It is fortunate for Ireland, and disastrous to her calumniators, that a recent and great event has at once exposed the misrepresentations of her enemies, and displayed a great source of her misfortunes. The visit of a conciliating King to a distracted people rapidly disclosed their native character, and produced a burst of unfeigned, unanimous, genuine loyalty, never before experienced in such profusion by any Monarch from his subjects. The equivocating language of diplomacy was rejected for a while. The King was a Patriot, and the People were loyal. For the first time they were allowed to approach each other. Both were sincere—and both were ardent. In a few days, the King became despotic in the affections of the Nation, and his Ministers descended into a comparative insignificance. When he arrived, he was respected as a British King—but when he departed, he was adored as an Irish Monarch. He saw at once that the existence of faction and discord was incompatible with the peace and prosperity of Ireland; and that she hung on Great Britain, as a withering limb upon a healthful body—essential to its symmetry, but useless to its functions, and injurious to its Constitution.
There was but one remedy—conciliation. His Majesty saw its efficacy and commanded its adoption.—But his commands were disobeyed by the Regal Rebels[[53]]—and Ireland is still seen withering and cankering—by the obstinacy of intolerant faction, the irritation of local tyranny, and the multiplying mischiefs resulting from disobedience to the benevolent and wise commands of the only British King who ever yet set foot on the Irish shore as a friend and as a patriot.
[53]. Mr. Grattan’s definition of men, “Who make their loyalism a pretence to perpetuate their supremacy,—and distract the peace of a country under colour of protecting it.”
The above work will shortly be completed in ten numbers, royal 4to, price 10s. 6d. each, and published by Messrs. Colburn and Bentley, New Burlington Street, London; Bell and Bradfute, Edinburgh; and John Cumming, Dublin: and subscribers are particularly requested to send their orders to their respective booksellers for the completion of their sets.
PRINTED BY A. J. VALPY,
RED LION COURT, FLEET STREET.