66

contrary in England. In the Queen's time, I did often press the Lord-Treasurer Oxford, and others of the ministry, upon this very fubject; but the answer was, "We must not offend the Dutch;" who, at that very time, were opposing us in all our steps towards a peace. I laughed to see the zeal that ministry had about the fishing at Newfoundland (I think), while no care was taken against the Dutch fishing just at our doors.

As to my native country, I happened indeed, by a perfect accident, to be born here, my mother being left here from returning to her houfe at Leicester, and I was a year old before I was fent to England: And thus I am a Teague, or an Irishman, or what people please, although the beft part of my life was in England.

What I did for this country was from perfect hatred of tyranny and oppreffion, for which I had a proclamation against me of 300l. which my old friend my Lord Carteret was forced to confent to, the very first or second night of his arrival hither. The crime was that of writing against a project of one Wood, an Ironmonger, to coin 100,000l. in halfpence,

not worth a fixth part of the money, which was laid before the people in fo plain à manner, that they all refufed it; and fo the nation was preferved from immediate ruin.

I have done fome fmaller fervices to this kingdom, but I can do no more. I have too many years upon me, and have too much fickness. I am out of favour at Court, where I was well received, during two fummers, fix and feven years ago. The governing people here do not love me. For as corrupt as England is, it is an habitation of faints in comparison of Ireland. We are all flaws, and knaves, and fools and all, but bishops and people in cmployments, beggars. The cafh of Ireland does not amount to 200,000 l.: The few honeft men among us are dead-hearted, poor, and out of favour and power.

I talked to two or three gentlemen of this House of Commons, now fitting here; and, mentioning your Scheme, fhewed how very advantageous it would be to Ireland. They agreed with me; but faid, that if fuch a thing were propofed, the members would all go out, as at a thing they had

no concern in.

VOL. XVI.

E e

I believe

I believe the people of Lapland, or the Hottentots, are not fo miferable a people as we; for oppreffion, fupported by power, will infallibly introduce flavish principles. I am afraid that, even in England, your propofal will come to nothing. There is not virtue enough left among mankind. If your fcheme fhould pafs into an act, it will become a job: Your fanguine temper will cool: Ragues will be the only gainers. Party and faction will intermingle, and defeat the most effential parts of the whole defign. Standing armies, in times of peace, projects of excife, and bribing at elections, are all you are like to be employed in; not forgetting feptennial parliaments, directly against the old Whig-principles, which always have been

mine.

A gentleman of this kingdom, about three years ago, joined with fome others in a fishery here, in the northern parts: They advanced 200 l. by way of trial: They got men from Orkney to cure their fifh, who underflood it well. But the vulgar folks of Ireland are fo lazy and fo knavish, that it turned to no account, nor would any body join with them: And fo

the

the matter fell, and they loft two thirds of their money. Oppreffed beggars are always knaves; and, I believe, there hardly are any other among us. They had rather gain a fhilling by knavery, than five pounds by honest dealing. They loft 30,000 l. a-year for ever, in the time of the plague at Marseilles, when the Spaniards would have bought all their linen from Ireland: But the merchants' and the weavers fent över fuch abominable linen, that it was all returned back, or fold for a fourth part of the value. This is our condition, which you may please to pity, but never can mend. I wish you good fuccefs with all my heart. I have always loved good projects, but have always found them to mifcarry. I am, Sir, with true esteem for your good intentions,

Your most obedient fervant.

P. S. I would fubfcribe my name, if I had not a very bad one; fo I leave you to guefs it. If I can be of any service to you in this kingdom, I fhall be glad you will employ me.

A

LATIN LETTER,

IN THE

GRATTANIAN STYLE:

Written by Dr. SHERIDAN,

LATINITAS GRATTANIANA.

DOMINE,

TU

cogitabas quod cgi duram rem in intrando judicium fupra vinculum tuum, et quatuor claudendo mortgagiam: non potui adjuvare id, quoniam eram valde durum pofitus ei pro nummum. Ego defidero te tenere linguam, et ne tergum morde me aliquid longior, nam fi facis, fupra meam animam te tundam dcorfum primum tempus quod occurro te. Eft pulchra res quod homo non poteft rogare pro fuo quin vocas illum nomina, et Sedas illi peffimum verbum in ore tuo. mel magis jubeo te tenere linguam, vel potes effe certus quod non frangam juramentum. Sum nunciatus quod uxor tuus