INTRODUCTION. XX1 
heavy burden of tithes. This was the more unhappy for 
the tranquillity of the country, as it is well known a very 
* large majority of the population of Ireland were of the Ro- 
man Catholick perfuafion.—They had their own priefts to 
maintain; and the national fyftem of tything, by which they 
were continually harraffed, and taxed in kind, in proportion 
to their induftry, for the fubfiftence of another clafs of 
minifters, kept them conftantly fore and indignant. This 
lamented grievance has been recently adverted to, by the 
wifdom of the Britifh miniftry; and it is not without reafon 
that a timely regulation in this matter is looked to as a __ 
fource of future tranquillity, that may be productive of the 
happiett effects, in that late agitated part of the Britifh 
dominions. Of fuch hopes frequent mention is made by 
the friends of agriculture, peace, and profperity. 
The exiftence of the burden of tithes, in its prefent mode, 
is continually regretted, not only as it refpects Ireland, but 
wherever agriculture is to flourifh; but it is hoped, that fo 
long as the wifdom of the legiflature fhall refrain from alter- 
ation, the chief landlords, both here and in Ireland, will fee 
the great importance and utility of endeavouring, as gene- 
rally as they can, to effect parochial or other extenfive perio- 
dical compromifes for tithes, to the end-that lands, to the 
Jmalleft farmers and cottagers efpecially, may be let tithe-free. 
And it is prefumed, the many melancholy proofs which 
have been given to the Proteftant Irith Clergy of the une 
happy refentment againft them, or the old fyftem, will induce 
them to concur freely and fairly in fuch a plan. Thé more 
of this kind of amicable accommodation can be effeéted, in 
favour of fmall farmers ‘and cottagers of this country, 
the better—both for land-owners, tenants, and claimants, 
For though irreligion may enjoy the ridicule frequently 
arifing out of clerical claims for fmall tithes, the theme 
is 
