The Virginia Gazette

Dec. 7. Since the three Branches of the L-re have recently acknowledged that the Nation is indeed very wicked, i. e. very irreligious, extremely idle, much addicted to Gaming, and superlatively extravagant, we presume it cannot be taken ill by any, if we give our Readers a few Lines of a Project for the Advancement of Religion, wrote by the late Dean of St. Patrick's.

"It is in the Power of the Prince (says that great Genius) to make Piety and Virtue become the Fashion of the Age, if at the same Time he would make them necessary Qualifications for Favour and Preferment."

But the bare Example of Princes not being sufficient to stem the Torrent of Vice, when the Age is very corrupt, (instanced in Queen Anne, whose Virtues made none about her better) Dr. Swift then observes, that "Princes must therefore supply this Defect by a vigorous Exercise of that Authority which the Law has left them, by making it every Man's Interest and Honour to cultivate Religion and Virtue; by rendering Vice a Disgrace, and a sure Bar to Preferment and Honours: All which they should first attempt in their own Courts and Families. For Instance, might not the Queen's Domesticks of the middle and lower Sort be obliged, upon Penalty of Suspension or Loss of their Employments, to a constant weekly Attendance on the Service of the Church, and a decent Behaviour in it; to receive the Sacrament four Times a Year: to avoid Swearing and irreligious profane Discourse; and to the Appearance, at least, of Temperance and Chastity."

Every Government that would effectually suppress Idleness, should in the first Place lash those who are more immediately under its own Inspection and Command. In a Nation groaning under an enormous Load of Debts and Taxes, it is somewhat preposterous, that so many Thousands should have such large Salaries and Perquisites, some for only two or three Hours, some ten, others twenty, or at most thirty Hours Attendance in a Week: For setting aside the Consideration of bad Economy in the Case, it is to be noted, that few Men have Sense or Virtue enough to employ their Time well. If you give them Fullness of Bread with Abundance of Idleness, the Consequence is, that many of them will be too apt to rush into evil Courses, and by their Example draw others into the same ruinous Way of Living; to support which, the Public must be robbed, on the Highway, or otherwise.

The Father of the People having been graciously pleased to recommend to the Grand Council of the Nation the making some effectual Provisions to stop the Progress of Irreligion, Gaming, Idleness and Extravagance, it is the Duty of every Subject to second those laudable and pious Intentions to the best of his Power.