even hint that dr. Dickson intended to be in Belfast, on that day, but as being at Mr. Pottinger's, and about to be there until seven o'clock in the evening. Mr. Hughes speaks of him as being in Belfast, whence he proposed going to Mr. Pottinger's in the evening. These, however, are inconsistencies so trivial as scarcely to deserve notice. But this same sentence contains a circumstance of another kind, and which will soon appear to be of some importance. This is, "A request that intelligence of what should be done in the Antrim meeting might be sent after him to Mr. Pottinger's, whence he was to proceed to Ballee." Of this request nothing shall be observed at present, only that with it the supposed interview between dr. Dickson and Mr. Hughes must have terminated and all Mr. Hughes's matter of information respecting the doctor must have then terminated likewise, as no succeeding communication between them, by conversation, message, or epistle, is even hinted at.

That this was the case appears from the episode which follows, and of which the reader will form his own opinion. "On the Sunday,

came from Dub

Mr. Keane, of Finlay's bank,
lin, and asked him "where dr. Dickson was "—
He told him he would find him at Ballinahinch
-Keane went there on Monday, as he believes."

Why

Why the preceding was introduced by Hughes, or inserted in the lord's report, I can not possibly conceive, as it cannot be tortured into the support of any charge or even suspicion against dr. Dickson. Yet, it derives importance, like many other silly, senseless, impertinent, things, from the place which it holds. Hence, like them, it may claim some notice.

Be it noted then, that Mr. Keane of Finlay's bank was a person totally unknown to dr. Dickson; and that he never had any business either with him or Finlay's bank, of any kind whatever-that, from what has been related, in this narrative, dr. Dickson neither was nor could be found by him, in Ballinahinch, on Mondayand, that, as dr. Dickson was taken prisoner, on the day following, it may be presumed that they did not meet, on that day.

8

Be it noted also, that Portaferry, the place of dr. Dickson's residence, and Belfast, are equally distant from Dublin, though twenty two miles asunder-that, on Sunday, dr. Dickson, as minister of the congregation, was more likely to be found there, than heard of in Belfast, what then, could drive Mr. Keane to Belfast, to inquire where dr. Dickson was, be his business what it might? And, in a town so populous, and where dr. Dickson had many hundreds of intimate acquaintances during thirty preceding

years,

years, what kind dæmon could have directed him to Mr. Hughes, who has claimed only an intimate knowledge of the doctor, for two years, and with whom the doctor has disclaimed all intimacy? Should it be supposed that Mr. Keane had been at Portaferry, and directed thence to Belfast, such supposition must be overturned by the fact that every individual of the doctor's family could have assured him of finding him at Ballee on Monday.

Only one supposition remains, on which Mr. Keane's going to Belfast can be accounted for. That is, that dr. Dickson, as he did not know that such a man as Mr. Keane existed, may have informed some friend in Dublin, who informed Mr. Keane, that he might be heard of in Belfast, at such and such a time.

But, at such a time, and in such an emergency, why give such information? Dr. Dickson knew that he was obliged, by the appointment of his presbytery, to be at Ballee, on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (2d. 3d. and 4th. of June) and was determined to proceed thence to Ballinahinch. Why, then, not inform his friend directly that he would be found at these places, on these days respectively, rather than give occasion to a wandering inquiry by a circuitous route? From Dublin to Ballinahinch, direct, is only seventy-four miles; by Belfast, ninety-four-to Ballee,

Dd

Ballee, seventy-three; by Belfast, one hundred and four. Besides, the information, obtained in Belfast, only led to a wild-goose chase; whereas the other would have secured the attainment of its object.

I shall mention only one other circumstance, on this part of the business. Mr. Hughes swore, before the committee, that "Dickson said he would go from Mr. Pottinger's to Ballee, where he was to preach on Sunday"-the very Sunday,. on which he swore also that Mr. Keane called on him. Now, as dr. Dickson was to be at Ballee, by an authoritative appointment, not only on Sunday, but on the preceding Saturday, and Monday following, is it probable that he mentioned one of these days to Mr. Hughes, without speaking of the other two? If so, why tell Mr. Keane-and, as appears, tell him posi-tively he would find him at Ballinahinch," where, in consequence of his appointment, he could not possibly be?

We now come to the last paragraph of Mr. Hughes's information, in the order of the lord'sreport." On Friday the 1st. of June, Dickson told him that he was one of the adjutant generals of the united Irishmen's forces in the county of Down; and that he (Dickson) would go to Ballinahinch and remain there till Wednesday, as it was a central place, from which he could

issue his orders to his officers-Dickson told him that the reason why he would remain at Ballinahinch till Wednesday was, that the Antrim colonels had adjourned till the Tuesday, and that he could receive their determination in Ballinahinch on Wednesday."

pre

What a paragraph is here!!! On considering it, as it stands, and where it stands, it has a curious aspect-on placing it where it ought tobe; and restoring the connexion, broken by the ceding episode, I am convinced, my readers will be surprised, astonished, provoked! By looking back to the first paragraph, they will perceive that dr. Dickson's supposed message by Mr. Magin was delivered to Mr. Hughes, on Friday the 1st. of June, and that the doctor's communication, according with what "Mr. Magin had stated, was made to him, on the same day. On returning to this paragraph, he will find that it begins with: "On Friday the 1st. of June, Dickson told, &c. &c." Hence the whole information, contained in both paragraphs, must have been given to Mr. Hughes on the said "1st. of June, two days previous to Mr. Keane's arrival from Dublin on Sunday the third of June, whatever may have been the order, in which said information may have been communicated by him, to the committee of Lords.