and being placed in the seat of government himself, chose old Policy for his prime minister, and aided by his counsels, composed the populace and led them on to battle such forces under such a general, performed wonders they conquered every thing but themselves— they returned again and again to their native soil, laden. with the spoils of the earth; and in return for their services, their new governor not only divided with them those spoils, but in order to enjoy them with a zest, put them in possession of their ancient charter-A legal authority for the commission of sin-here are the causes of its present licentiousness-and this is a short history of the french nation.

PAROCHICAL EDUCATION.

Would the superior orders of the established clergy, be prevailed on to appropriate at least one-fourth of their revenues to the education of youth; a work in which the inferior clergy might be employed to their own, and to the public advantage, the best imaginable ground work would be laid, for improving the public mind, for allaying the discontents of the people, and for strengthening the British constitution-Had they these important objects sufficiently at heart-they would seethat as public virtue is the best security of a state-so religious education and instruction, are the best promoters of public virtue-but that system of instruction which

issues only from the pulpit, to an uneducated audience, furnishes but a very feeble barrier indeed, against the subtlety of infidelity, or the imposing influence of superstitionA regular national or parochical education, to the expences of which, one-fourth of the revenues of the superior clergy would probably be adequate; would I have no doubt in quarter of a century, alter very much the aspect of this country-and the increasing stability, that this mode of proceeding, would impart to the church and constitution, would in the view of a pious and rational clergyman, possessed of from six hundred to six thousand pounds per annum, (church revenue,) be considered as adequate compensation, for the sacrifice of one-fourth-it would be so much given up, for the better security and more peaceful enjoy. ment of that which remained-while the religious and benevolent mind, would be gratified with observing the seeds of reformation thrown into a soil, cultiva ted by the property of the church, guarded by the state, and watered by those husbandmen, whose office it is-Nor would the latter have cause to complain of this abridgment of their revenues; since three parts (enough in all conscience for the maintenance of a pious pastor and his family) would remain; and one only would be applied, to the literary instruction of the poor, and the more comfortable accommodation of the inferior clergy, upon whom, as in other cases, the laborious offices of instruction would principally devolve.

When it is received as a probable truth, that had

the clergy of France previous to the revolution, united to reform their church, and by a system of parochical education, laid the foundation of its improvement-that they also might have proved the Saviour of their state-none who are interested in the public welfare, will regard with contempt the performance of those duties, upon which our improvement as a christian nation, and our safety as an enlightened state, are evidently suspended.

To promote integrity and christian morals, education is indispensible-but alas! I fear neither the land proprietors, nor the catholic clergy of Ireland, take as much pains as they might, to have the children of the poor educated-How this in Connaught and other parts of the kingdom has been neglected, is no secret to those, who have studied the history of this country

This neglect of education, has appeared to me to result from a mistaken policy-landholders may suppose, that if the Irish peasantry were once illuminated, it would give them a sentiment of ambition, unfavourable to subordination-To this I reply-impossible-provided they are made by precept and example, to understand the beauty and advantages which result to themselves, and to society, from that just subordination, which is every where inculcated by the gospel, and which is indispensible to the well being of a state-they might indeed aspire to such a measure of decency in their persons, cottages and gardens, and in the intercourses of life, as was totally unknown to their ancestors; and they might, and probably would, entertain an idea, that four, six, or

eight-pence per day, is not adequate remuneration for a peasant's labor-but if the wealthy landlord considers, that independent of the pleasure, which as a gentleman he would derive, from the prospect of a decent, thriving, and industrious tenantry around him; how much the value of his lands would be enhanced, by the growing taste of the peasantry for improvement, I think he would no longer be in love, with the mistaken policy of keeping them in ignorance, poverty, and consequent immorality for the sake of profit.*Seminaries for christian educa tion, being the sure nurseries of peace and improvement; little colonies of farmers, mechanics, and decent laborers, would be produced by them; and these, if paid by the landholder a fair price for their labor, would pay him back again, an advanced price for his land and accommodations; and thus every thing taken into account, even the landholder would be an ultimate gainer by the education of the poor

In this section I have addressed myself to the resident landlord only; conceiving it would be a useless task to preach to him, who manifests the interest which he takes in the improvement of his native country and its peasantry, by spending his time and fortune in another.

THE ANGELIC ESTIMATE OF VIRTUE, DIAMETRICALLY OPPOSITE TO THAT OF THE HUMAN.

"If we suppose that there are superior beings tha look into the ways of men (as it is highly probable there

are both from reason and revelation) how different must be their notions of us, from those which we are apt to form of one another!A contemplation of God's work, a voluntary act of justice to our own detriment, a generous concern for the good of mankind, tears shed in silence for the misery of others a private desire of resentment, broken and subdued, an unfeigned exercise of humility, or any other virtue, are such actions as are glorious in their sight, and denominate men great and reputable- -The most famous among us, are often looked upon with pity and contempt, or with indignation-while those who are more obscure, are regarded with love, with approbation and esteem"

SPECTATOR.

MYSTIC AND ACTIVE PIETY,

CONSIDERED.

In the vast catalogue of errors which have crept into the christian church-that of rendering mystic and active piety independent of each other, has not been the least I shall commence this essay with endeavouring to make manifest the error of that principle, which tends to render its believers contented in a life of useless neutrality— that the idea of the gifts, whether natural or spiritual which we receive, being merely intended for our own use, has this tendency; I think will be admitted by all,