185 



PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 



PROCEEDINGS IN THE ATHENiEUM. 



July 31st. — Mr. S. Purdok's Lecture on the Resources and 

 Capabilities of Ireland. 



On this evening Mr. Purdon, for the fourth time, advocated 

 the consideration of Ireland's distress, and v^re certainly cannot 

 avoid observing that this gentleman's papers are worthy of much 

 attention and dispassionate judgment; he has not entered upon 

 his subject as an amateur or a mere theorist. Ireland is his native 

 country, he has resided there, and has travelled over many of its 

 districts ; the experience of his years, and the deep and long con- 

 sideration which he has bestowed on his subject, cannot fail to 

 give value and weight to his views and narrations. 



Having glanced at the miserable condition of the poorer Irish, 

 he observed, that nothing could operate effectually as an antidote 

 to the evils of penury and discontent but industry, accompanied 

 by the cheering prospect of independence, based upon the sure 

 and steadfast hope inspired by a moral education, emanating from 

 the uncompromising principles of a pure Christian instruction. 



He considered that the means for calling forth the energies of 

 the Irish existed in abundance in her soil, mines, fislieries, rivers, 

 raw materials for manufactures, natural harbours, genial climate, 

 and geographical position; as well as the natural quickness and 

 docility of the people themselves ; yet all these have been per- 

 verted, or allowed to lie dormant, by impolicy and wanton cor- 

 ruption ; and so it was likely they would remain, until those who 

 professed to govern condescended to make themselves acquaint- 

 ed with the country to be governed. It would not merely be an 

 act of charity but a sacred moral and political duty to promote that 

 industry and religious instruction which would rescue the hardy, 

 vigorous, and teachable Irish peasant from his most unwelcome 

 and profitless idleness. 



Ireland has been taunted as a country of bogs and wastes, but 

 it should be known that these bogs are all reclaimable, and 

 convertible into the most productive soil, quickly repaying, with 

 large interest, the expense of reclaiming; and, as they extend 

 over 4,587,000 acres, many thousands of poor might be profit- 

 ably employed upon them ; Government certainly ought to look 

 to this, or to some equally feasible measure for the amelioration 

 of Irish affairs : but, of any measure whatever, industry should 

 be the main spring; then would be extinguished the desolation, 

 depravity, and violence engendered by inoccupation, which have 

 been too fully developed in Ireland. This was no theoretical 

 assertion, the experiment had been tried, by private individuals, 

 successfully. The Irish people were enthusiastic, and of vivid 

 sensibility; with due direction these characteristics would tend 

 greatly to their own and to their neighbour's happiness; but, 



VOL. IV. — 1834. z 



