; Sed quoties bonus atque fidus Judex, honeftum prætulit utili et Rejecit [ ccxxxvii] Rejecit alto dona nocentium Vultu, et per obftantes catervas Explicuit ſua victor arma. HOR. lib. iv. Ode 9. Perpetual magiſtrate is he Who keeps ſtrict juſtice full in ſight; With fcorn rejects the offender's fee, Nor weighs convenience againſt right; Who bids the crowd at awful diſtance gaze, And Virtue's arms victoriouſly diſplays. FRANCIS Unequalled all by any other nation in the known world, and in the lower people chiefly to be ac- counted for at preſent from ihe cauſe I have men- tioned ; the intoxication of ſpirits, with which it is too much a practice premeditately to prepare them- ſelves for any deſperate act, or the rage of inſanity: So that the hours of fleep and reſt are rendered hor- rible, the ſocial intercourſe of friends, and happi- nefs of rural retirement fo totally marred, that a man may as well think of ſleeping in any ſuch, with any ſecurity, almoſt throughout the whole kingdom, unleſs he has a hoſt of armed, honeſt fer- vants, as in a town beſieged; and, if our police does not exert itſelf to ſtop theſe moſt tremendous evils, and that ſpeedily, (all which, as I have ſaid before, our public prints will evince,) the kingdom muſt be a mere defert. * But * I was once receiver to the eſtates of a nobleman in ihis king- dom, who had alſo an eſtate in England, whither I repaired to ſettle his accounts with his agent there. I had my dwelling with a clergyman, in a ſmall village within about four miles of Mancheſter, a very learned gentleman, of excellent character, and of good appointment in the church. The firſt morning after I had nept there, riſing very early, as was ever my cuſtom, 1 found [ ccxxxviii ] · But is it not incumbent on the gentlemen of for'a tune, of the kingdom, to promote the due execu- tion of the laws, or will not their credit be ſo ſunk, that not a man in his fenſes will lend a ſixpence on their ſecurity in any county whatever It is true, this conſequence may, on the other hand, though it will not remove the evil, be attended with advan- tage, as it may induce a retrenchment of the ex- pences of vanity; fo of preventing the bartering of fortune and peace, for the ſlavery and diſgrace of corruption, and this, perhaps, after having bel- lowed againſt ſuch proceedings; although they had themſelves compelled government to do ſo, in or- der 1 found nothing but a latch to his ſtreet door, and no ſhutters to his hall-windows. I was amazed, and aſked him when we met at breakfaſt, if he was not afraid of being robbed and murdered He, and two or three neighbours who were ai table, firſt ſtared at one another, then at me, as if I had been a fiend or monſter. When the parſon, with no little agitation, “Robbed, Sir! mur- dered ! and my neighbours ſuffer it! (ſo far from conceiving, that any of them could commit ſuch an act) Why, fir, is it ſo in your country?" To which my filence giving aſſent, “ I am, ſaid he again, how forty years of age, and never in that time, have heard of ſuch a thing in this, or any other county in England;" and though there afterwards grew a very friendly intimacy between us, yet, for two or three days, he and the people in his houſe abſolutely feemed afraid of me, and were moſt ſurely lo; as he frequently in nierriment declared. He had a ſmall yet excellent fruit gară. den, and though the north ſide of it was but impaled with ſtakes, he ſaid he was moſt ſure, that even an apple was not ſtolen: And ſo it was through the whole neighbourhood. What a place for a happy retirement ! I could alſo relate many other inſtances, not only of the people in this part of that flouriſhing country, but alſo in another, whither I alſo ſeveral years had reſorted for the fame purpoſe ; and could upon my oath declare, I never heard a ſingle inſtance of a theft or plunder amongſt them. ( ccxxxix ] der to effect even the common ordinary buſineſs of the nation. When men grow great from their revenues ſpent, And fly from bailiffs into Parliament: YOUNC. This dreary, yet as fure condition of the lower clafi ſes of our people, it was thought, would have chang- ed on the acquiſition of the prodigious advantages, which, through the interpoſition, and with the con- currence of our truly great and gracious-minded fo- vereign, have ſuddenly as unexpectedly, been pour- ed upon this kingdom; but, on the contrary, their hearts became more and more hardened, and every means was uſed their evil genius. could deviſe, - to mar the good effects: So that had it not been for a ſet of noble ſpirits, who voluntarily, and at their own expence, aroſe, and arrayed and diſciplin- ed themſelves for the defence and protection of the kingdom, its laws, and the people; its metropo- lis at leaſt, if not the whole, might, ere this time, have been a ſcene of devaſtation and ruin 'A : Nor yet will I deſpair, or think that we are ſunk fo deep we cannot yet emerge: Our Parliament here, the laſt ſeſlion, by a ſteady, glorious, yet moſt decently-conducted ſpirit of true patriotiſm, have convinced the people of our moſt unnatural fiſter nation, that we are not the forry worms they have ſo long conceived us to be, but will, yet conſiſtent ſtrictly with the conſtitution and laws, exert our- felves to regain that fair degree of national freedom, to which, according to the laws of nature and rea- fon, and as ſubjects to the ſame prince, under the like fair condition of proportionably contributing to the t [.ccxl) the general defence, we are intitled well as they are : Nor alſo will I deſpair, but that their eyes will be opened, ſo as to ſee, that our intereſt is theirs, and that they will rejoice in our regaining that which they have ever ſo much gloried iri , a rational free- dom; but through a miſtaken as outrageous ſelfiſh- neſs, have too long unjuſtly been the means of de- priving us of. Our country, as to its natural advantages, is in- ferior to none; and as ſuch, ſome of the firſt of wri- ters thereori have deſcribed it : as in the words of one of them, an Engliſhman who had long reſided in high ſtation therein : * It is,' ſays he, 6 - Mand bleſſed by Nature with all the advantages that ever any other country boaſted: Her climate, " never in extremes, affords a number of plants, 6 no other under the ſame latitude produces; and has an influence fo favourable alſo on the bodies • of men, that they generally exceed both in age and ſtature the rest of Europe; a very great and s almoſt general fertility of foil, joined to the moſt advan- an & min * See the genealogical hiſtory of the houſe of Yvery, earls of Egmont, vol. ii. page 164. and in the fame vol. päge 410 to 431. are ſuch ſolutions of ſome of thoſe important points in the con- ftitution of this country, which have cauſed ſuch ferments be- tween the two kingdoms, and eſpecially as to the legiſlature of England binding Ireland by their laws. The juriſdiction of their lords of Parliament on appeals from our chancery, or of the court of king's bench there, on writs of error from our king's bench here, authenticated by ſuch incontrovertable authority, as I have not met with before, and if well known, I am convinced, would inſtantly remove all doubts thereon, and give to the two zations that amity, which, for their reciprocal intereſts, ſhould ' Cabliſt for ever between them: But this is not a place for ſuch a kiftory. [ ccxli t į advantageous ſituation ; and to a bold and exa tended coaſt, abounding in good harbours, and " environed by a ſea; ſtored beyond credit, with the • beſt and moſt profitable fith, adapted in a moſt peculiar manner for the commerce of the whole ( world. But, as if Providence had determined to render imperfect all ſublunary happineſs, this land 4 has been as miſerable in the events that have happened in it, as otherwiſe bleſſed, in the cir. cumſtances which have been mentioned. On the contrary, I will hope that I may yet live to ſee, that our people will advantage themſelves of the commerce, freedom and reſtoration of rights, which we have lately gained, and convince the world, that the indolence, lazineſs and wickedneſs with which they have for centuries been ftigma- tiſed, were not innate or conſtitutional in them, as has been aſſerted; or that, as the poet ſays, / Naturam expellas furca licet uſque recurret. Hor: epift. io. lib. 1. but aroſe from that dejection and deſpondency, which is the conſtant fure attendant on, I will not fay a conquered, but from a miſtaken policy, a long. depreſſed, miſerable people, and that their chief accuſers their neighbours, were not leſs notorious for the like tranſgreſſions, until they were corrected by the like advantages of trade and commerce, and thence acquired an habit of induſtry, every mani muſt know who is acquainted with their hiſtory. VOL. III. R Another *Even in the reign of Queen ELIZABETH. See Hume's Hif tory of England, page 489, octavo edit. ( ccxlii ) Another matter has occurred to me this inftant, which, as not leſs material than any I have menti- oned here on this ſubject, I therefore cannot omit; and that is the number of holidays, feſtivals, and other idle days, which are as ſtrictly, as moſt irre- ligiouſly, obſerved by the lower people in this king- dom, eſpecially by thoſe of the Romih religion ; and too much indeed by many of a higher rank of almoſt every claſs of thoſe who are in offices; and who, the larger their emoluments are, (to their diſ- grace be it ſpoken) are in proportion remiſs; which is a melancholy example to the flothful, drunken labourer and journeyman, Beſides the immenſe and irrecoverable loſs thoſe days of idleneſs are to the fair induſtrious merchant and trader, or the poor law-fuitor; both of whom are often mulcted hard for theſe, not their delays, as alſo in other reſpects in the diverſe tranſactions of buſineſs. The almighty founder of the fabbath hath en- joined us but one ſingle day of reſt in the week, and that it be kept holy: and further, in the ſame commandment, that we not only do not keep any other day of reſt, but poſitively, that we ſhall la- bour all the other fix in the week: And will any of his creatures dare to order it otherwiſe ? But if the intentions of thoſe who thus tranſgreſs this high command in the number of other days of reſt they enjoin, be really pious, and do it not for any ſelfiſh views, can they be ſo blind as not to ſee how groſsly theſe appointments are perverted ? I will be bold to ſay, it would be moſt miſchievous, nay, moſt wicked, were they even to be ſpent in prayer, 4 [ ccxliii ] : prayer; being, as I before mentioned, againſt the poſitive injunction of heaven. Nay, even in our Rubrick, the Bleſſed Virgin has no leſs than four days ſanctified and allotted to her : St. PATRICK one to himſelf, and his votaries add two more to his wife and children. So it is to the ſaints PHILIP and Jacob, otherwiſe. May-day. Then there are the faints GeorGE, MATTHIAS, BARNABAS, BARTHOLOMEW, DAVID, AN- DREW, &c. &c. Nor does this fatisfy ; 'wherefore, there is one day beſides for them all, and for all ALL SOULS; ſo for St. MICHAEL and ALL ANGELS ; which laſt two feſtivals, are as if it was thought there would not be even hours enough in the year, were they each to have had but one. It is down right idolatry. See the Collects for theſe laſt two days in our pray- er-book, and in the Romiíh manual, *. And then during theſe feſtivals, as at the orgies of the drunken deity BACCHUS, or the luſtful VENUS of the heathens, the common people here inſult their faints and idol deities, by the fame rites and Vol. 3. R2 \* Many of theſe holidays are eſtabliſhed by the ſtatute WILL. III. Seſs. i. c. 14. and yet by a ſubſequent one, 33 Geo. II. c. 10. in a particular caſe, to wit, the land permit of- all holidays are diſpenſed with, fave Sundays, and the birth and death days of our all-gracious redeemer; which two laſt fhould ever be with equal piety revered, as conmemorations of the ineſtimable purchafe of our falvation and eternal happineſs by thoſe great events obtained. But let it not be unobſerved, that the firſt act reſpects only idle common labourers, who may there- by be whipped for their tranſgreſſing it. [ ccxliv ] and ceremonies with which the heathens worſhipped theirs; ſo that were one of them to ſee our peo- ple at ſuch a tiine, they could not but have the ſame idea of the faint of the day, as we have of their BACCHUS and VENUS: And ſo obſtinate is their bigotry in this reſpect, that there is not any neceſſity could induce them to work on ſome of theſe days, ſo that frequently whole fields in har- veſt time have been loft; while theſe moſt deftruc- tive worſhippers have been lying ſenſeleſsly drunk on the roads, fo corroded with ſpirits, that they are more like corpſes preſerved therein, than beings of life or exiſtence; which, together with the idleneſs or extortions, as I have before mentioned, of ſome public officers, make this a poor, nay, an almoſt bankrupt nation : But what is yet more inſuffer- able, if one of thoſe days ſhould fall on a Sunday, fo extremely zealous are theſe idolaters, of all ranks, that they will alſo facrifice the following day. I have ſearched every concordance both of the Old and New Teſtament, and cannot find a ſingle inſtance in either, of any ſuch feſtival as theſe. It is true, when the Jews deſcended into idolatry, they had their new moons, feaſts, &c. which God in the ift chap, of ISAIAH hath abſolutely denounced to be, as ſuch, an abornination to him; and in after- times, among the heathens, theſe feſtivals and fa- crifices were not only to their deities themſelves, but even to their demi-deities and heroes, whom they worſhipped as idols; ſo that they at length be- came fo numerous, as ſcarcely to be number- ed : Nor are many even of our fellow chriſtians behindhand with them therein ; as their rubricks and ? 1 [ ccxlv ] ) and calendars will ſhew: So fully alſo in the teeth of the ſecond, as of the fourth commandment as aforeſaid, that I profefs when I have heard ſome of them, and eſpecially the commemorations of rebel- lions, plots and bloodſhed, to the eternal preſerva- tion of enmity and feuds among the differing par- ties, pronounced from the altar of the ettabliſhed church, as feſtivals to be kept holy, I have ſhudder- ed: Nor can I find in the New Teſtament a fylla. ble that tends to the keeping of a ſingle day of fef- tival or reſt, except the ſabbath-day; and even with this, our Saviour hath repeatedly declared, as in the 6th chap. of LUKE, we may for abfolute neceſſity diſpenſe: And he mentions ſeveral inſtances, with this moſt concluſive expreſſion, “ That the Son of Man is Lord alſo of the Sabbath.” I have ſeen it ſomewhere computed, that, what from the number of holidays and feſtivals uſually kept in this kingdom, as alſo of the working hands who keep them, and the value of their labour and profit thereon, the loſs thereby, at a reaſonable ave- rage, is not leſs than two hundred thouſand pounds a year ; and if every Monday, which, in the calen- dar of theſe people, is in as high a itate for their adoration, as any other of their feſtivals, with all the other ſought-for idle days, be taken into the ac- count, which I believe may very properly be done, it may at leaſt be one-third more: A loſs this king- dom cannot bear. * At . * The Romiſh clergy have it abundantly in their power to remedy this loud-crying evil, and much hath been done for them of i [ ccxlvi ] At length the time is come, when a public na- tional bank, in the true ſenſe of it, I believe I may with fafety affirm, will be moſt indiſpenſably necef- ſary here, or all we may acquire by the freedom of trade, we have ſo happily obtained, may be as if it had never been; nor am I unſupported herein, as we find that in every country where commerce flouriſhes in any degree, ſuch a bank is eſtabliſhed: England, Holland, Germany, Venice, Genoa, even Scotland, and many other commercial places, have early adopted this national ſurety for their national wealth. They have experienced its animating warmth, the vigour it communicates to commer- cial enterpriſes, and the flowing opulence which it introduces of late: And, as a juſtification for their compliance herein, it ap- pears from the 6th volume of father Feijoo's works, tranſlated from the Spaniſh, in his diſcourſe on this ſubject, and in the ob- ſervations made by Don GERONIMO Ustariz, in his excellent book on the Theory and Practice of Commerce and the Marine, chap. 107, as 'allo from the maxims of their great politician SAAVEDRA, that the number of feſtivals formerly kept in Spain, was the cauſe of the beggary and wretchedneſs of its lower peo- ple; and relates that faint CH RISOSTOM ſaid, « That the mar- tyrs had no delight in being honoured at the expence of the “ tears of the poor : As alſo, that inſtead of promoting religion ** and devotion, it had quite the oppoſite effect; and, that piety * Should not treſpaſs upon induſtry, nor induftry upon piety;" And of the ſame opinion was pope URBAN VIII. and ſo he pronounced it upon the repreſentation of ſeveral zealous bishops of the time : So it is alſo expreſſed in the council of Trent, held in the year 1549, in the loth canon; by the council of Cambray, held in the year 1565, in the vith canon ; and by the council of Bourdeaux, in the year 1583 : But above all, there is a ſignal ex- ample of this in the clemency of Paul III, towards the Indians of America ; who, in confideration of their poverty, (Sundays be- ing excepted,) retrenched three parts in four of their feſtivals, as is evident from the council of Mexico, in $585, 1 [ ccxlvii ] introduces. But above all, the bank of England Itands the foremoſt in the claſs: Its eſtabliſhment has been the cauſe of its proſperity, of the immenſe extenſion of its commerce, and of the lowering the intereſt of money from 8 to 4 per cent. the ſure cri- terion of the wealth of a nation: conducted upon liberal and enlarged principles, it ſtands upon a firm ground, and is immutable as is the ſtate itſelf; ſhook by nio danger, but when the public exiſtence is at ſtake ; in the hour of private calamity, it af- fords a ſure aſylum, and, as a late writer has ex- preſſed it, the paſſing gale which diſturbs the unpil- lared edifices of all private banks, ſerves but to firm the more this mighty rock which upholds the pub- lic proſperity, and whoſe plan and regulation has gained the confidence and credit of the world. And therefore, why may not this, until lately moſt unfortunate kingdom, but now, if it be not its own fault, in a likely way of thriving, ſtraight look forward to this great example, and by purſu: ing with all prudent circumſpection, the fame eſta- bliſhed mode of England, why not produce, in proportion to circumſtances, the ſame good and fa- lutary ends ? For until this great event in England, they had experienced there, as we for almost fe- venty years have here, a ſeries of misfortunes from the miſconduct and improper dealings of their pri- vate banks, as almoſt cauſed the ruin of the nation for by their having the enjoyment of the public confidence, and the conſequent poſſeſſion of its wealth, they had been tempted by views of profit to embark in great and extenſive ſpeculations; they extended 1 } [ ccxlviii ] extended their engagements beyond the pale of dif- cretion and ſafety ; their private expences had been profuſe and extravagant, or their original property confined and inſecure, &c. &c. Beſides, ſuch pri- vate banks, where ſuch only are, by commanding the caſh of the nation, rule its exchange, and have its trade and traders in their power; the acquired benefit for years of which, their fạilure may undo in a moment; as has been frequently the caſe. In the year 1721, ſuch a bank was in agitation for this kingdom; on which occaſion, two of the inoſt directly oppoſite and enforced reſolutions were formed almoſt in a breath, as ever yet ſtood on the journals of a legiſlature. The laſt was againſt a national bank; fince which, of all the numerous private banks that have been here, (I ſpeak not of the now ſubſiſting ones, for I am convinced they are as unexceptionable, and on as fure a footing as any barik not national can be) there were bu three that had not failed; to the loſs of many mil- lions to the kingdom, and the ruin of numerous fa- milies, of which ſeveral feel it forely at this inftant; attended befides, in ſome of them, with ſuch vari- ous circumſtances of the moſt flagitious peculations and frauds, as muſt make a nation tremble: How- ever, although no certain information or concluſion can be had or drawn from the journals of the afore- ſaid proceedings, yet they may not be unworthy of peruſal, eſpecially the feveral papers relating to this moſt important matter, which are amongſt the re- cords of the houſe of commons here, as are tran- ſcripts alſo thereof, (as I have heard), in the council- office in England I did [ ccxlix ] I did myſelf labour all I could to promote it, as will appear by my firſt letter in the Hibernian Journal of the 24th of October, 1778, and ſeveral after-ones on the ſubject, which produced ſeveral excellent pamphlets for and againſt it, the ſub- ſtance of the material parts of ſeveral of which is inſerted herein; and a very pleaſing proſpect ap- peared of this moſt important, eſſențial, and de. voutly-to-be-wiſhed-for buſineſs, being forwarded, when ſome of the ſons of liberty, as they are call- ed, conceiving it to be a ſcheme deviſed by go- vernment to ſerve their purpoſes, as occaſions might happen, not conſidering, that, from that very motive, the mighty bank of England aroſe; or ra- ther, it was thought, from fome deep-laid ſcheme of private intereſt, for the effecting of which, the firſt is too often the pretext, or both, did all they could to counteract and oppoſe it; by propoſing and en- deavouring to promote a bank of a conſiderable body of merchants and ſome private gentlemen, who were to ſubſcribe to a certain amount, and from the proportions of their reſpective ſubſcripti- ons, were to be choſen governors or directors there- of; and that there was not to be any national or other ſecurity, real or perſonal, ſave that 100,000l. only were to be lent on debentures to government. Upon hearing theſe propoſals read at a large meeting of the citizens at the Royal Exchange, on the 14th and 16th of December, 1779, I obſerved thereon in the beſt manner the ſhortneſs of the no- tice would admit of, That this would by no means anſwer the intent of this moft important concern ; that this projected bank would in no ſort differ from any [ cc ] any of the preſent private ones, but in having a more numerous FERME, and its funds leſs ſecure, being not only liable to the peculation, but miſcon- duct of ſubſcribing directors; who, perhaps, might either be entirely ignorant of commercial buſineſs, or mercantile projectors, whoſe views of partial in- tereſt and mutual accommodation, would prove more fatal to the funds, than the ignorance of others; for which very reaſon, it had been by one of our public laws, 29 Geo. II. c. 16. eſpecially pro- vided, that no merchant ſhall be a banker; beſides, they were to have been anſwerable only for the li- mited ſums of their own ſubſcriptions; whereas, the landed properties of the preſent private bankers are out of the power of embezzlement, by another bank- ing law, 33 Geo. II. c. 14. which in the ſaid pro- jected one, was not to have been, as it was ſaid, the caſe. And immediately after the ſaid meeting, I re- duced my aforeſaid obſervations into ſeveral writ- ten queries, which I ſent in a letter to the ſecretary to the ſubſcribers, as alſo to a very eminent mer- chant of the city, who was a principal leader in this thus-projected ſcheme; as I likewiſe permitted ſeve- ral, who applied to me for them, to take copies thereof, and the ſubſcriptions were quickly with- drawn; ſo that I was as earneſt to defeat this plan, in which I ſucceeded, as I was to effect the former one, in which, from the cauſes I have before men- tioned, I failed. However, not deſpairing of pro- moting it yet, I will, ſo far as I am informed, men- dion ſeveral of the inconteſtable advantages which the [ ccli] the impregnable bank of England produce to the Itate. By lending its whole ſtock to government, there is a viſible fund of ſecurity. It receives the whole revenue of the ſtate. It receives the appropriated duties for the pay- ment of intereſt, tontines and other parliamentary grants; and therefore employs to its profit the ſums not called for, . It receives the depoſits in chancery; thoſe of the remembrancer's offices of the exchequer; thoſe of the maſters in chancery, for want of which here, many inconveniences and grievous lofſes have been ſuffered here by ſuitors; for which, fee my Chan- cery Practice, vol. i. page 173, &c. The Firſt Fruits, &c. The treaſury hold an account in this bank, where all exceedings of public or appropriated monies are to lie for the ſervice of the bank. And the ſtockholders are of the greateſt men of the kingdom, who are moſt aſliduous in watching and guarding againſt jobs, and all other injurious proceedings. Wherefore, if there be any ſuch virtue as true patriotiſm here, ſurely every nerve will be exerted at this juncture, to effect this moſt falutary, lau- dable purpoſe for the kingdom; by providing for it an eſtabliſhed, public national bank. See SAVARY'S [ cclii] SAVARY's. Dictionary on Trade, title, Bank; and Pinto's Traite de la Circulation, et du Credit, page 18. * + Nor, for the further ſecurity of our trade and com- merce, let them ſuffer that moſt deſtructive law, the bankrupt act, to paſs unnoticed and unremedied by them: A law, which, from the daily, manifeſt, inju- rious effects it produces, might well be conceived was intended rather to encreaſe and multiply, than to reſtrain or remedy the evils againſt which it ſeems to have been pointed: A law, whereby, among other miſchiefs, a wicked trader may, by breaking, and the good management of himſelf, and the friendly aſſignees ſelected by him from his creditors, for whoſe claims he hath perhaps moft fully pro- vided, defraud the reſt, grow rich, and live at eaſe: A law, in which is a clauſe, not in any of the Eng- liſh bankrupt ones, by which, and that moſt inju- rious proceeding by custODIAM, judgments for debts, which had for ages been conſidered as the common ſecurity of this kingdom, are almoſt to- tally defeated. I did myſelf fuggeſt it to fome members of the houſe of commons, to endeavour to have the aforeſaid clauſe relating to judgments re- pealed; and for a clauſe, that no creditor of a bank- rupt ſhould ever be an aſſignee ; (as the induſtrious ſolicitation for this very troubleſome office, for which they have not by the preſent act a ſingle fix- pence recompence, proves the intention;) and that only 1 I am not unaware of the objections that will be made for the want of a bullion market and a mint; but theſe I ſhall leave to the conſideration of our Parliament. [ ccliii ] only perſons totally diſintereſted as to the bankrupt and his effects, ſhould be employed therein; and they to have a reaſonable poundage for every ſum they paid out of what they received : But this ſuggeſtion was late in a ſeſſion of unuſual continuance, and its members were moſt heartily tired. * It is a law of ſuch a formidable nature, that I heard an eminent lawyer ſay, there was hardly a man in the kingdom, let his fortune be what it may, whom he could not, on the refinement of this law, make a bankrupt, and ſubject him to all the ra- pine and plunder of the many, harpies belonging thereto. Alſo, that any bad man, who was inclined to en- rich himſelf on the ruin of others, had only to ſet up fome trade or buſineſs as would ſubject him to the bankrupt law, and then collect from them all the money he could, ſend it abroad, or otherwiſe fe- crete it, ſo as that it could not be diſcovered ; then fail, that a commiſſion of bankruptcy might be taken out againſt him, or himſelf procure it to be done, (which has been often the caſe,) that he may have the freedom of his perſon, and afterwards live at his eafe. So on ſuch like ingenious artifices, the fair judgment-creditor, long before the bankruptcy, may, by the bankrupt law, as it is in this kingdom, be only rateably paid with fimple contract debts, contrived / * The truſtees to Burton's, &c. banks to whom I was regif ter, who were of the firſt character, and ſome of them of high ftation, had two-pence in the pound out of what aroſe from the lands or other effects of the bankers, one moiety thereof to be defrayed by the creditors, the other out of the fales, [ ccliv ] veral inſtances ; yea more, ſome of theſe atrocious ſpoilers, know- contrived perhaps for the purpoſe. So with the poet, Bankruptcy full of eaſe and health, And wallowing in well-faved wealth, Deaf to the wretched widow's moan, The orphan's cry, the maniac's groan, Came ſmiling midſt a ruin'd band, And bringing Set in her hand. CHURCHILL. In ſhort, if that unlucky clauſe relating to judg- ments in the bankrupt act be not repealed, and the most terrible grievances of CUSTODIAMS reme- died, I no man in his fenſes will lend a ſixpence thereon: So that this common ſecurity of this king- dont * This ſecond couplet has been added; but there is not a cir- cumſtance in the three which hath not happened recently in fear : ing well that by our laws they were not fubject to the puniſhment of felons, though wicked as any that ever have ſuffered, have re- ceived depoſits, or borrowed money of others ſome days before ; nay, on the very eve of the day they had determined to fail. + There are fo many whom this blank may ſuít, that it is left to every individual affected, to fill up as he feels; and muſt it not be ſo, wherever aſſignees from their attachment to their bank rupt friends, in open violation of repoſed truſt and truth, not only ſuffer them to tranfact the effects as they pleaſe, but fo behave to unfortunate creditors, for daring even to aſk about their properties, that a by-ſtander might rather think the harraſſed, ruined, broken-hearted or diſtracted man, and not his ſpoiler, was the tranſgreffor, who, in deſpair, at length permits them to do as they pleaſe. I For the hiſtory of this proceſs, and the many miſchiefs at- tending it, ſee my Treatiſe of the Exchequer and Revenue of Ire- land, vol. i. in the preface, and vol. ii. page 45. [ ccſv 1 dom will be for ever defeated. Suppoſe, inſtead of the aforeſaid clauſe, there was one to provide, that no creditor, by ſuch judgment as in the ſaid act is mentioned, ſhould have any priority or prefe- rence in payment to debts of an inferior, nature, who did not make an affidavit, if required by the af- ſignees, that the judgment was obtained as a fecu- rity for a debt juſtly and in good faith due to him by the defendant, or for other valuable conſiderati- on, without any fraud, colluſion, or unfair contri- varice whatever ; and to ſubject the perſon who ſhould make a falſe oath upon the occaſion, to fine, impriſonment, pillory, or ſuch other puniſhment as may be thought moſt fit. Another ruinous miſchief had lately impended over this unfortunate kingdom ; which was, the op- poſition that had been given by ſome of its own ſelf-intereſted people, to the heads of a bill “ for the relief of tenants holding under leaſes for lives, con- taining covenants for perpetual renewals.” Had not this bill paſſed into a law, which was but by one majority, and that mere accident, from a late extraordinary determination of the lords of Great Britain on one of theſe tenures, upon an appeal from a decree of the court of chancery here, which had never been otherwiſe, a litigation and diſtreſs would have raged here for years; numberleſs fa- milies, jointure widows, annuitants, mortgagees, judgment creditors and others, purchaſers for valu- able conſideration in various lights, would have been fet adrift in the world , beſides, the deſtruc- tion of a conſiderable part of our ſmall yeomanry and proteſtant freeholders here. However, it is ſaid, [ cclvi ] faid, that ſeveral of the members of both houſes of Parliament, who were intereſted as landlord or tenant, to their eternal honour, had declined at- tending; conſidering themſelves in ſuch a caſe in the ſame light, as if one and the ſame perſon ſhould be a juryman, advocate, party and judge in a cauſe. If this Preface ſhall be thought too long, I hope the moſt amazing, fortunate, and important change that hath happened of late in the circumſtances of a kingdom, which had been too long diſcouraged, will plead its apology. SOME SOME OBSERVATIONS Ο Ν Τ Η Ε. DU B L IN SOCIETY PRE MI U MS, &c. ********* THERE THE high repute which the DUBLIN Society hath acquired throughout the world, muſt for ever induce its members not only to be nicely jea- lous thereof, but to be conſtantly watchful of every act or proceeding that may in any fort tend to di- miniſh it; for which purpoſe, and as ſeveral of them may not, either from the want of leiſure or opportunity, be well acquainted with the origin and true intention of its inſtitution, I hope it will not be by any taken amiſs, that I humbly offer fome few obſervations on theſe matters, and en deavour to fhew, how far that moſt important in- tention hath been purſued, as diſtinctly and ſhortly as the nature of the ſubject will admit of; fo far at leaft, as may be neceſſary for the properly aſlifting in the buſineſs thereof; as alfo, to point out thoſe particular objects which are held by all who are beſt acquainted with the ſituation of this country, Vor, III. S to 258 OBSERVATIONS ON THE to be the moſt truly important, and eſſentially ne- ceſſary for the purſuit of the Society. Firſt then, after that exalted character, beneficent as benevolent, whoſe memory muſt' ever be re- vered in this kingdom, the late Rev. Dr. Samuel MADDEN, had for feveral years diſtributed annually a conſiderable portion of his own private property in premiums, for the improvement of huſbandry, and other manufactures * and arts, &c. here, inſti- gated by his glorious example, ſeveral noblemen and gentlemen of fortune formed themſelves into a fociety, of which the late THOMAS Pryor, Eſq. was the firſt promoter, for the purpoſe of the bet- ter carrying on and effecting this moſt laudable ſcheme of the original projector ; and after they had-for feveral years proceeded therein, they were, through his unwearied activity, on their petition to his late majeſty king George II. incorporated by charter, dated the 2d day of April, in the three and twentieth year of his reign. And in their faid petition, which, for the better underſtanding my intention herein, is fit to be pre- viouſly noted, it is ſet forth, “That, having ob- “ ſerved vaſt tracts of land and bog in the king- “dom uncultivated, and a general want of ſkill " and induſtry in the inhabitants to improve them, they had formed themſelves into a voluntary fo- “ciety, by the name of the Duelin Society, for "promoting huſbandry and other uſeful arts; and " that they had, at their own expence, made many “ experiments, * When properly projected, yet only then, the never-failing {pur to ingenuity, induſtry, improvement and proſperity. } DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 259 “ experiments, and publiſhed uſeful obſervations • and inſtructions for raiſing flax, draining bogs, “ and improving unprofitable lands; and had dif- “ tributed conſiderable ſums of money in premi- “ ums to the moſt deſerving; whereby a ſpirit of induſtry and emulation had been raiſed, and great hopes conceived, that much greater effects might ariſe therefrom, tending farther to civilize «« the natives of the ſaid kingdom, and render them “ well affected to his majeſty and his royal family; 6 and more able to contribute to the increaſe of " the revenue, and the ſupport of the eſtabliſhment “ of the ſaid kingdom.” Hence, I am inclined to think it will be admitted, as it is moſt manifeſt, that the improvement of the vaſt tracts of uncultivated land and bog in the kingdom, in other words, the encreaſing the quan- tity of its land, or, I may ſay, the making or cre- ating an addition thereto, and the further improve- ment of the cultivated lands, were, according to the recitals in the charter, the primary, principal ob- jects which the Society then had in view. I ſhall now, ſecondly, proceed to enquire how far the Society have purſued the promoting of huf- bandry, and wherein they have deviated from it. And, in order to ſhew how indiſpenſably neceſ- fary and incumbent on them it was to purſue it, it may be moſt proper to ſet forth here, ſuch parts of their repeated petitions to Parliament, as most eſpe- cially related thereto, from the acquiſition of their charter. S2 And 260 OBSERVATIONS ON THE And firſt, they have ſet forth therein, “ That " they had always conſidered the encouragement " of tillage, as one of the greateſt national objects, " and the chief intention of their inſtitution ; rand, " that it would be of the higheſt benefit to this na- " tion and its manufactures, to encourage the firſt " of all manufactures, a compleat cultivation of the 66 foil.” 99 66 " That therefore they had in a more eſpecial manner applied themſelves to that ſubject; had, at conſiderable expences, cauſed ſeveral experi- ments to be made in the various methods of farming; and had eſtabliſhed a manufactory of " the implements of huſbandry, according to the - lateſt practice of the beſt farmers. That they “ had alſo bound apprentices to a gentleman * “ eminently * Mr. JOHN WYNNE Baker, late of Hawford in Worceſter- ſhire, a moft ingenious gentleman ; who, after having all his pro- perty, which, as I have heard, was upwards of twenty thouſand pounds, deſtroyed by an outrageous mob, for ſome ingenious in- vention in regard to falt works, which was prejudicial to ſome eſtabliſhed factory, and monopoly in thoſe parts, came over to this kingdom in the year 1761, in the train of lord HALIFAX, then our viceroy. He well deſerves the character here given of him by the Society, of which he had been an honorary member; as the huſbandry of this kingdom has received more benefit from his theory and experiments, than for a century before he was employed by the Society; both of which were then yearly pub- liſhing. He was in a moſt extraordinary honourable manner, invited to be, and was a Fellow of the Royal Society in England ; who, at the time of his appointment, ſent him a medal of gold, as a token of their fenſe of his diſtinguiſhed merit: And, in a let- ter from them to the Society, they fay, they envy them the pof ſeſſion of him. He was alſo an honorary member of other agri- sulture DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 261 eminently ſkilled in the theory, and experienced " in the practice of agriculture, ſeveral boys who « were educated in the work-houſe of Dublin, and 56 were then maintained at the expence of the So- s ciety, it being their intention to keep up a fuc- |“ ceflion of apprentices, in order to ſupply the diſ- s tant parts of the country with ſkilful workmen " and huſbandmen." * The flattering proſpects which theſe two copious and judicious paragraphs contained, led every mem- ber of the legiſlature, who wiſhed the proſperity of the kingdom, at times, moſt cheerfully to give con- ſiderable portions of the public money, eight or ten thouſand pounds at a time, to the Society, to enable them to effect theſe moſt important, lauda- ble purpoſes. How ſhall we now lament, if theſe, inſtead of being purſued with that zeal, of which ſuch an earneſt was given, have not only been neglected, but matters of very inferior concern, ſome of them unworthy of a moment's ſerious attention, have been culture ſocieties, from whom he had received medals and other tokens of their high reſpect for his merit : And the ingeni- ous Mr. Young, in his preface to his Experimental Agriculture, after ſaying every thing that the vaineſt man could with for, in praiſe both of Mr. Baker's fcientific and practical knowlege therein, concludes with congratulating Ireland on its poffeffion of ſuch a genius ; nor is he honoured leſs in the Farmer's Dic- tionary. * See eſpecially the Petition of the ad of Nov. 1771, and their Reſolution.of the 14th of Dec. 1769. 262 OBSERVATIONS ON THE been preferred to them, ingroſſing the time of the Society, and waſting their funds ! This deviation was at firſt begun by a very few of the members, who really had ſome taſte for the fine arts, and others who fancied they had; but chiefly by a larger number of others, ſome of whom had a miſtaken, and ſome perhaps an intereſted zeal for certain manufactures; and theſe two claſſes uniting together in oppoſition to agriculture, and directing their whole attention to their reſpective objects, as well at the times when the friends to huſbandry, and of courſe to the kingdom, were, as when they were not preſent, in the general, carried every thing by the number of voices; whereby, and by a length and frequency of ſpeeching, they ſo diſguſted and wearied out the others, that ſeveral of them have withdrawn in dudgeon, and declined their attendance. Then, the large premiums which were by theſe means propoſed by the Society for the encourage- ment of manufactures, &c. being of courſe a ſtrong inducement to many, for their wiſhing to be mem- bers of a body where ſuch profits were to be diſ- poſed of, accordingly, before the ſum to be paid on admiſſion was enlarged (of which I was the pro- moter), numbers of different degrees had acquired their admittance, which was no ſmall acceſſion of Itrength to thoſe who were not zealous for agricul- ture. Theſe matters being thus premiſed, it now re- mains, in order to prove the truth of my aſſertions, to DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 263 to give ſome inſtances of the proceedings of thoſe advocates for certain manufactures and arts upon the occaſion's I have inentioned ; in which, if I ſhall have the misfortune of in the leaſt offending, I can- not be to blame, as I ſhall take the whole from their weekly-printed publications. So, to begin with their conduct in regard to the faid Mr. BAKER, and the wounds to huſbandry through him, the improvement of which, as I have before mention- ed, is the primary and principal condition on which the Society ever grounded their hopes of being ſup- plied by Parliament. Can it then be conceived, that, at the very times the Society were ſeeking theſe large grants from Parliament upon the foundation chiefly of this gen- tleman's merit, thoſe fine arts and manufacture pa- trons I liave mentioned, were labouring, by every means they could deviſe, fome from one motive, ſome from another, to get rid of him effectually? Yet, ſo it was; and accordingly, although by their aforeſaid reſolutions of the 20th of April, 1769, the greateſt honours are paid him for the faithful dif- charge of the truſt repoſed in him by the Society, and for the ſervices he had done in his experiments in huſbandry, and that he was required by the So- ciety to extend his experiments; yet, by ſeveral ſub- ſequent reſolutions, by the means of a large poffe of thoſe, who, for the reaſons I have mentioned, are not friends to this gentleman's undertakings, his | merit is queſtioned, and his uſual ſtipends and boun- ties for his labour, lofſes and expences in various experiments, by the expreſs directions of the So- ciety, (as will appear by their minutes,) are cur- tailed 264' OBSERVATIONS ON THE tailed and abridged, and he thereby plunged into many and great difficulties, and the utmoſt diſtreſs; until at length he was relieved by the reſolutions of the zoth of the May 1971, when no leſs than one hundred and ten members were preſent; the friends to agriculture and the proſperity of the kingdom having attended on purpoſe for the deter- mination of this moſt important national concern and queſtion. The ſecond condition of the Society's petition to Parliament, to be obſerved upon, is, the manufaco tory of the implements of huſbandry. Let us now ſee how far they have performed their engagement therein. * In the year 1765, the aforeſaid Mr. BAKER hav- ing given an invitation to all people to viſit his farm, and view his experiments in huſbandry, ſeveral gentlemen and farmers accordingly reſorted thither from many parts of the kingdom ; and, although his experiments, were then in their infancy, yet in the manner r * This behaviour to him, after all his boundleſs and acknow- ledged ſervices, together with that bitter reſolution of the 30th of March, 1775, on a miſtoken conception of his having impro- perly charged the Society a few ſhillings in an account of imple- ments of huſbandry, quite broke his honeſt heart; as he declared to me on his death-bed, in his laſt moments : His misfortune was, (for I knew him well,) that he had a Briton's ſpirit, and could nor condeſcend to yield to any man, that ſervile abject fubmiffion, which is too much expected here, from thoſe who are conceived to be in any fort dependent, and makes fubordination infupport- able. His hard fate is inſcribed on his monument in the church- yard of Celbridge, where his body lies interred. The Epitaph is in the firſt yolume of theſe works. : DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 265 . manner of culture and ſome other particulars, there appearing in the ſentiments of many a ſuperiority in his machines to all others, and this idea growing in the minds of many, at length it became a matter of ſerious confideration, what an advantage it might be to huſbandry and the publick, if his machines were to be diſperſed throughout the kingdom; and what a loſs his inventions and contrivances in his new methods of conſtructing the fame, muſt, in caſe any accident ſhould happen to him, be to both; and the Society, conſidering Mr. BAKER as the moſt proper perſon for an undertaking of this kind, accordingly engaged him to embark forthwith in this important work, and to enable him to make a beginning therein, they were pleaſed to grant him the ſum of 300l.' This fum for ſuch an undertaking was but a mere nothing, eſpecially to a perſon who had no fund of his own; it would hardly buy a ſufficient ſtock of timber, much leſs build the neceſſary ſhops, forges, ftoré-rooms and provide iron, (a great arti- cle) leather, tools, &c. but it was owing to the mo- deſty of this gentleman; for the Society left it to himſelf to mention the ſum he judged might be ne- ceſſary for his beginning the factory, and he only named that ſum. Y But a very ſhort time ſhewed how much he was miſtaken, for he ſoon had orders amounting to ſee veral hundred pounds value; ſo that his diſtreſſes grew every day, which, he having communicated to the Society, they, in May 1766, paffed a refo- lution, allotting 2001. to pay him 20 per cent. upon the 266 OBSERVATIONS ON THE the ſale of the inſtruments, to commence from the ift of June following. But this, however kind, afforded the work no immediate aſſiſtance; ſo that he was under the ne- ceffity of purſuing other means for the raiſing of money to enable him to go on with any reaſonable degree of diſpatch, and at length he had the factory in a very flouriſhing ſtate; when, on the 24th of June, 1766, his factory, materials, many inftru- ments, bis dwelling houſe, ſome of his out-offices, and part of his furniture, were conſumed by an ac- cidental fire, and he ſet adrift; when he muſt have retired with the ſhattered remnant misfortune had left him, but for the humanity, generoſity and pub- lic fpirit of a few who ruſhed to his aſſiſtance, lent him money, and otherwiſe aſliſted him, ſo as to re- inttate him for the benefit of the publick. * But this diſtreſs of this unfortunate gentleman was not to thoſe zealots for certain manufactures and the fine arts, ſuch matter of concern, as it was to others. The ſums which he was to get for the improvement and real and ſubſtantial advantage of the kingdom, they now hoped might be obtained for their vain imaginations, or conceived inventions and improvements, as in mineralogy, dying and chymiſtry, tanning, bone lace, raw ſilk, paintings and ſculptures, chamber printing-preffes, &c. &c. which, either want of proper information, affecta- tion, * Of which number, I am not aſhamed to glory in being one, having advanced him no leſs a ſum than five hundred pounds of my private property. DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 267 tion, or thirſt of vulgar popularity led them to feek, * And accordingly, in the midſt of his dif- treſs, and as if it were effectually to deſtroy this moſt important and material branch of huſbandry improvement, inſtrument making, as alſo the inventor and improver thereof, after many ingenious ma- næuvres, on the 11th of February, 1768, as if he had not ſuffered loſs ſufficient before, the bounty thereon was at once reduced from 20 to 5 per cent. And not yet content with this one fatal ſtroke to this firſt of manufactures, they, on the 4th day of May, 1769, made 1ool of the 2001. which, on the 20th day of April preceding, they had allotted him for making experiments in huſbandry, which they had then directed, ſubject to ſuch conditions, as plainly ſhewed (as it were) that they doubted not only his application, but his integrity, and in a great meaſure ftigmatiſed him with the moſt ſevere inſinuations, but the facts to which I refer in their printed ) pens in * I might name ſeveral more as inſignificant objects for which premiums and bounties have; in preference to huſbandry, been la- viihed; for there is ſcarce à manufacturer or tradeſinan who hap- any fort to act as he ought to do in the fabrication of his goods, but inſtantly expects a reward from the Society; and many have ſucceeded, not only moſt improperly to the prejudice of the fund, but to the time and proper buſineſs of the Society, which are thereby waſted, neglected and loft. Even charities are ſought for have in my poſſeſſion at this initant, a two- horſe plough, a harrow for tearing up nofs, and a buſh-frame for buſh-harȚowing, all of Mr. BAKER's conſtruction, which are of more real value to the publick, than all the rarities which the famous SLOAN, that prince of toy collectors, had in his fores. 268 NS ON OBSERVATIONS ON THE printed proceedings will ſpeak for themſelves": However, by a reſolution of the 30th of May, 1971, when the friends to agriculture attended, the 20 per cent. were reſtored to him, and he is making and diſperſing numbers of theſe inſtruments, and might, .if he had a capital ſufficient, make and vend twenty times the number he is making at pre- fent. But it is to be hoped, that the Society will yet forward this moſt folid national benefit as much as they can, and not hereafter ſuffer it to be baffled by miſtake, or any conjunction of artifice. It is allowed on all hands, that no ſuch machines are Inade in his majeſty's dominions, and many of them have been fent for by ſeveral in England, and were his factory to be diſſolved to-morrow, no other man could get them executed. I could ſay a great deal more on this important ſubject, but it would too much ſwell this paper ; but I will venture to ſay, that if a public warehouſe, with a ſufficient yard before it, were erected in ſome of the ſuburbs of this city for the ſale of theſe inſtruments, it might be of as much advantage to the kingdom, as any of the warehouſes the Society have already eſtabliſh- ed; as in time it might be the means of producing forges and warehouſes in other parts of the king- dom, not only for the implements of huſbandry, but for other iron manufactures, (if in every chief city, or town of every county in the kingdom, the better) to prevent the large and ſhameful im- portation of manufactured iron and hardware, even 1 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 269 even common fire-irons, ſcythes, ſheers, razors, knives, &c. &c. * 1 The third condition of their petition to Parlia- ment to be obſerved upon, is, “ That ſeveral boys " who were educated in the work-houſe of Dublin, were then maintained at the expence of the So- ciety, it being their intention to keep a ſucceſſion “ of apprentices, in order to ſupply the diſtant parts of the country with ſkilful workmen and 66 huſbandmen." Let us now. ſee how far theſe engagements have been performed. Never was an intention more laudable, and in all the true friends to agriculture and the kingdom, (which * I cannot here forbear relating a ſtory which PLINY the na- turaliſt has left us, as it ſeems moſt appoſite on the preſent occa- fion, A llave who had got out of the ſtate of captivity, having pur- chaſed a ſmall farm, cultivated it with ſo much ſeeming eaſe, that it became the moſt fertile in the country, which drew on him the jealouſy of all his neighbours, who charged him with em- ploying magic and charms to make his own fields ſo ſurpriſingly fruitful, and theirs barren. Upon this, he was cited to appear before the people of Rome. He appeared accordingly on the day appointed for his trial. It is known, that the affembly of the people was held in the forum, which was the public place of jul- tice. He brought his daughter with him ; who, ſays the hiſto- rian from whom this is borrowed, was a ſturdy country wench, very laborious, well fed and clothed : He had brought likewiſe all his ruſtic inftruments, which were in very good condition ; fome very heavy mattocks, a ſtrong plough, and his oxen, which were both large and fat. Then, turning to the judges, “Thefe," ſays he," are my charms, and the magic I ufe in cul- “tivating my land. I cannot,” ſays he, “ fet before you my toil, my watching and my labour day and night.” On the whole, he was acquitted with honour. CA 66 270 OBSERVATIONS ON THE (which I can never feparate). I verily believe it was real : Accordingly, in the month of May, 1765, it was mentioned in the Society as an object of great confequence to the improvement of huſbandry, the putting out apprentices to learn the practical know- lege thereof. Every one preſent, and eſpecially the gentlemen of landed property, and others of the Society, friends to huſbandry, who, it happened, were pret- ty numerous at that meeting, were ſo ſtruck with the idea of the utility of this ſuggeſtion, that they wiſhed it inſtantly carried into execution; and Mr. Baker happening to be preſent, he was call- ed upon for his ſentiments, which he wiſhing to do rather in writing, upon conſideration, than ſo fud- denly, he was indulged; and producing it at the next meeting, it was referred to a committee, which he was requeſted to attend. He accordingly attended, and this important matter being fully diſcuſſed, conſidered and reſolv- ed upon there, it was the wiſh of the committee that Mr. BAKER Should engage in the undertaking; but he laying before them the many impediments to his engaging in ſuch an undertaking, which would in effect be turning a ſchool-maſter, not only to rear, inſtruct and qualify five boys for the buſi- nefs of huſbandry, but alſo to take care of their reli- gious and moral principles and conduct, he requeſt- ed it might not be expected from him ; whereupon, it was in this manner put to him, “t/at it would oblige the Society;" upon which, this unfortunate gentleman, (for ſo I cannot but think him) unwil ling DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 271 ling to diſoblige, but moſt willing to oblige the So- ciety, at length acquiefced, and for each boy (who could be of little uſe to him) he had the ſcanty allow- ance of 121. a year, for maintaining, clothing and inſtructing him in the art of agriculture, and five were accordingly apprenticed. This matter being ſettled, the Society, in their ſecond petition to Parliament in the ſeſſion which immediately ſucceeded the firſt, informed the houſe alſo of this tranſaction, and added as follows: “ It being their intention to keep up a ſucceſſion of “ apprentices, in order to ſupply the diſtant parts s of the country with ſkilful workmen and hul- 66 bandmen." And in the Society's petition to Parliament the following ſeſſion, the ſame words were repeated. Theſe words in the firſt petition were ſo folemn a declaration, and in the ſecond, ſuch an earneſt of ſteady perſeverance, in confirmation of what had paſſed during the negociation of this tranſaction, that it may be well concluded by this time, that this undertaking would have been in fo flouriſhing a way, and ſo many individuals rendered valuable and inſtructing members of the community in the buſineſs of huſbandry, as to have added dignity to the Society, and honour to the nation : But ſo it has happened, that this grand undertaking ſeems to have been forgotten, and to have expired in its in- fancy with thoſe other undertakings on which it was grafted ; for above ſeven years have elapſed, and no- thing more has been done towards a ſcheme in which they were ſo zealous, Nor ܪ L 22 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 1. Nor is this all ; even the very forry pittance which was allowed him for theſe boys, was, by ſome of his no friends, always added, when it was thought necef- ſary to exhibit the ſum total, which he had received from the Society for various valuable conſiderati- ons, with a view to impede or obſtruct his being paid his annual allowance, “ for repeating, ex- tending and making their experiments," under their expreſs inſtructions repeatedly given him : And thus it remains, notwithſtanding their afore- ſaid declarations and engagements to the legiſla- ture, their moſt zealous reſolutions of the 34th of November, 1771, on the advantage of ſuch a pur- ſuit, which the reader is requeſted to peruſe, as the plan is as grand, as it is patriotic; and notwith- ftanding alſo the ſucceſs which attended four of the five boys who had been bound to the entire fatis- faction of the Society, as appears in their printed proceedings of the 15th day of October, 1772, when it was propoſed by a member preſent, that it ſhould be immediately taken into confideration, wherefore the declared intentions of the Society to Par- liament of keeping a conſtant ſucceſſion and encreaſing the number, had not been performed, and that amends ſhould be made for the paſt neglect by a zea- lous purſuit of this important buſineſs for the fu- ture, * . And * MAHOMET Bey, king of Tunis, was dethroned by his fub- jects; but having the reputation of finding the philoſopher's ſtone, he was reſtored by the dey of Algiers, upon promiſe of commu- nicating the fecret to him. MAĦomet ſent a plough with great pomp and ceremony, intimating, that agriculture is the ſtrength of a kingdom; that the only philoſophical ſtone is a good crop, which may be eaſily converted into gold, DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 273 And yet, which is hardly to be credited, theſe very fame fine arts patrons, can, without any con- cern, ſee in a nation not half peopled, hundreds of boys waſting the precious hours of their youth in the drawing-ſchools of the Society, wherein, eſpe- cially in ſome of the departments, not one in five hundred, I may ſay five thouſand, is likely to ſuc- ceed to any degree of eminence, although at an immenſe expence in the maſters and the annual premiums; and if any ſhould ſucceed, it is but to inſtantly leave us, there being very few purchaſers here, either from inclination or ability, and if a no- bleman or gentleman of fortune had both, he would not think any Iriſh performance, however excel- lent, a proof of his taſte, or worthy of room in his houſe, whilft an Italian or a Flemiſh one could be had; fo that we are only to have the honour of producing theſe few artiſts, and boaſting that they are of this nation, and the numbers who miſcarry, are not only to be a real loſs, but an abſolute in- cumbrance to their country; for, conſidering them- felves as gentlemen artiſts, they would familh be- fore they would (as they term it) degrade their pro- feflion. But in truth, paintings now are ſcarcely ſeen in the furniſhed apartments of any of the fa- Thionable houſes; and, as for the portraits of relati- ons and friends, fo formerly prized, ſince the un- bounded diſtipation which for ſome years paft hath prevailed, to the almoſt total deſtruction of all fo- cial, ſober, friendly intercourſe, they are hardly thought of; and ſuch as had exiſted before, are, as I myſelf have ſeen, conſigned to lumber rooms or vaults, to ſhare the fate of their originals. As to VOL. III, T the } 274 OBSERVATIONS ON THE the firſt fort, or of hiſtory or fancy, where they are not excellent, I cannot wonder at their being re- moved, for even an indifferent one is not worthy of its ſpace on the walls of the houſes I have men- tioned. For the proof of what I have here urged in regard to theſe boys, I refer to the accounts thereof by the maſters themſelves, in the weekly proceedings of the Society. * Now, * I have had the honour of being nominated twice as one of the committee, perhaps of 15 or 16 of the members (as is uſual) for the exanination of the ſeveral performances in ſculpture, painting, &c. in order to the adjudication of the premiums; but as I full well knew I was not inſpired, and otherwiſe could not be a judge, as I had never ſtudied nor practiſed thoſe arts, and being unwilling to run the hazard of a falſe judgment, to the prejudice perhaps of the merit of another, I always declined it : Beſides, I have been informed both by reading, and from the diſ- courſe of thoſe who ought to know, that there are not perhaps, five real judges of painting in the three kingdoms, no more than there are five excellent in hiſtory-painting, or epic-poetry. Then, as that moſt elegant and judicious writer, the author of the Effay on the Fine Arts, ſays; “ No genius, of what kind ſoever, can emerge, without examples to imitate, and models to ſtudy: “ For though it be true, that every poet muſt be born one, yet it " is as true, that every poet inuft be taught. As genius will do nothing without ſtudy, fo ſtudy will do nothing without genius. “ The fact is, fays. he, we have no opportunities, no examples, no maſters, no models for painting; we never ſee an antique, “ we have no Virgils, no HOMERS, no claſſicks in deſign: Painting is not here available; Rome is the repoſitory of me- dals, and therefore, the only ſchool of artiſans. € 166 Yet there is a ſpecies of this enchanting art, which, though not improving, is increaſing every day: and that is, in the indecent, immoral, nay, deſtructive exhibitions, which are moſt audaciouſly expoſed in the windows of fhops in ſeveral of the public ſtreets of this city, to the great diſgrace of its police ; a ſingle figure of ſome of . DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 275 Now, if this prodigious number of ſtarving boys (for by the rule of the Society, none are admitted here whoſe parents are able to pay for their inſtruction) were to be placed under ſkilful huſbandmen for their inſtruction in hul- bandry, would not five of them afterwards be of more ſubſtantial, real advantage to a nation in ſuch a ſtate as this is, than five thouſand Titians or Guidos? * ? The next object, and inferior to none, if not the firſt of all which the Society took up, and in the promoting of which, I had no inconſiderable hand, was the premiums to be given to poor renters of land for the reclaiming of waſte grounds, bog, mountain and inoor, and moſt undoubtedly no matter which ever had been propoſed to the Soci- ety, received more univerſal approbation than this did at the firſt; but in time, and when it was thriving of which, is móre inſtantaneouſly inflammatory to minds adapted thereto, than all the lewd and vicious poetry, or other writings in this way, that ever were publiſhed; beſides, theſe latter fall in the way but of few ; fo that it were better that a ſingle pencil had never exifted : And ſurely, if in the infernal regions, there be a cloſet hotter than another, it will be the portion of the proſti- tutes of theſe two moſt brilliant arts. T 2 * I have more than once attempted to have the conduct and effect of theſe eſtabliſhed ſchools enquired into ; and though the maſters thereof have themſelves acknowleged, that the boys were in the general very idle, and but few with any ſhare of ge- nius, and that the Society therefore wiſhed that ſuch an enquiry ſhould be made, yet I could never get a committee (although as ſmall a number as three of the members are fufficient for the pur- pofe) effectually to attend for the purpoſe ; for the truth of which, I refer to the proceedings. 276 OBSERVATIONS ON THE thriving amazingly, it received from the fame determined claſs for inferiour manufactures and the fine arts, the fame unfortunate fate of the reſt, as it had the fame conſequences, the expend- ing of that fund which they thought their manufac- tures and fine arts were more worthy of, and the prevention of ſome generous donations; but as no matter really ever was (as is allowed on all hands) of more flattering proſpect of advantage to a nation, I hope I ſhall be excuſed in tracing it, through every ſtage of its progreſs, from its com- mencement to (I may ſafely ſay) its overthrow; for it has been blafted in the bud; and for the truth of the very ſurpriſing facts relating thereto, I ſhall refer to the Society's own printed and week- ly publiſhed proceedings, whence I ſhall take them. 1 Accordingly, the firſt premium propoſed to theſe poor renters of land was in Auguſt 1766, for reclaiming red, unprofitable-bog, and was as follows: “For every renter of land, not holding above 20 acres, who ſhall effectually reclaim one acre of “ red unprofitable bog, ſo that in the year 1769 it “ ſhall be in tillage or meadow, the Society will “ give a premium of 21. 1os. The ſum of 50l. 6 will be appropriated in theſe premiums to each province; and if more than 20 claimants, inti- 5 tled to the ſaid premium, ſhould any one province, then the ſum of 501. will be di $6 vided among ſuch claimants.". And appear for 66 The DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 277 “The like premiums will be continued for bog es which ſhall be brought into meadow or tillage for 66 the year 1770. This premium was repeated in the very fame words, in the years 1767 and 1768; but in the lat- ter, it is ſaid, (which is worthy of notice from what is to follow.), That the premium for bog will be conti- nued every year to the year 1775, incluſive. And in the year 1768, the following premium was propoſed by the Society to the poor renters of land for reclaiming unprofitable mountains in the following words: *; “To every renter of land, not holding above 25 acres, who ſhall effectually reclaim, and have in & tillage in the year 1769, any quantity of wet or dry unprofitable mountain, (not leſs than one acre, and no other perſon to receive a higher pre- mium than 40s.) the Society will give an encou- ragement at the rate of twenty ſhillings for every 66 ſuch acre of reclaimed mountain. The ſum of 6 gol. will be appropriated in theſe premiums to “ each of the provinces; and if more than 50 " acres ſhall appear to have been reclaimed among " ſuch claimants from any one province, then the "fum of 50l. ſhall be divided among them pro- 6 portionably to the quantity, of mountain whiclı 5 each ſhall have reclaimed; but no one claimant 6 is to receive a higher premium than yos:” For each of the provinces 501. The like en- couragement will be continued every year, to $ the year 1775, incluſive." ? 66 66 The 5 278 OBSERVATIONS ON THE “ The joint affidavit of each claimant, and of ſome other perſon, together with a certificate “ from a neighbouring juſtice of the peace, con- " cerning the improvement made, will be re- “ quired at the time of adjudging the premi- ums, Theſe two premiums, to wit, for mountain and bog, were repeated in the very fame words, in the year 1769. Theſe encouragements, ſmall as they were, wrought very quickly on the minds of theſe poor people, and were promoting exceedingly faſt, that which had been ſo long wiſhed for, a ſpirit of induf- try and improvement; ſo that it was well known, that numbers of them often cheerfully wrought for fe- veral hours after the uſual hour of their daily hired employment, and aſſiſted one another, whereby whole tracts of barren mountain and bog were get- ting new countenances, fields of corn, graſs and meadow; and every thing proceeding as well as the moſt fanguine friend to his country could wiſh, when In the year 1770, as if an adverſe fate hung over us, the following words, “who ſhall have a leaſe of 20 acres of arable land (as therein mentioned,) for one or more lives, or for not leſs than 21 years ** from the commencement of the ſame," were added as a condition to the premium for reclaiming unprofitable bog Here now, all ſuch unfortunate wretches, who had upon the conditions of the propoſal which be- gan 1 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 279 . gan in the year 1766, as I before-mentioned, and is to laſt to the year 1775, incluſive, and upon the faith and honour of the Society, had begun the im- provement, if they had not ſuch an intereſt, as this after-impoſed condition has made neceſſary for ob- taining the premiums, of which they were ignorant, were excluded, and of courſe undone ; as will ap- pear, when I ſhall mention the time of their claim- ing the premiums. And again, in the year 1971, the like conditions, with the difference only of 20 inſtead of 21 years, were annexed to the premiums for reclaiming mountain ; at which time, the premiums for re- claiming unprofitable bog, had been encreaſed to 31. and the premium for reclaiming unprofitable mountain, to 40s. with proportional additional ſums to each province, to anſwer theſe additions to the premiums. And afterwards, the numbers of theſe improvers having encreaſed prodigiouſly, in order to further enable the Society to pay the encreaſed premiums, a reſolution was entered into, upon full conſidera- tion of the matter, on the 18th of June, 1772, by which the fum of cool. was to be added to the fum allotted to each province, for improving un- profitable mountain, bog and moor." To have tranſported theſe poor indefatigable la- bourers and their miſerable families, would have been an act of charity and mercy to theſe new conditions: I doubt if many of them would not have preferred the extinction of their exiſta ence, Nor 280 OBSERVATIONS ON THE : Nor was this all. In the ſame year and about the ſame time, it having been mentioned, that ſome poor renters liad objected to the condition, “ that s the mountain or bog before reclaimed, was un- profitable,” there being hardly any lend which a man could venture to ſwear was totally unprofita- ble, the following words were ſubſtituted, to witz 66 That it was not worth more, nor would ſet to a 66 folvent tenant for more than three ſhillings yearly per acre.” And afterwards, by a bye-law, thoſe who lived in remote parts of the kingdom amidſt mountains and bogs, where news-papers perhaps never are fent, “ Were to lodge their claims 14 days before * adjudication with the ſecretary,” whereas, before this, a day before was fùfficient. وو From theſe and ſome further proceedings, which ſhall be hereafter related with regard to theſe poor renters of lands, one might be led to think, that this unfortunate country had in ſome eſpecial manner provoked the wrath of heaven, and that the Society was to be the inſtrument of its venge- . ance. Accordingly, in the month of December laſt, when theſe poor people came to Dublin, with all their credentials, according to the publiſhed propo- ſals on which they had proceeded, and their hearts full of joy to receive their little premiums before the Chriſtmas feſtival; alas! they were told, that they had not complied with the aforeſaid novel rules, reſolutions and bye-laws of the Society; (all made DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 28 made after their work was begun) and that there- fore none of them were to receive any thing, until all theſe matters were debated and ſettled; and ac- cordingly, it was depending for upwards of two months, for it was at length referred to the com- mittee of agriculture, and it frequently happens, as their minutes will ſhew, that, although ſo ſmall a number as three are ſufficient to form the commit- tee, yet ſo many of the moſt diſtant nations upon earth from each other, might almoſt as readily be got to meet as the committee of agriculture ; and whenever the Society met, every other buſineſs was preferred to that of the poor renters of land; ſo that whilft ſeveral of their members were diſplaying their abilities on matters more entertaining to them, a number of theſe luckleſs claimants were ſtarving in the ſtreets, and their families alſo famiſhing at home; their labour and time loft, and double the little premium ſpent by ſuch few of them as hap- pened to have money, in ſupporting themſelves in an expenſive metropolis; beſides, it was ſaid, that feveral of them had borrowed the amount of the premiums from uſurers, at the exorbitant diſcount of 200l. per cent. before the matter was finally de- termined againſt them; new purſuits were ſet on foot to engage the time and attention of the Soci- ety, ſuch as a woollen manufactory ware-houſe in Dublin; the improvement of commerce, and above all, antiquities, in a nation almoſt wanting bread. The arguments uſed againſt them, were fome of them ſuch, that, if ſome of the Four Courts tribe had aſed on any other occaſion, the folk of taſte and re- finement OBSERVATIONS ON THE finement would have treated with the utmoſt aſpe- rity, for inſtance, iſt. That the fund was not ſufficient, and that the aforeſaid reſolution of the 18th of June, 1972, for adding jool. to each province, ſignified no- thing, as it had not been publiſhed in the liſt of pre- miums. ; To this it was anſwered, that this 100l. was add- ed (and ſo it appeared from the proceedings and their premium minute book) upon ſolemn debate, and was publiſhed in their weekly proceedings, which was an ample notice, as the landed gentle- men who were of the Society, received theſe con- ftantly, and muſt be ſuppoſed moſt cheerfully to have communicated this important matter to their tenants; that its not being publiſhed in the liſt of premiums, was entirely owing to the omiſſion or overſight of their aſſiſtant ſecretary, though in the general, a gentleman as careful as he is laborious, to whom this buſineſs was entirely committed, and that this was moſt manifeſt, as it had not been ei- ther reſcinded or countermanded by the Society; that theſe unfortunate people had proceeded upon the faith and honour of the Society; that the rea- fons for encreaſing the fund to each province, were, that the numbers of theſe induſtrious people were encreaſing daily, and the premium had been before then encreaſed ; that otherwiſe the Society were act- ing totally inconſiſtent, and that inſtead of the poor renters having ten ſhillings an acre more, as was in- tended, they would have twenty ſhillings an acre leſs. But DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 283 But all this reaſoning ſignified nothing; none are ſo deaf as they who will not hear; a majority was careful to be preſent againſt it, and according- ly it turned out, that inſtead of their getting in ſome provinces 2l. ìos, and 31. an acre, as they were im- provers either of mountain or bog, they did not get above 26 or 28s. an acre, as the proceedings will thew 2d. It was mentioned, “ that in ſome of the pro- “ vinces, they had been too induſtrious in comply- ing with the propoſals of the Society." To this it was anſwered, “That this was making * their virtue their puniſhment; and that the more 66 who engaged in this firſt of manufactures, the 1 more would it be for the advantage of the king- 46 don. $6 3d. It was mentioned, that their general fund was too ſmall. t. To * To ſhew how ftrangely and inconſiſtently men may at times be led to act, when a rage for any particular purſuit hath por feff:d them ; on the zift of October, 1771, the following reſolu- tion was entered into : “Reſolved, that it is the opinion of this Society, that there are many great wattes, and many acres un- "cloſed and uncultivated in this kingdom, capable of being im. proved and turned to tillage with proper huſbandry, and would “ moſt probably be ſo, to the great benefit and advantage of the country, if the ſame encouragement was given in this nation, « that is in others by exemption of certain taxes for a limited time." And for aid therein and other matters relative to agri- culture and the improvement thereof, a petition was prepared and agreed to by the Society in the Novenber following, and prefer- red to:Parliament. To fhew another inſtance of ſurpriſing conduct; about two nonths before, when the general fund of the Society was in the fame 284 OBSERVATIONS ON THE , To this it was anſwered, that this matter had been well conſidered before the premiums were offered, and that the fund appeared to be ſuffi- cient. nor the magiſtrates who figned the certificates, were to be credited; and, to manifeſt this, a ſcrip of pa- per, which was put into the hands of one of the members in the hall of the Society houſe, was read, ſetting forth one unproved inſtance of fraud, where- fore, it was urged, that theſe premiums ſhould be totally aboliſhed: Beſides, 5th. That as ſeveral gentlemen receive the mo- ney for their tenants, they may pocket it and ne- ver give it to them; and, that therefore, to wit, for theſe two laſt reaſons, and as it would make per- jury more frequent, it would be better if theſe pre- miums were to be totally aboliſhed ; and the per- ſon who chiefly urged this matter, alſo ſaid, that many BY, fame condition as it was at the time of the aforeſaid abfolute reſo- lution of adding 100l. to each province, for mountain, bog and moor, the ſum of zool. was propoſed to be given to one Kettle- for a new-conſtructed printing-preſs, ſaid to be invented by him; and it would have been given, had not I inſiſted, even af- ter the reſolutions of the Society had paffed thereon, that the printers of Dublin ſhould be conſulted as to its merit, accord- ing to the determined courſe of proceeding in ſuch caſes; and to Thew that even this muſt learned body are neither inſpired nor in- fallible, and how they may be impoſed on in matters in which they are not properly ſkilled; it was firſt reſolved by the Society upon a full confideration, neMINE CON "that it was fuperiour to * all others," and yet in about a month afterwards, "that it was “inferiour;" for which, ſee the printed reſolutions of the ad and 16th of April, and 21ſt of May 1772.---It was only fit for a baby- houfe, 1 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 285 many intelligent perſons were of a different opinion, as to agriculture taking place of manufactures in a country Theſe two laſt reaſons, ſo ſevere and ſo uncha- ritable, affected me to ſuch a degree, that I could not avoid ſaying that they were ſo, and that the gentlemen fo repreſented, were of as re- ſpectable characters, as any then in the room, and ſome of them of the Society that it had been repreſented, it is true, that a gentleman had dealt moſt improperly by one of his tenants, with regard to a premium which he had received for him (as well as I recollect) for preſerving corn upon ſtands (not for reclaiming waſte grounds, which was then the queſtion ;) but grant it to be as true, as theſe advocates for inferiour manufactures and the fine arts could wiſh it, is it to be a reaſon for de- ſtroying totally the improvement of agriculture? Is the abuſe of any thing in one, or even ſeveral in- ſtances, to be an argument againſt the uſe of it at all? Strange reaſoning! That the landlords pock- eting the money, was as invidious a charge, as it was unſupported by the ſmalleſt ſhadow of proof, although ſeveral landlords who had either advanced them the money, or had let them uſe their rents in order to enable them to make the improve- "ment (as foine beyond all doubt had done) with the conſent of their tenants, had retained the pre- miums to reimburſe themſelves, ſeveral of whom have lost conſiderably in this way, by the aforeſaid EX. POST FACTO conditions and laws. That the work (this firſt of works) was done, which was the principal concern of the Society, and no complaint by 286' OBSERVATIONS ON THE by any of thoſe poor people to them, ſo that it was more properly an EXTRA OFFICIUM than an Ex OFFICIO tranſaction. I urged all this as ſtrongly as I could, as alſo that in this country, above all others, the improvement and extenſion of agricul- ture ſhould be the principal object; a country, where almoſt all beneficial trade was prohibited, and that which was allowed, limited, but it all availed nothing: I was the perſon who had, moſt unluckily for theſe poor renters, prevented the 300l. from being ſquandered on KETTLEBY's printing- preſs, as I am alſo the perſon who have laboured inceſſantly to promote the improvement of the waſte grounds of the kingdom, in preference to in- feriour manufactures and the fine arts, and a ma- jority of thoſe who are earneſt for other purſuits, (of ſeveral of whom the attendance thereon are their chiefeſt amuſement, not having the avocations of buſineſs) of courſe was againſt me. * 6th. It was urged, that ſeveral of the affidavits in regard to the value of the mountain and bog which had been improved, were defective in the wording thereof, as it was not conſonant to the alteration which had been made in the Society's propoſal, in the year 1771, to wit, « That the land was not worth ****6 before, nor would ſet to a ſolvent tenant for more than three ſhillings yearly per acre.” As alſo, . 66 7th. That How I laboured to effect this moſt effential advantage to the kingdom, the ininutes of the proceedings, and the honourable thanks returned to me therefore by the Society, during the times it was depending before them, will fully evince. Among others, ſee that of the roth of December, 1772. DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 287 7th. That ſeveral of them had not the leaſes or intereſts which were required by the addition to the conditions of the propoſal in the year 1770, as to bog, and in the year 1771, as to mountain, and therefore were to be excluded. As alſo, 8th. That ſeveral did not come in time agreea- bly to the bye-law of the 4th of June, 1772, * by which they were to lodge “ their claims 14 days “ before the day of adjudication with the ſecre- tary.” “ * The bye-laws of the Society, will ſoon be as numerous as their members, and as unintelligible as they are numerous. Many of them claſh already, and though they are explained by margi- nal notes, yet ſome heads are not a little puzzled with them. So, ſome of them have been made to affect by retroſpect words, the rights of others eſtabliſhed before, as in the caſe of theſe poor renters of land ; whether this be right or legal, I ſubmit to the learned. It is true, corporations may make as many bye-laws as they pleaſe for the government of their members, but, even in this caſe, they muſt be reaſonable, and ought to be for the com- mon benefit, and not for the private advantage of any particular perſons, and they muſt be confonant to the public laws and ſta- tutes, as ſubordinate to them. See BLACKSTONE's Commenta- riés. But it is to be wiſhed, that Parliament will, out of their next grant to the Society, allot a certain ſum to every claſs of them, to wit, of bog, mountain and moor in each province, and the ſavings which may be in any of the provinces, to be applied to the deficiencies which may be in any of the others, and afcer- tain the conditions and requiſites, on which they are to obtain the premiums, as they have done for corn-ſtands. N. B. Afterwards, on the 9th of March, 1775, a committee was appointed to digeſt and collect the ſeveral bye-laws, that a new publication might be made of them for the uſe of the Society; but this neceſſary matter was never more thought of, although I had been at the trouble myſelf ſome ſhort time before of collect- ing them, and making obſervations on their inconſiſtencies and abſurdities, which I gave to one of their then ſecretaries. 288 OBSERVATIONS ON THE : In anſwer to theſe three laſt reaſons, it was alſo urged, that they were - EX POST FACTO all; and after theſe unfortunate people had exhauſted their little ſubſtance, and given their labour to comply with the firſt propoſals of the Society, which com- menced as to bog, four years before, and as to mountain, three, and were to continue as much longer. That were this out of the queſtion, it would be otherwiſe not juſt; for the intention of the Society in this caſe, ſeems manifeſtly to be, as to lands before waſte, and never under tillage ; for which, among other proofs, are their reſolutions of the 31ſt of October, 1771.; that the value of land had encreaſed even ſince the premium had firſt been propoſed, and that there were very few moun- tain lands in the kingdom, though quite unculti- vated, and never under tillage, which would not fet for more than three ſhillings an acre; that, as to the leaſes or intereſts, which, by the aforeſaid ſubſe- quent condition, it was required they ſhould have, they never heard of it, until they came to Dublin to receive their premiums; and, if they had, they could not have compelled their landlords to give them further terms, or to renew their leaſes. * And that as to the bye-law about lodging the claim 14 days before the day of adjudication, it was merely for the caſe of the affiftant ſecretary, and that theſe poor illiterate inhabitants of mountains and bogs, could 21 This addition as to the leaſes, was meant well by the perſon who propoſed it, to wit; that the landlords might not arreſt the advantage of the labour and induſtry of theſe people, but it was after the work had been finiſhed or begun, according to the Soci- ty's propoſal, ſo that it made their misfortune their puniſhment. 1 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS. 289 could not poſſibly have notice of this and thoſe fe- veral other EX POST FACTO laws; whereupon, this laſt was ſomewhat relaxed, but the others moſt ſtrictly adhered to; ſo that not only many of them did not get one-half of what they were intitled to, but were totally deprived of their rights, whether with propriety and juſtice, the herein quoted pro- ceedings will ſhew. * Nor yet did all theſe hardſhips content; where- fore, it was further propoſed, that the miniſter of the pariſh, ſhould be the chief perſon to authen- ticate the credentials of theſe poor induſtrious people. To which it was anſwered, that this would amount to an abſolute prohibition ; for that in the general, ſuch of this divine profeſſion who have rich livings," rarely reſide, and, in ſome places, the mountains eſpecially, there may not be one of them, not even a curate, except of the popiſh reli- gion, ſeen in a year; ſo that theſe unfortunate claimants muſt follow them to Dublin, and then what certainty could there be of their undertaking the trouble? From theſe ſavings, as alſo from thoſe which muſt of courſe ariſe from that other late bye-law, VOL. III. U whereby * Theſe proceedings plainly ſhew the neceſſity of gentlemen attending, who are friends to agriculture and the kingdom ; as alſo, that what has been often mentioned, ſhould be ſettled, and without further loſs of time, which is, that no important matter ſhould be agitated in the Society, at the time of the year when the eſtated gentlemen and farmers of the Society, are attending the buſineſs of the country, or elſe, fufficient timely notice ſhould be given thereof, and in the moſt effective mannere 290 OBSERVATIONS ON THE whereby perſons of certain real and perſonal pro- perties therein mentioned, are only to receive gold or ſilver medals in the lieu of premiums which were before pecuniary, what a fund will there be for donations for thoſe tribes of projectors ! have mentioned before, whilſt hundreds of thou- ſands of pounds ſhall be annually ſending from the kingdom for bread? For the proof of which, ſee the aforeſaid reſolution of the Society, of the ziit of October, 1771, which is inferted among ſe- veral others in their petition to Parliament of the 2d of November following, (for I have not yet ſaid, nor ſhall I ſay any thing that is not ſtrictly and li- terally true, but alſo proveable from the Society's own minutes) whereby, it was refolved, “ That " it appeared to the Society, that a quantity of meal, four and malt, in value to upwards of " 600,000l. had been exported into this kingdom s in two years, ending the 25th of March, 1971, " the greateſt part whereof had been paid for in ſpecie; and that without the ſaid fupply, the kingdom would have been in the moſt diſtreſſed 46 condition." * And T * In conſequence of the aforeſaid petition, an act has ſince paſſed, giving a very encouraging bounty upon the exportation of corn; but as it is only temporary, and for a very few years, and the continuation of it depending on the good will of our ſiſter kingdom, it will be but little encouragement to ſet about the improvement of waftes, (which is the great object, or even to turn paſture grounds into tillage ; as, when ſoon as the improvers of either, eſpecially of the firſt, might be intitled to the bounty, the law might expire : Whereas, had it been perpetual, and proper encouragement given by premiums and long leaſes to the improvers of thoſe grounds, which, the people of the Romiſh DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 291 And afterwards, of the ſame date, and in the ſame petition, was the following ſenſible as moſt laudable further reſolution: “Reſolved, that it is the opi- 66 nion of this Society, that there are many great " waſtes, and numbers of acres unincloſed and un- os cultivated in this kingdom, capable of being im- proved and turned to tillage with proper huf- bandry, and would moſt probably be fo, to the great benefit and advantage of the country, if " the ſame encouragement was given in this na- tion that is in others, by an exemption from cer- " tain taxes for a limited time ;” and with it, they have thus concluded their petition. “As your honourable houſe, has, upon every oc- caſion, ſhewn the greateſt attention to promote this national object, and, has frequently dele- gated to your petitioners, the truſt of carrying your good intentions into execution, your petiti- oners are thereby encouraged to lay their ſenti- “ments on this ſubject before your honours, hav- ing the firmeſt hope, that you will conſider this " their proceeding in a favourable light, as it ariſes entirely from the deſire to contribute every thing 60 66 U 2 66 in Romifh religion, ſo very numerous among the lower people here, are now by a recent law, impowered to take ; and where family ſettlements are in the way to prevent any perſons from making ſuch leaſes, there to have an act to enable them to it; emigration then might be entirely prevented, as the cultivation of ſeven or eight millions of acres of theſe lands, would not leave an hand une employed in the kingdom, were they many times the number they are; beſides, it is well known, that for ſeventy-five years after ſuch a bounty had been given in England, (but there the act was perpetual, which fets all ploughs at work) the price of wheat had been progreſively lower, 292 OBSERVATIONS ON THE " in their power, to promote the welfare and prof- perity of the kingdom.” Now, in what I have ſaid, I hope I have moſt fully and clearly ſhewn, that the produce of the premiums for the improvement of waſte grounds, is a ſolid, permanent acquiſition to the nation, of population, wealth and ſtrength : An acquiſition, that an earthquake only, or fome dire convulſion of nature, or, in other words, the hand of Provi- dence, can poſſibly injure; and that it is indiſpenſa- bly incumbent on the Society to purſue it. And, ſo thoroughly ſenſible of this are the French, that their encouragement of agriculture is alarming to all Europe ; but above all, for the improvement of waſte grounds: So that in the ſingle diviſion of BOURDEAUX, as, ſays the author of the letters lately pabliſhed on the preſent ſtate of France, the waſtes incloſed and cultivated within theſe five years, which . were before totally barren, amount to three hun- dred and fixty thouſand arpents, or four hundred thouſand Engliſh acres, which, at the loweſt eſtima- tion, have produced nine hundred thouſand quar- ters of grain in the year; and, it is an axiom, that the means of ſubſiſtence being augmented, popula- tion in an equal ratio, encreaſes of courſe. Alſo, it appears by an arret of their council of ftate, that it was ordained, that the cultivators there of ſhould be exempted from all taxes for forty years, with ſeveral other encouragements; nay, that even the clergy, ſenſible of a further advan- tage therein, (the polar ſtar of their attention there,) ! as DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 293 : as a further inducement to the improvers to pro- ceed, have, for a certain time, releaſed them from claims of tythes of every fort. And, in order that this moſt important of all ma- nufactures may be purſued with the more conveni- ence, expedition and eaſe, there are at preſent no leſs than thirteen ſocieties now exiſting for this pur- poſe, eſtabliſhed by royal approbation; and theſe thirteen ſocieties have nineteen co-operating focie- ties belonging to them, and others are eſtabliſhing, as it may happen, that a diſtrict may be too large for one fociety to take care of. And it appears from many inſtances, and moſt convincing proofs, in the aforeſaid letters fully ſet forth, but too many here to inſert, that this great nation was either in a ſtate of glory or declenſion, in proportion to the ad- vancement or depreſſion of huſbandry; and that whenever any manufactures were encouraged, un- til that firſt preferably of all of the ſoil was com. plete, poverty and diſtreſs were the certain conſe- quences, and they became dependant on their neighbours for bread: And that it was from this er- ror, more than any ſucceſs of arms againſt them, that they have been compelled to ſubmit to almoſt every peace which they have agreed to in the pre- 1 fent century. So the art of agriculture is at preſent publicly taught in the Swediſh, Daniſh and German univer- fities; whence the ſervice to their reſpective coun- tries will be rendered more effectual, as the ſpecu. lative parts fo neceſſary to the knowlege of this noble ſcience, (for ſo I may ſafely call it,) will be underſtood, as well as the practical. The emperor of 294 OBSERVATIONS ON THE of CHINA, it is ſaid, himſelf holds the plough once in every year. How laudable then will it be, if the beneficed, wealthy clergy of this kingdom, and eſpecially thoſe who do not reſide, but batten at eaſe, whilſt their wretched half-ſtarved curates do all the labour of the vineyard, will take example by their brethren of France, and not only not oppoſe, but contribute as thoſe others have done, to the encouragement of this truly patriotic work, the improvement of waſtes. It was at this, that the before inſerted reſo- lution of the 31ſt of October 1771, was principally aimed, and it is to be hoped, our Parliament will, the next ſeſſions, take this important matter under their : conſideration, agreeably to the wiſhes of the Society, I intended to have collected all the premiums and bounties which have been given to agriculture, as alſo to manufactures and the fine arts, ſince the date of the charter, and to have made a compara- tive eſtimation of the ſucceſs which have attended them diſtinctly and particularly, and the profit and loſs upon each of them ; but after I had laboured at it for ſome time, I found that to do it with ſuf- ficient accuracy, would be extremely tedious, if practicable. I ſhall therefore confine myſelf to thoſe matters only, which are the principal objects of this letter, to wit, the improvement of the waſte un- cultivated grounds of this kingdom, manufactures and the fine arts, and eſpecially as almoſt all the other objects of agriculture, ſuch as turnips, car- rots, cabbages, burnet, lucerne, and ſuch like, eſpe- cially in the drill huſbandry way, are only for the sich, as are indeed large parcels of the waſte grounds; DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 295 grounds; for, as to yeomanry or middling farmers, there are ſo few of them here, they are ſcarcely worth our thinking of; ſo that for thoſe objects, by the aforeſaid new by law, but few of the pecuniary pre- miums, comparatively ſpeaking, may hereafter be paid, only medals given : However, I ſhall firſt ſet down all ſuch premiums as relate to the improve- ment of waſte grounds in the year 1972, Premiums for improving bog at large, £146 Do. for mountain, 260 Do. for moor, 300 1 Total 706 Of which perhaps, from the late by- law, it may be, an half will be ſaved. Premiums to poor renters of land for bog, 960 Do. to do. for mountain, 800 Do, to do. for moor, 320 Total 2080 To raiſing rape ſeed from boggy, ruſhy and mountain ground, 300 Total propoſed for improving waſte grounds, } £ 3086 So that allowing what may be ſaved from the premiums for improving bog, mountain and moor at large, by the aforeſaid by-law, and what may be paid in gold and ſilver medals on all the propo- fals for agriculture, I believe, if the total be ſet down at 2600l. it will be pretty near the mark. Now, 296 OBSERVATIONS ON THE Now, let us ſee what the propoſals for premiums for manufactures and the fine arts, amount to, for the ſaid year 17472. And firſt for manufactures. 1 SI L K S. £650 боо For ſilks fold in the warehouſe For filks ſold by wholeſale, To additional premium to the above, For erecting mountures, 200 150 Total to the filk manufacture 1600 W O O L L E N. : 200 To broad cloths and broad rugs ma- nufactured from the 24th of Junie incluſive, to the 24th of June 1973, not nearer than thirty miles to Dub- lin, For broad cloths and broad rugs fold or expoſed to fale in the city of Dublin, of Iriſh wool only, &c. For ſuperfine warp yarn, For ſuperfine wool yarn, For ſuperfine broad cloths, For country yarn, For a gigg-mill for the above, For calamancoes, ruſſels and broad 200 I 20 I 20 250 104 300 ſtuffs, 400 To the woollen manufactures about 1694 : Carried forward, £ 3294 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 297 Brought forward £ 3294 N. B. This laſt for the Iriſh woollen warehouſe, will be many hundreds more next year in premiums, beſides the expence of the houſe, &c. And for other manufactures, about 1500 Total to manufactures, about To the fine arts, about 4794 150 1 £ 4944 Then there are the drawing-maſters ſalaries of the ſeveral ſchools, the rents of manufacture- houſes ; fo alſo, there are Mr. Baker's yearly al- lowances, none of which are here inſerted. And as for the uncertain bounties which for many years paſt have been too frequently given for inventions (as ſome of them were called) and for improvements, as they have both ſo often, upon trial, turned out to be but old exploded ſchemes re- vived, and have accordingly expired on the dona- tion, it is likely, that in time, the eyes of ſuch inge- nious, yet too feveriſh zealots for them may be open- ed, whereby, not only many ſums of money may be faved, but alſo, all the miſpent time that is ſo fre- quently employed in the diſquiſition of ſuch ineffec- tual purſuits. Yet however zealous I may be for the improve- ment of waſte grounds, I would have all frauds therein, far as may be, prevented ; and when detected, } 298 OBSERVATIONS ON THE detected, not only diſcountenanced and cenſured, but far as can be, puniſhed; and in order to ad- juft theſe matters, and to ſave the Society much frouble, and theſe poor renters from ruin, would it not be right to have correſponding Societies in dif- ferent parts of the kingdom, to aid the general one, as is the caſe in France ? as I have often propoſed to the Society; * but was it fair or candid to ſup- poſe ſuch frauds, and then to argue from them as from real facts, (as was, beyond all queſtion, the proceeding in this caſe) whereby, theſe poor, in- duſtrious, ſlaving, but now unfortunate people, of more real uſe and benefit to the Society, than five in a thouſand of any of the learned profeſſions have been of, ſince I have known the world, were utter- ly condemned, and the advocates for inferiour ma- nufactures and the fine arts triumphed effectually. i But, my fellow-members! Ye who are friends to agriculture, and of courſe to your country, think but one moment ſeriouſly of theſe proceedings ; they are conducted and executed but by a few, the moſt of whom, I verily believe, conceive they are right; but theſe few are indefatigable, and their proceed- ings are deemed and paffed, as the proceedings of your whole Society; and, when next the room ſhall be full, let reſtitution be made to theſe unfortunate ſufferers, the poor much injured renters of land. I will venture to ſay, your honour des mands it. But # In ſeveral months after the publication of this pamphlet, to wit, on the 24th of February, 1774, a reſolution to this purpoſe, was, after having been debated on at ſeveral of the previous meetings of the Society, and well conſidered, fully eſtabliſhed. DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 299 But to put agriculture for an inſtant out of the queſtion : Suppoſe that in any kingdom there was an eſtabliſhed 1taple commodity, which was the al- moſt total ſource of its wealth ; that its materials were or might be of its own production entirely; that it could not only be exported duty free, but fome branches of it had the encouragement of a bounty; that if the manufacturers acted always as they ought to do, five times the number of hands might be employed in it, that were employed; ſhould any other manufacture then, which either had none, or but fome, nay, not all theſe advanta- ges, be ſuffered to injure in the leaſt ſuch a ſtaple commodity. * And is it not incumbent on thoſe who are en- truſted with the diſpoſition of the premiums for the encouragement of manufactures, where any ſuch are fabricated of foreign materials, moſt carefully to examine into every particular relating thereto ? as firſt, 1 What the prime coſt of the material is? And from what nation it is ſent to us? Do we get it immediately from thence, and in its purity and perfection? Or has any other nation the * The objection which many then raiſed and urged againſt the furtherance of tillage, and making this a corn country for expor- tation thereof, were the hazards from the jealoufies of the peo- ple of its fifter country, ſhould they conceive their intereſt would thereby ſuffer in the leaft; but by the aforeſaid laws for the free- dom of our trade, mentioned in my preface hereto, theſe their fears have been moſt happily reinoved : And the drunkenneſs, idleneſs and combinations, fo defiructive in our principal city, are pot in the way to mar our ſucceſs, / 300 OBSERVATIONS ON THE the firſt choice? And do we barter goods or mo- ney for it? · Is it to be manufactured in a place where provi-'. fions and labour are cheap, and the manufacturers fober and induſtrious ? What proportion does the labour ſaved by work- ing the materials ourſelves, bear to the price which is paid to foreigners for it? Has the manufacture, when wrought up, the free- dom of export, or even a general conſumption of the inhabitants, or only a partial one? For if theſe matters ſhould all, or moſt of them, prove not in our favour, the goods fo manufactured would ſtand the nation in much more than they could be purchaſed for, ready manufactured. Un- doubtedly, a large bounty may for a time ſupport a manufacture, but this muſt be taken into the ac- count; it is like bearing along a ricketty child by leading ſtrings, which, ſhould it be forſaken by its friendly ſupport, muſt ſtraightway fall to the ground. Wherefore, I believe then I may venture to ſay, there are no axioms more certain than theſe : ift. The end or purpoſe of manufactures is to enrich a nation, by obtaining a better price for the labour of her people, at the expence of other nati- ons, than her own internal labour will or ought to afford. ad. That DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 301 2d. That a nation, limited in her commerce, can never manufacture inexportable commodities to any material advantage. 3d. That until ſhe has a redundant populations it muſt be repugnant to her intereſt to work upon ſuch manufactures, even for her own conſumption ; becauſe it is employing her people to conſiderable loſs, even though the materials are her own; but when they are foreign, the injury is conſiderably encreaſed. 4th. The maxim then for a nation, ſo circum- ſtanced, unalterably to purſue, is, to adhere ſtrictly to that firſt of manufactures, AGRICULTURE; (as you have determined in your aforeſaid reſolutions of the 14th of December 1769, and the 31ſt of Oc- tober 1771) and ſuch others as ſhe can export to large profits. † But the argument is, That if we can manufac- ture ſuch goods ourſelves, we ſave ſo much of the firſt coſt, as the manufacturing comes to; this is certainly plauſible, yet it is ſuperficial. I To 1 ! * The limitations and reſtrictions on our trade by England, it is true, have been ſo removed, as I have mentioned in my pre- face; but if, as I have alſo mentioned therein, by our own pro- ceedings, we ſhall not ſend our commodities to foreign marts good and cheap as other nations do, we are but where we were ; nay, much worſe, as they might loſe the whole. + The true gradation or progreſlion ſeems to be thus : Agriculture, Luxury, Manufactures, Fine Arts. Wealth, I “ One million of things vendible," ſays MonteSQUIEU, being productions from our own earth, and raiſed from our OWA 302 OBSERVATIONS ON THE To inſtance in ſome degree: In our filken manu. facture, it is ſaid, the raw ſilk which we import, after being manufactured, advances in value about 321 per cent. fo that in fact we give rool. to foreign- ers, in order to ſave 321. ios. by labour: The loſs then upon the immediate manufacture is clearly 671. 1os. To this might be added, the frequent combinations of the mechanics, their weekly vo- luntary idleneſs, which is ever the cafe in the chief city of a kingdom, and the loſs in population, not forgetting the premiums which have been given by the Society for the encouragement of this manu- facture ſince it was eſtabliſhed, amounting, on an average of 71. per cent. to about 20,000l. As to our woollen manufacture, the fact is this, France produces a great deal of wool, but coarſe and ſhort ; Ireland produces a great deal of wool, both long and fine; the French wool will not work up into any kind of tolerable cloth, without a mix- ture (it is ſaid) of one-third of either Iriſh, or Spa- niſh, or weſt of England wool ; and it is fo neceffa- ry to their manufacture thereof, that they will give any price for it, fo great, as to induce the weſt of England farmers to ſmuggle a conſiderable quan- tity to France, and of courſe, abundance of the Iriſh wool is ſold there alſo; beſides, ſince the change in the breed of our ſheep, our wool, it is ſaid, has grown ſo abundantly coarſer than it formerly was, that we cannot now make cloths that will produce a higher own hands at home, will, when exported, bring a nation more “ real gain, than the fale of three millions worth of goods, in "manufactures, where the materials are of foreign growth, and not of our own raiſing." 6 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 303 a higher price, than about eleven or twelve ſhil- lings a yard, without ſome mixture of the Spaniſh wool, which is exceeding dear, and may not at all times be obtained. Then, beſides the heavy coſt of the foreign materials for the fine cloths, the ex- pence of working them is much greater (it is alſo ſaid,) in proportion, than the coarſe ones. And further, the ableft writers on this ſubject have ob- ſerved, as the nations moſt flouriſhing in manufac- tures have experienced, that thoſe manufactures al- ways deſerve to be moſt cheriſhed, which afford the proſpect of a conſtant and ſteady demand; as otherwiſe the poor operators will be often idle, which is almoſt as often attended with the moſt dif- treſsful conſequences to ſociety, as hath been fre- quently as grievouſly experienced; more eſpecially in ſuch manufactures as miniſter to luxury, which is ever ruled by faſhion and caprice. Do but think, I alſo beſeech you, that if any of the manufactures, &c. for the encouragement of which, * As the reſtrictions on this trade, and the hardſhips we had thereby ſuffered, and to which, for near a century, we had moſt patiently ſubmitted, have alſo by the aforeſaid recent laws, been happily removed ; I therefore have ftruck out abundance relating thereto, all which had better be for ever buried in oblivion ; lo let all hands be inſtantly at work without ceaſing, and thereby convince them, that we did not wrong the people of our liſter kingdom, when we charged them with falſely accuſing us of la- zineſs and idleneſs, at the time thoſe heavy fetters, which, at their inſtance, lay on almoſt every limb of us; and let us not for- get, that there is a ſpecies of manufaciure here, which is fought for by all nations to which it is known, as it is unequalled by all: I mean that beautiful mixture of ſilk and worſted, called tabinets. 304 OBSERVATIONS ON THE which, the Society have for years been giving thou- ſands upon thouſands, ſhould not, upon a proper inquiry, appear to have anſwered the expectations therefrom; if fums equal to theſe, had been given to the poor renters of land for the improvement of waſte grounds, what would have been the real, ſure and permanent acquiſition to the kingdom thereon! We might ſay of them, as of the induſtrious culti- vator in the ſcripture ; “ The wilderneſs and ſolitary place ſhall be glad for him, and the deſert ſhall rejoice and bloſſom like the roſe. It ſhall bloſſom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and ſing- ing: the glory of Lebanon ſhall be given unto " it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon." ISAIAH, xxxv. 1, 2. Let us then, for illuſtration fake, take the aforeſaid ſum of 20,000l. only, and ſee what, at this day, would have been the produce thereof. The premiums at an average for bog, mountain and moor, taking them altogether, have been ſince the commencement at 21. Ios. an acre; then 20,000l. would at this rate have reclaimed, and ſo (I may ſay) have purchaſed about ſeven thouſand five hundred acres, which, at ros. an acre, a reaſon- able eſtimation, (for many of theſe reclaimed acrés appeared to have been ſet at upwards of twenty) amount to 37501. a year, and which, at twenty years purchaſe only; would fell for no leſs a ſum than 75,000l. So that inſtead of any loſs to the na- tion, no leſs a ſum than 75,000l. would have been gained; and, according to the number of perſons which } DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUM S; &c. 305 which theſe acres of Iriſh plantation meaſure, would have fed, (according to the computation by a fa- mous writer in England upon huſbandry, to wit, << That a piece of ground, conſiſting of three ſquare miles, or one thouſand nine hundred and twenty acres of commonly good land, will furniſh food for eight hundred and ſeventy perſons,") would produce an encreaſe of population of no leſs than about three thouſand five hundred perſons, and ſo much ſtrength of courſe; and, if I am permitted to add alſo, the ſaving of the importation of corn, and the emigra- tion of numbers, it will ſwell the balance greatly; and I hope it will be allowed me, that ſaving is gaining. If the rent of the improved land be com- puted at 20s. an acre, the conſequential cal- culations muſt be in the ſame proportion of courſe. * VOL. III. X The * Every one in his fenſes muſt ſee the abſolute neceſſity for an encreaſe of tillage in this kingdom, as far as it poflibly can be ef- fected; for, for one carriage horſe to have been fed with oats, ſome years ago, I believe I may with ſafety fay, there are at this day ten, and luxury of living in every reſpect, fo encreaſing among the middling people, almoſt to the total levelling of all diſtinc- tion and order. Now, how muſt this increaſe the price of this cne grain, with which the poor are chiefly fed? If the ſtock of it be not enlarged, they muſt famiſh. It is true, they drink it now in great abundance, eſpecially in the North, to the entire de ſtruction of not only their health and ſtrength, but their morals, which; I am ſorry to ſay, is not by our laws endeavoured to be prevented; but in ſhort, if ípirituous liquors be not made more dificult to be come at by the lower people, and malt liquor better and in more plenty, ſo as to promote its conſumption, the uſe of it will ſhortly, among the lower claſs of people, be entirely láid alide ; and there may not be a ſecond generation of them, 306 OBSERVATIONS ON THE ! The fiſheries, after agriculture and the linen bu fineſs, are the next object that claim the attention of This nearly-impoveriſhed kingdom. I have ranked them here according to the general eſtimation ; but I am inclined to think, that the fiſheries ſhould be next to agriculture, they being an object for a fource of induſtry, population and riches thereto, vaſt as the mighty womb that yields the materials; of ſuch conſideration, that if we ſhould even loſe our ftaple commodity, whilſt undiſturbed in agri- culture, the natural claim of every country, the birth-right of every people, and the fiſheries, we might yet poſſeſs a proſperity, of which fome vio- lent convulſion of nature could alone deprive us. What a melancholy reflection is it, that we ſhall fit idle ſpectators, whilſt other nations are drawing from our coafts a fund of infinite riches, which na- ture evidently intended for us? The herring fiſhery of Holland alone, it is ſaid, is valued at three milli- ons three hundred thouſand pounds fterl. per an- num, and our ſeas abound with them, among many other ſpecies; beſides, we have them, in a manner, at our doors, whereas, they ſend their veſſels many leagues for them to the coafts of Great Britain and Ireland. I have alſo heard, that the mackerel filh- ery alone, is ſuch an object to the French, that they find it worth their while to ſend every year from two hundred and fifty to three hundred ſail of vef- fels, (many of them one hundred and twenty tons) to this kingdom to catch mackerel, and that they do this in the very harbours on the weſtern coaft; and contrary to treaty, which prohibits them from com- ing within ten leagues of any head-land. Not- withſtanding DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 307 withſtanding the encouragements given to our fiſh- eries by ſeveral late ilatutes, the Society may yet aid them greatly. I will again be bold to ſay, that if two-thirds at leaſt of the funds of the Society were to be ex- pended upon theſe two mighty objects, agricul- ture and the fiſheries, they would have the applauſe and thanks of all well-wiſhers, their country, and all wiſe men; and, that through the encouragement of them, they would encourage every other manu- facture, as they would alſo every ſpecies of the fine arts, without allotting particularly a ſingle fixpence to one of them; it would as ſurely follow as the night the day; it has ever done ſo in every nation upon earth, where theſe two primary objects have been purſued with induſtry, and ever muſt do fo; and to act otherwiſe, would be beginning at the wrong end; for the truth of which, is the experience of all ages and nations, let confined, narrow ge- niuſes, and weak reaſoners on this ſubject, think what they will. I will, then, hiere addreſs my fellow-members, to loſe no further time from theſe material purſuits. There will be great favings from the late by-law, in regard to men of certain fortunes not receiving pecuniary: premiums; and otherwiſe, as I have before-mentioned, of courſe à deal to grant. If there be any manufactures, which' premiums and bounties for years will not rear up, nothing can be more certain, than that from the nature of them, or from the circumſtances of times or things, they are ineffectual; diametrically oppoſite to the true in- X2 terelt 1 can 308 OBSERVATIONS ON THE tereſt of the nation, and, that it is not only wafting the precious time and labour of the poor, but alſo thoſe of the Society and its funds. A home and partial conſumption only, is, as I have ſaid before, far from ſufficient to improve or forward a manufacture; and be alſo aſſured, that but few, very few, have fuch ſtrength of patriotiſm, or can afford, for any time, to pay a greater price for goods inferior in qua- lity. The conſtant diftreffes of our manufacturers, prove to a demonſtration, that ſome of theſe manu- factures are greatly over-done, that is, that too ma- ny people are bred manufacturers of fabricks, which we cannot conſume; and, which is much worſe, not conſtantly ſupport the people bred to them, are not effectual purſuits, and muſt ultimately tend to impoveriſh the nation; whereas, if we had five times the number of hands in the kingdom, the im- provement of huſbandry, eſpecially of waſte grounds, and the fiſheries, would employ them; beſides, (which is moft worthy of note) a manufacture fabri- cated upon foreign materials, creates nothing'; whereas, the ploughman is every day creating: * To conſider alſo, what a number of trades, me- chanicks, &c. are employed in agriculture and the fiſheries, eſpecially in the latter; in ſhort, there is hardly one that is not; and then, every fix pence which 1 *There are ſome matters in this page marked with Italicks, which have been abundantly changed ſince this pamphlet was publiſhed, for which, ſee the note to page 303. But if all the ports on earth were open to our manufactures, unleſs we can fell them at foreign markets cheap and good as others can, it would in no wiſe avail us, 1 DU B. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 309 which we earned by agriculture, the fiſheries, and linen, (that is to ſay, if we growed our own fax, which we might eaſily do,) and by woollen cloths, ſuch as I have before mentioned, of our own wool, would be almoſt clear gain; ſo that if they were properly purſued, all hands would be employed, emigration would be prevented, population encreaſed, the lands which have been raiſed, even to the utmoſt, would be enabled to pay, (which otherwiſe experience ſhews they can- not) and thoſe which have not yet been ſo raiſed, would bear an adequate value; whereas, by ſome of our other manufactures, for the reaſons I have before mentioned, we at leaſt do not gain. 3 The following excellent lines in THOMSON'S SEASONs are ſo appoſite to the preſent purpoſe, that I conceive they will not be unaccepta- ble. 0! is there not ſome patriot, in whoſe power That belt, that god-like luxury is plac'd Of bleſſing thouſands, thouſands yet unborn, Thro' late pofterity ? fome, large of foul, To cheer dejected induſtry? to give. A double harveſt to the pining fwain? And teach the labouring hand the ſweets of toil? How, by the fineſt art the native robe To weave ; how, white as hyperborean ſnow, To form the lucid lawn; with venturous oar, How to daſh wide the billow; nor look on, Shamefully paffive, while Batavian fleets Defraud us of the glittering finny ſwarms c $ : That 310 OBSERVATIONS ON THE 1 That heave our friths, and croud upon our ſhores; How all-enlivening trade to rouſe, and wing The proſperous fail from every growing port, Uninjured, round the fea-incircled globe, And thus in foul united, as in name, Bid Britain reign the miſtreſs of the deep. To conclude: If, with one of the authors up- on this ſubject, what I have here offered, ſhall meet with ſuch a ſhare of the attention of the Society, as to induce them to promote, as far as may be, the reclaiming waſte lands, and the general improvement of the kingdom, inſtead of giving preference to purſuits, which muſt eternally check population, impoveriſh the king- dom, and withdraw the hands from more uſeful works; it will truly correſpond, as the Society have ſo often declared, with the ſpirit of the charter of the reſpectable corporation, in which fo higlı a confidence is repoſed ; muſt eventually en- rich the nation, and will give ſpirit and viva- city in execution to landed improvement, which is the only ſource that can afford wealth and happineſs to this poor country: as at the ſame time, it will be a matter of total triumph un- known to our forefathers; a kind of creation, a freſh acceſſion of lands to the kingdom; of benefit to mankind, of future ſuſtenance and riches to ſucceeding generations, and of acknow- ledgment to the DUBLIN SOCIETY, by the lateſt pofterity, * If See the note to page 287 DUB. SOCIETY PREMIUMS, &c. 311 If 'theſe fhall be the effects, the author of theſe obſervations, will have the ſatisfaction of having contributed ſomething to the ſervice of his coun- try ;--if not, his good intentions and hearty wiſhes for its happineſs, will be his only confo- lation. September 27th, 1773. APPENDIX A P P E N D I X. A FTER the publication of the aforeſaid Ob- ſervations, having had occaſion to go to Lon- don, and on my return, having heard that the un- warrantable opinion, which I formerly mentioned had been entertained by ſome of the Society, in re- gard to the improvement of the waſtes of the king- dom by the poor renters of land, had ſtill prevailed, to wit, that they were almoſt all perjured; that the juſtices of the peace, who had certified for them, were as little to be depended upon as they were ; and that ſeveral of their land- lords had pocketed their premiums; and that they were utterly deprived of the benefit of the additi- onal one hundred pounds, which, by the reſolution of the 18th of June, 1772, was to have been added to each province; I was determined to be con- vinced by my eyes, and accordingly ſet out for the province of Ulſter, for no other purpoſe ; (having the two years before viſited thoſe of Munſter and Connaught, with this difference, that in the two lat- ter, I had but the affirmation of thoſe who had done the work, and the report of the country, but in parts of the former, I could have ocular proof) ac- cordingly, I found to my aſtoniſhment, and eſpe- cially in the county of Tyrone, huge tracts of land luxuriant from tillage and culture, which, to my certain knowlege, were before almoſt as barren as the 314 D 1 I X. Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ε Ν Ν the pavement of Caſtle-ſtreet; what had been turf bog ſet at 4os. nay, at 31. an acre, for numbers of which, not a ſix-pence uſed to be paid ; and all this from the premiums the Society had given to theſe poor renters of land. I ſaw limeſtone burning in many kilns, which had been built by one of the landlords of theſe tenants, at his own entire coſt; and ſtones and lime carrying on every fide, for the improvement of mountains; although ſeveral of his tenants, to. my knowlege alſo, have leaſes for two and three lives, and twenty-ſix years to come; ſo that his ex- pectation of profit, is at ſuch a diſtance, that it can- not deprive him of the merit, that his labour and expence is in a great degree for the publick. I alſo found, that many of theſe induſtrious people of the north, after their common daily labour was over, have wrought on moon-light nights for hours; and, what is more to their praiſe, have afſifted each other; ſo that there never was a more feaſible ſcheme for the promoting a ſpirit of induſtry in this kingdom, whole yeomanry is almoſt next to no- thing, and enriching it vaſtly, than the premiums to theſe renters : Yet, they who have a fever for other purſuits, (of whom, ſome perhaps would hard- ly know a plough if they ſaw it,) and would there, fore decry this, have in their great wiſdom ſaid, Cut Let their landlords do it.”-How many of them, pray, have money even to improve their demeſnes ? A numerous army may indeed cut down a foreit, or turn the courſe of a river in a night, but, are theſe works for a few individuals ? * Their # In ancient times, the ſenators of Ronie held their ploughs, and lowed their corn with their own hands, but there are no ſuch labourers Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν D Ι Χ. 315 . Their joy to ſee me was prodigious, as they had been told of my zeal for them; but it was as tranſi- ent, upon the recollection of what they had heard, to wit, that it was determined they ſhould be de- ftroyed. I ſaid all I could to comfort them; that I could have little doubt, but that the Society at large would relieve them, when a ſufficient number attended, and that if they did not, the Legiſlature would take care of them, as no part of ſociety was more ſolidly uſeful, and would not ſuffer this firſt benefit the kingdom ever met with, to be baffled by any flimſy projects, and befought them to pro- ceed with vigour. I alſo found, that, fo far from this gentleman's pocketing their money, they had not only all been paid what he had received, but, to my certain knowlege, he gave credit in their rents to ſome, who were ſhut out by one of the aforeſaid moſt improper as illegal ex POST FACTO by-laws, of which they had not the leaſt notice; a gentleman, by whofe means, roads had been made from town to town, and through mountains, where roads never had been made before, to the great ad- vantage of tillers, and comfort of travellers; and the 1 labourers now: the lands are not cultivated by the hands of ge- nerals, nor the earth made fertile by a plough adorned with lau- rels, and a ploughiman honoured with a triumph. Though n.a- ny of the proprietors of lands are farmers, yet none of them arę ploughmen, and no axiom is more certain than this, " That if agriculture be brought to perfection, it is carried on to greater advantage in the hands of tenants, than of proprietors.” Bea ſides, theſe premiums are not given to any of theſe poor people, but ſuch as have long poffeffions by leaſes for lives or years againſt their landlords; a material confideration, but in truth, the abſurdity of ſuch ſtrange objectors, is little worthy of a ſeria Qu$ anſwer, 316 A P P E N D I X. * and, the caſe was the ſame alſo with another gentleman and his tenants in the province of Munſter, of the firit reſpect, in every great department ; with ſeveral others, ſome of them of the Society; as to all which matters within my knowlege, I ſhall with pleaſure ſubmit to be examined upon oath, in the preſence of the largeſt collection that can be made thereof; and if there ſhall be any in- credulous diſciple who will not believe, unleſs he ac- tually views the marks, or lays his hands on the prints, I hope he will take the ſame jaunt that I have done, or be ſilent, and not argue from the groundleſs ſup- poſitions which he himſelf may have formed. Could the productions of theſe truly uſeful people, (of which even dolts might be equal judges with the molt ingenious) like thoſe of the fine arts maiters, be brought within the tepid climate of the Society room, to be viewed, I am inclined to think there would be little doubt, to which the preference would quickly be given by all of ſolid thinking and judg- ment. Now, I do not in the leaſt hope from what I have here faid to move a ſingle opponent I have: the fine arts beget pride, pride begets an imagi- nary ſuperiority, and that an invincible contempt for all who differ in opinion, but let the cauſe of this unaccountable oppoſition in fome, to this moſt important buſineſs of agriculture, in this particular, be * For the furpriſing acquiſition this gentleman has made to his citate from the encouragement he gave to theſe poor renters after ahe Society had ſuſpended their premiums, fee YOUNG's Tour in Ireland, page 326; &c. ſince publiſhed. A P P., E N 317 D D I I X. be what it may, ſince numbers muſt, by the conſti- tution of the Society, determine every queftion, it is, as I have before mentioned, eſpecially incum- bent on the friends to agriculture and the kingdom, to attend and cloſely watch upon all important oc- caſions, and not to be wearied out and driven away at dinner hour, as I have before mentioned, by in- tended, tedious harangues; and to be careful that the rules of the Society, by which,“ the buſineſs of the « day is to be firſt diſpoſed of, and that no mem- “ber is to ſpeak more than once on the ſame quef- “ tion, unleſs by way of reply, or when called up- son from the chair to explain himſelf, or when he ſpeaks to order," be ſtrictly adhered to, as ever, ought to be in every aſſembly, to avoid confu- fion. * Then, ſince my return from this peregrination, I found the liſt of premiums for theſe poor renters of lánd, for the purpoſes aforeſaid, publiſhed, with (as it appears to me) not a little difficulty with regard to them, as to the time of lodging their claims. In one paragraph, it is ſaid, that their claims muſt be lodged * Well alſo would it be, if no member ſhould be allowed to give his voice, who comes into the room at the cloſe of a debate, on any matter of importance ; for, though it be as true, as it is much to be lamented, that this is the practice, in a higher aſſem- bly, where they are judges alſo as they are here, yet, would it not be to the full as decent, to put the queſtion at once, without any debate ? there would then be the great advantage of ſaving abundance of time. If, on à debated queſtion, there be any crime in voting againſt conviction, is not the voting without hearing, as bad to the full? or at leaſt, as miſchievous in its effects ? the only advantage in it, that I can conceive, is, that it makes as ridiculous, as nugatory, the proud parade of oratury, 318 Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν D Ι. Χ. lodged with the aſiſtant ſecretary, on or before the third Thurſday in every year, to be finally adjudged on the firſt Thurſday in February in every year. And in the next paragraph but two, it is ſaid, that the faid claims muſt be ſent in, on or before the 16th day of December, 1773, to be adjudged on the 3d of Febru- ary, 1774. I alſo find that the following by-law has been omitted. 66 9. “In all caſes wiratſoever, where there ſhall be " a ſaving in the ſum allotted in premiums for any particular purpoſe, by medals in lieu of pecuniary premiums, or otherwiſe; the Society may, if they ſhall think proper, diſpoſe of the " whole, or any part of ſuch ſum, remaining “ unapplied, after deducting the value of medals " fo adjudged) among the other claimants for the " fame purpoſe, in ſuch proportions as they ſhall “ apprehend will beſt anſwer the ends of the " Society." And I alſo find the following moſt material reſo lution of the Society has been likewiſe omitted. February 18, 17730 u ResoLVED, " That in order to prevent the inconvenience " of obliging the poor renters, to whom premiums are adjudged, to come to Dublin, to receive the fame) any member of the Society, who ſhall deliver “ a liſt of ſuch perſons to the vice-preſident in the 6 chair, with a certificate at the foot thereof, ſigned " by 4 Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν Ο Ι Χ. 319 by himſelf, ſetting forth, that he will engage to 66 diſtribute to the perſons mentioned in the faid liſt, the amount of the premiums adjudged to "them reſpectively, ſhall be impowered to receive es the fame, for their uſe." So that according to the arguments, which were uſed againſt the aforeſaid order of the 8th of June, 1772, this by-law and reſolution, by not being inſerted in the liſt of premiums, though never repealed or countermanded, on the contrary, pub- liſhed in their weekly printed proceedings, dif- perſed all over the kingdom, (as was the aforeſaid order of the 18th of June, 1772) are yet to be conſidered as if they never had exiſted.–Very Itrange proceedings ! I alſo find, that the premiums for ditching are dropped, although I was at the trouble of drawing them up at the inſtance of the Society, as a matter moſt worthy of their attention, and eſpecially for ditching and planting alſo, in the improved waſte grounds, as will appear in the Premium Book. I believe it had been better otherwiſe. The premiums for malt, as alſo thoſe for burnet, lucern, and ſeveral others, I find are dropped ; fo that the ſavings this year muſt be prodigious. I ſhall now take my farewel of this buſineſs, by recapitulating, in the way of a few ſhort Queries, fome of the moſt important matters in my aforeſaid Obſervations, as alſo this my Appendix thereto, moſt humbly addreſſed and ſubmitted, not only to 320 Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν N DI X, to their very reſpectable body, but to the Great Whole, the Publick, whom they moſt eſſentially concern.---To proceed then : QUERY I. Is not the judicious cultivation and ſolid improvement of land, of the greateſt conſe- quence to every country? Qu. 2. Was it not for this purpoſe principally and chiefly, your Society was inſtituted ? And was it not ſo expreſſed in your Petition for your Charter? And is not your Charter granted for this purpoſe And was it not alſo exprefslý men- tioned in your faid Petition, that vaſt tracts of land and bog, in this kingdom are uncultivated, and a general want of ſkill and induſtry in the inhabitants to improve them? And is not his Majeſty's bounty of 500l. a year granted chiefly for this ? i Qu. 3. Qu. 4. Have you not in yourį Petitions to Para liament for money, in order to induce them to grant it, repeatedly mentioned that you had, at conſidera- ble expence, cauſed ſeveral experiments to be made in the various methods of farming, and had eſta bliſhed a manufactory of the implements of hul- bandry, according to the lateſt practice of the beſt Engliſh farmers? Qu. 5. Have you not alſo mentioned, that you had bound apprentices to a Gentleman * eminently ſkilled in the theory and practice of Agriculture, ſe- veral boys who were educated in the Workhouſe of Dublin, * Mr. BAKER Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν Ε Ι Χ. 321 Dublin, who were then maintained at the expence of the Society, and that it was your intention to keep up a ſucceſſion of Apprentices, in order to ſupa ply the diſtant parts of the country with ſkilful workmen and huſbandmen? Qu. 6. Did you not, in your Petition to Parli- ament, in November 1771, ſet forth that you had always conſidered the encouragement of Tillage as one of the greateſt National Objects, and the chief intention of your inſtitution; and that, for that rea- ſon, you had in a more eſpecial manner applied yourſelves to that ſubject ? Qu. 7. Did you not alſo ſet forth in your ſaid Petition, that there were many great Waſtes, and numbers of Acres ün-encloſed and uncultivated in this Kingdom, capable of being improved and turned to Tillage, with proper huſbandry; and that they would moſt probably be fo, to the great benefit and advantage of the country, if the ſame encou- ragement was given in this Nation that is in others, by an exemption from certain Taxes for a limited time? Qu. 8. Did you not allo ſet forth in your ſaid Petition to Parliament, that, upon examining ſeveral conſiderable Merchants, importers of Corn, as alſo ſome reſpectable Farmers, it appeared to your Society that a quantity of Corn, Meal; Flour, and Malt, in value to upwards of 600,000l. had been imported into this Kingdom in two Years, end- ing the 25th of March 1771;, that the greateſt part thereof had been paid for in ſpecie, and that with- VOL. III. Y ; out 322 IX: A P N P D P E N E out that ſupply the Kingdom would have been in the moſt diſtreſſed condition Qu. 9. Did you not alſo ſet forth in your faid Petition, that it was the opinion of your Society, that the ſending out of the Kingdom ſo large a ſum of Money had been a great cauſe of the high exchange, the many bankruptcies, the lowneſs of credit, and ſcarcity of money, ſo ſeverely felt amongſt us? Qu. 10. Did you not alſo ſet forth that all thoſe evils were owing to the want of a fufficient grow- ing of Corn in the Kingdom ? and that it was your opinion, that it would be of the higheſt benefit to this Nation and its Manufačtures, to encourage thar firſt of all Manufactures, a compleat Cultivation of the Soil? Qu. 11. Are theſe thing's so . And are you ſtill of the ſame opinion? Or has any alteration hap- pened in the circumſtances of things to induce you to change your opinion Qu. 12. If not, are you not pledged to the Legiſlature and the Publick for the performances of all you have ſo zealouſly profeſſed, adopted and promiſed, and for which you are ſpontaneous truſtees : Qu. 13. Did you not, ſo long ago" as the 30th of March 1765, reſolve that the apprenticing a number of Boys to ſkilful Farmers in every County, was the ſure Means of improving Agriculture, and Tillage ?' And have you ſtill purſued that laudable Scheme? ! Qu. 14. A pp Ρ Ρ Ε 323 N Ν D Ι Χ. Qu. 14. Have you you in any of your Petitions to Parliament, engaged yourſelves for the Perfor- mance of it? And, if ſo, why is it not done? Qu. 15. Had the hundred Pounds a Year, which has been given theſe many Years, for the inſtructing Boys in Portrait and Hiitory painting, otherwiſe called Human Head and Figures Drawing, for a num- ber of Years been applied to the aforeſaid Purpoſe of apprenticing to Farmers, fo many at twelve pounds a Year a-piece, according to your regu- lation, might not Agriculture, and of courſe the Kingdom, by this time, have been greatly advan- taged? And has the Kingdom ever benefited a fixpence by any of thoſe painters ? Qu. 16. Does it require the ſkill of a TITIAN, or a Guido, for the drawing of Patterns or De- ſigns, &c. proper for the ſeveral Manufactures, or for drawing in Architecture ? If not, may not this one hundred a Year, and the Premiums be ſaved? And ſhould not the maſters of the ſchools for Ornament drawing, and drawing in Architecture, which are really uſeful, bę ſufficiently ſkilled to teach the drawing of any human figures which may be in their Productions ? Qu. 17. And if the Painters were to be pro- ficients even equal to the maſters I have menti- oned, could they get a livelihood here? Would they not inſtantly leave us for ſome other region, which could be more kind to them? And have they not in effect declared this in their lait Petition to your Society Y 2 QU, 18, 1 324 Α Ρ Ρ Ε Ν N DI X. Qu. 18. If not more than one in ten diſplays a genius (for which alk the Maſter of the Depart- ment) are not the other nine an abſolute loſs to a country not half peopled, and the adepts therein no gain? 1 Qu. 19. Does not this Kingdom contain about eighteen millions and an half of acres, Engliſh Sta- tute Meaſure, and is not at leaſt one-half of them waſte and uncultivated? Qu. 20. Why, then, have you not, according to your aforeſaid zealous profeſſions, on ſeeking mo- ney from Parliament, purſued this, of all the moſt important, object, as you have alſo declared it to be? Qu.21. Have you not repeatedly declared in your Society, that the poor renters of land were the moſt likely perſons for the accompliſhing of this great work? And have you propoſed your premiums ac- cordingly? Qu. 22. And have they not accordingly pro- ceeded with amazing progreſs therein, in the pro- vinces of Ulſter, Munſter and Connaught, on the eſtates of many, ſeveral of them members of your Society, who can vouch the truth of the fact; ámong others, Sir William Oſborne, Mr. Gorges, Counſellor Brown, and Mr. Phelps. Or, you may have ocular demonſtration: Qu. 23. And, is it a reaſon to drop for ever this moſt-of-all advantageous improvement to this king- dom, becauſe fome, or perhaps ſeveral of theſe poor people, i À P P E N D I X. 325 people, have been guilty of frauds or impoſitions upon the Society? Qu. 24. Is the abuſe of any thing an argument againſt the uſe of it? And were it to be fo, might it not hold againſt every purſuit, even the moſt ad- vantageous ? Or, would any profeſſion, even the moſt ſacred, eſcape? Qu. 25. But is it not in the power of ſuch a body as you are, among whom are perſons ſkilled in every ſcience upon earth, to guard againſt all fraud and impoſition in every purſuit you think fit to promote Qu. 26. And was it not, for this purpoſe, pro- poſed by one of your members, and, after having been conſidered and debated on, at ſeveral of your weekly meetings, reſolved, to have Committees on agriculture, in the ſeveral counties of the kingdom, (ſuch as are eſtabliſhed in France, * who, being in the neighbourhood of the grounds for the improvement of which by theſe poor renters of land, any premiums may be claimed, might ex- amine minutely thereinto, and prevent impoſitions and frauds, (for which ſee your Minutes of the roth, 17th, and 24th of February 1774,) and, has this grand deſign been purſued? Qu. 27. On the contrary, have you not (I mean only thoſe who are not for preferring agriculture) uſed every poſſible means to diſcourage theſe labori- ous poor people? Are you not induſtrious in ſeeking for frauds in this above all other departments, and in throwing every poſſible difficulty in their way? Qu. 28. * See before, pages 292, 3, in the OBSERVATIONS. 326 N D DI X. Α Ρ Ρ Ε E Ν ) Qu. 28. Have you not kept them in Dublin, waiting for the examination of their claims by your committees, and the adjudication of them by you until they were famiſhing in the ſtreets; fo that more than double the ſum of the little pittances they were to have got, was exhauſted in their ſupport in an expenſive city, beſides the loſs of their time, and in the end, even what they were intitled to withheld from them? Qu. 29. Did you not on the 18th of June 1772, on the moſt folemn conſideration of the matter, reſolve that the ſum of one hundred pounds ſhould be allotted to each Province, for the im- proving unprofitable Mountain, Bog and Moor? And was not this reſolution publiſhed in your proceedings, which are diſperſed all over the King- dom? Qu. 30. And, yet when this came to be claim- ed by thoſe whom this fair-promiſed encourage- ment had ſet at work, was it not refuſed them, and were not theſe extraordinary reaſons given :- "That your Secretary had forgot to inſert it in the " liſt of premiums; beſides, that ſome By-laws had *“ been ſince made by which they were precluded ?" Qu. 31. Are you not bound then in juſtice as in honour to pay this money among them, agree- ably to your ſaid reſolution, as alſo to reimburſe : them their loſſes? Or would it be a fit excuſe, that you had offered premiums in the interim, where- fore your funds would not anſwer all ? 1 Qu. 322 : A PP 327 E N D I X. Qu. 32. Have we not by means of our increaſe of tillage and the culture of potatoes, not only pre- vented the importation of corn, but have we not even exported ?--And would not then a conti- nuation of the improvement of our waſtes, enable us in time to defy the preſent reſtraints on our trade, nay, were they even to be doubled? Qu. 33. If 300,000l. a year for two years went from this kingdom for Corn, and that the amount of the premiums and bounties for the encourage- ment were even 200,00ol. in that time, are we not favers 100,000l. excluſive of the gain by what we exported! Qu. 34. Can any manufacture thrive, but where labour is cheap? Can labour be cheap, without plenty of proviſions? And is it not thus only, that wares and goods can be improved at home, and ſold in foreign markets to advantage? And is not he then the beſt and fureſt friend to the manufactures of a kingdom, who is the moft zealous promoter of its Agriculture ? Qu. 35. As your Factory for the implements of Huſbandry has been of moſt extenſive advan- tage to it, is it not moft worthy of your attention, to eſtabliſh a repoſitory for them in the metro- polis, that purchaſers may have a convenient reſort to it And now to conclude: As your report upon theſe weighty matters, ſo far as your Committee for the purpoſe have proceeded therein, to wit, only 328 N D I X. Α Ρ PE Ρ Ε Ν only as to Agriculture, has been returned to your Society, I venture to mention the few following matters as primarily worthy of your mature con- ſideration. 1 I. What are the crops for which our lands in Ireland are beſt adopted ; and how theſe lands ought to be divided ? i II. What is the ſituation of the perſons here moft proper for carrying on Agriculture III. In what manner this important buſineſs ſhould be purſued And as ſeveral members of your Society have according to your directions furniſhed you with their hints for this purpoſe, among whom I as one have taken no ſmall pains, and eſpecially on your intended County Committees, as the papers I have delivered to your Aſiſtant Secretary will ſhew, I cannot doubt but you will with attention confider even the meaneſt hint that is offered, but remember that the cultivation of rape and flax-ſeed is an object, few more worthy of your ſerious attention. ! As for the premiums to be offered hereafter for manufactures, as your committee has not as yet proceeded therein, notwithſtanding your late appointed time for ſitting is waſting, I ſhall not at preſent farther meddle therein, than, with all due deference, to recommend to you, to give the preference to thoſe which may be moſt uſeful, and from the nature, &c. of their materials moſt profitable АР 329 Ρ Ε Ν Ο Υ Χ. Profitable to the country, and at the ſame time moſt likely to ſucceed, without any partial regard or other conſideration whatſoever. Forget not alſo, on this great occaſion, to call in to your aſſiſtance the ſeveral manufacturers, whoſe trades, &c. you may think fit to encourage; hear all ſides, and then let your unbiaſſed judgment, your candour and im- partial juſtice only determine. Alſo be not remifs in peruſing and well conſidering ſome of the beſt authors upon huſbandry, trade and commerce : for you cannot expect inſpiration, and a deal is expected of you, from your character, nay the very title you bear. Forget not alſo the encou- ragement of malt, and the reſtraint of ſpirituous liquors; the health, the ſtrength, nay, the very lives of the lower people depend entirely on this. And be on your guard againſt ſelf-intereſted, yet plauſible deceivers, nor let popularity warp you. I fear I have abundantly fatigued my readers; but I hope the immenſe importance of the ob- ject, the goodneſs of my intentions, and my dif- intereſted views; with my not having ſet down any thing here which your proceedings (to which I have referred) will not warrant, will plead my excuſe. Wherefore, I ſhall cloſe my exhortation to cultivation with the ſentiments of ſome author thereon, which I have formerly read, but cannot now recollect either his name or the title of his Book :* _“It is (ſays he, well as I remember) 66 under V * I think it was my much-loved and moſt ingenious friend, Mr. HENRY BROOKE, author of Guſtavus Vafa, &c. 330 А Р Р Е N DI X. 66 66 66 t6 under the creation, the buſineſs of the firſt mo.. ment and advantage to Society; it is the natu- ral, nay the only root, from which manufac- tures and all improvements in crafts with their * various materials, all arts, all ſciences can ariſe; < theſe are but the branches, the flowers, and the fruit, but culture is the root and the trunk 66 which yields the nouriſhment to the whole.' And Mr. HART in his Elay upon Huſbandry, that inoft excellent performance, has theſe very ſenſible lines: " All obſerving men (ſays he) muſt have is remarked that our land has ever paid its grate- « ful acknowledgment to the State, and the more $. its produce and profits are augmented by pub- “ lic encouragement and private generoſity, the amore cheerfully are its proprietors enabled to si contribute their aſſiſtance towards the well-being < and proſperity of the Government.”- In fine, the powers with which you are en- truſted, if employed agreeably to the true intention of your inſtitution, will be of the higheſt benefit to Society; but if this be deviated from, or unat- tended to, and frivolous objects, and ineffectual purſuits are preferred to the important and effec- Tual, the miſchief will be equal. So may the Great Difpofer of all things direct you for the beſt! Anno Domini, 1773. 1 ; POETICAL 1 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. TO THE AUTHOR, ON SOME OF HIS WORKS. POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. ) ON THE TRAGEDY OF ALMEYDA, OR THE RIVAL KINGS. BY PHILIP DOYNE; ESQ. HOWARD! who can’ſt reſtore a finking ſtage, That deſert now a mournful ruin lies, To Avon's hallow'd banks, with awful eyes, Adoring bend! where erſt the Britiſh ſage, In tragic pomp and buſkin'd equipage, Rov'd with majeſtic wildneſs; round him riſe Heroic forms !-here, Ariel cleaves the ſkies; There, Northern demons in dire rites engage. Then, while thy foul with facred ardour glows, Call up fome Hero, from the times of old, Reverd for glorious deeds and mighty woes, On ſuch alone, the Muſe her wreath beſtows. While AleION's youth enraptured ſhall behold, In thy heroic ſtrains his various forrows told. . 'Tis done-what awful fcenes ariſe to fight ! What folemn ſtrains alarm' th' attentive ear! In Eaſtern pomp, the Brother Kings appear, Rivals in love and empire; lawleſs might O'erturns 334 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. ģ O'erturns the throne of Virtue’s ſacred right; While Tyranny and Luft, in wild deſpair, Drive from the palace the CIRCASSIAN fair, Helpleſs to wander thro' the dreary night. ATHENS of old, the queen of arts and arms, The mighty SOPHOCLEAN genius bleſs'd; With terror OEDIPUS the ſoul alarms, ANTIGONE with gentle forrow charms; Terror and Pity rule the human breaſt, And both at once thy Muſe hath gloriouſly expreſs’d.* encrease sendlులులులుnels ON THE SAME TRAGED Y. M, DCC, L XIX. A NON Y MO U S. GR REAT SHAKESPEARE of old, various taſtes who could hit, Excell'd in ſublime, was unrivalld in wit : A modern Bard now, who in Law hath long ſhone, Has wrote an ALMEYDA ev'n SHAKESPEARE might own. To ' * The Author of this Ode was equal, in his poetical genius, to any this kingdom ever produced; was moft amiable in his life and manners; and died in the prime of his youth. His Tranſla- tion of Tasso's Jeruſalem hath been much approved of. My Lamentation for him is among my Odes. See Vol. I, p. 41, POETICAL ADDRESSES335 , , &c. To the EDITOR of the DUBLIN MERCURY. 1 I Mr. MERCURY, Auguſt 23, 1771. Never mentioned a fyllable of the following little at- tempt, to the perſon to whom it is addreſſed: but I have been pleaſed with his writings; and, if you inſert the following lines, you will oblige CLOE. TO GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. GO on, great bard! thus to amaze, To make all wonder, at the blaze Of your immortal rhymes: Loudly reſounded be your name! At home enroll'd in liſts of fame, As well as foreign climes! you tune Whene'er tune your ſprightly lays, To our good King, or Viceroy's praiſe, Or Dolly's * charms you ſing, Attentive ſtands the liſtening throng, At length enraptured with your ſong, Fly on thy fancy's wing. Your RIVAL KINGs to none gives place, It even SHAKESPEARE's page might grace, Which Criticks can't deny: And they who have your Tamor ſeen, † Say, 't will theſe inſects fill with ſpleen, And bear you to the ſky. By * Miſs MONROE, + It was not then publiſhed; but the Author had ſhewn the nianuſcript to ſeveral of his ingenious acquaintances; among others, 336 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &. c. By envious bardlings tho' purſu'd, And carping witlings ever rude, You are affail'd at times; Supported by the public voice, You reign unrivalld in its choice, So fcorn their doggrel rhymes. 1 0 III 6 ITO TO THE SAME, ON HIS POETICAL PRODUCTIONS, BY MR. SAMUEL WHYTE, SCHOOLMASTER, 1772. HT OWARD! whoſe eagle genius ſoars above The weak enervate flight of modern rhymes; Whoſe bofom, glowing with thy country's love, Curbs the wild phrenzy of diſtempered times, 1 Whether thoſe facred heights thy fancy climbs, Where MEMORY'S MAIDS round SHAK E- SPEARE's temple rove; Or, deeply ſhudd'ring at a nation's crimes, Her ſluggard ſons you waken and reprove; Compleat A : others, Mrs. STRINGER, widow of the late Major STRINGER, formerly Miſs SARAH COTTER, who kept a ſtationer's ſhop in the city, whoſe correſpondence hath been courted by ſome of the moſt celebrated geniuſes in both kingdoms, and who hath written ſe- veral elegant little epigrams. + POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 337 Compleat thy gen’rous toil:--lo! Fame purſues; Her golden trump, her laurel wreath ſhe brings, To crown with deathleſs praiſe thy various worth, Though ranc'rous Envy the fair palm refuſe: 'Tis Virtue's tax; for true the poet ſings, It is the bright day brings the adder forth.” 66 2 SI R; IT TT is with the utmoſt diffidence, that I preſume to ſend you the following lines: yet, as they are a juſt tribute to your merits, let not your modeſty reject this mark of a ſtranger, who is ambitious of owning himſelf, SIR, Your real Admirer, and - Chequer-lane; very humble Servant, Auguit 25, 1772. JAMES SOLAS DODD. TO GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. FROM earlieſt ages, when a tow'ring bard Soard on uncommon height, and nobly dar'd, On eagle wings to mount above the crowd, The owls of verſe would ſcream and hoot aloud: Homer à Zoilus, VIRGIL BAvius found; MILTON and SHAKESPEARE dunces flock'd around, To hurt whoſe fame each lent his feeble aid For envy is the tax for merit paid : VOL. III. Z Awhile 338 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. Awhile the critick’s fneers and gibes were heard, Then ſunk in ſhame and mourning diſappear'd; While future times, more honeſt, gave the bays Denied to worth in their forefathers' days. So, HOWARD! when thoſe unborn ſhall peruſe, The pleaſing labours of thy nervous Muſe, Envy ſhall into admiration turn, And bofoms then no more with malice burn: No more the carpings of buffoons and mimes Shall ſacrilegiouſly aſperſe thy rhymes; True taſte ſhall ſtill do juſtice to thy fame, And late poſterity exalt thy name. Yet, ere that period, which thou ne'er can'ſt ſee, Let thoſe appear who now much honour thee; Who, rightly judging, give thee due applauſe, And draw their pen in injur'd merit's cauſe; Rank'd in that number, let my name be ſeen, Who'd deck thy brows with laurels ever green, Who with delight thy various verſe can ſcan, Admire the poet, and revere the man, Pardon the boldneſs of this weak addreſs; (I had forborn, if thou hadſt pleas'd me leſs) And, while thy envious countrymen withhold, The praiſe thy due, let it be loudly told, A ſtranger pays his homage at thy ſhrine, And dares proclaim the merit juſtly thine. TO POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 339 TO GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. AN IRREGULAR ODE; ON THE NEW YEAR, MDCCLXXIII, BY Τ Η Ε S Α Μ Ε. T 1. HE Eaſtern nations, with ſubmiſſive awe, From this juſt ſtabliſh'd cuſtom never ſwerve; (And cuſtom often bears the force of law) When they approach their monarch's throne, The diſtance of their rank to own, With empty hands they ne'er appear, But ſtill fome humble preſent bear, To ſhew their rev'rence to the prince they ſerve. IT. So, unto thoſe of pow'r, or ſway, Or thoſe who far excel in arms or arts, When firſt the new year's Sun begins his race; The humble Perſians, eager to diſplay Their ſenſe of genius, rank, or parts, Or the high dignity of place, The virtues of their patrons ſtill rehearſe, In ſtrains of ſoul-enchanting verſe. III. So, in like manner, HOWARD! unto you, My great ſuperior in poetic lore, The humble tribute, rightfully your due, With duteous veneration I reſtore : Z Z 2 Pouring 340 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. Pouring my wiſhes, that all-righteous Heav'n, (By whom each bounteous gift is giv'n) May ev'ry circling year renew your fame! Augment your happineſs, your worth proclaim, And crown your memory with a deathleſs name! VERS E S, Å DDR ES $ E D go o GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. BY A GENTLEMAN OF THE ARMY. A I. POLLO and the tuneful Nine A Did on PARNASSUS fit, A favourite genius to refine For buſineſs and for wit. II. On Pallas firſt they callid for aid, To lend her Attic fire ; And inſtantly the blue-ey'd maid Did HOWARD's breaſt inſpire III. With courage for his country's cauſe, To ítem corruption's flood A SOLON to reform our laws; A patriot firm and good. IV. So, POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 341 IV. So, when court rules by ſcribes were hid, He dragg’d them into light ; The wrangling, clam'rous bar he chid, And clear'd the paths of right. V. Illuſtrious bard! of NORFOLK line, Still tune thy matchleſs lays ! Still paint our King in odes ſublime, Or chant in beauty's praiſe. VI. You ſhew ANACREON's eaſy vein, And foar on Pindar's wing'; ALMEYDA too adornis the ſcene, Whilft you, like SHAKESPEARE ſing. VII. Your Mufe can ſtill the people's rage, Tho' roaring like the ſea; Your ſcenes deluded mobs aſſuage, And all their heats allay. VIII. In various arts you ſhine ſo bright, Dull bards your fame decry; Thus ſtrong effulgent ſtreams of light Offend the weakly eye. TO 342 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. TO CONDUCTORS OF THE FREEMAN'S JOURNAL, GENTLEMEN, S you profeſs impartiality, by inſerting the following CLOE. 7 1. WHILE ſcribblers vile, with malice fraught, Would ſet all Howard's works at nought, And prove he is no poet ; Say his Almeyda's verſe is mean, His TAMOR without one good ſcene, And ſwear they'll plainly ſhew it: II. He, like the ſun in ſplendor bright, Purſues his ſteady courſe, in ſpite Of Envy's fruitleſs darts; In ſock, or buſkin, as they pleaſe, He foars, or tunes his amorous lays, And wins the maidens' hearts. III. Proceed, ſweet bard, their ſhafts deſpiſe, With ſcorn view from your kindred ſkies, Thoſe worms rais'd by your beams; They've ſcarce th’ exiſtence of a day, While endleſs time will honours pay, And ſing your deathleſs praiſe. > FOR POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 343 FOR THE DUBLIN MERCURY. A N O N Y M OU S. WHEN 1. HEN Pope and Swift illuſtrious Thone, All Grub.ſtreet was in arms, Thus HOWARD's genius, ſo well known, Each heavy dunce alarms, II. Your wit has often ſet them mad, They can't its ſting endure; Your riches too have made them fad, Whoſe finances are poor. III. Your praiſe, extorted from ſuch foes, Shall well your fame expreſs. Let fools and beggars envy thoſe, Whom ſenſe and riches bleſs. TO MR. HOWARD ON HIS SIE GE OF TAM O R. W HILST low ſcribbling critics in dulneſs unite To purſue thee, fam'd bard! from mere envy and ſpite, Let the reptiles proceed, if they can in one line, Like thee in thy Tamor but equally ſhine. FOR 344 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. FOR THE HIBERNIAN JOURNAL. THE FIRST ODE OF HORACE M QD E R N I ZED: то GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. ON THE REPORT OF HIS BEING MADE POET LAUREAT. BY WILLIAM GLAS COCK, ESQ 1 } HO OWARD! ſprung from noble line, Pride and glory of the Nine, There are who on the Curragh's plain, Delight to guide the courſer's rein, To win the royal plate beſtow'd On him the ſwifteft o'er the fod. The man, whom corporations call, Who ſeeks for votes from hall to hall, To fill the ſenate's vacant feat, Or ſerve their country or the ſtate; Or him whoſe granaries contain The yellow harveſt of the plain; Or whoſe paternal fields delight, Not wealth of INDIA can invite, 1 Nor 1 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 345 Nor aught avert his own career, With Banks and SOLANDER to ſteer, In ſearch of worlds as yet unknown, And ſubject all to BRITAIN'S throne. t " The merchant, when the billows riſe, And ſtorms and lightning rend the ſkies, Extols the eaſe acquired on ſhore, Where native fields give plenteous ſtore; A calm enſues, and once again In ſearch of wealth he braves the main. From buſineſs free, fome joy to paſs A chearful moment o'er their glaſs; Now ſtretched beneath a verdant ſhade, Or by a ſtream ſupinely laid, The trumpet's found and cannon's roar, At Elliot's mock-fights call on more, Joyous the men and ladies too, Crowd to behold the grand review. Hunters, abroad delight to roam, Their fond mates left forlorn at home; With deep-tongued beagles, all their care Is to run down the timid hare ; Or rouſe the buck, with growling pack, Blood-happy at his chequer'd back. The Ivy wreath, the doom'd reward, To grace the brows of each chos'n bard, Ranks thee, bright genius! with the train That the Parnaſſian ſummit gain; Diſtinguiſh'd from the vulgar race, Where Furry-PARK * gives health and peace. . The * The Author's beautiful villa fiear DUBLIN. 346 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. The Muſe inſpires, and Howard ſings, OF TAmor's SIEGE and RIVAL KINGS. Write on, ſweet ſongſter! and thy fame 'Mongft Lyric bards will plant thy name. THE COUNSEL 1 TO GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. < ON THE + MAL EVOLENT COMPOSITIONS, WHICH FOR A COURSE OF YEARS HAD BEEN INSERTED IN THE PUBLIC PAPERS AND IN PAMPHLETS, ON HIM AND HIS PRODUCTIONS. BY MR. RICHARD LEWIS, 1 THE AUTHOR OF THE CANDID PHILOSOPHER, PLEASING MORALIST, &c. &c. I. GR RIEVE not; my HỌWARD! when the ſhafts of Wit, , From Rancour's quiver, feek thy breaſt to pierce; Grieve not, when minor bards in council fit, And faithleſs friends conſpire to ſwell the verſe. II. Art 8 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 347 II. Art thou ſurpriz'd, that foes baſe arts employ? Art thou ſurpriz'd, that friends fly malice cloke? Envy, fiend-like, would the whole world deſtroy ; And Wit her friends would murder for a joke, III. Falls the fork'd lightning on the quivering reed? Stoops the ſtrong eagle to the petty wren?- On nobler game the regal bird will feed; And lightning blaft fanes, columns, oaks or men, IV. From Homer's fame pale Zoilus loud detracts: To VIRGIL MÆvius ſtill denies applauſe ; Great Milton's genius LAUDER's ſpite attacks; And Pope the rage of fretful Dennis draws. V. But, where are all thoſe envious criticks now, Who'gainſt the ſacred bards ſuch hatred bore? Who fought to tear the laurels from their brow ?- They're dead--they're gone—their works are too no more. / VI. But Homeş, VIRGIL, MILTON, Pope ſtill ſtrove, To gild the face of intellectual night; Breathing, in ſtrains of Heay'n-born verſe, their love, , Strains for inſtruction form'd as for delight. VII. Such 348 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. VII. Such ſtrains, O HOWARD! mark thy white-rob'd Inuſe, With treaſures richer than GOLCONDA fraught; And, whilſt thy fancy roves in wildeſt views, She ne'er gives birth to one immoral thought. VIII. Evin thy gay lyrics ſpeak thee Virtue's friend ; Thy tragic tales enforce her hallow'd plan; Thy Apothegms fage precepts recommend, For bard-or author ne'er diſgraced the man. han IX. Tho' Treach'ry's fons environ thee around, They ne'er can ſhake thy native purity; But, like an ABDIEL, faithful art thou found, “ Amiļít the faithleſs, faithful only he."* X. Then, HOWARD! ſcorn theſe reptiles of the earth, And let them ſtill in dull oblivion lie; Sol's genial beams give poor Ephemera birth, But, thofe withdrawn, they ficken--gaſp-and 1 die. VERSES * MILTON's Paradiſe Loft, Book V. POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 349 V E R S E S ADDRESSED ED io GORGES EDMOND HOWARD, ESQ. ON READING HIS TRAGEDY, THE FEMALE GAMESTER, Β Υ Α Ν Τ Η ο Ν Υ ΚΙ N G, E S de AUTHOR OF THE FREQUENTED VILLAGE. Sed plerique neque in rebus humanis quidquam bonum norunt niſi quod fructuoſum fit CICERO de Amicitia. W . HILE poets vie to raiſe a finking age, To ſhape the manners, and reform the ſtage; Beyond the crowd enrich'd, you, HOWARD, foar, With flowers new-cull?d from Fancy's varied ſtore; With buſkin'd grace, and true AONIAN ſkill, Th' harmonious page with rival grandeur fill; Rouſe all the tender feelings of the heart, With rules from nature, unconfind by art; The inexperienced caution from the way, That leads to ruin thro' deſtructive PLAY ;, The buſy flame in youthful hearts repreſs, And ſnatch th' adventurous fair from quick diſtreſs, An Hogarth's pencil fir'd the poet's mind; 'Tis thine to perfect what he firſt deſign'd. Faſhion till now had lent her airy name, And cuſtom fed, not quell’d the treacherous flame; Your ſtriking picture meets our juſt regard; Nor leſs portrays the man, than ſpeaks the bard. GAMING, 350 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. GAMING, of other vices compound worſt! In ſcope deluſive, object moſt accurft; Far be thy midnight vigils ! far from where Sweet-ſmiling Peace defies each rankling care, And farther ſtill from CÆLIA's artleſs breaſt, Let not her bofom hide th’inſidious gueſt, Whilſt perſon, reputation, health unite To give her, beauteous, to the raviſh'd light : But, ſhould th’'inſatiate thirſt of PLAY prevail, And GAMING o'er her captive Fancy ſteal, Her beauteous form decay'd, ſhe charms no more; But dies at thirty, victim to three-ſcore. Unhappy maid! incontinently vain, Whom nought from vicious habit can reſtrain, Gain, lawleſs Gain, alone each ſcheme inſpires, And fills th' adventurer's foul with wild deſires ; Conflicting paſſions rend the human frame, And fickle Chance muſt fix ſucceſs or ſhame. My Muſé, fatigu'd, with indignation burris, And, ſick of vanity, to HOWARD turns: HOWARD! for whom the Muſe a wreath has twin'd, The faithful emblem of his honeſt mind, Where truth and ſweet ſincerity portray'd, With friendſhip’s facred fire, are all diſplay'd, Whoſe ſentimental ſoul, to candour given, Swells with the richer gifts of tutoring Heaven, May all thy labours with ſucceſs be crown'd, And each heart's pang * in change of tranſports drown'd Although * Alluding to the death of a much-loved wife and daughter, ladies of the moſt amiable qualities, who died nearly about the time this poem was written., POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 351 Although the following Letter be not directly in verſe, yet, as its compoſition is, by all who have read it, thought, in its way, equal to any ſpecies of poetry, and that the ſuppreſion of it would be a lofs to the Public, in juſtice to the powerful genius of the author, it is here inſerted. DEAR SIR, I SHOULD have returned you my thanks for your obliging preſent of the Tragedy of the Siege of TAMOR before this time, but that I de ferred it till buſineſs would permit me to give it a ſecond reading, which I have done, and, for my time, have been repayed with a new and additional pleaſure. In the choice of your ſubject, you are, in my opi- nion, peculiarly happy; for ſure, amongſt the infi- nity of viciſſitudes that proves man's conſtancy, the patriot and the father, the deareſt relations in life, (you may except the lover if you will) could not have fallen into a greater dilemma, than that of be- ing obliged to ſurrender his religion, his country, and its liberties, to the cruelty of a tyrant, or his beloved innocent to his luft; the bare idea is preg- nant with terror and pity, the ruling and indiſpen- fable paſſions of a tragic poem. Nor are you leſs happy in the intereſts, manners, paflions, and the various ingredients that compoſe your creation, the whole of which you have ſug- geſted, managed and coloured, as it appears to my judgment, 1 352 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. judgment, with an art ſo true, and genius ſo ſtrong, as to conceal that art in a ſemblance of intereſting, pathetic nature; every caufe is natural, every effect probable: Your intereſts and relations produce your manners, characteriſe your actors, and give motion to your paſſions, ſome of which are oppo- ſite, fome tender, all different, and all fometimes as they ſhould be, in the extream. Yet, to borrow an expreſion from your rival SHAKESPEARE, in this very torrent, tempeſt of their fury, you give them a temperance, that directs them from out- ſtepping the modeſty of Nature, making all blend and work to intereſt us in the event, ſo as to rouſe and refine our paſſions, and with ſurpriſe to effect a cataitrophe unexpected, yet ſuch as humanity would wiſh; all which ſhew, that you are not only maſter of your ſubject and of your art, but of the human ſoul : Far as you proceed, or rather as your actors work, they make us fear, love, hate, dread, in obedience to their own motions; thus truly mo- ralize the action, teaching us that we ought never to deſpair, when virtue is the cauſe and end of our endeavours; which is or ought to be the ſole end of the Drama. To point out the beauties of this tragedy, would be to annalize each ſcene, which would greatly ex- ceed the limits of this paper ; yet, two or three I will take the liberty of obſerving upon : MALSECH- LIN's apoſtrophe to his fons, is of a noble nature, fimple yet eloquent, and truly pathetic; and the il- luſtration of his condition, by the deſpoiled oak on the blaſted heath, and by the patriotic Pathos of Li- BERTY, ſhedding tears on the graves of his fons, muſt be POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. 353 be diſtinguiſhed by every mind, even the meaneſt, that has a ſenſe of freedom or a touch of tenderneſs, fo plain and fo juſt is the fublimity. :MORAN'S propoſing to carry off EERNESTHA, marks his cha- racter well; it is artfully ſuggeſted to fap the virtue of a mind prepared by the madneſs of diſappointed love for an expedient; and Reli's agreeing to it, warms the fable, and moralizes that part of it, by Thewing, that even the mind of the virtuous man is not to be truſted, when enſlaved by any one pafſion. Your ſcene of the citizens is intereſting, ani- mated, grand, and the meeting of NIALL and Eer- NESTHA is unexpected and agreeable; the Pathos of it, a judicious dramatic relief from the turbu- lency of TURGESĮUS, and the patriotic and pater- nal diſtreſs of MALSECHLIN-Your touch of mu- fick too in the diſtant chapel, is a ſeeming trifle, but yet awful and Shakeſpearian. The grand ſcene between the father and the daughter is beautiful, it ariſes fo naturally out of the fable: The ſituation is maſterly; but had you hinted more clearly her death, ſeparation from her father, or her ſex's laſt diſgrace, (I ſay, only hinted) 1 think it would have made her ſituation and her father's clearer to her, her apprehenſion more ex- quiſite, which would have ſent a ſtroke of terror into her heart, that muſt have been chillingly felt by every reader. * VOL. III. Аа This * This was altered agreeably to Mr. MACKLIN's moſt ingeni- Qus and judicious obfervation. ! 354 POETICAL ADDRESSES, &c. This is a haſty opinion, not to be relied on even by myſelf: You no doubt have thought deeper on the paſſage, and an author's intimacy and feelings have a right to prevail. Reli's conſcientious frenzy is deep in Nature, equitable and inſtructive; is in itſelf a diſtinct mo- ral, which ſhould be the indiſpenſable quality of every character in the Drama, which you, Sir, have obſerved, not only in your principal, but in each of your acceſſary characters. Upon the whole, Sir, you have not only left your cotemporaries behind in the tragic courſe, but I really think you have furpaſſed yourſelf in the SIEGE OF TAMOR I am, SIR, YOUR VERY February 1, 1773. HUMBLE SERVANT, AND ADMIRER, CHARLES MACKLIN. THE 1 Τ Η Ε Α Ι Τ Ε R Α Τ Ι Ο Ν FOR THE 1 A S T S CE N E ' OF THE SIEGE OF TAMOR, SO AS TO MAKE THE END OF THE CATASTROPHE UNHAPPY : Agreeably to what is mentioned at the Clofe of the Preface. STAR SECOND VOLUME, Page 243. TRIKE out the firſt and ſecond lines, and ſubſtitute the two following ones in their Itead. When Niall, ruthing fudden on our monarch, With his keen ſword aflail'd him, thus exulting : Then after the ſixth line inſert the following one. And to fome truſty friends conſign'd the fair. Page 356 ALTERATIONS IN THE Page 247 After the word all, in the firſt line, inſtead of the former concluſion inſert the following one. Malfech, (Starts.) Alas! alas ! fhe bleeds. Eérneſtha. I do, apace, thank heav'n!~As the Dane funky, All over gor’d with wounds, reeling he plung'd The poniard which he juſt had wreſted from me, Your laſt beſt gift, deep here into my boſom. All gracious pow'r! whoſe will doom'd theſe diſaſters, Save! ſave my fire ! ---and take ! oh take my ſpirit! [Dies. (He moves apart, and after ſome pauſe raiſing his eyes to heaven Malſech. No more-ſhe's ſpotleſs—and my country's free'd Yet may one moment’sí lofs reverſe our triumph. For theſe fell ravagers, this night ſubdued, Let none, in juſtice to the world, eſcape. To that Great Being, then, our praiſe be render'd ? By whom we hence may learn, how they are favour' dg Who dare for Freedom and their Country bleed. / In my firſt draft of this tragedy, I had made the concluſion, as it is at preſent, happy; but upon read- ing Mr. Addison's obſervations upon this fubject, in the Spectator, vol. i. No. 40. which are as I have here inſerted them, I altered it to the death of EERNESTHA killed by TURGESIUS, and Niall's lamentation for her, and the old king's transferring to him the monarchy of Ireland. “ The Engliſh writers of tragedy,” ſays he, are poffefſed of a notion, that when they repre- 6c fent a virtuous or innocent perſon in diſtreſs, they ought not to leave him till they have deli- 66 vered him out of his trouble, or made him tri- umph 1 66 ! SIEGE OF TAM OR. 357 1 66 umph over his enemies. This error they have “ been led into by a ridiculous doctrine in modern criticiſm, that they are obliged to an equal diftri- “ bution of rewards and puniſhments, and an im- partial execution of poetical juſtice. Who were " the firſt that eſtabliſhed this rule, I know not; 66 but I am ſure it has no foundation in nature, in “ reaſon, or in the practice of the ancients. We “ find that good and evil happen alike to all men on this ſide the grave; and as the principal de- ſign of tragedy is to raiſe commiſeration and ter- ror in the minds of the audience, we ſhall defeat " this great end, if we always make virtue and in- nocence happy and ſucceſsful. Whatever croſſes or diſappointments a good man ſuffers in the " body of the tragedy, they will make but ſmall impreſſion on our minds, when we know at 86 the laſt act he is to arrive at the end of his withes 66 and deſires. When we fee himn engaged in the depth of his afflictions, we are apt to comfort ourſelves, becauſe we are ſure he will find his 6 way out of them; and that his grief, how great « foever it may be at preſent, will ſoon terminate “ in gladneſs. For this reaſon, the ancient writers « of tragedy treated men in their plays, as they are " dealt with in the world, by making virtue fome “ times happy and ſometimes miſerable, as they “ found it in the fable which they made choice of, or as it might affect their audience in the moſt agreeable manner. ARISTOTLE conſiders the tragedies that were written in either of theſe “ kinds, and obſerves, that thoſe which ended un- happily, had always pleaſed the people, and care 6 ried away the prize in the public diſputes of the ſtage, 1 1.6 358 ALTERATIONS IN THE “ ſtage, from thoſe that ended happily. Terror « and commiſeration leave a pleaſing anguiſh in “ the mind; and fix the audience in ſuch a ſerious “ compoſure of thought, as is much more laſting " and delightful, than any little tranſient ſtarts of joy and ſatisfaction: Accordingly, we find, that more of Engliſh tragedies have ſucceeded, in 56 which the favourites of the audience ſink under 66 their calamities, than thoſe in which they recover " themſelves out of them. The beſt plays of this “ kind are, the ORPHAN, Venice Preserved, " AlexANDER THE GREAT, THEODOSIUS, ALL FOR LOVE,OEDIPUS, OROONOKO,OTHELLO, &c. 6 KING LEAR is an admirable tragedy of the " fame kind, as SHAKESPEARE wrote it, but as “ it is reformed according to the chimerical notion " of poetical juſtice, in my humble opinion it has " loſt half its beauty. At the ſame time I muſt " allow, that there are very noble tragedies, which “ have been framed upon the other plan, and have “: ended happily; as indeed moſt of the good-tra- gedies which have been written ſince the ſtarting " of the above mentioned criticiſm, have taken this turn: As the MOURNING BRIDE, TAMERLANE, " ULYSSES, PHÆDRA. AND HIPPOLITUS, with " moſt of Mr. Dryden's. I muſt alſo allow, that many of SHAKESPEARE's, and ſeveral of the ce- * lebrated tragedies of antiquity, are caſt in the * ſame form. I do not therefore diſpute againſt “ this way of writing tragedies, but againſt the cri- 66 ticiſm that would eſtabliſh this as the only me- i thod; and by that means, would very much cramp the Engliſh tragedy, and perhaps give a wrong bent to the genius of our writers.” But SIEGE OF TAMO R. 359 But after I had ſo altered it, I gave the manu- ſcript to a young gentleman, whoſe early-diſplayed abilities had exhibited an earneſt of the conſpicu- ous figure he has ſince made in the profeſſion which was then his purſuit, who, in a letter, with which he returned it, containing many excellent critical obſer- vations thereon, whoſe name, could I have publiſhed it, would have been much to my honour, but of that I am by his injunction deprived, left it might be conceived of him as the immortal Roman poet ſings, POSTHABUI TAMEN ILLORUM MEA SERIA LUDO, hath thus, as one, expreſſed himſelf on this ſubject : " The concluſion,” ſays he, “ of this excellent $6 tragedy, (for ſo he is pleaſed to term it) is per- haps more conformable to critic rules, than if “ it ended happily; yet, I confeſs for my own part, " I do not like it ſo well : The foul is conſcious of “ merit while it grieves: When we weep for mis- “ fortunes not our own, we feel ourſelves capable ss of the moſt amiable characteriſtic of humanity; “ from this ſource is principally derived the delight ss of the pathetic; but ſurely when we have wept our fill, when we are ſatisfied with the tribute "" which we have paid to miſery, we have enjoyed ss this ſatisfaction in the higheſt degree. What then e ſhould forbid us to taſte of another delight, no s« leſs generous, no leſs tranſporting? To ſee the 56 miſeries relieved, over which we have lamented ; 65 to change the tears of compaſſion into thoſe of so joy. I the rather venture to think my reaſoning “juft, 1 360 AL TERATIONS, &c. juſt, becauſe my heart bears teſtimony to it. A play that ends unhappily, is to me too ſerious a « misfortune, and leaves a gloom on my mind, " that I think exceeding bad company. I do not “ quite like the alteration of the cataſtrophe; I 66 would not uſe NIALL ſo ill, as to make him fur- « vive Eernestha : But I only ſubmit an opinion, << which I hazard the more unguardedly, as I only « hint to one who is capable of deciding with pre- 66 cifion." Which different ſentiments of theſe two excel- lent criticks, I ſhall leave to the diſcuſſion of the ju- dicious. F IN I S. UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN 1,7 UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN L.PLURIOUS UNUM SI QUÆRIS PENINSULAM.AMENAM. 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