Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

CAPTAIN ROCK. 387
editors are dictated by a profound ignorance of our affairs.
This county, with the exception of a small district about 30
miles north from the city, which, from its proximity to Lime-
rick, has been a little disturbed, is perfectly quiet. Limerick
is the main scene of action. The number of rioters does not
appear to be very great ; but they, by intimidation, compel the
peaceably inclined peasantry very often to swell their ranks.
Arms are demanded and nothing else ; and they are under such
good discipline that plate, money, &c., are quite safe, and, what
is more extraordinary when you consider the habits of our
lower orders, liquor of all kinds is scrupulously abstained from,
even if offered. I know several persons who have come in
contact with them and their leader, Captain Eock, a name as
authentic as that of another leader, Mr North. He is a polite,
well-dressed, and gentleman -like fellow, strange as it may
appear to you. In general, there are no personal injuries
inflicted. Will Purcell of Albamira beat off a party of them
from before his house last week, with the assistance only of
a single man ; and this has raised the valour of our gentry.
If they imitate the example, as I am pretty sure they will,
the thing will be over in a month. We blame Mr Grant
for the whole. He has been bitten with the silly mania of
affecting liberality, conciliation, and other LillabuUeros of that
kind; which, of course, is regarded as cowardice or want of
power. Peel, our favourite, kept Ireland quiet from North
to South by a contrary conduct. When I get ' John Bull,' I
shall write you an article on the subject, not blaming Grant
of course ; but venting all manner of indignation on the " vile
instruments of faction " and " the base Whigs." . . .
I must again ask you to find out for me what are the latest
and best Syriac, Chaldee, and Samaritan grammars. Now, write
to Cadell and Davies to learn ; if they themselves cannot tell,
they will easily learn from Valpy. It would do me incalculable
service if I could compile a work on the subject, for Dr Kyle
would put it into the course of Trinity College ; and, it is highly
probable, it would be puffed by some excellent article in that
department. Besides, it would give me a grand air with the
public to make my appearance ringed round with the venerable
forms of the outlandish alphabets of the East.