Page:A View of the State of Ireland - 1809.djvu/53

 and reprooved for his false oath, hath answered confidently, That his Lord commaunded him, and it was the least thing that hee could doe for his Lord to sweare for him; so inconscionable are these common people, and so little feeling have they of God, or their owne soules good.

Eudox. It is a most miserable case, but what helpe can there bee in this? for though the manner of the trialls should bee altered, yet the proofe of every thing must needes bee by the testimony of such persons as the parties shall produce, which if they shall bee corrupt, how can there ever any light of the truth appeare, what remedy is there for this evill, but to make heavy lawes and penalties against iurors?

Iren. I thinke sure that will doe small good; for when a people be inclined to any vice, or have no touch of conscience, nor sence of their evill doings; it is bootelesse to thinke to restraine them by any penalties or feare of punishment, but either the occasion is to be taken away, or a more understanding of the right, and shame of the fault to be imprinted. For if that Licurgus should have made it death for the Lacedemonians to steale, they being a people which naturally delighted in stealth; or if it should bee made a capitall crime for the Flemmings to be taken in drunkennesse; there should have beene few Lacedemonians then left, and few Flemmings now.