As long as Ireland shall pretend,
Like sugar-loaf, turned upside down,
To stand upon its smaller end,

So long shall live old Rock's renown.

As long as Popish spade and scythe
Shall dig and cut the Sassanagh's tythe,
And popish purses pay the tolls,
On heaven's road, for Sassanagh souls-
As long as Millions shall kneel down
To ask of Thousands for their own,
While Thousands proudly turn away,
And to the Millions answer nay,”
So long the merry reign shall be
Of CAPTAIN ROCK and his family.'

PUBLIC

London:

JAMES ROBINS AND CO. IVY LANE, PATERNOSTER ROW:

AND

JOSEPH ROBINS, JUNR. AND CO. LOWER ORMOND QUAY, DUBLIN.

IT was the saying of one of my ancestors, remarkable for a kind of prophetic wisdom, that Ireland never would be happy until the Sovereign of Britain had been made acquainted with the actual condition of the people. My father, who was a wise man in his way, used to compare this observation to the sapient oracles of antiquity, which promised certain results when things impossible in themselves should have taken place. He considered it incompatible with the nature of things that truth could approach the throne of Majesty; and, as it was the interest of so many in Ireland to keep the Sovereign of the people ignorant, he thought it quite irrational to suppose that a King of these realms should ever hear the truth respecting the state of Ireland. Had my ever-honoured father, however, lived in this happy reign-had he been here now to extract titillating dust' from the golden snuff-box presented to his son by George the Fourth, he would undoubtedly have altered his opinion, and proclaimed that, if his ancestors were right, Ireland must soon be happy, for even he would be compelled to acknowledge that OUR KING is accessible to truth and reason.

6

Time, which should soften our asperities, has reconciled the ROCKS of Ireland to the Royal House of Brunswick; and, as a proof of their friendly disposition, I, the favourite chieftain of the race, with their unanimous concurrence, beg leave to dedicate to your Majesty the first volume of my literary labours. This work was undertaken nearly twelve months ago, for the express purpose of enlightening statesmen, and dissipating the prejudices of Englishmen ; and I am proud to know that every one of your Majesty's ministers are subscribers to my weekly Gazette. It also gives real satisfaction to hear that your Majesty has more than once expressed your unqualified admiration of certain parts of my writings; and that your Majesty may be induced still farther to convince yourself of my loyalty and wisdom, I beg that you will honour me by accepting the first volume of Captain Rock in London.'