misapprehensions might exist as to the character of those who commanded a guiding influence in their affairs. They would best accomplish this by sending men of education and of fortune, who, as ambassadors from Ireland, would conduct the cause of aggrieved and injured millions. The root of their power was indeed hidden in that subsoil of society which oppression was accustomed to regard with peculiar contempt; but at least they would demonstrate that there were branches distinguishable and distinguished, which raised their heads as proudly as the best of those who affected to deem them worthy of being treated with sectarian contumely and disdain." After dwelling or this subject at some length, in a strain of fanciful, but striking and picturesque embellishment, he proceeded to answer a somewhat disingenuous objection which had been raised, that those who were to accompany Lord Fingal might be regarded by his Lordship as spies set upon his conduct. "There was no need to

fear anything of the kind.

The persons who were

chosen, he would feel were sent to act as aids, not as sentinels around him. Peers as well as Commoners ought to be selected, for as the latter would have access to members of the Lower House friendly to their cause, so the former would most fitly represent

At

them with the House of Lords, as claiming, by constitutional right and ancient usage, to take their hereditary place in that Assembly in which he trusted they would yet live to see them recognised as no unworthy ornaments. Their cause was indeed that of the nation; that of the peasant as well as of the peer. The rights of humanity were violated by the penal code, and the cause of humanity was as immutable and comprehensive as the wide and permanent heaven. If they sent seven men they would send seven trumpets which would sound a note of summons and of warning at the gates of oppression. the trumpets' sound, the walls of Jericho would fall, and the stronghold of corruption and exclusion sink into the dust." Adverting to an address to the Prince of Wales, he said, "that he still, as an Irishman, desired to place confidence in the disposition of his Royal Highness. Suspicion was an evil counsellor at all times. The serpent was not suffered by nature to bask on their shores; let them not, then, harbour that distrust whose coil was more insidious, and whose tongue was more full of poison. All, however, would depend on the preservation of unanimity among themselves. If they were either to be successful or to be happy in the enjoyment of success, they

must be tolerant towards each other, and united. Rome, after the civil wars in Italy, would have built a temple to Freedom; but no, she did what was wiser and better. She built a temple to Concord, because concord leads to freedom." Much applause greeted the young orator when he sat down. The reports published in the newspapers of the time were very imperfect; and it is only in fragmentary portions that we are able to form any judgment of the whole. Some weeks later he spoke again at an aggregate meeting held in Fishamble-street Theatre, and which was attended by many peers and commoners of distinction. The subject was, an address to the Prince Regent, whom the Parliament of Ireland had, in 1788, been willing to invest with plenary rights and powers of sovereignty, while the majority of the Parliament of England, swayed by the advice of Mr. Pitt, would have limited his authority by restrictions. Sheil believed that "the same feelings which prevailed at that time, still animated the public mind. There was no longer, indeed, an Irish Parliament, but there was still an Irish people, who looked with confidence to the heir of the Crown as ready, when opportunity should serve, to facilitate their attainment of freedom. They wished to show that there was no

Mr.

French party in Ireland, as had been recently alleged; and if the occasion should ever arise, it would be found by the usurping tyrant of France that he had no allies among the Catholic inhabitants of the realm. Even though denied a participation in the privileges of the constitution, they were not insensible to its blessings with how much more zeal would they be found ready to fight for their country, when politically as well as socially they should have a country to fight for." Among those present on the occasion was the Knight of Kerry, the late Mr. Maurice Fitzgerald, who complimented the young speaker highly, and said, he hoped one day to see him in the House of Commons. Just twenty years later the anticipation was fulfilled. A more cautious and accomplished critic was struck with the indications of original thought and expression which the reports, imperfect as they were, of his early speeches contained. Mr. Alexander Knox, with whose life and correspondence the public have since become acquainted, happened to be in Dublin at the time, and expressed a wish to see the youthful demagogue. Pleased with his simplicity and enthusiasm, he took some pains to point out the principal faults of immaturity in his style, but added many kind words of encouragement, which were not thrown away.

His

His personal appearance and bearing at this time are described-by one who mentions his having first seen him at a county meeting, held in the spring of the same year, at the Court House of Kilmainham-as grave and self-possessed. Though hardly numbering wenty years, he looked nearer thirty, and seemed as if he felt that he was one day to enact a part. In his recent displays, he had attracted much attention by his force of phrase and novelty of elocution. figure was thin, but square and compact. It would probably have appeared large and muscular on the stage, for which many thought he had considerable qualifications. The crowd became very dense, and it was manifest that the place where the meeting was to have been held could not afford room to one half of the persons likely to be assembled. Some one proposed an adjournment to an open space adjoining, which was resisted by those who had obtained good seats within the building. At length Sheil undertook the task of persuading these reluctant persons to surrender their advantage, and take their chance with others. What the entreaties of others had failed in, he readily accomplished, and he never spoke better than on this trivial occasion.

Having completed his collegiate course, he took his