mother had acquitted herself most
successfully in a case of more than ordinary difficulty, resolved on
leaving the rest to fortune.

From all that I have ever heard of the society of the time, and from
what has reached me by description of my mother's manner and deportment,
I am fully convinced that she was exactly the person to attain an
immense popularity with all classes. The natural freshness and gayety
of her character, aided by beauty and the graceful duties of a
hostess,--which she seemed to fill as by an instinct,--made her the
object of universal admiration,--a homage which, I believe, it was not
difficult to see was even more pleasing to my father than to herself.

Castle Carew was from this time crowded with visitors, who, strangely
enough, represented the most opposite sections of politics and party.
My father's absence during some of the most exciting sessions of
parliamentary life had invested him with a species of neutrality that
made his house an open territory for men of all shades of opinion;
and he was but too glad to avail himself of the privilege to form
acquaintance with the most distinguished leaders of opposite sections
of the House; and here were now met the Castle officials, the chiefs of
Opposition, the violent antagonists of debate, not sorry, perhaps,
for even this momentary truce in the strife and conflict of a great
political campaign.

CHAPTER VIII. A STATE TRUMPETER

The 27th of May, 1782, was the day on which Parliament was to assemble
in Dublin, and under circumstances of more than ordinary interest. The
great question of the independence of the Irish Legislature was then
to be discussed and determined; and never was the national mind so
profoundly excited as when that time drew near. They who have only
known Ireland in a later period, when her political convulsions have
degenerated into low sectarian disputes,--irregular irruptions,
headed by men of inferior ability, and stimulated solely by personal
considerations,--can scarcely form any idea of Dublin in the days of the
Volunteers. It was not alone that the Court of the Viceroy was unusually
splendid, or that the presence of the Parliament crowded the capital
with all the country could boast of wealth, station, and influence,
but that the pomp and parade of a powerful army added brilliancy and
grandeur to a spectacle which, for the magnitude of the interests at
stake, and the genius and capacity of those that controlled t