ornaments. His great earnestness and apparent sincerity, his unrivalled
felicity of illustration, his extraordinary power of pushing the meaning
of words to the utmost extent, and wringing from them a force beyond the
range of ordinary expression, much more than the force of his reasoning
or the range of his political knowledge, obtained for him in Parliament
marked attention, and, for the most part, unqualified applause. When he
rose to speak, members took their places, and the hum of private
conversation was hushed, in order that the House might enjoy the
performances of an accomplished artist--not that they should receive the
lessons of a statesmanlike adviser, or follow the lead of a commanding
politician. Still, for twenty years, he held a prominent place in the
House of Commons, though throughout a great portion of that period he
represented very insignificant constituencies. Mr. Sheil was returned
for Milbourne Port in 1830, having been an unsuccessful candidate for
the county of Louth. In 1831, however, he got in for Louth; in 1832 was
returned for Tipperary, without contest, and again in 1835; but in 1837
there was an opposition, against which he prevailed. His principal
influence in that county, exclusive of the weight of his public
character, is understood to have been derived from his second marriage
with the widow of Mr. Edmund Power, of Gurteen, which took place in
1830. It will be remembered that the eldest son of that gentleman fell
very recently by his own hand; and during his minority, whatever
influence he might possess as a landlord was in a great degree at the
command of Mr. Sheil, who continued to sit for Tipperary till 1841,
though he encountered some opposition on accepting office in 1838. From,
the general election in 1841 till the time of his departure for Florence
in 1850, he represented, through the influence of the Duke of
Devonshire, the small borough of Dungarvon, always of course supporting
the most liberal section of the Whigs. Amongst his first appointments
was that of Vice-President of the Board of Trade, in the last Melbourne
Ministry, and then he became Judge Advocate General, which office he
held only from June to September, 1841. On the return of the present
Ministers he was appointed Master of the Mint, and in 1850, went out as
British Minister to Florence. For many years past, his health had been
declining, his fits of gout grew more frequent and severe, his speeches
in Parliament