LETTERS TO TIE EDITOR.
THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ON HOME-RULE.
[To TEE EDITOR OF THE 4. SPEOTATOR."1 SIR,—In reading an copy of the old novel " Thinks-I-to- Myself," I came across the following passage. Lord Kilgar- nook, the hero of the story, in ending his autobiography, confesses that he thinks-to-himself, and does not speak, in the- House of Lords. He goes on to give, as a reason for this- silence, the accompanying passage, which I read with interest, as the book was written in the zenith of the existence of the Irish Parliament. I do not know if you will think it worth publishing. The italics, &c., are, of course, copied from " Thinks-I-to-Myself " (pp. 202 and 203, " Thinks-I-to-Myself,"-
4th Edition, printed 1811) :-
" Another thing, however, which has much deterred me from speaking is the newly erected little house of parliament in a cer- tain city, for which (generally speaking) I entertain the highest respect. But where, of late, the speeches and acts of the Mem- bers of both the Lords and Commons' house, have been arraigned., criticised, and condemned, with such extreme severity, rancour, and contempt, that Thinks-I-to-Myself, Surely legislating must be ten times easier than weighing out of plums or brewing of beer ;— both very important callings at all times, and while pudding and ale have any charms and influence, far more likely to be popular than any higher callings or professions whatsoever :—My 'hope is, therefore, that we shall soon have no need of Courts and Cabinet Councils, and Privy Councils, but that all the business of the nation, and all the affairs of Europe, may be far butter settled by the COURT Of COMMON Courton, of the CITY Of —.
"ENVY, HATRED, MALICE, and all UNCHARITABLENESS; from ALI. SEDITION, PRIVY CONSPIRACY, and REBELLION, &C., &C., &c.—0O21141/. Pray. B., fol. 17."
—I am, Sir, &c., A LIBERAL UNIONIST..
Previous page
