e, a distinguished Figure, as well in the Field, as in the
learned Professions; and were formerly so warlike a People, that of
themselves they formed an heroic Cavalry, justly stiled the _Phalanx_ of
that Part of _Ireland_ wherein they resided.

How our Neighbours came to call us _waild Ayrish_, I am a Loss to
conjecture; it being evident we have been a thousand Years, at least, in
Possession of Letters, Laws, and Civility, before the Arrival of _Julius
Caesar_ in _Britain_.

I am equally at a Loss to know why a Man should become a standing Jest for
his Ignorance in an alien Tongue, almost the constant Fate of our
Countrymen in _Britain_, where, whoever is not smartly expert in the
_English_ Language, is immediately denominated a _Teague_, a _Paddy_, or I
know not what, in the Stile of Derision: At the same Time that the most
awkward-tongued _Irishman_ in _London_ speaks _English_ with far more
Propriety, and a better Accent, than the smartest _British Petit Maitre_
in _Paris_ doth _French_.

Some dramatick Scriblers, (probably of our own degenerate Growth) the
better to qualify them for eleemosinary Dinners, gave Rise to this
impertinent Treatment of a Nation, which, from the concurrent Testimonies
of all the Dispassionate and Learned, can, in Reality, be as little the
Object of Scurrility, as any other.

Why should even poor _Teague_ prove so constant a Butt, to Farce-wrights,
and Hackney Laughers; when, upon Examination, he is, by a thousand
Degrees, preferable to the _British_ Hobbinol, or _French_ Gregoire? For
_Teague_ is a very Pattern of Hospitality; so much so, that if a Gentleman
should happen to miss his Road, and be nessitated to seek the Shelter of
_Teague_'s Cabbin, or Hut, was poor _Teague_ trusting to two Sheep for his
worldly Subsistance, he would kill one, and sell the other, at the next
Village or Inn, for the better Entertainment of his Guest, and think
himself happy in such an Occasion of approving his Generosity and Respect:
He would the next Morning abandon his Spade, and chearfully trot ten Miles
to shew such bewilder'd Gentleman the right Road. He is naturally civil,
generous, and hospitable, (for scarce a Night passeth that poor Travellers
are not entertained in his Cottage,) extremely respectful to his
Superiors, and to his Lord and Master faithful to Death. The military
Annals of _Europe_ proclaim his Capacity and Taste for Fighting; then if
you should take this identical _Teague_'s infant