xxiv INTRODUCTORY DESCRIPTION OF 



yefpecYive liberties, fo at prcfent there fubfifts as e:ninent a 

 friendfliip and harmony between them, conferring on each 

 other all forts of good offices, the one frequently making 

 alliances by marriage with the other. And certainly, it is 

 a very fmgular bleffing and advantage to us of this kingdom, 

 and efpecially to us of this county, to be united to fo very an- 

 tient, and in many ref peel's, to fuch a brave people. For amongft 

 them we find a numerous, antient, and polite NOBILITY. Their 

 GENTRY are men of great humanity, fagacity, and honour ; well 

 inflructed in letters ; commonly poliflied and improved by their 

 travels ; and their converfation agreeable to all their neigh- 

 bours. As for their COMMONS, they are a very laborious, 

 hardy, and induftrious people ; fitted for the hazard of the feas, 

 and capable to ftruggle with the greateft difficulties by land, 

 They have a natural prowefs and gallantry for war; they are 

 brilk in the field, and healthy in the camp ; they are men of fa- 

 gacity in council ; they are prudent and confiderate in conduct ; 

 they are brave and gay when they enter upon action, and infe- 

 rior to no nation in the world when they are to execute any bold 

 and daring enterprize. To have fuch a people to fupply our navies 

 with experienced mariners ; to have fuch a nation to fill our 

 troops, and increafe our armies ; to be united to fuch a king- 

 dom, fo gallant and capable to fight our battles ; this is adding 

 a vifible ftrength and fupport to our glorious crown and mo- 

 narch ; this is giving undeniable fecurity to our civil ftate and 

 government. By this we efcape all thofe evils, and fad calami- 

 ties, which muft attend an ifland governed by two independent 

 fovereigns. If we look back into our antient hiftories, we there 

 read a dreadful account of the former cruel and unnatural wars; 

 the barbarous treatment one nation mewed the other, the burn- 

 ings and defolations that often happened ; and the frequent in- 

 roads 



