ing all the rules of common pru. dence and common honesty, in blackening, traducing, and maliciously slandering the Catholic re independent Gazette,' and thereby to deter heartless and unfeeling landlords from driving the people to despair, and into violations of the peace. With this im-ligion and Catholic people, by aspression on my mind I wrote my last letter, and shall continue to write so long as the cause alluded to in that letter exists. If the threats of expelling the tenants from their farms be persevered in, or if these threats be put in execution, I will then hand you over the name of the unfeeling proprietor, (and deal with him as you please,) with a substantial and minute detail of every matter connected with this heart-rending and soul-appalling business. But, my dear Captain, there is another matter which rouses a spirit of indignation in my breast; that is, the manner in which the good people of England have been led into error respecting the faith and practice of the Catholics; and who, in consequence of this error, subscribe large sums annually for the purpose of changing this faith, and altering this practice ;-men whose forefathers stripped the Catholic Church in Ireland of the means once employed by her to cheer the cheerless, to comfort the comfortless, to shield the distressed from want and misery. It would be well if these people would turn their eyes to this and my former letter, as they do, in my humble judgment, unmask the real state of things at this side the water, and render an everlasting benefit to the poor and oppressed of this too much neglected country, which would unquestionably serve the empire at large; as our interests are now so interwoven, that he must be a bigot, and under the delusion of all the vile passions that grow out of, and emanate from, that most execrable of all maladies, who cannot perceive that this would be really the case. Instead of paying attention to the abominable rhap. sodies of desiguing, canting, hypocritical, and deeply interested individuals, who are eternally violat serting base, foul, and monstrous falsehoods, such as I have read in the London Morning Chronicle' of the twenty-fifth of last month; and the speeches inserted in that paper, said to be delivered by Reverend Gentlemen and others, at an annual meeting of the Baptist Society, for the propagation of scriptural knowledge in benighted Ireland; and these falsehoods as base as they are malignant, and as cruel as they are unjust; and all this done with the unholy design of keeping honest Englishmen from viewing this unhappy land with any but a jaundiced eye. If it were possible to rescue the sound intellect and honest mind of England from the trammels and deadly gripe of these slippery and artful men, who daily boast of their knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, and who daily, nay, hourly, violate one of its most sacred commands, which is, that we should never bear false witness against a neighbour. This the speakers in the case here alluded to have done in almost every sentence they uttered at the meeting before mentioned. This would be a work worthy of you, my dear Captain, as it would remove long-cherished prejudices, and cement and unite the people of both countries in the hallowed bonds of kindred af. fection, which would give strength, power, and unconquerable vigour, to the empire at large; and then even-handed justice would be dealt out to the Catholics of Irelandthen emancipation would follow British capital would flow in an unmeasureable degree to this country--a new and powerful impulse would be given to the whole frame of society-and then, if we had ten times as many unfeeling landlords, *My correspondent must have seen, ere this, that the Evangelists' have heard from me.-Rock. the fostering arm of Britain, by giving the poor employment, would protect them from want and indi. gence. Then would be buried in the silent tomb of oblivion the wrongs inflicted on our fathers and ourselves. Then would the very traces of these wrongs be for ever eradicated from the minds of Irish Catholics. Then would the mighty and grateful heart of Ireland bound within her, and she would proclaim to the nations of the earth with a throat of brass and adamantine lungs, with voice shrill as a trumpet and loud as thunder, that Englishmen were not only just, but generous. I remain, My dear Captain, A COUNTY WEXFORD FORTY SHILLING FREEHOLDER. THE LADIES' POCKET MAGAZINE. . WANT of gallantry was never the sin of Irishmen; and I beg to assure my fair countrywomen that I love them all, though hitherto I have paid too little attention to them in my Gazette.' But when they consider that I have been bred, I may say, like the Roman, in my father's camp, that these arms, since their seven years' pith, have used their service, not in the tented but open field; they must be aware how ill qualified I am to discuss the merits of a flounce, or criticise the fashion of a walking-dress. While I confess my own ignorance, however, I am happy in being able to recommend them a little monthly publication, which, in addition to all the mysteries of frills, flounces, shawls, ribands, muffs, tippets, &c. contains matter highly instructive and entertaining. The Ladies' Pocket Magazine' is, in fact, the neatest little thing I have ever seen; for, independent of the letter-press, cach number is embellished with four highly-finished engravings.Two of them are female figures, in coloured costumes, in the fashion of the month; and one of the views in the last number is the Post Office, Dublin. The Lying-in Hospital was given a month or two before; and both engraved in a superior style. One merit it has at least it is cheap-the price being only sixpence British, and, of course, accessible to every one. Want of room prevents me from extracting one of the tales it contains; but the following specimen of its poetry is pretty : 'MY NATIVE LAND. LINES BY A YOUNG LADY, AGED FOURTEEN, ON LEAVING ENGLAND FOR INDIA. Adieu to thee, my native laud! To Albion will my fancy stray, 'Tis sad to bid a long farewell To those the heart holds dear, The fond companions loved so well In many a by-gone year. But, oh! there is a heavenly Friend, Who reigns o'er earth and sea ; And, in his mercy, he will bend To aid and succour me. Then fare thee well, thou sea-girt isle! Though distant far I roam, Oh, still may peace and freedom smile Upon my native home! May 20, 1825. 'L.. W***s.' MYSELF AND MY SERVICES. I WILL not affect to deny, that, in common with other men, I have some vanity in my composition, and am not deaf to praise. Yet such a complimentary letter as the following should never find insertion, did it not contain some useful hints, well worthy the attention of the people and the government. It is now an admitted fact that the people of Ireland are all educated. Yet it is equally true, that, until the appearance of my Gazette,' there was not a single literary publication to which the great body of my countrymen could have access: and where would be the use in learning to read, if there were no books to read in? I cannot boast of having ever made any pecuniary sacrifices, because I had never much to lose; but I set out, now nearly six months since, with asserting, that I would exalt the character of my country, elevate the notions of the people, and disabuse the English mind of unfounded prejudices; and I now feel confident that my two-penny publication has done a great deal towards effecting these objects. Without detracting from the merit of any man, or body of men, I will fearlessly assert that I have accomplished greater benefits for Ireland, within the last six months, than has been done for the last hundred and six years; and I again pledge myself not to desist until my countrymen cease to complain. The sale of my 'Gazette' in Ireland exceeds that of all the newspapers put together; and, in England, it is more than twice that of any publication of the day. In fact, since the people found in my 'Gazette' what they could not find in any other cheap periodicaloriginality, they have neglected nearly all my cotemporaries-only two of which, out of ten, now exist. This is a subject of gratification; but where is the wonder? Am I not a better critic than any of the scribes in the Edinburgh' and Quarterly?' and God knows there is more political economy in my four short addresses to the peasantry than in all Peter M'Culloch's lectures. Myself and Cobbett are the only two men who know how to write; and, were I sure that Billy is honest, I should call him my friend.* Good, however, we will do; and I have it now in contemplation to publish about a shilling's worth of tracts; in which, if I don't teach more actual knowledge than is to be 6 I have been told that Cobbett prints his History of the Reformation' on worse paper for his Irish than for his English customers, while he makes them pay the same price. This, if true, is certainly a mean trick. found in all the colleges of Europe, I'll suffer myself to be tried by the Insurrection Act administered by Mr. Blackburn; and God knows I'd run no small danger thereby. I felt it necessary to say this much before introducing the following letter, which was franked from Fermoy, by a noble Lord who resides in the neighbourhood: never Fermoy, July 14, 1825. 'DEAR CAPTAIN,-Miracles will never cease! Would you believe it, I am become a most confirmed Rockite. Allow me to explain how this took place. I dined last week with a friend; a man of sound judgment, much my superior in years, and with whom I have been a favourite for a long time, and to whose opinion I pay great deference; knowing that he speaks a sentence without having seriously well weighed it. After dinner (by the way, I am sorry to tell you, that, in consequence of licensing small stills, the real stuff is become very scarce; you cannot get a drop, from the Giant's Causeway to Cape Clear, for love or money-"Quis talia fando . . . . temperet a lacrymis ?") the conversation turned on the condition of "the beggarly peasantry" + of Ireland. "I cannot conceive," said I, "how a nation, formerly remarkable for learning, can rest contented in the mire of her present ignorance. But, I confess, I am more astonished that no effort has been made to ameliorate her condition, by reviving a love of that lore which one time was peculiar to Ireland;-in a word, by implanting freedom of mind into the cottages of the Irish; without which corporeal freedom is an useless and idle name. Enjoying the one, man is brought on a level with his Creator; possessing the latter, he descends to the level of the brute. I am aware that the Catholic clergy have done all in their power; they + Vide Lord Liverpool's speech-who has made them so? He and his predecessors.' "I have used a wrong expression," I replied, " and I am sorry for it. But I was about expressing my surprise that the Associa tion' (which I respect, as you, my friend, were a member) did not establish some cheap publication, which, by being within reach of the pockets even of the labourer, would present them with the politics of the country, and other useful information." "I spoke to Lawless about it," answered my friend, "when I met him in Dublin, and he promised to attend to it. I am sorry he forgot it, or did not take the hint. Independent of newspapers being so dear (for one costs five pence, almost the amount of a day's hire for labour), I remark that the most ordinary intelligence is couched in words which many, even of the learned, cannot understand with out the help of a dictionary. Such a newspaper put into the hands of the unlearned is of no use; they cannot derive any advantage from it; it in fact makes them regard knowledge as a many-headed monster, which the Hercules's of classical attainments may conquer, but to whose defeat they dare not aspire." "You have," said I, much pleased, "uttered opinions in com. plete accordance with my own. I also remarked that they give few extracts from works of merit; and the peasant has a right to understand literature as well as the prince." "Nay," replied my friend, smil. ing, "if you wander into the regions fused at having, by my precipitancy, condemned what I had never an opportunity of perusing.' ap zet of poetry, I cannot stay any longer cannot extend the simile to his faIn-mily, for he is separated from them. The Roman saved one life, and was honoured. The Captain has given moral life to a nation-he has made them assume that degree, ou the mental scale of intellect, from whence for ages they had fallenhe has raised them in their own estimation, the principal step towards raising them in that of others. All of this has been done by simply treating them as men; by speak. ing sense and reason to sensible "Exactly so" was my reply. "Good God!" I exclaimed, "Enthusiast!" said he, "you knew it four months ago. Four months ago, I requested you to take in Captain Rock in Lon. don;' and you said, that in that two-penny thing, what good could there be?* Yet that two-penny thing,' has exceeded my wishes; and in this point you and I agree." "I shall go this instant and put my name down ;" and was actually leaving the table for that purpose, when my friend arrested my steps. "Ever in extremes; sit down, and I will lend you all I have, and form your own opinion on them." I requested him to explain the nature of this work, and felt con We can. and rational creatures. 'A-la-mode the Duke of Wellingtonwho has the newspapers assert) written eleven hundred pages about the Deccan prize-money; and all this with his own hand. Mirabile!' la 9 L 31 ore copious extracts given than opears in any other review. Men d manners pass before himWit, eloquence, and poesy,' like s own immortal shamrock,springg from one stem, exalt him to his roper sphere, and open to his view e deep founts of investigation and e sacred springs of knowledge. But it grows late,” said he, in conusion," and here are the Gaettes' I promised you; read them ith care, and I am mistaken if hey will not touch your heart and pen your understanding." I went home and read all of hem before I went to bed (at five n the morning); and I now, after gain perusing them, send you this etter. 'I have obtruded much on you; ut I will now say, in spite of opposition, persevere. "Tu ne cede nalis, sed contra audentur ito." In a word (excuse the pun), be as -Rock. rm as a I remain, yours, recommended by the Report will that as therein mentioned, and receive such other religious instruction as their pastors (who may attend if they think fit) shall direct. It may be right to notice, that in the Roman Catholic Church there are Epistles and Gospels appointed, not for Sundays only, but for almost every day in the year, and they comprise altogether a large portion of the Old and New Tes tament. 'We propose,' say they, "If the attendance on a school public schools of general instrucshould be so limited as to render tion shall be established, one at least both a master and usher unnecesin each benefice, in which literary sary, the master might be permitted instruction shall be communicated to take charge of the school of to children of all religious persua- general instruction, and be also the sions; that two teachers, to be ap-religious teacher to the children pointed by the general superintend- of the same persuasion as himself. ing authority, (the establishment of In such a case, however, a person which we shall subsequently recomof a different religion, duly qualimend,) shall be employed in each fied and properly remunerated, school where the extent of attend- might attend at those periods in ance shall be sufficient to justify the the week when the school is set expense; that they shall each of apart for the religious instruction them be laymen, and that one of them of children of a different persuashall be a Roman Catholic, where sion from the master, and perform, any considerable number of Roman under proper superintendence, the IRISH EDUCATION INQUIRY. Catholics are in attendance on the duty of religious teacher to those On the 14th of June, 1824, five school; and that a Presbyterian of his own communion; and it commissioners, viz. T. Frankland teacher shall be provided in those might be possible for the indiviLewis, M. P. J. Leslie Foster, schools, where the number of dual appointed to this duty to M. P. ́W. Grant, J. Glassford, and children belonging to that com- take charge of the religious inAnthony Richard Blake, (a Roman munion shall render such appoint- struction in more schools than one Catholic,) were appointed by ment necessary or expedient; that in a parish or district. parliament to inquire into the state on two days in the week the school of education in Ireland. After shall break up at an early hour, visiting Ireland, and examining and the remainder of the day be several persons there, the commis- devoted to the separate religious sioners have made their Report,-instruction of the Protestants, the document of more importance clergymen of the established church than utility. The former arises attending for the purposes at once from the overwhelming attestation of superintendence and assistance, it bears to the universality of edu- and the Presbyterian minister likecation in Ireland. It fings the wise, if he shall so think fit, for charge of ignorance in the teeth of the children of his communion. those who have so long imputed That on two other days of the it to the people of Ireland; and, week the school-rooms of general while it develops the revolting, instruction shall in like manner be gross, and, inhuman practices of set apart for the Roman Catholic Protestant Charter Schools, it children. On which occasions, holds up, in spite of the commis- under the care of a Roman Catholic ioners the education taught by Ca- lay teacher, approved of as mentholics, as irreproachable. What tioned in the minute which we triumph is here! Truth has have given, they shall read the prevailed; and, though the plan Epistles and Gospels of the week, | "We suggest this arrangement, however, as one which is possible rather than desirable; and express our opinion, that the establishment of parochial schools, sufficiently large to occupy a master and usher, is much the most eligible course. "We think it further necessary, that means should be provided for supplying Testaments, according to the authorized version, for the Protestant children. With respect to the Roman Catholic children, an edition of the New Testament for their use has been submitted to us by the Roman Catholic prelates. The text of this edition is the Douay version; almost all the notes, however, originally annexed to that version, have been omitted. We find, in fact, that there are only sixty-three notes altogether to the four Gospels; and these, with the exception of an inconsiderable number, have no peculiar reference to the doctrines of the Roman Catholic church, as distinguished from those of the Protestant churches; and such as have this peculiar reference are expressed in a manner which ought not, we think, to be offensive to any description of persons; the summaries prefixed to the different chapters are in like manner, as it appears to us, unobjectionable. To this edition is also annexed a table of the Epistles and Gospels throughout the year, specifying the portions of the Scriptures appointed to be read for those purposes by the Roman Catholic Church. 'Deeply impressed with the importance and necessity of introducing the Scriptures into all institutions for the education of the people, as a fundamental part of the instruction, we recommend that copies of this edition of the Testament, omitting the address thereto prefixed, but retaining the notes, should be furnished for the religious instruction of the Roman Catholic children, in every school established upon the system proposed. It will be for the Roman Catholic clergy to supply such other books, for the purpose of religious instruction, as they may desire. We would suggest, however, that many forms of catechisins are now in use amongst the Roman Catholics in the different districts of Ireland, and that it would be expedient that some one or two should be selected or compiled for general use. "It will be necessary also to provide* a volume.compiled from the A work of this description, entitled An Evangelical Life of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, forming an Harmony of the Four Gospels,' sanctioned by the Roman Catholic Prelates, has been examined by us. It consists of the text of the four Gospels, according to the Douay version, interwoven into one consecutive narration. The order pursued is chronological. Where any particular occurs in one Gospel that is not to be found in four Gospels, in the manner ad-painters, in a spirited publication, verted to in our conference with against the attacks of foreigners; the Roman Catholic Archbishops. and, on his return, painted Venus Such a book, together with the rising from the Sea, and other Book of Proverbs, and the work pieces, which stamped his merit as containing the history of the Crea- an original artist. In 1786 he was tion, the Deluge, and other im-elected President of the Royal Acı. portant events, extracted from the demy; but, disagreeing with the Pentateuch, may be profitably used members, he vacated the chair in in the schools during the period of 1799. His most celebrated work united and general instruction. is the decoration of the great room We by no means intend such works of the Society of Arts, which he unas substitutes for the Holy Scrip- dertook gratuitously, and spent tures, although we propose that seven years in the performance. Subthe reading of the Scriptures them- sequently, however, he received a selves should be reserved for the trifling sum from the exhibition of time of separate religious instruc- these paintings, on the interest of tion.' which he afterwards subsisted. The subjects of these pictures are allegorical, and exhibit the progress of arts and civilization. Some of them are on a magnificent scale, and superior to any thing ever executed in England. MEMOIR OF JAMES BARRY. THIS celebrated Irish painter, the fate of whose brother I have lately inserted, was the son of a bricklayer, of Cork, in which city he was born, in 1740. His education, notwithstanding the poverty of his parents, was respectable; for, being a Catholic, (which religion he adhered to through life,) he was intended for the church. His disposition, however, not lying that way, he betook himself to painting, and first attracted notice as a sign-painter. Having drawn the figure of Neptune over the door of a citizen, in a manner new to Cork, it attracted great observation, and, in consequence, the extraordinary artist was taken notice of by Dr. Longfield. At the age of nineteen he went to Dub. lin, where an historic painting of hist obtained the prize; and where he was introduced to Mr. Burke, then secretary to the Marquis of Rockingham. From Dublin he went to London, and soon after visited Italy. During his residence abroad, he defended the English the others, it is inserted. Where the same particulars are stated in two or more, the statement is inserted from that Gospel in which it is the most full. The notes, originally annexed in an appendix to this work, have been omitted in an edition which we have examined. + St. Patrick baptizing an Irish king, while his crosier pierced the monarch's foot. Such was Barry's eccentricity, that he would not condescend to paint portraits-then the only way of acquiring distinction, but retired on his scanty means to a house in Castle Street, Oxford Road, where he lived in the true spirit of independence. He kept no servant of any kind, and saw few visitors. His house exhibited a strange appearance; for the boys, considering him a madman, kept continually annoying him, SO that there was not a whole square of glass in any of his windows, while the area was filled with dead cats, dogs, &c. Some gentlemen, at length, com. miserating his situation, entered into a subscription, with the view of purchasing an annuity for him; but their laudable endeavours were useless. Barry died the 22d of February, 1806, aged 66, and was buried in Saint Paul's, where he has a monument. ROCK NOTICES. THE Eighteenth Chapter of my Private Memoirs next week; also, the Intercepted Letters' from Cork. LONDON-J. Robins and Co. Ivy Lane, Paternoster Row; J. Robins, jun. and Co. 38, Lower Ormond Quay, Dublin; and all Booksellers, &c. |