ment, might be inclined to exercise their minis try in Ireland. These, if truly pious and prudent, and sufficiently numerous, would by their labours improve the moral condition of the people, and give an increased effect, by their example and instructions, to any system of education which may be established. It is surely very evident, that though the people should be educated, they suffer great disadvantages while there is no information afforded them from the pulpit, while there is no familiar exposition given them of the doctrines and morality of that sacred book which the exercises of the school have enabled them to read. It is not only necessary for children to have their infant minds impressed with the principles of truth, and piety, and righteousness: the same impression must be made again in endless succession through life, before the character can be fully formed, and the powers and passions of the mind be rendered obsequious to the dictates of reason and religion.

The divine Author of the Christian Religion, in appointing the sabbath for purposes of devotion and instruction, has graciously accommodated his institutions to the weaknesses and returning necessities of man. The great body of the people, who are incessantly occupied with the business and cares of life, and who have little leisure to attend carefully to the

formation of their principles and habits, are indebted, for the most part, to the pulpit for the religious knowledge which they possess and for that tender, and consoling, and sublime devotion which cheers and supports amid the varied hardships to which they are exposed. How melancholy then is the situation of those, who, with all the hardships, and temptations, and trials of human life, want the cheering hopes, the enlightened instruction, the soothing and ameliorating consolations, by which the Author of our nature has intended to soften and sanctify the path to the grave! Yet, these are the circumstances in which many of the people of Ireland are placed they are destitute, not merely of education, but of that moral and religious instruction which is conveyed by preaching. Though the state has liberally endowed the Established Church, there is a considerable proportion of the Irish population, who, on account of their ignorance of the English language, can derive no benefit whatever from the sermons which are there delivered. The method which I have pointed out, of procuring preachers from Scotland acquainted with the Gaelic, presents an immediate, and perhaps the only practicable remedy for this

evil.

It will be said, that a sufficient number cannot

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be procured from Scotland; that the supply of preachers of the requisite description is not adequate to answer the demand, from the Highlands. There is an acknowledged principle in political economy which obviates this difficulty, that the supply in the market of any commodity will, in all ordinary circumstances, correspond to the demand. Preachers, though their character be sacred, and the duties of their office holy, resemble in this respect every other profession and every other commodity. Their number will be diminished or increased in proportion to the encouragement which is afforded them, and to the demand which the religious necessities of the public create. In the present case, it is no doubt peculiarly necessary to attend to the character, and piety, and tempered zeal of such Christian instructors, as are sent to a country like Ireland; since a total deficiency in these qualities must be attended with the worst consequences.

As to the expediency and necessity of adopting, with regard to Ireland, some such plan as I have been here recommending, it will readily be admitted by all who are capable of judging on the subject, and on which, therefore, I think it idle to enlarge. But surely I may say, that while Christian Missionaries are sent forth to the Islands of the South Sea, to India, and

Africa, the moral and religious instruction of a people so closely linked to us, in civil and political interest as the Irish should not be entirely neglected. Should this, however, be the case, and should the powerful claims of this unfortunate people be overlooked, I have the satisfaction to think that I have done my duty in urging them on the attention of my country

men.

CHAP. XII.

ON THE POVERTY OF THE PEASANTRY AND INFERIOR ORDERS OF THE IRISH.

THE condition of the inferior orders of a people affords a good criterion by which the prosperity and happiness of the community may be ascertained. Wherever this is wretchedly poor, as in Italy and in Ireland, though there may be many wealthy individuals in the nation, there must be some causes either moral or political which affect the general improvement of the people, and it is our duty to attempt the discovery of these in place of blaming them for obstinate stupidity.

The poverty of the tenantry and labouring classes in Ireland arises from a combination of circumstances, to some of which I have already alluded. There are some subordinate peculiarities in their situation which on this subject should be attended to. It has been said by travellers that they are indolent, and that their extreme po verty is occasioned by a want of industry. But this is saying nothing to the purpose, since it only informs us that they are poor without as