The United Irishmen, their lives and times. With several additional memoirs, and authentic documents, heretofore unpublished; the whole matter newly arranged and revised. 2d series

Front matter

ffl

THE

UNITED IRISHMEN,

Chapter I

Origin, education, and early career. — His marriage.-^Contributions to London magazines — first literary production. — Embarrassments : Connection with Catholic Committee; w-ith the Wliig Club; with the Society of United Irishmen.— Mr. Arthur AVellesley's first speech in the Irish Parliament in favour of Cathohc Emancipation in 1793 ; members of Cathohc Committee. — Tone's soubriquets ior his poUtical associates.— Catholic Convention.— Belfast Pohtics.— Declaration of first Society of United Irishmen drawn up by Tone. — His organization of the society, in conjunction with Russell and Neilson. — Formation of Ulster and Leinster Directories —Thurot's descent on the coast of Antrim.— Early relations of no^*^' of Iparties in Ireland with the French government. — Idem in \7<^ iVir. PitJiicl 1797. — Jackson's mission to Ireland. — Tone, Reynolds, ; formed Cimpiieated in it.— Notice of the Abbe Barthelemy. — Tone's andl75f the State of Ireland for the French government.— His of "IJiications with Jackson.— Lord Fitzvvilham's recall. — Tone ex- ... — Departure for America. — His previous engagements with John iveogh, Thomas A. Emmet, and Richard M'Corinick, to proceed to France to solicit French aid. — The garden scene in Rathfarnham ; similar one on the Cave Hill, Belfast.— Dr. M'Donnell of Belfast ; liis accoimt of Tone's views as to separation, etc. . . • 1-30

.CHAPTER II.

Tone's arrival in America ; his departm-e ; his mission in France. — Early betrayal of secrets of United Irishmen.— The informer Maguan.— Tone's commimications in France with the French government ; with the American ambassador Monro; with Madgett, General Clarke, Colonel Shee, General Iloche, Carnot, Charles La Croix. — His suspicions of Duckett. — His diaries; account of his negociations with the Directory for an expedition to Ireland ; his efforts during seven months for the accomplishment of that object ; his success. — Appointed chef de brigade, and subi^oqucntly adjutant-general. — Proceeds with Hochc to Brest. . o0~.55

IV CONTENTS.

CHAPTER HI.

rrt'paratioiis for 'Bantry Bay expedition at Brest. — Attempt to assassinate lloche. — lloche's complaints against Admiral Villaret Joyeuse. — Of his procrastination and the impediments he caused in the preparations for the expedition. — Notice of Admiral Joyeuse. — Departure of the expedition the IGth December, 1796. — Tone embarks on Board the Indomitable frigate. — The expedition consists of seventeen sail of the| hne ; ten frigates and seven or eight transports ; number of men embarked, fifteen thousand one hundred, Avitli forty-five thousand stand of arms, ammunition, artillery, etc. — Separation of the fleet. — Tone with about half the vessels that composed the expedition reach Bantry Bay. — General Grouchy, chief in command, dechnes to land liis force of about six thousand men. — French ships remain six days in the bay, within five hundred yards of the shore, without having seen a smgle EngUsh vessel of war. — The expedition of thirty-five sail reduced to fourteen after a succession of violent gales of wmd. — On the 29th of December, 179G, the signal given to put to sea and return to Brest. — End of the famous Bantry Bay expedition. ..... 56-74

CHAPTER IV.

Tone's affairs in France and Holland, from January to July, 1797. — Arrival of his family from America in Holland. — Man-iage of his sister Mary. — His letters to Mrs. Tone and his cliildren. — His journals during the time he was attached to the Batavian army, from June to October, 1797. — His account of the preparations for the Dutch expedition at the Texel. — His conferences at Paris with Lewins the " Minister from Irelan\ the

Leinster Directory of United Irishmen. — ^Failure of the Dutc } and destruction of the fleet commanded by De Winter by ' ■ fleet mider Admiral Diuican, 11th October, 1797. — Formation ', ai-my called L'Armee d'Angleterre, and appointment of Bouap;. command it. Tone writes to Bonaparte oSering his services, which ., accepted — His introduction to Bonaparte by General Desaix. — The Irish refugees in Paris — Tone's complaints of Tandy and Quigley.— Letters

from Wifliam Tone in India Eeferences to young Arthur Tone's ad-

ventiu-es. — End of Tone's journals. — His opinions of Eussell, Emmet, Keogh, Lord Edward Fitzgerald, O'Connor, and others. — The Dulie of WeUington's opinions of Tone's journals to Eogers. — Bonaparte's views respecting Ireland.— Tone sent for by the Directory in ]May, 1798, to assist in the organization of a new expedition against Ireland under General Humbert. — Another expedition against Ireland under General Hardy sailed in September, 1798, with a force of three thousand men.— Of this small squackon fo;ir vessels arrived.— In one of these, the Hoche, 74, Tone had embarked. .... 74-109

- CHAPTER V.

Bonaparte's mistaken views respecting Ireland.— Hardy's and Humbert's expeditions and their residts.— Notice of Matthew Tune, his trial and

CONTENTS. Y

execution. — T. W. Tone's opinion of the hopelessness of Hardy's expedition previous to his embarkation on board the Hocke. — His design to anticipate Ids fate in the event of failiire. — His conduct on board tlie Hoche during the engagement witli the EngUsh fleet. His capture on board tlie Hoche. — Recognized and denounced by a gentleman said to have been a fellow-student of his at College.— Notice of Sir George F. Hill. — Secret service money references. — Tone put in irons and imprisoned in Derry. — His protest against Lord Cavan's conduct. — Sent to Dublin in irons. — Tried by Com-t Martial. — His address to the Court. — His con\'iction. — His execution ordered. — Fomid the following morning mortally woimded by his own hand. — Proceedings in the King's Bench to arrest liis execution. — Conduct of Major Sandys. — Notice of Sandys' career subsequent to 1798. — His prosecution at the suit of Hevey. 110-136

CHAPTER VI.

Curran's relations with the United Irishmen.— Tone's letters to Ms friends after lais con\iction. — Unfoimded suspicions in regard to Tone's death. — Attendance on liim of Dr. Lentaigne. — Notice of Dr. Lentaigne. — Tone's death and burial. — Monument over his remains at Bodenstown. — Inscription on liis tomb, written by Davis. — Lines on Tone's grave by Davis. — Bushe's testimony to Tone's talents. — Tone's hterary and poUtical productions.— His lines, "Wlien Eome by dividing had conquered the world". — Notice of Mrs. Tone. — Her letters. — Notice of the career of young Tone. — Letters of Mrs. Tone to the author.— Notice of the father of T. W. Tone, and of his son WUliam Tone. — Surviving relatives of T. W. Tone. — Letters of WiUiam Tone to his father. — Account of IVIary Tone and of her brother Arthur. — Reference to an informer in the pay of Mr. Pitt, who, under the signature of O, kept his master didy informed of the movements of Tone and his associates m Paris in 1797 and 1798. — Close of the career and notice of the character of the widow of T. W. Tone. ..... 13G-173

MEMOIR OF HAMILTON ROWAN.

CHAPTER I.

Origin and early career of Arcliibald Hamilton Rowan. — His marriage and return to Ireland.— The case of Slary Neil and Lord Carhampton.— Affair of honour with Lord Carhampton.— Origin of Rowan's connection with United Irislimen.— Duel of Dowling with Peter Burrowes — Explanation demanded of Lord Clare.— Tlu-eatened prosecution in 1792.— Arrest of Rowan in 1792.~Proceedings against Rowan.— Debut in public hfe of Mr. John Giffard.— Giffard's first services in packing juries.— Rowan's trial and Curran's defence.— The Jury Packing system.— Rowan impUcated in Rev. W. Jackson's treason.— Rowan's escape from Newc'ate.— Reward for Rowan's apprehension. — Mrs. Sweetman's narrative

II. 1 vi CONTENTS.

•

of his escape.— Complaints of Boatmen.— Proposed subscription.— Statement to K.' K. M. of the son of James ilm-ray, one of the boatmen who accompanied Rowan to France. — Horrors of the French Eevolution.— Rowan proceeds to America.— Renewed acquaintance with Tone.— Lord Clare's efforts in behalf of Rowan.— Refusal of the latter to retract liis opinions.— I'ermission to proceed to Hamburgh. — His memorial to the IQng.— His opinions on the Union. — Terms of pardon of A. H. Rowan. — His return to Ireland.- His connection vrith the Roman CathoUc Association.—Attack on Rowan in Parhament. — C. H. Hutcliinson's and Brougham's defence of Rowan. — An explanation demanded by Rowan of G. R. Dawson. — Dawson's apology to Rowan. — Letter of an American Quaker friend to Rowan in regard to his unsubdued fighting propensities. — Captain Hamilton's remonstrance to Peel. — ^Death of Mrs. Rowan — Notice of Captain Hamilton, R.N.— Death of Captain Hamilton.— Death of A. H. Rowan. ..... 174-227

MEMOIR OF ARTHUR O'CONNOR.

CHAPTER I. !

Origin, early career, and connection ^Tith the Society of United Irishmen. — 1 Claimed descent of the Comiers of Bandon from the O'Connor sept. —

Family of Roger Conner, of Connervolle. — O'Coimor's accoimt of his \

career and associates. — Refusal of the offer of place as Commissioner in I

the Revenue, mth a promise of the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer. — j Letter of A. O'Connor to the author. — His jealousy of liis associates and

aU competitors ^vith him for popularity. — His animosity to O'Connell. — j

His injustice to T. A. Emmet.— References to Thomas A. Emmet of W. I

M.-TAe Press and its contributors. . . . 228-241 ,

j

CHAPTER II. i

Organs and pensmen of the Society of United Irislimen of Dublin. — The Press and its writers : Notices of Deane Svnit and Dr. Drennan. — TTie Union Star and AYalter Cox. — The origin of The Press. — The printer of The Press pilloried. — Escape of Sut from assassination. — Stockdale's connection with The Press. — Serjeant Downes arrested, tried by court-martial, and shot. — Letter of O'Connor in The Press. — O'Connor's views

in establisliing The Press Denunciations of torture in The Press. —

Notice of William Orr.— Letter of ]Miss M-Cracken to her brother in regard to Orr's trial — The letter signed Marcus in The Press ascribed to Mr. Deane Swift. Notice of Theophilus Swift and his sons. His warfare with the Fellows of Trinity College.— Notice of Dr. Drennan. — Notice of Walter Cox and the Union Star, an Irish Magazine.— Notice of Dr. John Brenan in the Milesian Magazine.— l>iotice of John Giffard and the Dublin Jo (/rna/.— Impunity accorded to Orange outrages by the government in 1798.— Murder of Mr. Ryan, of WatUng Street, by yeomanry cavab-y.— Trial and acquittal of the murderers. . 241-29t>

CONTENTS. vii

Chapter III

O'Connor's flight from Ireland in February, 1798 — His arrest at Maidstone.— Trial and acquittal. — Condemnation of the priest Coigly. — O'Connor's re-arrest.— Transmission to Ireland Compact of the state prisoners

with the goverraneut. .... 297-310

Chapter IV

Examinations and e\'idence of Arthm- O'Connor before the Secret Committees of the House of Lords and House of Commons in 1798. . 310-327

Chapter V

O'Connor's protest agahist the breach of the compact entered into with the state prisoners by the government. — Removal to Fort George. — Imprisonment there for three years and three months. — Liberation on the coast of Holland. — His relations in France with WiUiam Putnam M'Cabe. — Liberation of the other state prisoners. — O'Connor's career in France. — His political prhiciples and intellectual character. . 328-33 7

Chapter VI

Notice of the latest work of General O'Connor— Mo/jo/jo/?/ the Cause of all Evil — published in 1848 ; extraordinary opinions and extravagant ideas therein propoimded.— O'Connor's polemics. — His defence^of L^nited Irishmen.—O'Connor's ideas on British rule in India.— His jealousy of his associates.— End of the career of General O'Connor. . 337-358

MEMOIR OF LORD EDWARD FITZGERALD.

Chapter I. -^"'

Origin and early career of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. — Notice of his family. — Lord Edward enters the army. — Mihtary career in America. — " The faithful Tony". — Lord Edward's application to mihtary science. — His first acquaintance with INIajor Sirr. — His Canadian life. — Lord Edward's •views of life in the woods of Canada.— His early engagements.- Retm-n to Ireland.— His abode at " Sweet Frescati". . . 359-370

Chapter II

Lord Edward's parhamentary career. — Relations with the Duke of Richmond Lord Edward's part in the debate on the Insurrection Act.— His

address to electors of Ivildare.— His secession from parliament.— Squabbles of factions.— G rattan's denunciation of the goverinncnt and the parliament of jobbers in 1790 " as the ringleaders of sedition placed in authority" How bad rulers '-cut up governments by the roots" — The

Whig leaders in England on the verge of sedition in 1 796-7. 370-380

I

viii CONTENTS.

Chapter III. I

Lord E. Fitzgerald's visit to Paris in October, 1792 — Connection witli Tom ; Paine. — Practical aciiuaintance with the horrors of the Kevolution. —

Part taJien by Mm in the celebration of the victories of the Re- ,

pubhe. — Rcnomices his title. — Toasts given by Lord Edward at a I

banquet given by the EngUsh in Paris His dismissal from the army. — '

His marriage with Pamela, the reputed daughter of Madame de Geidis ] and Pliihp Joseph (Egahte), Due d'Orleans. — Leaders who are serene when the sea of politics is calm, disordered and disturbed when the tempest of mibriiUed passions sets in Epidemic madness prevalent in revo- ;

CHAPTER IV. ; Connection of Lord Edward Fitzgerald with the Society of United Msh- |

men. — Eev. Mr. Connolly and W. Murphy at Frescati. — Rencontre with ;'

military swashbucklers of O'Connor and Lord Edward on the Cmragh. 386-387 J

Chapter V

Connection of Lord Edward 'with the Society of United Irishmen. — John I

Keogh and Richard M'Cormick, United Irishmen. — O'Connor and Lord -

Edward's mission to France in 1796. — Mihtary organization of United ;

Irishmen. — Armed strength of the United Irishmen. — Projected invasion ,

of England.— Retm-u of armed United Irishmen in 1798 Conference ',

between W. M. and LordEdwiirdin 1798. — Men who might have effected !

Chapter VI. I I

Various measures taken by Lord Edward to elude the vigilance of govern- I

ment, from the 12th of March to the 19th of May, 1798.— His draft of '

plan of military operations. — His places of concealment. — Conflict of Lord Edward's body-guard with Sirr's party.— Notices of Rattigan, Gal- !

lagher, and Palmer. — Reward for discovery of Lord Edward. 400-411 '

I

CHAPTER Vn.

Capture of Lord Edward Fitzgerald. — Narrative of Nicholas Jlurphy. — Sufferings and ruin brought on him by his services to Lord Edward His

appeal to the Duke of Leiuster.— The end of his career.— His sister's indigence in her old age. — Her unsuccessfid memorial to the Dulce of Leinster. —Major Sin-, in 1833, leaves liis card on the nephew of the man he shot in 1798.— The Duke tliinks the Major " a good sort of man", as we are told by Moore.— Captain Ryan's death at tlie hands of Lord Edward.— His son's account of the capture of Lord Edward. . . 412-437

Chapter VIII

The betrayal of Lord Edward Fitzgerald.— Reference to the Secret Service money item : " Jime 20, 1798. F. H., Discovery of L. E. F., X1,000".

CONTENTS. ix

— Vindication of Samuel Neilson from tlie imputation of being the betrayer of his friend.— Mr. John Hughes's account of his communications with Lord Edward while in conceahuent about a month before liis arrest. — Notice of Hughes. — His initials do not correspond with those of the person rewarded for the discovery of Lord Edward,— Notice of Reynolds, the informer, and his relations with Lord Edward — Reasons for behoving he was not the betrayer of that friend, though liis son acknowledges Ms father Iiad " a sincere regard for his lordsliip". 437-447

Chapter IX

The imprisonment and death of Lord Edward Eitzgerald.— The Surgeon- General Stewart : liis humanity. — Treatment of Lord Edward after his capture. — Last moments and death of Lord Edward.— Letter of Major- General Wm. Napier to the author respecting the conduct of Lord Clare in relation to Lady Louisa Connolly and her visits to Lord Edward. — References to Walter Cox and liis unaccountable proceedings after Lord Edward's arrest. . . .... 447-460

Chapter X

Attainder of Lord Edward. — His burial. — Notice of his character and tribute to his memory. — Lines written on his ca^jture. — Portraits of Lord Edward. — Herbert's picture of Lord Edward's capture. — His seal. 460-475

Chapter XI

Notice of the origin and career of Pamela. — Early history of Madame la Comtesse de Genhs — Her relations vnXh. the famUy of the Due et Duchesse d'Orleans. — Her position in the Palais Royal and the Convent of Belle-Chasse as gouverneur of the yomig Princes of Orleans, and gouvernante of the Princess Adelaide. — Her usurpation of the place and privileges of the Duchesse d'Orleans, and the unfortmiate results of her false position in the Orleans family. — Origin of M. de Genlis. — Her marriage.— Her introduction at court. — M. de Genhs and Marie Antoinette. Her entrance into the Palais Royal. — Astuteness of M. de Genhs. — Modest estunate of her own merits.— End of career of M. de Genhs. 475-488

Chapter XII

Madame de Genhs's account of the origin of Pamela. — Inventive faculties of the authoress of tlie " Memoires". — The romantic history and mysteries of her adoption of yoimg cliildren in England and Prussia. — Alleged relations of a nearer and dearer kind of the young Pamela and Casimir with Madame de Genlis than those of eleves and gouvemante. — A new child by adoption of M. de Genhs. — Age of Pameb. — Her early education. — Pamela witnesses revolutionary scenes. . . . 488-499

Chapter XIII

Marriage of Pamela with Lord Edward Fitzgerald.— Her previous acquaintance with, and prior engagement to Richard Brinsley Sheridan.— Con-

X CONTENTS.

duct of Madame de Geiilis in relation to tliat maniage. — The Uuc d'Orleans (Egixlite). — His relations with M. de Genlis. — Madame's account of the marriage and early history of Pamela. — Marriage contract certificate discovered recently at Tournay. — Louis Philippe's statement respecting Pamela. . . . . . ' 499-514

Chapter XIV

Career of Lady Edward Fitzgerald after the death of her husband. — Pamela's alleged visit to Lord Edward in prison. — Lord Clare's interview vvith

Lord Edward in prison. — His children Lady Edward's banishment from

Ireland. — Pamela's forlorn situation after her husband's death. — Pamela and M. de Genhs. — Their relations after Lord Edward's death.— Madame Ducrest's account of Pamela. — Barere, the guardian of Pamela. 614-529

Chapter XV

Close of the career of Lady Edward Fitzgerald. — M. Ducrest's account of the last illness and death of Pamela. — M. la Baronne d'E. — Her account of Pamela. — Early portrait of Pamela. — Madame Larochejaquelin and Pamela. — Roche's references to Pamela. — Tomb of Pamela. — Inscription

and initials of the person by whom that tomb was inscribed L. L. —

Notice of Louis Laval Due de la Force. — Close of the career of Pamela. ...... 529-551

MEMOIR OF THE REV. WILLIAM JACKSON.

Chapter I

Origin of Mr. Jackson. — His relations with the Duchess of Ivingston, the

French government, the United Irishmen His trial, condemnation,

and death — His acquaintance with Leonard MacNaUy and Mr. Pitt's agent, Cockayne. — Writings of Jackson. . . .552 568

MEMOIR OF LEONARD MACNALLY, ESQ.

CHAPTER I.

His origin and early career. — Connection with the United Irishmen. — Relations with the Irish government.— His services and then- reward. — His literary and professional productions. — His death. — Fiant Book of Pensions. ...... 569-589

MEMOIR OF ROGER O'CONNOR.

CHAPTER I.

Anomalies in his character.— His early career. — Eflbrts of his brother, Mr. Robert Longfield O'Connor, to get hun liangcd in 1797.— Roger O'Con-

COJJTKNTS. XI

nor m 1798.— His imprisonment and trial.— Captivity in Fort George and release. — Anomalies in his character — sociaUst principles, philosopMcal teaching. — IMode of uistructing his children and enlightening his servants and laboiu'ers. — Dangan Castle and its vicissitudes. — Kobbery of the mail-coach near Dangan. — Robbery of Colonel Burrowes' agent in the demesne. — Burning of the Castle. — His trial for the robbery of the mail-coach. — His grandiloquent political productions and literary forgeries.— His last illness. — Alleged adoption of the Roman CathoUc religion. —Refutation of that statement. . . . 590-612

APPENDICES.

The buying-up of Patriots : an Illustration of the Practice, and some Observations on its Policy. — The buying-off of Dr. Francis Jebb from the popular cause. ..... 613-617

Joel F. Hulbert. — Further particulars of the career of this informer. G17

III

Testimony to the abilities and excellent quahties of Theobald Wolfe Tone,

borne by Charles Kendal Bushe in the Irish House of Commons. 018

IV. Experience of Sir Ralph Abercrombie and Sir John Moore of the Orange

Regime and the Ascendency of Faction in Ireland. . G18-GI9

THE

UNITED IRISHMEN,

THEIR LIVES AND TIMES.

MEMOIR OF THEOBALD WOLFE TONE.

CHAPTER I.

The subject of tliis memoir was the son of Peter Tone, a coachmaker, who carried on an extensive business in that hne for some years at No. 44 StaiFord Street, Dubhn. His grandfather was a farmer in the county Kildare. The land, which he held on freehold leases, was part of the estate of Mr. Wolfe, of Blackball, and lies between Sallins and Clane, within a few minutes' walk of the remains of the ruined church and the ancient burying-ground of Bodenstown. A part of the old dwelling-house of the Tones is yet standing, in sight of the mansion of the Wolfes of Blackball. Peter Tone's father was killed in 1766, by a fall from a corn stack : his eldest son, Peter, who had established himself in his business in Dublin, the same year came into possession of the farm, said to be worth about £300 a year, which he rented to a younger brother of his, Jonathan, a retired lieutenant of the 22nd regiment of foot. Another brother, Matthew, was brought up to the same business as Peter, and in 1784 had a coach making establishment at No. 126 Great Britain Street. It is stated in the Annual Register, that Theobald, the eldest son of Peter Tone, was born in Stafford Street in 1763. But in the Dublin Directory the address of " Peter Tone, coachmaker, 44 Stafibrd Street", appears only from 1770 to 1781, and in the intermediate period, for a short time, in 1773, his family resided at 27 Bride Street, or lodged there.

Peter Tone married, about 1761, a Miss Lamport, or Lambert, of Drogheda, the daughter of a captain of a merchant vessel in the West India trade. The farm near Clane, which he rented to his younger brother, became a source of contention and litigation between the brothers, which ended in a chancery suit, and, as a II. 2

2 EARLY CAREER OF

matter of course, in the ruin of the litigants. _ Peter Tone became insolvent, quitted Dublin, and in 178G was living near Clane on the property that was about to pass away from him and his family. Of sixteen children of Peter Tone, five were then living —Theobald Wolfe, called after Mr. Theobald Wolfe, the lordof tlie manor (a near relation of Lord Kil warden), born in Dublin, June 20, 1763; William, born in 1764; Matthew, in 1771 ; Mary, probably three or four years later; and Arthur, in 1782.

While Peter Tone carried on the business of a coachmaker in Stafford Street, an anecdote is related of a visit to his establishment of Lord Mornington, the father of our Great Captain, in which that nobleman is made to figure with the eldest son of the coachmaker, in a way anything but propitious to the casual acquaintance of the eccentric lord with the stripling, who had ah'eady begun to evince his very vivacious tendencies. There were extensive workshops attached to Tone's establishment. In one of these the celebrated lord, of musical celebrity, was standing one day with his back to the fire, dressed out in all the extravagant foppery of the day, with mufi* and ruffles, when little Theobald, then but three or four years old, who had been brought to the theatre by his mother the preceding evening, to see Wilks play the part of Jessamy, in the piece of Lionel and Clarissa, happened to come into the shop, and on seeing his lordship, the little imp cried out, in the hearing of Lord Mornington: " Oh! mamma, mamma, come and look — here's Jessamy !"

Theobald, William, and Matthew were sent to an excellent English school in Dublin, kept by Sisson Darling. The former, after continuing at this school for three years, was removed to another, kept in Henry Street, by the Rev. William Craig. In 1781 he entered Trinity College, under the Rev. Matthew Young. A rage for the military profession, nurtvired and fomented by attendance at reviews, parades, and field exercises, had taken possession of Tone previously even to his having entered college. Before he was nineteen, he had gone out as second, with a college lad of the name of Foster, who shot a fellow pvipil through the head, of the name of Anderson.

There is a passage in Tone's diary, relative to his early life, which has been omitted in the Memoirs of his Life by his son (and properly so by him), which, however, before the publication of Tone's memoirs in America, had found its way into a portion of the autobiography of Tone, that had been transmitted from America, and was published in the Neio Monthly Magazine, vol. 11., p. 3, 1824. I refer to the passage which alludes to Tone's early passion for theatricals, as throwing much light on the style of his journals, and tlie extraordinary exuberance of memory and

THEOBALD WOLFE TONE 6

liveliness of imagination exhibited in the ready application of apposite citations from the popular dramatic writers of the day, to passing occurrences. It appears that, in 1783 and 1784, T. W. Tone had formed an acquaintance with a lady of rank and great personal attractions, Lady B., and, in his opinion, " of extraordinary talents for the stage", which she displayed in a private theatre fitted up in her own house. Tone being, in his own words, " somewhat of an actor", took a part in the representations, became a constant visitor at the house, and at length, unfortunately, an enamoured guest.

The j)rivate theatricals Vi^ere brought to a close, which had nearly proved of a tragic character, and Tone never beheld the lady more. But "no human passion", he said, "is proof against time and absence", and so it proved to be in his case. In 1785 he married a young creature, not sixteen years of age, " as beautiful as an angel", Matilda Witherington, whose sister, at a later period, wed the TJtomas Reynolds of secret service money celebrity. Tone, having taken out his degree of bachelor of arts, resigned his scholarship in the university, and began the study of law. He had obtained three premiums at college, and as many medals from the Historical Society, of which he was auditor, and one of its most distinguished ornaments. His intimacy with his wife's family having been interrupted, he quitted Dublin witli his wife, and went to reside with his father in Kildare. In 1787 he proceeded to London to enter his name as a student of law in the Temple. He took chambers in the Temple, at No. 4 Hare Court, and contrived to maintain himself partly by contributing to the magazines. Several reviews of new publications, in the European Magazine of 1787-8, were written by him. He likewise wrote a satirical novel, burlesquing the style of writers of romance, in conjunction with two of his friends, Jcbb and RatclifFe, called Belmont Castle.

At the Temple he made the acquaintance of the Honourable George Knox, son of Lord Northland, one of his future most attached friends. Instead of studying Coke and Blackstone, poor Tone's head was still running on military matters. The scheme occurred to him of establishing, on a military plan, a colony in one of the South Sea Islands, newly discovered. He drew up a memorial recommending the adoption of his proposal, and addressed it to Mr. Pitt, with the intention, if adopted, of embarking in tliis project. Mr. Pitt took no notice of the project or the projector. Tone's circumstances became so embarrassed in London, and his Avife's friends had so deceived him with regard to her promised fortune, that he embraced the desperate resolution of enlisting as a common soldier in the East India Company's scr-

4 TONE AND THE WHIGS.

vice. He proceeded to the India House with that resolution, and was informed that the season for sending out troops was past, and no more ships would be despatched until the beginning of the 3'car following. He had now been two years at the Temple, and had kept eight terms, but as to law, " knowing exactly as much about it as he did of necromancy". An arrangement with liis wife's family enabled him to return to Dublin, He purchased a law library, and took lodgings in Clarendon Street, in January, 1789, and in the Trinity term of that year was called to the bar. In the same year a decree in Chancery, instituted by his uncle Jonathan, gave the " coup-de-grace to his father's affairs" ; all his 2:)roperty was sold, including two houses in Stafford Street and one on Summer Hill. Soon after this event Peter Tone obtained a situation in the Paving Board, which he retained to the period of his death. Theobald no sooner entered on his profession than he embarked in politics: his first pamphlet, in defence of the opposition and the Whig Club, A Revieio of the Last Sessions of Parliament, had some success. Overtures were now made to him by the friends of Mr. Ponsonby, and by some leading members of the Whig party, to attach himself to them, and to promote the interest of the latter. But no cordial union took place between Tone and the Whigs ; indeed it was impossible there could be any identity of operations, for there was no identity of principles, of views, or feelings between them. Tone set out in politics ■vvith the axiom of Swift and Molyneux, that " the influence of , Enfjland was the radical vice of Irish irovernment". The Whiors \ acted on the principle that the influence was salutary, but the mode of exerting it was pernicious to a certain extent, which could be remedied by diminishing pensions, abolishing some places, limiting the prerogative, rescinding penal statutes, and demolishing the outworks of corruption in the representative system. Tone " looked on the little politics of the Whig Club with great contempt". His next pamphlet, on the appearance of a war with Spain, was intended to prove that Ireland was not bound by the declaration of war made by England, but might and ought to stipulate for a neutrality. The publisher, Byrne, suppressed the pamphlet as one of a dangerous tendenc}^, " for which his own gods damn him", says the writer of it.