"Then rushing out of doors, to be resolved,
If these men so unkindly knocked, or no,
Ingratitude, more strong than traitors' arms,
Quite vanquished thee, then burst thy noble heart!"
On which was engraved, in vivid characters, love for thy religion, patriotism for thy country, loyal and sincere allegiance to thy Queen, and a burning desire for civil and religious liberty for all mankind. Oh, how justly may we apply to thee, the words of the poet,
"Thou art the ruins, of the noblest man,
That ever lived, in the tide of times."
I, formerly, like many other Englishmen, thought only very lightly of thy actions; but thy noble deeds convinced me of my rash judgment; and as some little retribution, I have paid this small tribute to thy memory. Oh, may God forgive me for my rash judgments, and may thy colossal soul rest in peace.
But can I here forget "the finest Protestant (as the immortal Dan. justly observed) that Ireland ever saw?" O no! I know indeed, some will sneer at it, and call it the voice of flattery, but in the eyes of poor Ireland, it will be regarded as a just act of gratitude, to remember the liberal, the high-minded, and chivalrous nobleman, the Marquis of Normanby. When this kind hearted, and enlightened statesman, first placed his foot on the shores of Ireland, "the cauldron" (of political discords) as Lord Plunkett had said, "was boiling over, and the polemic (religious) contest was thrown in as an ingredient." But as soon as the Marquis of Normanby, hoisted in Ireland his political flag of truth, of justice, and of honour, then the cauldron (of political discord,) gradually cooled, and the polemic (religious) contest gradually subsided, into the more congenial calm of peace, of union, and of charity. Hence, might be seen the noble Marquis of Normanby, and his charitable marchioness, gracing, and gladdening by their presence the streets of Dublin, unattended by military escorts, but safely guarded, by the generous hearts, and faithful loyalty of a grateful people. To have touched even a single hair of their heads, or to have offered the least insult to these noble, and generous creatures, would have instantly brought down on the base offender, the indignation and fury of the people. There the noble Marquis, without any detriment to his political dignity, walked without guards, surrounded by the hearts of the people, an honour to England, a just representative of our most gracious, liberal, and well-beloved Queen, the idol of the people, and the saviour of Ireland. But why mention merely Ireland? His whole political career, has been a consistent course of truth, of justice, and of honour. When only young, the golden prospect of Tory promotion, the inheritance of his noble father's political influence, a seat in Parliament already obtained by a Tory constituency, were all laid before him; when lo! his penetrating though youthful mind, saw that his dear country required reform, and therefore, sacrificing all the above golden prospects, he disinterestedly ranked himself, under the banner of reform. Afterwards a sinecure, but profitable office under Government, was offered him by the Whig ministry; but his political creed, was reform and consistency, and therefore, he politely declined the tempting offer. He is afterwards honoured with the government of Jamaica, and there shews himself the sincere friend of the slave, and on one occasion, generously and manfully exposed even his own life, to vindicate and obtain their just rights: and how dearly he was there beloved, the sorrowful and sincere lamentations, that bade him the last farewell, can best tell. He is honoured also, with the government of Ireland, and gradually peace, contentment, and union, begun to smile on that long agitated, and mis-ruled land. But in all his political promotions, to his honour be it remembered, that he never solicits nor asks of Government any places of office for his relations. Such has been the consistent and even tenor of his political career. Long, will the name of Normanby, be dearly cherished, in the heart of every sincere Catholic, of every grateful Irishman, and of every true English reformer; and he will be handed down to posterity, as a worthy descendant of the Mulgrave family, whose character has always been distinguished, for their acts of justice, liberality, and charity to all, without any distinction of religious creeds. Well then might the immortal Dan declare, that "The Marquis of Normanby, was the finest Protestant, that Ireland ever saw."
TRANSCRIBERS' NOTES
Introduction
Page iv: Latern as in the original
First address
Page 1: goverment corrected to government after "The clergy, and the head of the"