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not only that, but an admirable member of parliament. It may be justly said, that there was scarcely any great public measure adopted in Ireland, whilst Lord Pery engaged in business, which had not its seminal principle in his comprehensive mind. The corn laws, the free trade, the independence of the Irish parliament, the tenantry bill, were framed with his assistance, and would not have been carried without it. The tillage of Ireland may be regarded as

his child.

The superiority which a certain rectitude of mind and understanding has over talents and pertinacity, is sometimes evinced in no small degree. During the discussion of a question, which Mr. Pery had favoured, and distinguished himself by its support, he was answered by Secretary Hamilton, in aspeech of unexampled eloquence. He rose directly after Hamilton had sat down, not, he said, to reply, but at once to declare, that he was convinced.

Whoever is well acquainted with the House of Commons, knows, that there are too many persons of mere talents, who would have displayed no such ingenuousness; for, to combat at all events, and concede no point whatever, seems to be an established maxim with the leaders of debate in general. Mr. Pery, by acting in a contrary manner, divided the glory of the day with Hamilton; the latter carried the palm of genius, and Pery that of wisdom. In truth, he saw further before him than almost any man of his time. In good sense he was inferior to none; in fortitude, superior to most men. He delivered the boldest senti

ments in the calmest manner, so that fortitude did not seem the effort of his mind, but its ordinary temperature. He spoke with peculiar gravity and dignity and feeling. His arguments, or their principal points, were fully, but briefly stated. On no occasion were his speeches declamatory. He sometimes rose above others, not less by the firmness of his temper, than his disdain of mere rhetorical flourishes. When the right of England to make laws for Ireland was mentioned in the House of Commons, (some years previous to Mr. Grattan's address on that subject) a general disposition prevailed to decline giving any opinion on the question. There was certainly much speaking, but the claims of England were alluded to in similies and metaphors, the result of habitual subserviency, and false or illusive eloquence. But Pery said, "that he saw no reason for making use of any indistinct, or figurative language. He would speak out,-the parliament of Great Britain had no right to make laws for Ireland." In these days some persons may smile at such an instance being adduced of political courage. But, to judge of other times by our own, is the characteristic of a mind, presumptuous and superficial. He was master of that great science of a genuine statesman, the doctrine of non-interference, He knew that legislation, like every thing else, had its limits, and that much was to be left to the unrestricted sense of mankind. He never was a minister, nor wished to be one. Perhaps he knew some of his coun trymen too well, to be either their idol, or their minister; but he often instructed,

instructed, often controlled, or checked, the members of adminis tration; and, it is no disproportionate language to say, that he was frequently resorted to by different classes of men in public life, almost as an oracle. He was, perhaps, one of the best Speakers that ever sat in the chair of any House of Commons. His mind seemed to keep pace with every question, and follow the debate in all its various forms. It was not an anxiety for a particular motion, but a general parental care of, and solicitude for the well-being, the dignity of the House of Commons, and wisdom of its deliberations. Hence, though always remembering that he was the servant of the House, not its dictator, it was perfectly easy for those who were accustomed to him, and took a part in the business, to know at once, from his looks, whilst they were speaking, whether their speeches, in his opinion, gave an additional light or interest to the debate.

There was no interruption, no impatience; but, to make use of a dramatic allusion, he so blended himself with the entire business of the scene, that an intelligent debater, by observing him, almost instantly felt where he was most right, or discovered where he was most wrong. He preserved order, without encroaching on the popular nature of the House of Commons. He suffered no usurpation, or ministerial legerdemain, from the treasury bench. The old members were respected, the young were encouraged, all were attended to. In private life, notwithstanding his grave and serious demeanour, no man was ever more friendly, more benign, and, to the young

people, more accommodating, or more pleasing, instructive, and indulgent.

THE EARL OF Kildare.

The Earl of Kildare, afterwards Marquis, and Duke of Leinster, premier peer of Ireland, had great weight and authority in the House of Lords; not merely from his rank, considerable as it was, but from the honourable and generous part which he always took in the affairs of Ireland. He seldom, if ever, spoke in public; he particularly distinguished himself in the political struggle of 1753, and, disdaining to crouch to an intriguing and ambitious prelate, or the Viceroy, whom, it is to be lamented, that prelate too much influenced, he presented a memorial to the late king, which, in respectful, but spirited language, stated the grievances of Ireland, and particularly the mal-administration of Primate Stone. It occasioned much surprize, and gave great offence to part of the English cabinet. Seldom, very seldom indeed, have the members of that cabinet cause to be so offended. Excepting some occasional visits to England, where he was as highly respected, as illustriously allied, Lord Kildare resided in Ireland almost constantly. He not only supported his senatorial character with uniform independence, but, as a private nobleman, was truly excellent, living either in Dublin or among his numerous tenantry, whom he encouraged and protected. In every situation he was of the most unequivocal utility to his country; at Carton, in the Irish House of

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Lords, or that of England, (he was a member of both), or speaking the language of truth and justice in the closet of his sovereign.

No man ever understood his part in society better than he did; he was conscious of his rank, and upheld it to the utmost; but, let it be added, that he was remarkable for the dignified, attractive politeness, or, what the French call, nobleness of his manners. So admirable was he in this respect, that, when he entertained some Lord Lieutenants, the general declaration, on leaving the room, was, that from the peculiar grace of his behaviour he appeared to be more the Viceroy than they did. He was some years older than Lord Charlemont, and took a lead in politics when that nobleman was abroad, and for some time after his return to Ireland; but when the House of Lords became more the scene of action, they, with the late lord Moira, generally co-operated, and, in truth, three noblemen so independent, this country has seldom seen.

DUC DE NIVERNOIS.

Of this nobleman, so much admired by Lord Chesterfield, so nuch regarded by Lord Charleinont, and so esteemed at Rome, at Berlin, at London, and in Paris, I shall endeavour to give some ac.count. He was a Mancini, an illustrious Roman name, and perfectly familiar to all who are conversant in the history of Louis the Fourteenth. His grandfather was Duc de Nevers, brother to that renowned beauty, Madame de Mazarin, and Maria Mancini, whose

agreeable wit andaccomplishments for some time enthralled the affections of the young French monarch. The Duc de Nivernois, (who did not assume the title of Nevers, although his father died in 1768) was appointed ambassador to Rome in 1746, and staid there several years. The embassy to Rome was, during the reigns of Louis XIV.and XV. considered as one of the first, if not the highest, in diplomatic rank. He acquitted himself entirely to the satisfaction of his own court the people at Rome looked on him as a Roman, whilst his manners, his learning, and conversation, rendered him peculiarly acceptable to Lambertini, (Benedict the Fourteenth). It is almost needless to say, that he captivated Lord Charlemont,whose taste and studies, and sauvity of disposition, were, in a great measure, similar to his own. Although he did not succeed in the object of his mission at Berlin, (for Frederick had taken his measures previously to the Duke's arrival) he was not the less honoured and distinguished by that monarch and his brother, Prince Henry. They never spoke of him but with applause. When ambassador in London, D'Eon justly says, that however discordant the opinions of the people were as to the peace, there was no difference whatever as to the pacificator; for ali ranks seemed to vie with each other in their admiration of, and respect for him. He went every where, and was liked every where. He was at Bath; at Newmarket; was elected Fellow of the Royal Society; and honoured with the degree of Doctor of Laws by the university of Oxford.

He

one,-"

He was a little man, with an agreeable, open, and engaging countenance, but so extremely thin, that some of his friends at Paris always called him the political Sylph. When he first landed, with his suite, at Dover, two or three old sailors were walking along the beach. Observing the bustle, "Hey, what's this?" said -"Oh! the French Ambassador! He has just come out of the boat." "Just Heaven!" exclaimed another, "to what have we reduced the French during this war! Only conceive. When I was prisoner in France, two or three years ago, that emaciated ambassador, whom you see like a withered apple-John, yonder, was then by far one of the fattest men who walked the streets in Paris. He absolutely waddled." When this was told to the Duke, he was delighted, and used often to relate it at his own table, as a most happy instance of national humour.

In consequence of repeated solicitations to be recalled, (for his health, naturally delicate, was almost destroyed by the air of London), he returned, after an eight months' residence in England, to Paris. He continued in that metropolis, or its environs, for more than thirty years afterwards, cultivating letters, and all the refined pleasures of society, but not living, as many men of letters do, in a cold, fastidious indifference to the welfare of his country. On the contrary, though much esteemed and liked by Louis XV, and one of the principal ornaments of his court, he opposed the inclinations of that monarch, when he considered them as militating against

France; and, in conjunction with some most respectable noblemen, took a generous, but decided part against the system of Chancellor Maupeou. Whilst engaged in this opposition, a circumstance oċcurred, which I shall take leave to mention, as it is in some measure illustrative of his urbanity and po lished wit. Louis XV held a bed of justice, as it was called, and either then, or in one of the audience rooms at Versailles, forbad the members of the parliament of Paris to trouble him with any further remonstrances; " for," added he, with a most emphatic tone, "I shall never change." His favourite, the beautiful, unfortunate Madame de Barry, and the Duke of Nivernois, were present at the scene. Some days after, she met the Duke, and addressing him with great gaiety, "Well, Monsieur de Nivernois," said she, "you may surely now give up your opposition; for you yourself heard the king say, that he would never change." "Certainly, Madam," he replied, "I did hear him; and indeed no wonder, for he was looking at you."

He was, when far advanced in life, (for he was then some years beyond seventy) at length called to the councils of his sovereign. M. de Malsherbes, the Count de la Luzerne, and one or two more, were his assistants. It was then too late. The time of the court had been long wasted in the most wretched intrigues; and the toilette of that most fascinating of all women, Madame de Polignac, was, however originally adverse to her inclinations, alternately become, with that of her royal friend, Marie Antoinette,

Antoinette, the scene of frivolous, ridiculous appointments, in which vanity, levity personal whim or caprice, were alone consulted, and the dread exigence of the moment either not understood, or feebly administered to. The waters were out, they had overspread the land; and it required more talents than fell to the share of the Duke de Nivernois, and his coadjutors, had they been all even in the prime of life, to give the repose of a moment to the shattered political vessel of France, The duke lived long enough to see his well-intentioned sovereign, the unhappy Antoinette, whose beauty and tenderness of heart were once the subject of every eulogy, and the angelic Princess Elizabeth, dragged, in the midst of Paris, to the scaffold, by monsters in a human form. Accustomed as this world has ever been to spectacles of sorrow, such a downfall of all earthly grandeur, such a fell vicissitude, it perhaps never before witnessed.

But what is singular in the history of Monsieur de Nivernois's life, is, that although remaining in Paris, he survived even the multiplied atrocities and murders of Robespierre. How he escaped, it is not very easy to conceive, as he had every requisite for the guillotine, which that dæmon so often looked for in the victims of his tyranny-highrank, venerable age, goodness of mind, love of letters, and love of his country. Yet, with all these qualifications for being murdered in such a time, he was not; but lived to publish several of his works, and died very peaceably in 1798, at the advanced age of eighty-two!

LORD POWERSCOURT.

Of the nobleman whom I have occasion now to mention, the sentiments of all, who had the happiness of being known to him, were uniform and unvaried. His generosity and magnificence, his engaging, unaffected conversation, the lively energies of his mind, were almost generally felt and acknowledged. That this colouring is not over-charged, many who are still living, and knew him well, can bear ample testimony. He was distinguished among his associates, and those who, having long survived him, idolized his memory, by the appellation of the French Lord Powerscourt; an epithet, not of frivolity, but acquired merely by his long residence in France, where his agreeableness, his vivacity, and courteous, easy manners, rendered him universally liked; and with some of the principal personages of the court of Louis the Fifteenth he was a particular favourite.

In London he was equally relished; and whether there or in Dublin, conversing with men of sense, and the world, entertaining a brilliant circle of both sexes at his delightful seat of Powerscourt, or again returning to the society of Paris, La Clairon, Comte D'Argenson, and others, he captivated all ranks of people. He seemed to exist only to please, and render those about him contented, and satisfied with themselves. Having been a votary of fashion for several years, and given rise to many of its fantasies, and agreeable follies, he was not overpowered by the habits of self-indulgence. He

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