of Ireland,"
were intended to guide the industry, to correct the prejudices, and to
assuage the passions of a country which seemed to forget that she could
be free and prosperous only by a friendly connection with Great Britain.
The concluding observations are written with so much ease and spirit,
that they may be read by those who are the least interested in the
subject.

He fell (in 1784) with the unpopular coalition; but his merit has been
acknowledged at the last general election, 1790, by the honourable
invitation and free choice of the city of Bristol. During the whole time
of my residence in England I was entertained at Sheffield-Place and in
Downing-Street by his hospitable kindness; and the most pleasant period
was that which I passed in the domestic society of the family. In
the larger circle of the metropolis I observed the country and the
inhabitants with the knowledge, and without the prejudices, of an
Englishman; but I rejoiced in the apparent increase of wealth and
prosperity, which might be fairly divided between the spirit of the
nation and the wisdom of the minister. All party-resentment was now lost
in oblivion: since I was no man's rival, no man was my enemy. I felt the
dignity of independence, and as I asked no more, I was satisfied
with the general civilities of the world. The house in London which
I frequented with most pleasure and assiduity was that of Lord North.
After the loss of power and of sight, he was still happy in himself
and his friends; and my public tribute of gratitude and esteem could no
longer be suspected of any interested motive. Before my departure from
England, I was present at the august spectacle of Mr. Hastings's trial
in Westminster Hall. It is not my province to absolve or condemn the
Governor of India; but Mr. Sheridan's eloquence demanded my applause;
nor could I hear without emotion the personal compliment which he paid
me in the presence of the British nation.

From this display of genius, which blazed four successive days, I
shall stoop to a very mechanical circumstance. As I was waiting in the
managers' box, I had the curiosity to inquire of the short-hand writer,
how many words a ready and rapid orator might pronounce in an hour? From
7000 to 7500 was his answer. The medium of 7200 will afford 120 words in
a minute, and two words in each second. But this computation will only
apply to the English language.

As the publication of my three last volumes was the pr