Images de page
PDF
ePub

generates a great increase of excellent publications, much improvement in science, and fresh incitement to those distinguished authors, whose works, while they reflect honour on their country, contribute to the entertainment and instruction of mankind.

It is lamentable to find in such a nation as this, in many apparent respects so adapted to the encouragement of true politeness, how much its great mistress and teacher, Literature, is neglected. There are indeed in our capital some well-chosen and ample libraries; but they are very few, and very private. The collection of books is generally the least costly article in the household inventory. The contents of the cellar are often more valuable than the Ψυχης ιαθρειον for the whole family. In Great-Britain, the gentry, however dissipated, seldom entirely neglect those studies in which they have been initiated in their early years; and no conversation engages or interests them more than the discussion

d2

66

discussion of works of genius, whether of their own day, or of antiquity. A person distinguished by any publication of merit ranks among them in the first class of society, and there is an emulation to protect, encourage, and produce him. For my own part, (says lord Chesterfield in a letter to his son,) I used to think myself in company as much above me, when I was with Mr. Addison and Mr. Pope, as if I had been with all the princes in Europe." This judicious sentiment is very general among the nobility of England. But there seems to be in this kingdom (though with very considerable exceptions) too much of a kind of Vandalish pride in disowning scholarship. A gentleman here who knows much more of a new book than the title, (pamphlet and novel excepted,) may sometimes as well conceal his knowledge; for his communication will be drowned in claret, which has a better relish than such dry aliment; or he will leave an impression with his company that he is a pedant or a coxcomb. Yet it is but justice to those those very persons to acknowledge, that in their collective capacity they shew great liberality of sentiment. Though as stewards of the publick purse, they jealously examine all grants of publick money, there is no instance of an objection being offered in either house of parliament to provisions made for writers of merit, nay even for their families, when they are left without other support than the bounty of the nation.

The general neglect of letters is not however a hopeless deficiency; for no people have naturally brighter intellects than the Irish, nor better dispositions. It proceeds not from dulness or insensibility, but from inattention. If study could be made more the fashion, we should see the generality of our countrymen not less polished in their understandings, than they are well formed in their persons, and sociable in their tempers. Many of our ladies at this time, without pedantry or the affectation of science, would make a distinguished

:

figure.

figure in the first literary circles. Ireland has not
lost all female talent with Mrs. Greville. That
there is no want of native genius and science at
this hour, we can produce some bright examples.
We have the unrivalled and all-accomplished
Burke; the learned and excellent editor of Shak-
speare; the author of the best comedy produced
in this century; and the best translator of a great
Roman historian, who, till the appearance of Mr.
Murphy's version, seemed to set our language at
defiance: but alas! they have migrated to a more
congenial region. When books become more our
occupation, or amusement, all that is wanted will

follow. The face of most things among us is daily

altering, and improving; the mind in its turn will
become undoubtedly the principal object of cul-

tivation. Surely it is a most pleasant and delightful

"says Spenser speaking

Country" know it now may

speaking of freland in the sixteenth century. We roho temperate climate, and good natured soil, tractable and

in may ask with better assurance to wher

Ask with Better SsLiance to whar landhaw Nature been more

[ocr errors]

? Wehtve

producing bandanly on Men are formed for every purpose which requires strength

[ocr errors]

ility hd ind

agility

Ad indeforio Vole sinews:

the

of the Earth

Women hondir horofaithful,

diversified with mountains, hill

and engaging The Suface engier Lind her bosom stored with mines

V

crenele plains

ifieder hanexplored, rich worth variou

not yet

and valuable metals. We see noble River's flowing thươ

[ocr errors]

evety Province and

chio every meadow. The

every rock, and gurgling thro

prfountains gushing from ro bright and spaciofls 1rkes inexhawible reservoirs for

nd is silvered over with bright?

Land

Acidos nohere the Navies of the World

food and recreation and environedh Harbour's where the Navies

may ride in
and Thunder's which terrify

security, Volcanoes Earthquakes,

[blocks in formation]

ave strangers in this mild

terrify are strangers

ya

[ocr errors]

By Providence Region, by bide in this Ist Istand stand except

Thuen peculiarly benignent no creature of venom can abide in

as ir mere here and there perhaps Republican ora Reformer.

2 fourth part of her extent,

of her extent, noi cond boast of one half of her

Artica had nor one fourth part

advantages, and the fault is in our selves if we suffer any nation in the

LUniverse to stigmatize us with the appellation of Baotians.

[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« PrécédentContinuer »