310 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



and then divide the interest equally amongst the 

 newly-established clergy, would be only fair and 

 just; and they, above all other men, ought to be 

 perfectly independent, amply provided for, with- 

 out being obliged to collect any other revenue, 

 and made as happy as men can be in this world; 

 and, whatever might be deemed sufficient, a 

 certain sum taken from this income ought also to 

 be funded as a provision to support them in their 

 declining years. Such a body of men as this 

 clergy could not fail of being revered and held in 

 the greatest respect and estimation by all good 

 and wise men ; and what more any good and wise 

 man can wish for in this \vorld, I am at a loss to 

 know. 



It is from government, with the aid of our own 

 enlightened and liberal-minded clergy, and other 

 such-like men, that this important business, in my 

 opinion, ought to be openly and boldly taken up. 

 They ought to have the honour to show the way, 

 and not leave any other nation to take the lead of 

 them in such a mighty and momentous concern, 

 in which the happiness of the whole human race 

 would become most deeply interested; and, from 

 the change in men's minds which is now taking 

 place, and widely spreading, this change, by its 

 own weight, will most assuredly happen, perhaps 

 at no very distant day. 



Were our own government inclined to make this 

 improvement in religion and politics, they would 

 assuredly see the happiest results from it; it would 

 soon be found that there would then be no need 

 to keep Ireland in subjection, like a conquered 

 country, by an expensive military force. The 

 Irish, naturally acute, lively, generous, and brave, 



