alted station, can have little effect on the morals and manners of the people, but this is a great mistake. The contrary is proved by history and experience. Man is always more disposed to adopt the vices than the virtues of those he has to look up to. It is not sufficient, that the person who holds this high office be a man of polite manners or elegant address: these qualifications are often possessed by persons of the most licentious principles. He, who is the representative of royalty, ought to be distinguished as much by his virtues as his talents. During the vice-royalty of the late Duke of Rutland, a taste for dissipation was introduced by the court among the higher ranks, and was disseminated throughout the general mass of society. There is a decency even in vice, which will be observed by those who are not insensible to shame; none but complete profligates will boast of it, and expose it to every eye.

Dublin is also the seat of literature and science, having within its precincts the chief university in the country. It is the port of embarkation for the gentry who visit England, and who frequently remain here some time on their way. Not only is it the seat of government, to which the eyes of all who seek preferment are directed; but the four courts being established in this city, the judges and the inferior members of the law form a very important body, who must have a considerahle influence on the state of society. Some manufactures are established; and it is the principal depository of bleached linens. The internal trade must be great, and its commercial transactions with England and foreign countries are of considerable extent. Merchants of various classes, according to their wealth, and the nature of their business, are settled in Dublin.

Many charitable institutions are raised in this city by a combination

of benevolence and vanity, which are supported in part by government, and by the subscriptions of individuals. An account of them may be seen in Mr Archer's Survey.

A city, which contains in miniature every thing to be met with in the great capital of the British empire, is an object of attraction, to the wealthy, the idle, and the dissipated, who repair thither from almost every part of Ireland, and particularly in the Spring. At that season the clergy are conspicuous frequenters of the higher circles, and are more numerous in proportion than they are even in London; a circumstance which may be easily accounted for, by consulting the chapter on the Church Establishment of Ireland.

The provost, fellows, and students of the University, amount to between seven and eight hundred. The commander-in-chief, with his staff and necessary attendants, reside at Dublin, and these contribute to extend social intercourse, and to render this city as gay, perhaps, as any in Europe.

The lord-lieutenant and family, notwithstanding the state necessary to be maintained for the dignity of the office, mix more in society than the royal family in London. Commercial men, who have neither riches, talents, nor character to recommend them, are constantly in the drawingroom and at levees, admission into the castle being an honour of which the Irish are highly ambitious.

Scarcely a night passes in Dublin without balls, assemblies, and musical parties. The removal of the parliament has been favourable to society in this metropolis; for the attention of gentlemen is not now so exclusively directed to political discussions. The houses in the city are all occupied, and are increasiug in every direction; so that the vacancy occasioned by absentees, since the Union, is supplied by a class of people, less valuable,

valuable, perhaps, in some respects, yet who fill up their place as to number. In all public places the company mix freely, without restraint or formality, and the consequence is, a general knowledge of each other; a circumstance which gives more animation to crowded circles in Dublin, than is to be met with either in London or Paris, where persons may frequently meet, and yet acquire very little acquaintance with each other. A social disposition and love of amusement seems to pervade all ranks, and the dance is often kept up with as much spirit in the back room of a shopkeeper, as in the splendid mansion of a peer.

There is no opera house in Dublin, nor any public concerts; but this want is supplied by the theatre, to the performances of which the Irish are so much attached, that it is better frequented than the play-houses in London. A strong propensity also prevails in Ireland for private theatricals. The late Lord O'Neil had a theatre at Shanes Castle, which, however it might gratify his lordship and his friends, introduced dissipation into the neighbourhood; but the present lord, aware of the mischief, has razed it to the ground. At Kilkenny there is a theatre of the same kind which has attracted much notice; and extraordinary accounts of the wonderful specimens of comic talent exhibited by some of the Irish gentry, have been detailed in the newspapers. It was kept open only for one month in autumn; and during this short period, visited from all parts of Ireland: I have heard that some gentlemen performed there, whose powers would have called forth the approbation of the most refined audience.

In Dublin, there are three clubhouses, the principal of which is Daly's, where there is frequently much deep play. The other two are in Sackville and Kildare streets, and are superior coffee-houses, where none are

admitted but members. To the existence of these places I ascribe, in a great measure, the want of comfortable taverns, like those which are so numerous in London: excepting the mail-coach hotel, I know not one deserving the character of mediocrity.

Gentlemen of the law, not being accommodated with chambers as with us, mix more in society. A barrister in London, as soon as he has dined, returns to his Inn, where he secludes himself till midnight, sees little company, and acquires a reserved manner, which communicates a peculiarity to his habits, unlike men of the same class in Ireland. Dublin is remarkable for the number of its lawyers; no city in the world gives employment to so many attorneys, owing, perhaps, to the frequent forfeitures which have taken place. This circumstance has originated many tedious and intricate law-suits; another cause may, perhaps, be found in the 'disposition of the people, who have an unfortunate propensity to litigation.

It is extraordinary that medical men in Ireland are not held in the same estimation as gentlemen of the other liberal professions. Physicians are treated with particular contempt in this country, which is highly discreditable to those who indulge in such feelings; for there are many professors of medicine as much distinguished by their skill and learning, as by their humanity and attention to the comfort and health of the poor.

That class of men who rise to opulence by trade, commerce, and industry, are numerous in Dublin. The Latouches, Mr Luke White, Mr Conolly, and others, like the Barings, Theliusons, and Raikes of London, have accumulated immense wealth. There are few respectable tradesmen who do not keep a jaunting-car for their families; these persons are always ready to shut up their shops, for an excursion into the county of Wicklow, in the summer months. I

doubt

doubt whether the gloomy selfish tradesman, who never allows himself or family the enjoyment of the country air, is to be found here; and yet, the Dublin shopkeeper is not remarkable for his civility.

The University, the Royal Irish Academy, and the Dublin Society, which is an excellent national establishment for the general encouragement of science, being in this metropolis, it might be expected, that it is here we should find a considerable number of literary men; but this is not the case. In England, Scotland, and France, science and literature elevate men of the humblest birth to respect and attention. In Ireland the custom is different; there a man of talent, however exalted his genius, or extensive his learning, is neither sought after nor esteemed. As a candidate for public favour, he will never succeed against the trifler of upper life, whose productions are puffed into notice by the partial breath of titled friendship. Fashion bears Sovereign sway, to which the whole Irish nation bow. This arises from a defective system of education; to guide the opinion, or bias the taste of the well informed in states where letters are cultivated, is difficult; educated men will examine for themselves; but the illiterate, yielding to a momentary impulse, follow the multitude, and praise what others admire. This may, in some measure, account for that capriciousness which is observable in the Irish character. Unsteady in attachments, they readily confer their friendship, but as quickly withdraw it. The Tipper-rary rioter scours the country because it is the fashion; and it was the same impetus that induced so many hundreds to, attend Davy's lectures, even before they knew the alphabet of science. A desire to produce a reformation of these obstacles to national improvement obliges me to state, that the Irish are illiberally jealous of rising merit among them

selves. They encourage not the youth of genius, whose talents, if fostered and protected, might be the source of improvement to their country. A young Irishman of ability must seek his reward in England; the chilling breath of neglect will blast his buds at home.

The Irish character is lively and cheerful; the men are famed for the gallantry of their manners, which is carried, on many occasions, to a romantic height. This was particularly remarked by Mr Cowper, when he visited Dublin in the year 1799: they accuse the English of treating the female sex with unfeeling indifference; and so much would a gentle.. man of that country be considered an exception to this opinion, that, were he but to pay the common and polite attentions which every female has a right to expect, he would be called "a man of gallantry;" but if he exceeded the mere filling up of time with the light conversation, which is too frequently addressed to this most interesting part of the creation; were he to converse with them upon subjects of importance, or seem to feel that respect for their opinions, which is so justly paid to the well-educated and sensible ladies of Scotland, such conduct would at once be construed to a design upon their happiness and characters.

The vanity of the Irish is evinced by some of the commonest appellations; a married woman is never addressed or spoken of as the wife of any one; such an appellation would outrage the feelings, and be most offensive to an Irishman: etiquette requires that the term should be" the lady." Even an hotel-keeper expects, when you inquire after his spouse, that you should ask "how his lady does." To speak of her as Mrs Murphy, Mrs O'Flaherty, or Mrs O'Flannegin, would be considered as ill bred.

Among the upper ranks, who have spent their time in well-bred com

pany,

pany, a foreigner might suppose, that every one was acquainted, and intimately known to his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. I am so ignorant of Carlton House, that I know not how many of the Irish frequent it; but I seldom was in company without being entertained with the sayings of that august personage. In a word, it is fashionable to claim acquaintance with the prince; and the desire of being thought one of his favourites is so conspicuous, that I cannot help considering it as a trait of national vanity.

Formerly, excessive drinking prevailed among the higher orders, but this practice is now entirely out of fashion: instead of this symbol of ancient barbarism, a custom much more rational has been introduced. The gentlemen do not drink until tea and coffee are announced; every one when he feels disposed leaves the table withcut ceremony, and retires to the drawing-room. The host, however, conceives himself bound by the laws of hospitality to remain at his post till the last, as he is never disturbed by a call from the ladies.

Amongst mercantile people, and rich graziers, most copious libations are still offered at the shrine of Bacchus; but fashion begins to exercise a most beneficial influence, and the example of higher ranks is now generally imitated.

The common people, however, are so much addicted to spirituous liquors, that this passion may be still considered as a trait in their national character. In another part of this work, I have pointed out some of the mischiefs of this destructive vice, which is gaining ground, and spreading its ravages in various ways. To the number of its melancholy consequences, I shall add, on the authority of an eminent physician, "an increase of insane persons, as returned at each assizes to the grand juries, and claiming support from the public purse." Feb. 1813.

1

Though all cases of this kind are not to be ascribed entirely to intemperance, it has contributed in no small degree to the increase of this grievous malady. Mr Halloran says, and his remarks deserve the most serious consideration, that "the many wretched victims to this fascinating indulgence are not confined to youth nor old age; to sex nor condition; so that an inconsiderate observer would be more inclined to conclude, that measures had been actually adopted more with a view to encourage this perverted appetite, than to restrain it within moderate boundaries. So frequently do instances of furious madness present themselves to me, and arising from long continued inebriety, that I seldom have occasion to inquire the cause, from the habit which repeated opportunities have given me, at first sight, of detecting its well-known ravages." The following observations, which he afterwards makes, are particularly worthy of notice: "If then we admit the expediency of indulging the lower orders with a free admission to the bewitching charms of our native whiskey, let it be, in the name of pity, in the name of decency and good order, under such stipulations, as that it may, at least, be dealt out to them in its purity, free from those vicious frauds, which not only constitute the immediate cause of the most inveterate maladies in the general sense, but also render them particularly liable to the horrors of continued insanity in preference to which, the deprivation of existence may be admitted as a blessing from that BEING, who had thought fit to bestow it."

In the middle ranks, hot suppers, a profusion of dishes, and plates loaded with meat, are considered as genuine hospitality. The frugal repast of bread and cheese, with a draught of home brewed, so common among the same class in England, is here quite unknown. The meat breakfast of the

English

English country squire, or the more luxurious one of the Scottish laird, on whose plentiful board are displayed mutton, ham, dried fish, marmalade, honey, and other dainties, is never seen in Ireland: yet the breakfast in that country has always an addition of plenty of eggs. The English custom of a luncheon is seldom in use; meal-times are much the same as in England, except among tradesmen, whose shops are not open so soon in the morning by two hours, as they are in London; consequently, the breakfast is later.

The gaiety of Dublin, during the fashionable season, exceeds ail description: there are many who never pass an evening out of visiting parties, either at home or abroad. I know some individuals, whose faces have become so familiar from this practice, continued for years, that they are distinguished by the appellation of "Dublin hacks."

Charity sermons are always numerously attended. All who have the smallest pretension to fashion throng to them; and there is no place where people of both sexes are more inclined to exhibit their persons: it is not uncommon for a young lady to make her debut into fashionable life on one of these occasions. In Ireland, a collection is generally made before the sermon, and commonly by handing into every pew a small copper shovel; but when a charity-sermon is preach ed the collection is not made until the feelings of the congregation have been roused by the pathos and eloquence of the minister. A number of ladies, distinguished by their personal attractions, rank in life, or prominent character, who may be supposed to command, rather than to solicit charity, are appointed collectors. They are attended by gentlemen, bearing wands; and each lady, taking her own portion of the church, goes round the pews, handing a silver dish to every individual, while the squire

stands behind with another silver dish, into which the money is emptied. This method is preferable to that adopted in England, where the churchwardens stand at the door with plates. On man, the fascinating influence of beauty, pleading, with a look of compassion, for the unfortunate, must have a powerful effect; and those insensible to female charms may be induced to be liberal, from an apprehension of the satire of a dashing belle.

When the winter is over, the lordlieutenant retires to the Phoenix Park, and during the summer visits occasionally the nobility and principal gentry. The aristocracy, who bad assembled in Dublin, return to their country seats; and the families of the lawyers, merchants, and trades-people, if their circumstances admit of it, re

tire to their villas near the sea: those whose circumstances forbid this gratification, crowd into lodgings near the coast; and those who cannot afford either, content themselves with bathing, a luxury which they very much enjoy. Thousands may be seen every morning between Dublin and the Black Rock, and on the shore of Clontarf, going into the water to "wash."