Prevailing Prejudices against the Irish. 99 



between God and the Devill, little amitie be- 

 tween the wolf and the lamb like good will 

 between a rebell and a faithful subject. I shall 

 not be curious in discharging my conscience in 

 letting you understand, that they are a people 

 sprung from Machu-Swine, a barbarous off- 

 spring come from that nation which may be 

 perceived by their doggishe fashion." 



A similar deep-rooted antipathy seems to 

 have existed when Spencer wrote his " View of 

 Ireland," in which we have the following de- 

 scription of the character of the people : 



insrf) fmJR~i$kU.l : ,a^w **ij 



" For they care much lesse than others what 

 they sweare, and sure their Lords may compel 

 them to say any thing for I myself have heard 

 when one of the baser sort (which they call 

 churles) being challenged and reproved for his 

 false oath, has answered confidently, that his 

 lord commanded him, and it was the least 

 thing that he could do for his lord to sweare 

 for him ; so inconscionable are the common 

 people, and so little feeling have they of God 

 or their own soule's good." 



What would Spencer's feelings be at this day 

 could he witness the admmistratiorf*of the oath 

 against bribery at a contested election ; where? 



H 2 



