cessity, in which they found themselves placed of conciliating fools with follies, and of tempering with the appearance of sacrifice the prejudices of well-meaning ignorance, and the interests and passions of a large and divided empire.

That they had great and numerous difficulties to contend with, there can now be little doubt -not difficulties originating from the dissatisfaction, or opposition of the English people, not difficulties arising from the wealth, influence, mind, or character, arrayed against them, but such difficulties as are not always in the reach of the first intellect and the purest principles to control. The ear of royalty was exposed at all hours to the insidious whisperings of evil counsel; rumours the most injurious to the steadiness and honour of the Sovereign, to the relation in which he then stood to his people, to the rank which he held amongst the princes of Europe, were industriously bruited abroad: it was reported, even long after the royal speech had been pronounced, that there were hours of wavering and intervals of dissatisfaction, sudden misgivings, unwise suspicions in the royal breast; as if the Monarch of these realms could thus withdraw, without a sacrifice of every principle, his plighted word to the country, and turn back

alarmed by the malignities or menaces of any body or individual, from the broad course of justice and policy, which he had prescribed to himself. In the Commons the question was carried by a very considerable majority: this was anticipated: no strong impression seems to have been made on public opinion by the event. It was still hoped by the exclusionists that the majority in the Lords would be so trifling, as to justify the assertion so frequently put forward, that the great mass of the nation, both aristocracy and people, were decidedly against the measure, and that no other house than a Canning's House of Commons would have dared to pass it. It was still hoped a dissolution of parliament might be forced by circumstances upon ministers, and the King's mind might be roused by the dissent of his people. The majority of one hundred and five in the Lords, on the second reading of the bill, put the matter beyond doubt. It passed through the Committee without an amendment, and on the 13th of April, amidst the benedictions of a grateful people, and without the slightest demonstration of popular tumult, on the part of its opponents, it received the ROYAL ASSENT.

Thus terminated, after a struggle of more than half a century, a noble cause, founded, like the

abolition of the slave trade, on the principles of the simplest justice, and supported in its progress, by all that was splendid in intellect, or elevated in character, in this great empire. To the last moment that it was at all practicable, opposition to these just claims had been continued. No appeal to justice or humanity, no assertion of solemn treaty, no vindication from infamous calumny, no continuance of unimpeachable conduct, had availed. Ireland was not yet known, and was despised. All information of her wants came through partial channels. It was not then by sleep, and by apathy, and by acquiescence, and by dutiful behaviour, that she obtained her legitimate station and her ancient birthright; but it was-and let nations listen to it and learn, for it is a great and instructive lesson to those who still sit in bondage,-it was by the unceasing importunity at the debtor's gate, by the outstretched and firm arm in demand of natural rights-by the untiring clamour for redress-by the determined resolve-never, never to lie down in patient slavery, whatever might ensue; it was by this that she acquired her freedom, and it was by this that she deserved to acquire it.

This singleness and stea

diness of purpose in a legitimate struggle, has

been spell sufficient to work greater miracles.

To the gradual developement of such sacred convictions in the national heart, America owes her independence; and with all obstacles to contend against, in herself, and in her allies, Greece shall yet owe hers. Once kindled, neither years nor men can extinguish it. Her enemies may be powerful, and united, and persevering-her friends feeble, faithless, and indolent-a just cause and a firm will are match sufficient against them all. In the late long battle, many there were, who fixed their eyes more on the combatants, than on the noble end for which they combated, and measuring both by such an estimate, the chance of success appeared weak and distant. These were narrow views: as if in this man, or in that man were bound up, the destinies of a great country. Washington did not make Americabut America made Washington. "If Philip be dead," says the Athenian orator, your errors will soon raise you up another Philip." So was it with Ireland: events, and the public wrongs, would never have left her without tongues of fire, and arms of iron, to speak, and to act, for her. But this, and higher resources would have been useless, had not a sage and judicious policy presided over its management. In political struggles, what is not useful must be inju. rious; and no stray application of the moral

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means vested in the country, could have been merely indifferent. It is in this point of view, an inquiry into the machinery of the Association will afford to all classes of a free country, the most important instruction. It is true, indeed, that the application, to Catholic purposes, is for the future rendered unnecessary. But, in a state like ours-founded at an early period of European civilization, and retaining still, in its present improvement, much of the ancient clumsiness and imperfection of all early institutionsit is only natural, that there should be a constant struggle going on towards amelioration. There will be in some part or other of the body efforts to throw off the old vices of the system, continually appearing on the surface of society; and it is a matter of some moment to the wellbeing of the entire political body, that they should be subjected to a wise control. The reader, who has followed the preceding narrative with attention, will have caught some clue to this mystery. He will have seen, that the Catholic Association began from very humble means, and grew up at last into a body, capable, even on the averment of a cabinet minister himself, in despite of lord lieutenant, and parliament, and sovereign, of shaking from its basis the steadiest institutions of the empire. This progress, when com