IN SOCIETY; a Society
equalled by none. It is true, we read of Patriarchs, Philosophers,
Warriors, Orators, and Poets; of Senates, Parliaments, Councils, _&c._ but
we no where, abstracted from our own Country, meet a Set of pious
Patriots, from their _private Funds_, adorning their Country in general,
in every Degree and Branch of Industry, and Improvement; and, inspired
with Sentiments truly public and social, munificently rewarding their
Countrymen, of whatsoever Denomination, without Favour or Distinction; for
meliorating their proper Estates, or Farms; for excelling in any
Production of Nature, or Art; for any Discovery, or Invention, useful to
Mankind: A Set of _truly honourable_, and _generous_ Personages,
instructing their Countrymen with clear, yet philosophical Precepts,
encouraging them by their Example, and rewarding them from their
inexhaustible Bounty! _Such_, and _such unrivalled_, is the ILLUSTRIOUS
DUBLIN SOCIETY! What Pity, the ample Distributions, and instructive
Writings of this learned and munificent Body, are not regularly published,
in _Latin_, _English_, and _French_, for the peculiar Honour of this
Nation, the Edification of Posterity, and as a bright Pattern of Imitation
to all other civiliz'd Countries!

Now likewise appeared the _Philharmonic Society_, that, (from a few
Gentlemen, who used _occasionally_ to meet, in order to while away an Hour
with a gentle Tune, and chearful Glass) grew into an harmonious Body, not
alone for the Improvement of the charming Art of Music, but for the
_effectual Relief_ also of successive Thousands, from Misery, Famine, and
Confinement: _Concordia res parvae crescunt_. ORPHEUS, we are told, built
the Walls of _Thebes_, by the irresistible Powers of Harmony: Be this true
or fabulous; how many Iron Gates have we not seen open, to the persuasive
Charities of this tuneful Society! how many gloomy Cells vacated by their
Charms! This elegant Society, by moderate Loans, Interest-free to the
industrious Poor, prevents many such from getting into the Distress of
Prisons, or following offensive Courses; and, by enabling them to obtain
an honest Livelihood, rendereth them useful Members to the Community: So
that, of this Society, it might have been justly said,

_Omne tulit Punctum quae miscuit utile dulci._

In this happy Reign was incorporated, under the protective Sanction of
Royal Bounty, a Society, truly Christian, for the pious Establishment of
_Protestant_ CHARTER