they separated, but confirmed in
their feeling of mutual aversion.

* * * * *

At the assizes at Cork, Curran had once just entered upon his case, and
stated the facts to the jury. He then, with his usual impressiveness and
pathos, appealed to their feelings, and was concluding the whole with
this sentence: "Thus, gentlemen, I trust I have made the innocence of
that persecuted man as clear to you as"--At that instant the sun, which
had hitherto been overclouded, shot its rays into the court-house--"as
clear to you," continued he, "as yonder sun-beam, which now burst in
among us, and supplies me with its splendid illustration."

SCENE BETWEEN FITZGIBBON AND CURRAN IN THE IRISH PARLIAMENT.

Mr. Fitzgibbon (afterwards Lord Clare) rose and said:--"The politically
insane gentleman has asserted much, but he only emitted some effusions
of the witticisms of fancy. His declamation, indeed, was better
calculated for the stage of Sadler's Wells than the floor of the House
of Commons. A mountebank, with but one-half of the honorable gentleman's
talent for rant, would undoubtedly make his fortune. However, I am
somewhat surprised he should entertain such a particular asperity
against me, as I never did him a favor. But, perhaps, the honorable
gentleman imagines he may talk himself into consequence; if so, I should
be sorry to obstruct his promotion; he is heartily welcome to attack me.
Of one thing only I will assure him, that I hold him in so small a
degree of estimation, either as a man or as a lawyer, that I shall never
hereafter deign to make him any answer."

Mr. Curran.--"The honorable gentleman says I have poured forth some
witticisms of fancy. That is a charge I shall never be able to retort
upon him. He says I am insane. For my part were I the man who, when all
debate had subsided--who, when the bill was given up, had risen to make
an inflammatory speech against my country, I should be obliged to any
friend who would excuse my conduct by attributing it to insanity. Were
I the man who could commit a murder on the reputation of my country, I
should thank the friend who would excuse my conduct by attributing it to
insanity. Were I a man possessed of so much arrogance as to set up my
own little head against the opinions of the nation, I should thank the
friend who would say, 'Heed him not, he is insane!' Nay, if I were such
a man, I would thank the friend who had sent me to Bedlam. If I kne