the same effect, which generally attends those kind of measures.  It added fuel to flame.  But his greatest enemies must confess, that the pamphlet is written in the stile of a man who had the good of his country nearest his heart, who saw her errors, and wished to correct them; who felt her oppressions, and wished to relieve them; and who had a desire to rouze and awaken an indolent nation from a lethargic disposition, that might prove fatal to her constitution.  This temporary opposition but increased the stream of his popularity.  He was now looked upon in a new light, and was distinguished by the title of THE DEAN, and so high a degree of popularity did he attain, as to become an arbitrator, in disputes of property, amongst his neighbours; nor did any man dare to appeal from his opinion, or murmur at his decrees.

But the popular affection, which the dean had hitherto acquired, may be said not to have been universal, ’till the publication of the Drapier’s Letters, which made all ranks, and all professions unanimous in his applause.  The occasion of those letters was, a scarcity of copper coin in Ireland, to so great a degree, that, for some time past, the chief manufacturers throughout the kingdom were obliged to pay their workmen in pieces of tin, or in other tokens of suppositious value.  Such a method was very disadvantageous to the lower parts of traffic, and was in general an impediment to the commerce of the state.  To remedy this evil, the late King granted a patent to one Wood, to coin, during the term of fourteen years, farthings and halfpence in England, for the use of Ireland, to the value of a certain Aim specified.  These halfpence and farthings were to be received by those persons, who would voluntarily accept them.  But the patent was thought to be of such dangerous consequence to the public, and of such exorbitant advantage to the patentee, that the dean, under the character of M. B. Drapier, wrote a Letter to the People, warning them not to accept Wood’s halfpence and farthings, as current coin.  This first letter was succeeded by several others to the same purpose, all which are inserted in his works.

At the sound of the Drapier’s trumpet, a spirit arose among the people.  Persons of all ranks, parties and denominations, were convinced that the admission of Wood’s copper must prove fatal to the commonwealth.  The Papist, the Fanatic, the Tory, the Whig, all listed themselves volunteers, under the banner of the Drapier, and were all equally zealous to serve the common cause.  Much heat, and many fiery speeches against the administration were the consequence of this union; nor had the flames been allayed, notwithstanding threats and proclamations, had not the coin been totally suppressed, and Wood withdrawn his patent.  The name of Augustus was not bestowed upon Octavius Caesar with more universal approbation, than the name of the Drapier was bestowed upon the dean.  He had no sooner assumed his new cognomen, than he became the idol of the people of