t, very small if necessary,
but which might increase with the wealth and commerce of
Ireland. On this idea of a settlement, our conversation dwelt a
good deal. I expressed my opinion that it would be, in many
points of view, a measure of dignity and weight, and
particularly advantageous to both countries, as it would leave
no ground of contest unexplained. But at the same time I thought
the present moment unfavourable for such a step, because it
ought not to be taken till Government in Ireland recovered its
energy; otherwise, I stated that the wildest idea that could be
broached in a newspaper would be adopted by those in whom the
real Government of the country resides at the present moment;
that, till the Volunteers have in some degree subsided, your
Government could only subsist by expedients, painful as such an
idea must be to your feelings. I stated also, that if this was
to be held out to the country as the satisfaction and security
to which they were to look, it would set all their heads afloat
forming systems of trade and government; and that it would make
the spring meeting absolutely necessary, from the impatience it
would excite and the necessity of its being done by Parliament.

From this we went into the present situation of your Government.
Upon this he desired to explain himself, and that I would state
to you that he was _inclined to think_, not that he _thought_,
your Government would go on more easily there than you expected.
He alluded to De Retz's maxim: "_Le peuple ne se souleve jamais
que quand on l'opprime_." To the truth of this I agreed
perfectly, but said that the people there are really oppressed,
and miserable to a degree I had not at all conceived till I went
into the country. That nothing was more usual than for the
people to mistake the cause of grievances which they really
feel, and that this I apprehended to be the case there. In that
case, he said, the remedy was at hand; for that an extended
commerce and the wisdom of internal regulations, would relieve
the evil, and be a pleasant task to your Government. I answered
that such remedies must be gradual, while the situation of
Ireland was pressing at this moment; and that perhaps nothing
had contributed more to the discontents now prevalent, than the
foolish expectations of wealth to be poured