Genre:

News-Commentary, Drollery

Subjects:

Philosophy, Religion, Comparative Philology, Natural History, Politics, Government

    Argues that the solution to the 'Irish problem' may lie in the work of Emanuel Swedenborg, who describes certain 'evil uses' or foul creatures (notably serpents and frogs) which can be used to 'injure man' but can help absorb 'malignities'. Explains that unfortunately St Patrick killed off all the vipers in Ireland and thus removed one of the 'evil uses' which could remove such 'malignities' as 'Fenian journalists and sympathisers with Fenians', 'agrarian assassins, and incendiary priests'. Accordingly, thinks that the government should reintroduce adders, toads, and frogs into Ireland in sufficient numbers as to reduce the 'malignities'.