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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

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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

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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 Shakspeare; 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 cultivation. Surely it is a most pleasant and delightful Country "says Spenser speaking vice to her land has Nature been more Ireland in sixteenth century. We who know it now may Ask with bountiful? We have a temperate climate, and a good natured soil tractable and Producing abundantly, Our Men are formed for every purpose which requires strength agility and indefatigable sinews: the Women how fair horfaithful, how crenele and engaging The surface of the Earth is diversified with mountains, hill, plains and valleys, and her bosom stored with mines not yet half explored, rich with variou and valuable merals. We see noble Rivers flowing thro every Province and vills orfountains gushing from every rock, and outling this every meadow. The Land silvered over with bright and spacious lakes inexhaustible reservoir for is food and recreation and environed with Harbours where the Novies of the World may ride in security. Volcanoes Earthquakes, or Huricanes, Lightnings that bla and Thunders which terrify are strangers in this mild Region by a Providence as it were peculiarly benignant no creature of venom can abide in dais Istand except here and diere perhaps a Republican or a Reformer. Attica had not one fourth part of her extent, not could boast of one half of her advantages, and the fault is in our selves if we suffer any nation in the Universe to stigmatize us with the appellation of Baotians.

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