bility must exist, and would be all-sufficient for the security of property. Some objected to this, that mere convertibility was not enough without limitation; because though convertibility ensures the ultimate balance of the currency,-provides that it shall right itself from time to time,-it does not prevent the intermediate fluctuations which arise from the public not being immediately aware of the occasional abundance or dearth of money in the market. Notes usually circulate long before the holders wish for the gold they represent; so that fraudulent or careless issuers of convertible paper may have greatly exceeded safety in their issues before the public has warning to make its demand for gold; and thus the security of convertibility may be rendered merely nominal, unless accompanied by limitation. Others had a theory, that runs on banks were themselves the evil, and not merely the indications of evil; that all would be right if these could be obviated; and that they might be obviated in the provinces by the country bankers making their notes payable in London only. These reasoners did not perceive how much the value of notes, as money, would be depreciated by their being made payable at various and inconvenient distances; so that there would soon be as many different values in notes of the same denomination as there are different distances between the principal country towns and London. All agreed that there must be something essentially wrong in the then present system, under which a great number of towns and villages were suffering as severely as Haleham."

And so on the speculators went. We cannot leave this acute and gifted lady, without making a visit with her into the tenderest recesses of the heart-a sweet retirement where she is equally at home.

"Is it all settled?-completely settled?' asked Henry Craig of Horace, just when the latter was about to mount the coach to London, after a short visit of business, a few weeks after the stoppage of the D bank. And your sisters both leave us immediately ?'

"Certainly, and immediately. But ask them about it; for they can bear the subject better than I.'

I knew their intentions from the beginning; but so soon, did not wish to believe it till I heard it from one of yourselves. you, Horace, almost as much as for Mr. and Mrs. Berkeley.'

so very soon. I I am grieved for

"And for yourself,' thought Horace, who was now fully aware of Mr. Craig's interest in one member of his family. Do not think, Henry,' he continued, that I blame my sisters for what they have done. They took this step as a matter of course as a necessary consequence of my father's misfortune; and though I do not think I could have encouraged them to it, I cannot bring myself to say they are wrong. Yet, if I had known

"I thought you always knew. I was fully aware what they would do.' "If I had thought them in earnest————

"It was indeed true that Horace's sisters could bear this subject better than he. If they had been less grateful for his brotherly pride and affection, they would have called him weak for regretting that they should, like him, wish and work for independence.

"We leave Lewis behind, you know,' said Melea, smiling at the grave boy who was timidly listening to what Mr. Craig was saying, the next day, about his cousins going to live somewhere else. Lewis has made his uncle and aunt very fond of him already; and when he is son, and daughters, and nephew to them at once, they will have more interest in him still. Lewis's being here makes us much less uneasy in leaving home than any thing else could do.'

"While Melea went on to show how wrong it would be to remain a burden upon their father in his old age and impaired circumstances, Lewis stole out the room to hide his tears."

"And now, Melea,' said Henry Craig, Lewis is out of hearing of your lesson, and you know how perfectly I agreed with you long ago about what you are doing. Do not treat me as if I had not been your friend and adviser throughout. Why all this explanation to me?'

"I do not know; unless it was to carry off too strong a sympathy with Lewis,' 'But replied Melea, smiling through the first tears Henry Craig had seen her shed. do not fancy that I shrink. I am fond of children, I love teaching them; and if I could but form some idea of what kind of life it will be in other respects.' "You know, Melea,' Henry continued, after a long pause, would fain have saved you from making trial of this kind of life. stood, I am sure

you know how I

You have under

"I have, Henry. I know it all.

Say no more now.'

"I must, Melea; because, if we are really destined to be a support to each other; if we love so that our lot is to be one through life, now is the time for us to yield each other that support, and to acknowledge that love.'

"We cannot be more sure than we were before, Henry. We have little that is new to tell each other.'

“Then you are mine, Melea. You have long known that I was wholly yours. You must have known.

"Very long; and if you knew what a support-what a blessing in the midst of everything-it makes me ashamed to hear any thing of my share in the trial.' "Henry was too happy to reply.

"It is only a delay, then,' he said at length. We are to meet, to part no more in this world. You are mine. Only say you are now already mine."

"Your own; and I trust God will bless our endeavours to do our duty, till it becomes our duty to But it will be a long, long time first; and my having undertaken such a charge must prove to you that I am in earnest in saying this. I would not have said what I have done Henry, nor have listened to you, if I had not hoped that our mutual confidence would make us patient. We shall have much need of patience.'

"We shall not fail, I trust. I feel as if I could bear any thing now :-absence, suspense,-whatever it may please Heaven to appoint us. But I feel as if I could do everything too; and who knows how soon-Oh, Melea, is there really no other difficulty than our own labours may remedy? Your father-Mrs. Berkeley—

"Ask, them,' said Melea, smiling. I have not asked them, but I have not much fear.'

"Though Henry and Melea had long been sure that they had no reserves from each other, they now found that there was a fathomless depth of thoughts and feelings to be poured out; and that it was very well that Fanny was detained in the town, and that Lewis was long in summoning courage to show his red eyes in the diningroom. Its being Saturday, was reason enough for the young clergyman's going away without seeing the rest of the family; and that Monday was the day fixed for her departure, accounted for Melea's gentle gravity. She intended to open her mind fully to her mother before she went; but she must keep it to herself this night. "Every one was struck with the fervour of spirit with which the curate went through the services of the next day. Melea alone knew what was in his heart, and understood the full significance of his energy.

"It was not till Fanny and Melea were gone, and there was dulness in the small house to which their parents had removed, and it was sometimes difficult to cheer Mr. Berkeley, and wounding to hear the school-children's questions when the young ladies would come back again, that Henry Craig could fully realize the idea of the necessity of patience. He was still too happy when alone, and too much gratified by Mrs. Berkeley's confidence in him as in a son, to mourn over the events which had taken place as if they involved no good with their evil. Some of the dreariness of the family prospects belonged to his; but he had, in addition to their steady and lively hope of the due recompense of honourable self-denial and exertion,ja cause of secret satisfaction, which kept his spirit poized above the depressing influences of suspension and loneliness. He still believed that, happen what might, he could, without difficulty, be patient. According to present appearances, there was every probability that this faith would be put to the proof."

Farewell, meanwhile, to Berkeley:-we shall rejoice when we meet with him again!

THE IRISH VOLUNTEERS.

THE Irish Volunteers owed their origin to accidental circumstances. During the contest between Britain and her American Colonies, in which the latter were assisted by France, Britain was so reduced that she was unable effectually to protect Ireland. Her coasts were insulted, and her trading vessels taken, by French and American privateers, and an invasion was apprehended; but all the demands for troops were refused by the British Ministry. In self-defence, therefore, the Irish or

The Irish Volunteers.

ganized corps of volunteers, in different parts of the kingdom. They appointed their own officers; purchased their clothing, arms, and accoutrements; and, with the assistance of persons who had served in the army, were regularly drilled, and quickly acquired a knowledge of the military art. The respectability of their appearance, and the zeal they displayed in the service of their country, soon attracted general attention, and people of the first consequence became eager to enrol themselves in their ranks. Their number increased every day, and by the end of 1778, amounted to 30,000. As no foreign enemy appeared, against whom they might direct their military prowess, they turned their attention to freeing their country from domestic oppression. But though thus formidable in number, and openly avowing their resolution to demand restitution of their country's rights, they professed the utmost loyalty to the King, and the strongest desire to maintain, unimpaired, Engaged, as the attention of Ministry the connection with Britain. had been, with other momentous affairs, the formation of this formidable body had proceeded almost without attracting their observation; and when the attention of Ministry was at length directed towards them, opposition was considered hazardous. After an unsuccessful attempt, therefore, had been made to bring them under the influence of the Crown, Ministry resolved to treat them with a show of confidence, and 16,000 arms were issued for their use.

The Irish Parliament, encouraged by the spirit thus displayed by the nation, and pressed by the difficulties arising from the diminished value of their estates, resolved to obtain relief for their country. An Address to his Majesty was drawn up, in which it was declared, "That it was not by temporary expedients, but by a free trade alone, that Ireland was now to be saved from impending ruin." When this Address was carried to the Lord-Lieutenant, the streets of Dublin were lined with volunteers, in their arms and uniforms. In order to insure attention to their Address, the supply, which was usually voted for two years, was only voted for one year; and though this diminution of the supply was opposed by the Court party, it was carried through the Irish Parliament by a considerable Majority. This majority was partly obtained by the coercive measures resorted to by the Dublin mob, who rose, and, among other acts of violence, pulled down the house of the Attorney-General, and compelled many of the Members to support the diminution of the supplies.

The Ministry, seeing the dangerous position of Irish affairs, for matters seemed about to take the same turn they had done in America,-pressed by the arguments of the opposition, and embarassed by the diminution of the supplies,-found themselves obliged to take Irish affairs into consideration; and, on the 20th of December, 1779, resolutions were passed permitting the export of Irish woollens, and giving the Irish liberty to trade with our colonies-branches of commerce from which they had hitherto been excluded.

These concessions were, at first, received with unbounded joy and exultation; but it having afterwards been suggested that a free trade could be of little value, if held by a precarious tenure, and that a new Parliament might again impose the restrictions, the volunteers determined to secure the advantages they had gained. Their great object was to obtain a free constitution; and having this noble object in view, they were joined in great numbers. They had received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament for their exertions in behalf of their country; and

VOL. III.NO, XIII.

G

being thus recognised by the legislature, many who had formerly doubted of the legality of the association, having their doubts removed, enrolled themselves in their ranks. To give more effect to their resolutions, they were formed into battalions; and the newspapers were filled with their resolutions, declaring Ireland to be an independent kingdom, entitled by nature, reason, and compact, to all the privileges of a free constitution; that no power in the world, except the King, with the Lords and Commons of Ireland, had, or ought to have power to make laws binding the Irish; and that in support of these rights and privileges, they were de termined to exercise their rights and property. As the concession made by the British Ministry seemed insufficient, and it therefore became not improbable that force might be resorted to, to put down the volunteer corps, it was resolved to place them on the most efficient footing. Reviews were judged necessary, to teach them to act in large bodies, and to give them a more complete knowledge of the use of arms. Several of these reviews took place in the summer of 1780. The reviews in 1781 exceeded those of the preceding year in the number and efficiency of the volunteers. More than 5000 men were reviewed at Belfast alone, who were in possession of 13 pieces of cannon. On a report having been circulated of an invasion by the combined fleets of France and Spain, they shewed their alacrity to serve in the field; and for their spirited behaviour on this occasion, they, a second time, received the thanks of both Houses of Parliament.

On the 15th of February, 1782, as had been previously arranged, and notwithstanding every attempt on the part of Government to discourage it, the representatives of 143 volunteer corps met at Dungannon, in Ulster, resolved and passed eleven resolutions, of which the following are the most remarkable: 1st, It having been asserted that volunteers, as such, cannot with propriety debate or publish their opinions on political subjects, it was resolved unanimously, that a citizen, by learning the use of arms, does not abandon any of his civil rights. 2d, That a claim from any body of men, other than the King, Lords, and Commons of Ireland, to make laws to bind the people, is illegal, unconstitutional, and a griev ance. 3d, That the powers exercised by the Privy Council were unconstitutional, and a grievance. 4th, That the ports of the country are by right open to all foreign countries not at war with the King, and that any burden thereupon, or obstruction thereto, excepting only by the Parliament of Ireland, is a grievance. 5th, That it is the decided and unalterable resolution of the volunteer corps, to seek a redress of these grievances. The resolutions at Dungannon were received throughout Ireland with the utmost applause. The volunteers having appointed committees of correspondence, communicated their sentiments to each other with the utmost facility. An association formed in the name of the nobi. lity, freeholders, and inabitants of the county of Armagh, declared that they would, by all the means in their power, maintain the constitutional right of the Kingdom, to be governed only by the King and Government of Ireland; and that they would, in every instance, uniformly and strenuously oppose the execution of any statutes, excepting such as deriv ed their authority from the Irish Parliament; and they pledged themselves to support their declaration with their lives and fortunes. The declaration was quickly adopted by all the other counties, and similar sentiments became universal throughout the Kingdom. The change in the British Ministry, in the spring of 1782, facilitated the attainment of the wishes of the people. The Duke of Portland was sent to Ireland as Lord-Lieutenant, and in his message to Parliament he recommended

them to take into their consideration the discontents and jealousies which prevailed among the Irish. On the motion of Mr. Grattan, whose efforts had long been exerted for the good of his country, an address to his Majesty was agreed to by Parliament, in which it was stated, that the subjects of Ireland are a free people; that the Crown of Ireland is an Imperial Crown, inseparably annexed to that of Britain, on the connexion with which country the interests and happiness of both countries depend; but the Kingdom of Ireland is distinct, with a Parliament of its own-that there is no body of men competent to make laws to bind Ireland, except the King, Lords, and Commons thereof; nor any other Parliament that hath any other power or authority of any sort whatever in this country, except the Parliament of Ireland. They assured his Majesty that they humbly conceived, that in this right the very essence of their liberties did consist,—a right which they, on the part of all Ire. land, do claim as their birthright, and which they cannot yield but with their lives. To this remarkable address a most gracious answer was given, and steps were immediately taken to comply with the wishes of the Irish. The joy which now diffused itself over all the Kingdom was extreme. Supplies were immediately voted by Parliament to his Majesty. The Volunteers became, in a peculiar manner, the object of gratitude and panegyric. Addresses of thanks flowed in upon Mr. Grattan from all quarters; and the Commons addressed his Majesty to give him £50,000 in recompence of his services, for which they promised to make provision. This request was complied with. But still the jealousies of the Irish were not completely eradicated. All ground of discontent was, however, removed when Lord Temple went over to Ireland as Lord Lieutenant. For, on the representation of his brother and Secretary, Mr. Grenville, Mr. Townshend, one of the Secretaries of State, brought into the House of Commons a Bill, which passed into a law, relinquishing, in the most ample and express terms, on the part of the British Legislature, all claims to interfere with the judgments of the Irish Courts, or to make laws to bind Ireland in time to come. In this manner was the contest ended, and the country continued to enjoy peace and tranquillity till the breaking out of the rebellion, in 1798.

But there are serious impediments in the way of organizing such a force in Ireland at the present day. By the 47 Geo. III. c. 54, no person can retain arms in his possession, until he has made an affidavit of their number and description, and obtained a licence from the Justices at their Quarter Sessions, and been duly registered. These licences may be withdrawn at any time, and the arms must in that event be delivered up under heavy penalties, within forty-eight hours after notification. Any Justice of the Peace may grant a warrant to search the houses of unlicensed persons for arms, and if admittance is refused, the searchers may force open the door. Gunpowder, arms, and ordnance cannot be imported into Ireland without the licence of the Lord..Lieutenant. Neither can these articles be manufactured without a licence; and accounts of their stock and sales must be returned at stated times by the manufacturers. By the 60 Geo. III. c. 1, “All meetings and assemblies of persons, for the purpose of training or drilling themselves, or of being trained or drilled to the use of arms, or for the purpose of practising military exercises, movements, or evolutions, are prohibited as danger. ous to the peace and security of his Majesty s liege subjects, and of his Government."

We thus see that, if the volunteers are to be revived, it must be on a very different footing from those of 1782.