XK INTRODUCTION. 
general and unpopular practice of fuffering a monopoly of 
land, and rack-renting at /econd or third hand {mall farm- 
ing-plots and. potatoe-ground, the mafs of the country 
people of Ircland, ignorant and comparatively rafh as they 
may be, would have acted as they have done. No; had 
their fubfiftence and tranquillity been more happily taken 
under the patronage of their chief landlords—Had the cot- 
_tagers within each diftrict been confidered as the general 
objects of their benevolent attention; their minds prudently 
enlightened and fixed by the influence of their fuperior in- 
tercourfe; the labouring claffes of Irifhmen would not have 
liftened to the lure of French fraternity, of which the bett in- 
formed had the fagacity to be jealous !—As: this laft topic has 
been often mentioned by fome of the moft ufeful members 
of this Society, and ftrongly illuftrates the general fubject, 
it cannot be improperly introduced in this place; becaufe, 
though the Bath and Weft of England Society may be 
reckoned among /scal eftablifhments, its views of improve- 
ment are not confined to narrow limits. Its folicitude for 
a general extenfion of ufeful knowledge has been long 
known; its volumes have been extenfively read; its re- 
cords of experiments and opinions have been refpected. 
. And under the prefent aufpicious profpeét of a more inti- 
mate union with Jreland, the welfare of that country be- 
comes an object of proportionate concern to every benevo- 
Jent Britith bofom. The conciliating, magnanimous lan- 
guage of an amnefty for exceffes has repeatedly been held 
out, with invitations to returning order and tranquillity. 
The means, therefore, of fecuring and perpetuating the 
happy change, cannot but be highly interefting in the ge- 
neral fy{tem of happinefs. As fuch, they can never be too 
clofely reflected on, underftood, and purfued. 
Another fource of difcontent, and of which the difaffected 
availed themfelves, may be ufefully mentioned here, 7. ¢. the 
