uainted with the most distinguished leaders of the
Girondists.

MR. ROCHE was in Paris during the horrors of the first Revolution, and in
1793 was arrested there as a British subject, but was released on the death
of Robespierre. For some years after his liberation, he passed his time
between Paris and Bordeaux. At the close of the last century, he returned
to Ireland; and commenced business in Cork as a banker, in partnership with
his brother. He resided in a handsome country seat near the river Lee, and
there amassed a splendid library.

About the year 1816, a relative of mine, a wealthy banker in the same city,
got into difficulties, and met with the kindest assistance from MR. ROCHE.
In 1819 his own troubles came on, and a monetary crisis ruined him as well
as many others. All his property was sold, and his books were brought to
the hammer, excepting a few with which his creditors presented him. I have
often tried, but without success, to get a copy of the auction catalogue,
which contained many curious lots,--amongst others, I am informed, Swift's
own annotated copy of _Gulliver's Travels_, which MR. ROCHE purchased in
Cork for a few pence, but which produced pounds at the sale. MR. ROCHE,
after this, resided for some time in London as parliamentary agent. He also
spent several years in Paris, and witnessed the revolution of 1830.
Eventually he returned to Cork, where he performed the duties of a
magistrate and director of the National Bank, until his death in the early
part of 1853.

MR. ROCHE was intimately acquainted with many of the great men and events
of his time, especially with everything concerning modern French history
and literature.

MR. ROCHE was remarkable for accurate scholarship and extensive learning:
the affability of his manners, and the earnestly-religious tone of his
mind, enhanced his varied accomplishments.

For a number of years he contributed largely to various periodicals, such
as the _Gentleman's Magazine_, the _Dublin Review_, and the _Literary
Gazette_; and the signature of "J. R. of Cork" was welcome to all, while it
puzzled many.

In 1851 he printed _for private circulation_, _Essays Critical and
Miscellaneous_, by an Octogenarian, 2 vols.; printed by G. Nash, Cork. Some
of these Essays are reprints, others are printed for the first time. The
work was reviewed in the _Dublin Review_ for October, 1851.

A "Sketch of J. R. of Cork" was published in July, 1848, in Duffy's _Irish