376 



tn- fchbots ftf Ireland, originated, in a neceffity cither real or fup- 

 pofed, refuiting from the peculiar ftate of the country, of diffemi- 

 hating that religion, which was thought to be intimately connefted 

 with the adherence of this country to the fide of England. In the 

 prefcnt ftite of fociety, and of public opinion, the utility of thofe 

 foundations, conduced, as they are, at this day, on the obfolete max- 

 ims of former prejudices, or, if you pleafe, emergencies, may (as I have 

 already obferved) well be quellioned. The proportion of thofe, who 

 remain in fociety, is perpetually varying, and the utility of foundations, 

 which ought to be adapted to the different circumftances of fociety, 

 mufl; vary in like manner. 



Moft of thefe eftablifhmcnts, furvive their utility a long time ; firft, 

 becaufe there are always men who profit by, and are interefted to 

 maintain them; fecondly, becaufe, although a perfon may be convinced 

 of their inutility, it is neceffary to combat prejudices, to take mea- 

 fures, and obferve formalities, before you can proceed to overwhelm 

 ftruflures, which have ftood for ages. Thus, foundations have fre- 

 quently become actively pernicious, for a long time, before men could 

 be brought to agree, that they were even ufelefs. 



This fliould be a ftrong reafon, to make us flow, in propofing the 

 permanent eftablifhment of a foundation, however plaufible it may ap- 

 jpear in theory, becaufe there is a certain profpefl, that, however it 

 *nay be adapted to prefent circumftaiKes, and prevailing opinions, it 

 may, one day, become ufelefs, perhaps, pernicious ; and continue to be 

 injurious a long time, before it is aboliflied. 



Another thing to be corifidered, is the luxury and pomp of build- 

 ing, of which foundations are generally the parents. The number of 

 proud, luxurious, opulent fervants of mendicity and mifery, whom they 

 maintain in ftate, lodge in palaces, and train about in equipages. Caft 

 your eyes, on the buildings crefted, for almoft any public purpofe, 

 you will fee what a large portion, and that the moft fplendid and beft 

 part of the edifice, is occupied, by the officers of the public, or the 



fervants 



