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them, rather than honest, intelligent men. The tendency of such a mode of treatment is obvious. If you wish a man to defraud you, the best way to go about it is to show that you continually suspect his intention of doing so. On the other hand, the surest way of making him honest is to trust him. This truth has been well exemplified in our history. While suspicion was the ruling idea of government, so long was Ireland disturbed. Then the second experiment was tried, and ten or twelve thousand peasantry were enrolled as the Irish constabulary. Confidence and good treatment so metamorphosed them that now "there is not," as even Mr. Froude admits, "in the whole empire a force more loyal, more trustworthy, or more efficient."

In the case of the agricultural labourers a similar treatment is certain to meet with similar results. At present it is but too true that we look almost in vain among the working classes for the just pride which will choose to give good work for good wages; and this state of things will continue to exist until employers learn to treat labourers as men, and not merely animals, and give them, as well as themselves, an interest in the returns.

It is time, in this boasted age of Progress, that the effete barriers of class should be thrown down, and man help his fellow-man, no matter what his rank and station. If there shall always

be poor, there shall not ever be paupers; but they shall exist as long as men may amass colossal fortunes-the ruin of themselves, the envy of mankind. This is no philanthropist's dream; it is a reality, a necessity staring us in the face, would we but see it. "A high class without duties to do is like a tree planted on a precipice from the roots of which all the earth has been crumbling." But duties do exist; there is a practical evil and a practical remedy. There is little sympathy between the classes; nor have they learned the great truth of the community of interest. How little do the landed gentry contribute towards the advancement of the masses socially and morally! Self-aggrandisement occupies their ambition-pleasure is preferable to patriotism; and thus

Cramped, cringing in their social self-built cell,

It

they close their eyes and ears to all the world around them. It is but the noise of waters on the distant beach! It cannot help nor harm them! Yet let them beware; the demon of democracy, servant to the spirit of Progress, is at hand. may be appeased in time. Let them look around them into the world and understand the signs; throw off the spirit of exclusiveness; encourage Progress, not retard it; create society, which now does not exist save in the petty factions of our

cities; and shed the miserable shell of selfish pride which hides the rottenness within.

If those who waste their talents and energy over a political idea, in which they

Keep the word of promise to our ear,

And break it to our hope,

would exert themselves to obtain the amelioration of the lower classes, to inculcate industry and virtue, and persuade all Irishmen to unity, they would perform a service which Ireland could never repay but by a niche in the shrine of her memory.

Where are our true patriots now, to

Lift us o'er the petty love of life,

The quest for pleasure and the greed for gold,

and make our nation's manhood? What is Social Progress but the gradual advance towards the perfection of humanity? and how shall we attain to that perfection until we have rid ourselves of all that is selfish, base, and mean in human nature of all that delays the coming of that

One far off divine event

To which the whole creation moves?

Let Ireland pursue her course: I fear not for her future. She has her thousands who have not bowed the knee to Baal; who are true to the

religion of. Progress and of Truth.

But if it

were not so—if man should never see a brighter

dawn nor feel a purer air

Yea, if no morning shall behold
Man, other than were they now cold,

And other deeds than past deeds done,
Nor any near or far-off sun

Salute him risen and sunlike-souled,
Free, boundless, fearless, perfect, one,
Let man's world die like worlds of old,
And here in heaven's sight only be

The sole sun on the worldless sea.

THE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY intend, for the future, to publish, along with the President's Address, such Essays of the preceding Session as may be recommended by the Examiners.

Those in the present number are as follows:-
:-

"Liberalism and Literature."
MR. A. C. HILLIER.

"Poetry."-(Awarded the Society's Silver Medal).
MR. W. WILKINS, B.A. (University Student).

"Pantheism."-(Awarded the President's Gold Medal). MR. A. R. EAGAR, B.A.

"Latest Criticism on the Irish Round Towers."—(Certificate). MR. T. S. FRANK BATTERSBY, B.A., Hon. Sec.

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