The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

To the Printers.

The following entertaining and true story (though personal) merits a place in your paper, & whilst it moves the passions, must give the highest pleasure to every sentimental reader.

DURING the Tory administration of Queen Anne, no courtier was more caressed, adored, and raised to higher places of trust, honour, and preferment, than the noble Butler, Duke of Ormond. Her Majesty had appointed him Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; and his Grace, in sailing from Chester to Dublin, through a dangerous channel, was overtaken by a violent storm, which drove them on the rocks of Anglesea, where they were wrecked; his Grace and only a few of his retinue having, with difficulty, saved their lives by swimming to Land. That part of the island on which they were cast, was cold, barren, and uncultivated. Having travelled some miles through a desert, the first house they espied was a humble cottage of a poor curate. It consisted of a kitchen and bed-chamber, both meanly furnished. The clergyman, on seeing his weather-beaten guests, knew them to be persons of rank, and gave them a most welcome reception. Having kindled a warming fire, bedried their wet garments, and set before them the best entertainment of the house. His frugal, though decent hospitality charmed the Duke. He was transported to see so much solid contentment and unalloyed felicity possessed by his generous landlord. He asked the curate what his yearly living was. "Five pounds," replied Joseph (for that was his real name) "but I have a notable wife, and, as we have two cows, we sell their milk and butter, which almost supports us, and we reserve the five pounds to buy clothes, and for our children's education." Ormond, on his departure, promised to remember his host, and his secretary gave Joseph directions where he might find his guests, if ever he came to Dublin.

The curate waited long to hear of something being done in his favour; but in vain. At last, roused by his wife, he resolves to push his fortune, and, being properly equipped, he sets out for the Irish metropolis. On his arrival, being a scholar, and a man of considerable abilities, he was readily admitted by the Dean to preach next Sunday forenoon before the Lord Lieutenant and both Houses of Parliament. Having mounted the pulpit, he chose that remarkable text, "But the chief Butler (his Grace's name was Butler) remembered not Joseph but forgot him." Here he painted the vice of ingratitude in the most striking colours, and shewed the unhappy influence that high life has on the great, in making them forget the beneficent and humane actions done them by those who dwell in the humble valley of obscurity and indigence; and having described this criminal negligence towards their generous benefactors, he observed,

That this might arise, not so much from an innate depravity of heart, as from the multiplicity of state offices in which they may be nobly employed, or from having their minds poisoned by the bewitching flatteries of mercenary sycophants, who cease not to draw their attention from the amiable pursuits of humanity, justice and compassion, into those of riot, intemperance and debauchery. Having come to his application, he thus concluded,

"And now, honourable audience, let each of us turn our thoughts inward, and ask ourselves: Did I ever receive a grateful kind office from any one in a station of life far inferior to mine, from one to whom all bountiful heaven had not dealt out her common gifts with so liberal a hand to me; but on whom she had conferred more valuable blessings, an open, a generous heart! And have I neglected to reward it tenfold! Was I ever in my life exposed to the rage of the merciless elements, when all nature seemed to conspire for my destruction? Did I ever see my companions swallowed up in the devouring deep, and myself brought safe to land with a surviving few! And did any poor, but content man, receive me and my associates into his house, whilst his active wife was employed in making a fire, and with unaffected decent simplicity, prepared a repast of plain wholesome food, to cheer our fainting spirits, and invigorate our cold drenched limbs, now safe from the dangers of the stormy main—who would not permit his guests to stir from our charitable dome, till clear serene skies, and general sunshine, invited us to proceed on our journey? And have I, ungrateful man