02625cam a22003613u 4500 4063 UtSlPG 20260610133121.0 m cr n 260607r2003||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PR Smith, Sydney, 1771-1845 Peter Plymley's Letters, and Selected Essays Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2003 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2003-05-01 Peter Pymley's Letters -- Historical Apology for the Irish Catholics -- Ireland and England -- Moore's Captain Rock. Transcribed from the 1893 Cassell & Company edition by David Price "Peter Plymley's Letters and Selected Essays" by Sydney Smith is a collection of satirical letters written in the early 19th century that address the contentious issue of Catholic emancipation in Ireland. Through the persona of Peter Plymley, Smith engages in a witty and incisive critique of political and religious bigotry, advocating for the inclusion and rights of Catholics in a predominantly Protestant England. The letters are not merely a reflection of the historical grievances of the time but also showcase Smith's keen intellect and ability to intertwine humor with serious commentary. At the start of the work, the reader is introduced to the character of Peter Plymley, who writes to his brother Abraham, a cleric living in the countryside. Plymley's tone is both affectionate and mocking, as he first compliments Abraham before launching into a robust defense of Irish Catholics. He counters common prejudices and fears about Catholics with logical reasoning and historical context, while also highlighting the absurdity of religious exclusion in matters of national security. The opening establishes a combative yet humorous framework in which Smith tackles the deeper societal issues of his time, signaling that this collection will be both an exploration of personal and political themes, rooted in wit and eloquence. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Essays Great Britain -- Politics and government -- 1800-1837 Catholic emancipation Catholics -- Great Britain -- History Catholics -- Ireland -- History https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/4063 46109 46109