Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]

IRELAND;

And to the LEARNED and INQUISITIVE MEMBERS of the Royal Society, these LECTURES are moft humbly dedicated.

GENTLEMEN,

Ovelty being that which principally pleafes, thefe Lectures may at least convey one circumftance of Delight. It is feveral Centuries fince Mankind spoke of the fubjects of them with admiration; it is half a century fince the Learned inquired diligently concerning them; and it is but fix years, fince the Phænomena were fairly difcovered, to the general conviction of Obfervers: The Author claims no merit in any refpect, but that of a diligent Inquirer, and faithful Relator. His own reasoning he offers with all humility, not to prevent, but to excite better reasoning from you.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your affectionate Fellow-labourer

In Literature and Religion,

As United,

RICHARD BARTON, B. D.

[merged small][merged small][ocr errors]

THE

AUTHOR

His friendly ADDRESS

I

ΤΟ HIS

COUNTRY ME N.

[ocr errors]

T is with pleasure this writer obferves, a most excellent fpirit, arifing in this Kingdom, along with increafing opulence, to improve human nature. The magnificence of fome habitations, the furniture of others, and the tables of them all, if they should rather prove the luxury and wealth of the nation, yet are they also proofs of the former. Luxury grows up along with arts and fciences. The Auguftin age produced very great Geniufes in the latter refpect, as well as very corrupt Examples in the former: And every other age, wherein wealth abounds, whether in a Chriftian or a Pagan ftate, will produce the fame feeming contradictory effects, till a more general spirit of reformation prevails. For the moral difpofitions of Mankind are extremely different, from those which go under the title of INGENIOUS; and the improvement of the latter does by no means include the former. The Ingenious immoral man only differs from the bafely vitious, by becoming more exquifite in his pleasures; And Lucretius, almost the finest of poets, differs only from a grofs blafphemer in the delicacy of his language and fancy. If Apicius taught a Roman to make a better Sauce, he did not thereby teach him to be more temperate. If Horace, whofe writings are become the BIBLE of the age, paints his own cowardice (relicta non bene parmula) with WIT that makes the reader forget Cenfure, he has not thereby inculcated the virtue of COURAGE; or if his fine addrefs to CÆSAR and MECENAS inchants the car, the heart is not thereby taught that refolute VIRTUE, which fhould make a man steady to an honeft caufe, in which he has once engaged,

and

and ever afhamed to relinquifh it, upon the poor motive of dictating to School-Boys, that vitious Theme of flattery;

Principibus placuiffe viris &c.

The improvement therefore of human nature in ingenuity is a very different confideration, from the more excellent improvement of it in (a) MORAL CONDUCT. This writer, not knowing, when the last excellent difpofition to improve Mankind in pure morals will arife, yet always wishing for it, and hoping this is a good preparatory feafon, is willing to congratulate with his COUNTRYMEN even upon the former: And having lately laid before them part of his labours in the last refpect, is willing alfo to compliment them with fome of his labours in the firft; In as much as delicate pleasures are as much preferable to choquing VICE, as refined fatyr is to fcurrility.

In this way of confidering things he is contented to act as a philofopher: And hoping to procure the efteem of his countrymen in this, he may perhaps afterwards come forth again in the other more HONOURABLE Character of a DIVINE, to which his ftudies are principally devoted by Vow and INCLINATION. With this view he is willing to help them for fome time as far as lies within is skill, to BUILD, and PLANT, and TASTE their WINES, or to dig with them in the bowels of the earth, for the hidden treasures of nature.

As a fmall fpecimen of this difpofition he offers this book, being the effect of SIX YEARS INQUIRY, much bodily and mental labour, as well as pecuniary expence. Mechanic arts are every day improving in Ireland, and the liberal arts, it is hoped, will keep pace with them (b). The true way to give encouragement to the latter,

(a) The more people there are in a nation who ftand in need of addrefs amongft themfelves, and caution not to displease, there will be the more politeness: but it is more a politenefs of morals, than manners, which ought to diftinguifh us from a barbarous people. De l'efpirit des Loix.

(b) This book is printed upon paper made in Ireland; with types and gravings also of the artificers of the country.

A late writer has complimented Ireland in a genteel manner, and it is hoped, the fpirit of improvement continuing may give others occafion to speak praise-worthy things of it ; and if its inhabitants should not think as honourably of themselves, as that gentleman has expreft himself of them, their modesty will not deduct any thing at all from their merit, if they have it in the degree mentioned.

"IRELAND

« AnteriorContinuar »