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But the fact is, the great increase of the general amount of tithe which this Act must producetogether with the summary powers given to the parson for the enforcement of his full demand— will render the pressure of the tax intolerable to the extensive farmer, from whom the miserable cottiers hold their small spots of land; and it will only be by raising the rents on the latter,-if, indeed, the back of misery can bear any addition without breaking-he can hope to meet the increased demands upon his means, or keep his property out of the fangs of that law harpy, Distress. Thus, the trifling advantage gained in one quarter (for to the small farmer of from 5 to 20 acres the Bill may bring some relief) is more than counterbalanced by increased misery in another.

The potatoe-garden, too, that last boundary between the peasant and famine—which, everywhere, but in the South, is still kept sacred from the Clergy-will, by the applotments under this Act, wherever they exist, be swept into one general mass of contribution, towards the further enrichment of the Protestant Church of Ireland.

I have here spoken of this measure, as any lover of tranquillity might, who wished to see some more rational remedy for the discontent that reigns among us. But, speaking in my own person as

CAPTAIN ROCK, I must say that, though perfectly satisfied with the results of the old system, I am equally ready to try this, or any other new strain of discord, which may be struck up for us by our State musicians-whose ideas of a concert, especially among themselves, seem to have been founded upon that famous charivari of Rousseau at Lausanne, in which no two instruments were upon

the same scent.

It will be perceived that the capabilities of the Bill, for all purposes of discontent are infinite. Indeed, the Clergy are, at present, the only class of persons satisfied with it-though, on the first announcement of the intended innovation, their alarm for the "silver shrines" of their Great Diana was so strong, as even to bring forth an address from the Archbishops and Bishops, declaring that the measure" would be unquestionably destructive of the independence of the Church Establishment, and, in their judgment, equally destructive of its respectability, its utility, and its permanence."

This was a pretty strong declaration of the clerical feeling on the subject, and it was thought that a compulsory clause would be necessary-a sort of "douce violence"-to compel these reverend persons to avail themselves of the Act. As

soon, however, as they found out, from a nearer acquaintance with the measure, that, so far from injuring their silver Diana in the least, its object was to make her even more silver than before, their clamours against the bill were at once turned into activity for it-they were the first to apply to the Lord Lieutenant for powers to act under it, and they have been the life and soul of all its movements through the vestries ever sinceclaiming, of course, in most cases, the full average, and expressing their regret that, under the Act, they were not "at liberty" to take less.

How far such open and officious zeal for the measure is decently reconcileable with the opinion expressed of it by the Prelates, it is not for me to inquire. But, prompt as the clergy have thus naturally shown themselves, to take advantage of all the worldly benefits of the Bill, I rather think that in their hearts they agree with the Archbishops and Bishops; and will not easily forgive the profanation which the Tabernacle has suffered, in being touched, even for the sake of enriching it, by the unholy hand of the Law. It is said of a certain King that, on being once saved from falling by the vigorous grasp of one of his attendants, he so far forgot the value of the service in the familiarity of the means, as to cry out

pettishly, when restored to his equilibrium, “never touch a King”—and, in the same manner, I suspect, the Irish clergy will resent the violation, even while they profit by it. It is the first direct interference of the Legislature with the jus divinum of their property, and they naturally feel it may not be the last.

Hæ nugæ in seria ducent.

i. e. in English,

The hand that touches Tithes may, when it suits,— Prodigious boldness!-meddle with First Fruits!

CHAPTER XI.

1793-1796.

The Captain again alarmed by some symptoms of wisdom in the government-his fears proved to be groundless.Montaigne's tailor.-Lord Fitzwilliam recalled.—Lord Camden appointed.-Concessions in 1793.-Rendered of little avail by the Orange Ascendancy.-Map of the Moon.-Corporation spirit.-Catholic Emancipation.The Captain's gratitude to his friends, Mr. Peel, Lord Eldon, etc. etc.

"As long as Millions shall kneel down
To ask of Thousands for their own,
While Thousands proudly turn away,
And to the Millions answer 'Nay!'
So long the merry reign shall be
Of CAPTAIN ROCK and his family!"

THIS important part of our family Prophecy (which cannot be too often before the eyes of the reader) seemed placed in some degree of jeopardy by the concessions to the Catholics in 1793; and, still more, by the hope of their complete emancipation, which, under the government of Lord Fitzwilliam, was awakened in all hearts-solely, it would seem, for the purpose of being wantonly extinguished again.

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