irst offence, fined thirty pounds; for the second, they, too, are
subjected to _praemunire_. So far as to involuntary;--now as to voluntary
informers: the law entitles them to half the penalty incurred by
carrying or keeping arms; for, on conviction of this offence, the
penalty upon persons, of whatever substance, is the sum of fifty pounds
and a year's imprisonment, which cannot be remitted even by the crown.

The only exception to this law is a license from the Lord Lieutenant and
Council to carry arms, which, by its nature, is extremely limited, and I
do not suppose that there are six persons now in the kingdom who have
been fortunate enough to obtain it.

* * * * *

There remains, after this system concerning property and defence, to say
something concerning the exercise of religion, winch is carried on in
all persuasions, but especially in the Romish, by persons appointed for
that purpose. The law of King William and Queen Anne ordered all Popish
parsons exercising ecclesiastical jurisdiction, all orders of monks and
friars, and all priests, not then actually in parishes, and to be
registered, to be banished the kingdom; and if they should return from
exile, to be hanged, drawn, and quartered. Twenty pounds reward is given
for apprehending them. Penalty on harboring and concealing.

As all the priests then in being and registered are long since dead, and
as these laws are made perpetual, every Popish priest is liable to the
law.

* * * * *

The reader has now before him a tolerably complete view of the Popery
laws relative to property by descent or acquisition, to education, to
defence, and to the free exercise of religion, which may be necessary to
enable him to form some judgment of the spirit of the whole system, and
of the subsequent reflections that are to be made upon it.

CHAPTER III.

PART I.

The system which we have just reviewed, and the manner in which
religious influence on the public is made to operate upon the laws
concerning property in Ireland, is in its nature very singular, and
differs, I apprehend, essentially, and perhaps to its disadvantage, from
any scheme of religious persecution now existing in any other country in
Europe, or which has prevailed in any time or nation with which history
has made us acquainted. I believe it will not be difficult to show that
it is unjust, impolitic, and inefficacious; that it has