Reflections on the late Rebellion. 181 



change. Ferocity on one side soon produced 

 revenge on the other. Though every thing at 

 present has a tranquil appearance, the calm 

 is not, I fear, accompanied with any con- 

 fidence in its permanence. Every idle rumor 

 spreads widely, and indicates an apprehension 

 that revolt may again produce its devastating 

 effects. We were perpetually questioned as to 

 the state and disposition in which we had found 

 the country. Can a state be said to be assured 

 of its security, where the inhabitants generally, 

 are discontented and miserable ? With a mo- 

 derate distribution of the necessaries of life, 

 the aggregate of mankind, who do not reason 

 deeply, would be disposed to be content. This 

 assumption is particularly applicable to Ireland, 

 where the bulk of the people look little beyond 

 the present moment ; for, until their sufferings 

 become insupportable, their eyes are shut 

 against them ; but where real grievances exist, 

 which are supposed to be remediable by the 

 government only, there will naturally be created 

 a disposition to receive, right or wrong, every 

 injurious impression, and to impute the cause 

 and origin of all the ills endured, to the ad- 

 ministration of state affairs. The mutual pre- 

 judices of both persuasions sanction the idle 

 and malicious tales of each ; and while the 

 Orangeman accuses the catholic of a design to 



4 



