298 Nobility and Gentry capable of effecting 



concede that which will cost them nothing : the 

 lower, to accept the gift without arrogance 

 with a confidence in the sincerity of the offer 

 a steady determination to adopt the prescribed 

 rules for their future conduct and a grateful 

 recollection and respectful feeling towards their 

 benefactors. The constant residence of bene- 

 volent proprietors among them would be the 

 greatest blessing which could be conferred on 

 Ireland. Their example, their advice and en- 

 couragement, in a less time than can now be 

 imagined, would work wonders for the general 

 happiness of the country : for while efforts by 

 force, under whatever colour they may be at- 

 tempted, if not indignantly resisted, would at 

 least be unavailing, much by means of the 

 nobility and gentry themselves would happily be 

 effected, at first from gratitude, and afterwards 

 from esteem and regard. 



Man under certain circumstances may be 

 compared to a machine, acted on by various 

 exterior and interior forces : to produce any 

 material change, one or both must receive diffe- 

 rent impulses. A change of habits involves a 

 long train of consequences the difficulties many 

 the operations slow. In the reign of Henry 

 the Eighth a law passed by which all persons in 

 Ireland were restrained from being shaved 



