119 



« their harps upon the xmllows" The Roman government, 

 no doubt, was very grinding and oppressive to the pro- 

 vinces. This fact is very important; and goes far to shew, 

 how much the state of the Jine arts depends on the poU- 

 tical state of the country: since it demonstrates, beyond 

 a possibiUty of doubt, the baleful influence of despotism, 

 of whatever kind it may be. It shews that, in its princi- 

 ple, and necessary operation, unless its character and na- 

 tural tendency be counteracted by some collateral cause, 

 it must be the deadly foe of all chearfulness, and cultiva- 

 tion of the human spirit. 



I flatter myself, I have now sufficiently supported the 

 affirmative of the proposition before us; by a general con- 

 sideration of the nature of man and his pursuits; by a re- 

 ference to history, and by striking examples taken from 

 the course and progress of the foie arts. I cannot boast 

 of much deep research, or ingenious novelty, in the struc- 

 ture which I have raised. Most of my materials are ob- 

 vious, and are taken from the surface; yet, perhaps, the 

 application of them, in some parts, may appear new. I 

 perceive my essay has swelled to a formidable bulk; yet 

 1 commenced it Avith a determination to consult brevity: 

 but, in the course of my researches on the subject, I found 

 such a variety, of matter, pertinent to my subject, that it 

 proved a much easier task to reject than to compile. Such 

 as my production is, (for I am fully conscious of its de- 

 fects,) it is offered to the Royal Irish Academy, with all 

 due respect, and with some degree of diffidence. But 



judgment, 



