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THE neighbouring country being peopled a good
deal from the north of Ireland, the early teachers of youth
were from thence. What were called redemptioners, or
persons unable to pay for their passage, contracting to be
sold in this country for what time might be necessary to
raise the money, were bought for schoolmasters; or put
to that employment in the summer; and in the winter to
weaving, or cord-waining, or whatever other trade, or
occupation, they were qualified to exercise, from the
use of it in the old country. It was in this way that
Greece had her first preceptors from Crete; and again,
Rome from Greece. And in the same manner, letters
were brought into Italy, by the emigrants after the fall
of Constantinople. It was under the tuition of one of
these that the governor had been taught the first elements.
The master, as he was called, had a small staff
attached to a strap of leather cut into thongs; the flagellum,
or whip, and ferule in the same instrument. Nor
was he sparing in the use of this inforcer of discipline.
For as he had not a facility of communication of ideas,
it was necessary to drive more by the hand; for “when
the iron is blunt, you must put to more strength:” which
was rendered still more necessary from the want of
those introductions to spelling, by division of words into
syllables, which are now in use. Thornton in his prize
essay, on the facilitating early pronunciation, has shown
the advantage of beginning with the consonants, to give
the sounds, and letting the vowels follow. Thus, ba, be,
instead of ab, or eb. But such nicety was not attended
to by the resolute men by whom the youth of that day
were initiated in the first mysteries. The conjoining,
and the reaching of sounds, was less studied; the system
being that of direct force. I have seen a score go through
their facings on a Monday morning, by flagellation; for
it was thought most advisable to whip first, and go to get
their tasks afterwards. And in proportion as the schollar
was a favourite, he was the more roughly handled.

A higher grade of men of this education, and discipline,
had got possession of the pulpits; the leading

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doctrines of which, in the mouth of some of these, were not
calculated to give the most favourable impressions of the
nature of the divinity.

It is of a later period, that we are indebted to this cunabula
for editors of papers.

Said I, to one of these, why do you attack me, who have
no ill will to you? God love your shoul, said the Paddywhack,
it is not you I am attacking; it is the party. This
set me a thinking; and certainly one has no more reason
to be offended with a shot from one of these; for they
mean nothing more personal, than with the gunner who
points the battery. It is not an individual that he aims
at, as individual; but as one of the squadron; the more
eminent in character, the more prominent to the aim;
and instead of defamation, it is a compliment, to be
thought worthy of a piece levelled, or the artillery directed.
In the midst of abuse, this has reconciled me to the
bearing it; and, in fact, in the contention of parties, the
passing by a man, is a sure proof that he is insignificant.

Speaking of foreign emigration, it occurs to me to
say a few words on the subject of French influence: and
in doing this, I must take notice, that those who canvass
this matter, do not go far enough back. It could not
but have been agreeable to France, to hear of the revolt
from the authority of Britain, being a rival nation; and
the presumption was, that France would at least wish
well to the opposition. In fact, they did wish well, and
at a very early period, began to discover it in acts. If she
did not openly receive our ambassadors at first, she did
privately; and under the idea of commercial arrangements
by individuals, she slurred supplies of ammunition,
and the means of war. French engineers and soldiers of
fortune, came to serve in our armies; and young nobility,
as to a military school. Even an army came in due
time, when she had acknowledged our independence;
and French money was distributed: many thousand
French crowns were circulated. But for this we could
not have carried on the war. France is certainly opposed
to our giving up our independence, and returning to
our obedience to Great Britain. But, be this as it may,
certain it is, that the success of the French arms,
at Marengo, at Jena, at Austrelitz, at Friedland, at
Wagram, and other places, have obstructed our re

turn; which may be termed an indirect French influence.

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I shall not pursue this train of thinking; it is enough
to have given a hint. It cannot be denied, however, but
that one thing the French have done for the world, the
advantage of which all protestants will agree in admitting;
the putting down the Pope. Nor is the prospect
hopeless, but that Mahomet will be reduced; a thing remembered
in the prayers of those whom we call the
faithful, for a long time in Christendom.

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