When the first fervour of joy with which the commercial concessions inspired all classes of the community had somewhat abated, and men began to reason and examine into the nature of the boon they had so proudly rejoiced in, much was found that caused dissatisfaction. Among other things, the proposed system of equalizing the duties between the sister kingdoms was disapproved of; and government, with the height of imprudence, inflamed a nation already discontented, and with arms in their hands, by the pertinacious adoption of two measures eminently unpopular. One was the mutiny bill, for the punishment of mutiny and desertion in the army, and which, instead of being limited to a year, as it had been originally framed, according to the mode always practised in Britain, was, by an alteration, rendered perpetual. This alteration had been made by the cabinet at home after it was transmitted from Ireland by the lord lieutenant. The other measure was for the imposition of a duty on refined sugars imported into Ireland, for the purpose of encou→ raging at home the refining business; which bill was so modified by the British cabinet as to reduce the duty. Discontent spread throughout the nation; petitions were presented from various parts; but government, in defiance of this popular discontent, passed the altered mutiny bill by a majority of 69 to 25. Against these proceedings, however, the merchants' corps of volun teers, convened at the Royal Exchange, Dublin.

passed very strong resolutions, which were printed in the public papers, and similar resolutions were entered into by many other volunteer bodies. Against some of these resolutions, contained in newspapers, and which were of a most libellous nature as affecting the house of commons, a vote of censure was passed by that house, without any apparently direct application to the then formidable associations of armed citizens. At length, however, the session, which had been protracted to an unusual length, was put an end to on the 2d Sept. 1780, by prorogation. It had continued with augmented unpopularity, for, besides other proceedings of an unpleasing kind, two very popular bills had been rejected, one introduced by Barry Yelverton for a modification of Poyning's law, the other by John Forbes for the independence of the judges.

CHAP. II.

Administration of the Earl of Carlisle-His character-Accompanied by Mr. Eden (now Lord Auckland) as secretary-Thanks of

the house coted to the colunteers-Mr. Gardiner's efforts in behalf of the Roman catholics -Resolutions of the Ulster volunteers-Celebrated meeting of Dungannon-Resolutions passed there-Administration of the Marquis of Rockingham and Fox-Letters from those statesmen to Lord Charlemont-The Duke of Portland appointed viceroy-Under the auspices of this ministry the legislative independence of Ireland accomplished-Splendid exertions of Grattan.

THE administration of Lord Buckinghamshire gave little satisfaction to the ministers at home, and it gave as little to Ireland. It was his fate to displease both parties, and to be neglected by his employers in a manner equally disingenuous and unprincipled. He was sincerely desirous of promoting the welfare of Ireland, and the late Lord Pery, while he declared that never man was worse used than Lord Buckinghamshire, declared also that his dispatches, in proportion as he became

acquainted with the country, were just, accurate, and in every respect those of an honest man. But ministers paid little or no attention to them, and blamed him for effects which it was not in his power to controul, but which might be traced to their own pernicious and vacillating councils. In the hope, however, of concealing their own inefficiency they recalled his lordship, and Lord Carlisle was appointed his successor on the 23d December, 1780.

He

The Earl of Carlisle was a nobleman of high birth, polished mind, and graceful manners. had cultivated letters with some degree of success, and his literary exertions obtained the ap probation of Johnson at a period a little subsequent to his arrival in Ireland. He was accompanied, as secretary, by Mr. Eden, now Lord Auckland. That gentleman had also some claims to the distinctions of literature. He had, in the preceding year (1779) published four letters (addressed to the Earl of Carlisle) on political topics, the last of which was on the Representations of Ireland respecting a free Trade. He was the very reverse of Sir Richard Heron. Perfectly skilled in parliamentary language and management, of quick as well as versatile parts, consummate talents for business and correspondent industry, he was well calculated not only to guide the nation in its newly opened path of commerce, but to form such establishments as would advance

its progress therein, and enable them to improve

what they had acquired. But for such acquisitions a more pacific period was requisite. The nation called aloud for independence, and without a free constitution they regarded a free trade as altogether insecure, and, so far, of inferior value.

Lord Carlisle did not assemble the parliament till October, 1781, when it had become notorious. that government wished to check and disarm the volunteers, though they were afraid to adopt the measures necessary for success. They had distributed 16,000 stand of arms, and they were compelled to court the power they dreaded. These armed societies had now increased to 50,000 men, regimented and improved in tactics by reviews. In the debate upon the address Mr. Grattan took notice of the cautious omission of the word volunteers, a wholesome and salutary term, which he wished to familiarize to the royal Mr. O'Neil then moved, that the thanks of the house should be given to all the volunteers of Ireland for their unremitted exertions, and for their loyal and spirited declarations on the late expected invasion, which, with the exception of Mr. Fitzgibbon and Mr. Scott, who afterwards withdrew their objections, passed with unanimous good will. Various other patriotic measures were introduced, but not always with success. They served, however, to demonstrate the state of public opinion, and the feelings of the time; and indeed so rapidly did the enthusiasin spread among

ear.