THE 



MONTHLY MAGAZINE. 



Vol. VIII.] JULY, 1829. [No. 43. 



IRISH PARLIAMENTS, AND THE FORTY SHILLING 

 FREEHOLDERS. 



It had been our intention to make no further reference to the Roman 

 Catholic Question. During the progress of the measure we had unhesi- 

 tatingly resisted it ; and the decision to which the Legislature finally 

 arrived^ seemed to us founded on reasons too feeble for the conviction 

 of any man thoroughly aware of the consequences. But the bill was 

 now a part of the law of the land ; and we had too much reverence for 

 even the shadow of the Constitution, to offer such resistance as the press 

 puts into every man's power, to a measure whose results were stiU in 

 theory. 



But totally distrusting the declarations that all was to be peace, and 

 that the fortunate period was at hand, when political faction was to 

 disturb men's minds no more, on the most important topic that had come 

 before England for a hundred years, we will own, that we expected 

 to find in those who had gained the triumph, at least the prudence to 

 keep the more obnoxious sources of irritation from the national eye. In 

 this we have been signally disappointed. The possession of power, has 

 ^■^ught the Irish leaders only the way to gain still more hazardous 

 power ; and the submission of Protestant England, has been made with- 

 out any other profit than the keener exacerbation, and the more unmea- 

 sured boasting of its enemies. Mr. O'Connell has just been making a 

 tour through the south of Ireland. What the final issue of his canvas 

 is to be at the hustings, will be settled before these sheets come from the 

 press. But the final issue is totally unimportant, contrasted with the 

 previous proceedings. It is not in the town of Ennis, but on the high- 

 ways, that his true election is carried on ; and it will not be in the paltry 

 distinction of being a representative for Clare, but in the solid possession 

 of the whole delegated authority of Irish party, that Mr. O'ConneU's 

 entrance into the House of Commons will be an omen of public evil. 



The country sees him marching at will, with his tens of thousands, 

 through the most inflammable portion of Ireland, making the most vio- 

 lent harangues, declaiming against the British Government, and avowing 

 his full determination to overthrow the Union : an overthrow which 

 must result in a final separation of the empire. On this career he goes, 

 with the most open scorn of public propriety. We see him invested 

 with his green ribbon and medals, the Ordei- of Liberators, the new Irish 

 Legion of Honour. We read his motto :— 



M.M. New Series.— Voiu.Ylll. No. 43. B 



