tacle, he
returned to Ireland. On his return, as rebellious spirits still abounded
in every part of that unhappy country, he formed a party for the purpose
of endeavouring to overturn the existing system of government. The
stoppage of the coaches was to be the signal for revolt in the country,
while the grand object of the insurgents in the metropolis was to
secure the seat and ministers of government, and to proclaim a new
constitution. There were scarcely above one hundred immediately
connected with the plot; but these were so sanguine of success, that
they supposed the spirit of rebellion would, at their bidding, pervade
the whole kingdom. It was on the 23rd of July that the spirit of revolt
began to manifest itself. On the evening of that day, a mob assembled
in St. James's-street and its vicinity, and about nine o'clock the
concerted signal was given by a number of men riding furiously through
various parts of the city. Outrage followed; the chief justice of
Ireland, Lord Kilwarden, was stabbed to death with pikes, Colonel Brown
was shot, and others were wounded. But this conspiracy was soon quelled;
about half-past ten, a small body of regular troops approached the
insurgents, and they fled in every direction; nothing more was heard of
Emmett or his associates till they were brought to justice. A special
commission was issued for the trial of those rebels who were captured,
and Emmett and several others were executed. On this occasion, the Roman
Catholics, with Lord Fingal at their head, came forward and rendered
government important services in quelling the rebellion.

LETTER OF THE PRINCE OF WALES.

While parliament was sitting, and when the country was preparing for
war, the Prince of Wales repeated a claim, which he had often made
before, for military promotion, requiring to be placed in a situation
where his example might contribute to excite the loyalty of the people.
This was a natural request; for the Duke of York had for some years been
captain-general and commander-in-chief of the forces, and the Dukes of
Kent, Cumberland, and Cambridge were lieutenant-generals, but the prince
himself was simply a colonel of dragoons. No notice, however, was taken
of this letter, and it was only by repeated applications that a reply
was elicited. That reply was, that should the enemy succeed in landing,
he, the prince, would have an opportunity of manifesting his zeal at the
head of his regiment. Thus disappointed