ABSTRACT
Eighteenth-century newspapers published a variety of material that included advertisements as well as “news”. The article below falls in the former category, but in soliciting funds for The Hibernian Society it offers information about the Royal Hibernian School, established in Dublin in 1769. The Hibernian Society was especially concerned with the fate of children left behind by soldiers who fought in the Seven Years War or perished in Irish garrisons. Upon its establishment, the Parliament of Ireland granted upwards of seven thousand pounds to build the school but it relied upon private charity as well. This advertisement connects charity to soldiers’ children to a form of national service. It also hints at the greater priority of rescuing soldiers’ sons, since they, unlike daughters, can eventually enlist. However, the statistics provided suggest that most boys instead chose apprenticeship in civilian occupations.
