tion. In these conversations, I always took a decided part, as it was well known, from the year 1778, that parliamentary reform, and Catholic emancipation, without which reform was only an empty name, were objects near and dear to my heart. Nay in all conversations of the kind, for some years afterwards, I used al my powers, and influence to elucidate the principles, prove the necessity, and diffuse the spirit, of union, with a view to attain them and this I did, in the full conviction, not only, that I was-laboring to insure the security of his Majesty's throne, and independence of Ireland, but discharging a most important, moral and religious duty. In these efforts, I felt a flattering encouragement from the resolutions, &c. with which the public papers teemed in the Spring of 1792: and the enthusiasm, with which all ranks looked forward, in the beginning of that summer, to the volunteer reviews, and the celebration of the French Revolution, tempted me to hope that government would see the wisdom, and feel the necessity, of conceding the. measures, in question, to the public will.

This hope, as far as it related to Catholic Emancipation, was soon checked by an artful manœuvre. This was the holding up a prospect of concession, not "total and immediate," but gradual and progressive." The reasons as

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manœuvre. This was the holding up a prospect of concession, not " total and immediate," but gradual and progressive." The reasons assigned for this delusive measure were, the profound ignorance of the catholics, and consequent incapacity, not only of enjoying, but bearing liberty. These reasons, or rather shameless pretexts, though equally unfounded, insulting, and blasphemous, imposed on a few, and gave others an excuse for opposing the public will, and public wish.

To my astonishment, this delusion operated on a small party, in the enlightened and liberal town of Belfast; and displayed itself on the 14th. of July, after a public review, in a discussion, before the great volunteer body, there assembled, gradual emancipation was introduced, and pleaded for, on the ground of catholic ignorance and incapacity; and the language, in which the impolicy, danger, and folly of total and immediate enfranchisement was expressed, excited disgust and indignation in the minds of the people. Several gentlemen ably rejected, and warmly reprobated, the assertions made, and sentiments expressed, by the promoter of opposition to the general sense of the assembly; and, latterly, something too warm. seemed to pervade it, of which I feared the increase and the consequences. Under the influence of this fear, and in hope of checking the heat

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heat of debate, I reluctantly yielded to the im pulse of addressing the meeting: and, as argument was unnecessary, where there was nothing like argument to answer, after what had fallen from other gentlemen, I only hung a few rags of ridicule on the step-ladder of " gradual emancipation," which were eagerly laid hold of, and, in the heat of imagination, formed into a mantle under which Mrs. " time to time" looked so silly, that her god-fathers were ashamed of, and abandoned her. In In consequence, Lady "total and immediate" was unanimously adopted, embraced, and cheered.

From the publications in the Irish papers, and the multitudes, from all the neighbouring counties, who were present, on this occasion, the decision of the day was proclaimed far and wide, and, every where approved of. And as a number of gentlemen, from Dublin, warm friends of reform, and of their country, attended the meeting, it was soon known in the metropolis, by all ranks of people, and celebrated with rapture. New life, strength, and activity, were infused into the friends of union. The public papers teemed with resolution, in its favor, from every town, every village, and every volunteer association, in Ulster, so as scarcely to leave room for the toasts, wet or dry, of the demi-patriotic societies, denominated" whig clubs," which embraced a great portion of the nobility, and landed property, of the province.

Towards

Towards the end of the year, the idea of parish and county meetings was started, and eagerly pursued, till it led to a provincial convention, at Dungannon, February 15th. 1793. The object of these meetings was so clearly expressed, in the language of the county of Down, January 21st. and of the Dungannon meeting, February 15th, 1793, that it can neither be misunderstood, nor misrepresented, while words are allowed to have any meaning, or those, who use them, to possess common sense. This object was, that, " by free and general communication, the provincial will, regulated by the wisdom of the province, may be concentrated in a point, from which it may be directed to the other provinces of the kingdom, and flow, with clearness, harmony, and strength, into the houses of parliament, and presence of majesty ;"" in order that a complete and radical reform may be speedily effectuated."

That, with a view to this reform, I used every exertion, of which I was capable, both in public and private, to convince all, with whom I was conversant, of its necessity to restore our paralysed constitution, conciliate the public mind, and establish his majesty's throne in the affections of the people; and of the equal necessity of union, among Irishmen, in order to obtain, perhaps, I might say, extort it, from the faction

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of the day, I need not attempt to deny. Were I so weak as to do so, the public thanks of my congregation, which embraced the presbyterians of half a barony, and my own publication of part of what I preached, as the politics of the bible, on days set apart, by proclamation, for praying the politics of the existing ministry, would shamefully confute me.* Besides, as I was, by particular desire, as well as public appointment, present at and took a decided part in all the meetings of the county of Down, previous to the Dungannon convention. Meetings, unprecedented in numbers, and embracing the rank and property of the county-and, afterwards, at the Dungannon convention, as a delegate for the Barony of Ards. As I had no inconsider

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*At this time, every art was used, and every power exerted, by the enemies of emancipation, to seduce and intimidate my congregation, and not without a partial success. Many families withdrew from my ministry, for a season; and, an attempt was made to have a new meeting-house erected, for their accommodation. These things only enlivened my sense of duty, and roused me to encreased exertion. To public addresses from the pulpit, I added local visitations of the districts into which my parish was divided, and even domiciliary calls upon the disaffected. Thank God, my efforts succeeded. The wanderers returned to my fold, and, in the gratitude of their hearts, published the address of thanks, to which I have alluded. But, strange to tell, these things reached the eye, or ear, of the noted sir R. Musgrave, who has presented them to the world, with his usual colouring of malignity and falsehood, in his medley of misrepresentations.-N. B. A specimen of the sermons, as published in 1793, is subjoined to this Narrative.