MADDEN, Samuel: Reflections and Resolutions Proper for the Gentlemen of Ireland, As to their Conduct for the Service of their Country, As Landlords, As Masters of Families, As Protestants, As descended from British Ancestors, As Country Gentlemen and Farmers, As Justices of the Peace, As Merchants, As Members of Parliament.

“A NAME WHICH IRELAND OUGHT TO HONOUR” - JOHNSON

Dublin: Printed by R. Reilly, for George Ewing, 1738, re-printed 1816. Large post octavo. pp. xxii, [vi], [1], 2-224. Bound in contemporary full sprinkled calf. Covers framed by a gilt chain-link roll enclosing in the centre an oval chain, with harp at top and bottom in gilt. Flat spine decorated in gilt. Splash-marbled endpapers. All edges marbled. Some surface wear. A very good copy.
COPAC locates 6 copies only.
In this remarkable work the sorry state of the country is ascribed to the extravagance and idle disposition of the people. Madden recommended that criminals, instead of being executed or transported should be employed in workhouses, and that itinerant husbandmen should be employed to travel throughout the country for the purpose of instructing farmers in the best use of their land. Samuel Madden D.D. (1686-1765), a distinguished writer and one of the founders of the Royal Dublin Society was born in Dublin and educated at T.C.D. Following his ordination he became rector of Galloon and subsequently of Drummully. In September 1730, Madden submitted to Trinity College, through its parliamentary representative Marmaduke Coghill, a scheme for the encouragement of learning by the establishment of premiums. He proposed to raise a fund by taxing undergraduates and voluntary subscription, and Madden himself contributed £600. It was from this that he got his cognomen ‘Premium Madden’. Having spent a life of exemplary piety and charity devoted to the better improvement of his fellow countrymen, he died at Manor Waterhouse, County Fermanagh in 1765. He bequeathed a large and valuable collection of books to Trinity, and several paintings which are now in the Provost’s house. Originally published anonymously in 1738. Preface signed: R.E.M

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