and now Whitshed was harnessed to Wood in a pillory of contemptuous ridicule.  Indeed, so bitter was the outcry against the Lord Chief Justice, that it is said to have hastened his death.  The cities of Dublin, Cork and Waterford passed resolutions declaring the uttering of Wood’s halfpence to be highly prejudicial to his Majesty’s revenue and to the trades of the kingdom.  The Drapier was now the patriot, and the whole nation responded to his appeal to assist him in its own defence.

[Footnote 3:  The highly wrought up story about Swift’s butler, narrated by Sheridan, Deane Swift and Scott, is nothing but a sample of eighteenth century “sensationalism.”  Swift never bothered himself about what his servants would say with regard to the authorship of the Letters.  Certainly this letter to Midleton proves that he was not at all afraid of the consequences of discovery.]

[Footnote 4:  See Appendix V.]

The text of the present reprint is based on that given by Sir Walter Scott, collated with the original edition and with that reprinted in “Fraud Detected” (1725).  Faulkner’s text of 1735 has also been consulted.

[T.S.]

[Illustration: 
             A

**LETTER**

TO THE
**WHOLE People**
OF

**IRELAND**.

By M.B. Drapier.

AUTHOR of the LETTER to the
    SHOP-KEEPERS, &c.

DUBLIN:

Printed by John Harding in Molesworth’s-Court in Fishamble Street. ]

LETTER IV.

A LETTER TO THE WHOLE PEOPLE OF IRELAND.

MY DEAR COUNTRYMEN,

Having already written three letters upon so disagreeable a subject as Mr. Wood and his halfpence; I conceived my task was at an end:  But I find, that cordials must be frequently applied to weak constitutions, political as well as natural.  A people long used to hardships, lose by degrees the very notions of liberty, they look upon themselves as creatures at mercy, and that all impositions laid on them by a stronger hand, are, in the phrase of the Report, legal and obligatory.  Hence proceeds that poverty and lowness of spirit, to which a kingdom may be subject as well as a particular person.  And when Esau came fainting from the field at the point to die, it is no wonder that he sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.

I thought I had sufficiently shewn to all who could want instruction, by what methods they might safely proceed, whenever this coin should be offered to them; and I believe there hath not been for many ages an example of any kingdom so firmly united in a point of great importance, as this of ours is at present, against that detestable fraud.  But however, it so happens that some weak people begin to be alarmed anew, by rumours industriously spread.  Wood prescribes to the newsmongers in London what they are to write.