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was completely defeated. In their flight, they left a small party, with one piece of cannon, on a rising ground, to cover their retreat. To drive in this party, and take possession of the cannon, the younger Robert and his boyish band was dispatched; and the affair was so conducted on both sides, that some officers, who were present, declared that it bore the strongest resemblance to real action. That a great majority of our youthful heroes believed it to be such, I am fully convinced. When the defendants gave way, and abandoned their gun, young Stewart rushed forward in the ardor of his soul, grasped it in his arms, then mounted its carriage, waved his cap, and, with tears of triumph, huzzaed to the main body, and called them to come on.

This circumstance had a most powerful effect on the then ardent mind of the multitude present; and their account of it excited high expectations of, and a warm attachment to, the rising Robert, through the whole county. From that day, many began to look forward to, and speak of him, as their future representative. "If such be the boy, what may we not expect of the man!" was to be heard in, almost every company; and I own that my own expectations were as extravagant, and my attachment as enthusiastic, as those of any other man living.

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The continued effect, and importance, of this circumstance, were strongly marked in the year following. In that year, the first great contest for the representation of the county, took place, between the Hillsborough and Stewart family, or, as it was generally considered, between the court and country interests. At the commencement of the election, the success of Mr. Stewart was confidently spoken of. His conduct in parliament, during the preceding seven years, had fully justified his patriotic professions, satisfied the expectations, and secured the support, of a numerous and powerful body in the county. Yet, even this well-earned popularity was weakened by a toadish coldness, and haughty distance of deportment, which disgusted and alienated many, who had been esteemed warm and steady friends to the independence of the county. The consequence was, that the contest, at the end of five weeks, became doubtful; and, a few, days afterwards, notwithstanding every exertion of Mr. Stewart's friends, his conduct rendered it desperate, by a dereliction of Mr. Ward, with whom a junction had been formed and ratified, under the sanction of their common friends, for the common support of the common cause. This dereliction degraded him in the estimation of his warmest advocates; and his subsequent conduct, in the house of commons, respecting a petition against the sheriff's return,

and

and the committee which presented it, reduced him so low in the eyes of the county, that, I believe, all thoughts of attempting to reinstate him were totally abandoned. However, he avoided the disgrace of a public rejection, by taking shelter some time afterwards, under the shade of a peerage.

My attachment to, what I consider as the good of my country; and an attachment, scarcely subordinate, to the Stewart family, induced me to devote my time, my labor, and my purse, to their joint service, from beginning to end of this long and expensive contest. And as I had the honor of being a member of one of the committees, by which it was conducted, every public measure, and public character, came under my observation. Among the latter, that of the young Robert Stewart already mentioned, was the most attractive and interesting. He was every where, with every body, and his mild manners, unremitting attention, fascinating address, and manlike conversation, revived the impressions of the preceding year, and gave strength to the prejudices conceived in his favor.

Among many instances of this which occurred, during the election, I hope I shall be excused for the mention of one. A few days before its close, I brought forward about forty freeholders,

freeholders, whom I had formerly engaged to wait for my call, and of a description which would have done honor to any country. They were all wealthy farmers, and remarkably well mounted; and, as volunteering had given them some idea of order, I brought them in, in Indian file, and, after proudly parading the town drew them up, two deep, before Mr. Stewart's lodg ings. This was the unfortunate morning, though I did not then know it, on which Mr. Stewart had abandoned Mr. Ward; and with him, as some maliciously said afterwards, "honor and honesty," the motto of their junction. Ere my arrival, the sheriff and his deputy had been some time in court, and Mr. Stewart could not make up his first tally. On seeing me therefore, the expressions of joy were considerable. The young Robert rushed into the street, and, throwing his arms round my horse's neck, exclaimed: "O, Mr. Dickson, are all these for

my father?" 66 Yes, my dear boy," said I. On

this, he darted into the house, and, in an instant, returned, crying: "See! See! father! See what Mr. Dickson has brought! I would rather be at the head of such a yeomanry, than be the first lord ever a king created." The multitude, who crowded the street around us, seemed delighted with his spirit, and my corps was not less so with his compliment. Their language to each other was; "this is our noble young captain-he's a sweet boy-he'll be our man yet, if he lives."

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Daring the succeeding seven years, which were devoted to his education, his popularity not only continued, but encreased; and that he justly deserved it, I can personally testify, as the greater part of that time he spent in my neighbourhood, and almost under my eye. He was then the pupil of Mr. Sturrock, Chancellor of Portaferry, now Dr. Sturrock, Archdeacon of Armagh a man, whose sweetness of temper, gentleness of manners, and correctness of morals, were as well calculated to conciliate the heart to virtue, as his judgment, taste, and literary attainments were to enrich the understanding with the principles of knowledge. Under the doctor's tuition, his pupil's attention was unremitting, and his progress rapid. The knowledge of this being circulated, added to his reputation, and the hopes of his friends: and his going to the university under the auspices of the late lord Camden, whose memory will ever be revered by the real friends, of the British empire, and of liberty; the full benefit of his lordship's instructions and example; with the additional advantage of prosecuting his studies, under the special tuition of the celebrated Dr. Watson; led to the belief that he would enter upon the theatre of public life, not only as a profound scholar, but an accomplished statesman, a zealous friend to civil and religious liberty, and an honest advocate for the independence

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