The venality and corruption which accomplished the Legislative Union
between England and Ireland admit of as little doubt as of palliation.
There was an epidemic of baseness over the land, and but few escaped the
contagion. To whatever section of party an Irishman may belong, he never
can cease to mourn over the degenerate temper of a time which exhibited
the sad spectacle of a Legislature declaring its own downfall. Nor does
the secret history of the measure offer much ground for consolation.
And yet what a position did the Irish Parliament hold, but eighteen
short years before that event! Never, perhaps, in the whole history of
constitutional government was the stand of a representative body more
boldly maintained, alike against the power and the secret influence of
the Crown; and England, in all the plenitude of her glory and influence,
was forced to declare the necessity of finally adjusting the differences
between the two countries.
The very admission of separate interests seemed a fatal confession,
and might--had a more cautious temper swayed the counsels of the Irish
party--have led to very momentous consequences; but in the enthusiasm
of victory all thought of the spoils was forgotten. It was a moment
of national triumph from which even the coldest could not withhold
his sympathies. The “Dungannon Declaration” became at once the adopted
sentiment of the national party, and it was agreed that Ireland was
bound by no laws save such as her own Lords and Commons enacted.
In the very crisis of this national enthusiasm was it that the Duke
of Portland arrived as Viceroy in Ireland. His secret instructions
counselled him to endeavor to prorogue the Parliament, and thus obtain a
short breathing-time for future action. This policy, in the then temper
of the people, was soon declared impossible. Mr. Grattan had already
announced his intention of proposing a final settlement of the national
differences by a “Bill of Rights,” and the country would not brook any
delay as to their expectations.
But one other safe course remained, which was, by a seeming concurrence
in the views of the Irish party, to affect that a change had come over
the spirit of English legislation towards Ireland, and a sincere desire
grown up to confirm her in the possession of “every privilege not
inconsistent with the stability of the empire.” Mr. Grattan was induced
to see the Viceroy in private, and submit to his Grace his intended
declaration of rights. Without conceding the slightest alteration in his
plan, the great leader was evidently impressed by the conciliating tone
of the Duke, and, with a generous credulity, led to believe in the most
favorable dispositions of the Government towards Ireland. The measure in
itself was so strong and so decisive that the Duke could not say how it
would be received by his party. He had no time to ask for instructions,
for Parliament was to assemble on the day but one after; and thus was
he driven to a policy of secret influence,--the origin of that school of
corruption which ultimately was to effect the doom of Irish nationality.
I am sorry to be obliged to impose upon my reader even so much of a
digression; but the requirements of my story demand it. I wish, as
briefly, of course, as may be, to place before him a state of society
wherein as yet the arts of corruption had made no great progress, and
in which the open bribery of a subsequent time would have been perfectly
impossible.
This was in reality a great moment in Irish history. The patriotism of
the nation had declared itself not less manfully than practically. The
same avowal which pronounced independence also proclaimed the principles
of free trade, and that the ports of Ireland were open to all foreign
countries not at war with England. It is humiliating enough to contrast
the patriotic spirit of those times with the miserable policy of popular
leaders in our own day; but in the names of the men who then swayed
her counsels we read some of the greatest orators and statesmen of our
country,--a race worthy of nobler successors than those who now trade
upon the wrongs of Ireland, and whose highest aspirations for their
country are in the despotism of an ignorant and intolerant priesthood.
The Duke of Portland was not ill suited to the task before him. A man of
more shining abilities, one who possessed in a higher degree the tact of
winning over his opponents, might have awakened suspicion and
distrust; but his was precisely the stamp and temperament which suggest
confidence; and in his moderate capacity and easy nature there seemed
nothing to excite alarm. “Bonhomie”--shame that we must steal a French
word for an English quality!--was his great characteristic; and all who
came within the circle of his acquaintance felt themselves fascinated by
his free and unpretending demeanor.
To him was now intrusted the task of sowing schism among the members of
the Irish party,--the last and only resource of the English Government
to thwart the progress of national independence. The Opposition had
almost every element of strength. Amongst them were the first and most
brilliant orators of the day,--men trained to all the habits of debate,
and thoroughly masters of all Irish questions. They possessed the entire
confidence of the great body of the people, asserting, as they did, the
views and sentiments of the country; and they were, what at that time
had its own peculiar value, men of great boldness and intrepidity. There
was but one feature of weakness in the whole party, and this was the
almost inevitable jealousy which is sure to prevail where many men of
great abilities are mixed up together, and where the success of a party
must alternately depend upon qualities the most discrepant and opposite.
The very purest patriotism is sure to assume something of the character
of the individual; and in these varying tints of individuality the Irish
Government had now to seek for the chance of instilling those doubts and
hesitations which ultimately must lead to separation.
Nor was this the only artifice to which they descended. They also
invented a policy which in later days has been essayed with very
indifferent success, which was, to outbid the national party in
generosity, and to become actual benefactors where mere justice was
asked at their hands,--a very dangerous game, which, however well
adapted for a critical emergency, is one of the greatest peril as a line
of policy and a system of government. In the spirit of this new tactic
was it that Mr. Bagenal's motion to confer some great mark of national
gratitude on Mr. Grattan was quickly followed by an offer of the Viceroy
to bestow upon him the Viceregal palace in the Phoenix Park, as “a
suitable residence for one who had conferred the greatest services on
his country, and as the highest proof the Government could give of their
value of such services.” A proposal of such unbounded generosity was
sure to dim the lustre of the popular enthusiasm, and at the same time
cast a shadow of ministerial protection over the patriot himself, who,
in the event of acceptance, would have been the recipient of royal, and
not of national, bounty. And when, in fact, the grant of a sum of money
was voted by Parliament, the splendor of the gift was sadly tarnished by
the discussion that accompanied it!
Enough has here been said to show the general policy of that short but
eventful administration; and now to our story.
My father's reception of the Viceroy had blazed in all the ministerial
papers with a kind of triumphant announcement of the progress the
Government were making in the esteem and confidence of the Irish gentry.
Walter Carew was quoted as the representative of a class eminently
national, and one most unlikely to be the mark for Castle intrigue
or seduction. His large fortune was expatiated on, and an “authentic
assurance” put forth that he had already refused the offer of being made
a Privy Councillor. These statements were sure to provoke rejoinder. The
national papers denied that the hospitalities of Castle Carew had any
peculiar or political significance. It was very natural that one of the
first of the gentry should receive the representative of his Sovereign
with honor, and pay him every possible mark of respect and attention.
But that Walter Carew had done any more than this, or had sacrificed
anything of his old connection with his party, the best contradiction
lay in the fact that his guests contained many of the very foremost and
least compromising men of the Liberal party; and “Curtis” was quoted in
a very conspicuous type as the shortest refutation of such a charge.
It was, unfortunately, a moment of political inaction--a lull in the
storm of Parliamentary conflict--when this discussion originated;
and the newspapers were but too happy to have any theme to occupy the
attention of their readers. The Castle press became more confident and
insulting every day, and at last tauntingly asked why and how did this
great champion of nationality,--Curtis,--take leave of Castle Carew?
The question was unreplied to, and consequently appeared again, and
in larger capitals, followed by an article full of innuendo and
insinuation, and conveying the most impertinent allusions to the
antiquated section of party to which Curtis belonged.
It is notorious that a subject totally devoid of any interest in itself
will, by the bare force of repetition, assume a degree of importance
far above its due, and ultimately engage the sympathies of many for
or against it. Such was the case here; certain personalities, that
occasionally were thrown out, giving a piquancy to the controversy, and
investing it with the attraction of town gossip. “Falkner's Journal,”
“The Press,” “The Post,” and “The Freeman” appeared each morning
with some new contribution on the same theme; and letters from, and
contradictions to, “A Visitor at Castle Carew,” continued to amuse the
world of Dublin.
The fashionable circles enjoyed recitals which contained the names of
so many of their own set; the less distinguished were pleased with even
such passing peeps at a world from which they were excluded; and thus
the discussion very soon usurped the place of all other subjects in
public interest.
It was remarked throughout the controversy that the weight of authority
lay all with the Castle press. Whatever bore the stamp of real
information was on that side; and the national journals were left merely
to guess and surmise, while their opponents made distinct assertions. At
last, to the astonishment of the town, appeared a letter in “Falkner's
Journal” from Curtis. He had been ill of the gout; and, as it seemed,
had only become aware of the polemic the preceding day. Indeed, the tone
of the epistle showed that the irritability consequent on his malady
was still over him. After a brief explanation of his silence, he went on
thus:
“The Castle hacks have asked, Why and how did Curtis take his leave of
Castle Carew? Now, without inquiring by what right these low scullions
presume to put such a question, I 'll tell them: Curtis left when he
discovered the company by whom he was surrounded; when he found that
he should sit down at the same table with a knavish pack of English
adventurers, bankrupt in character, and beggars in pocket.
“When he saw the house where his oldest friend in the world was wont
to gather round him all that was eminently Irish, and where a generous
hospitality developed a hearty and noble conviviality, converted into a
den of scheming and intriguing politicians, seeking to snare support by
low flattery, or to entrap a vote, in the confidence of the bottle; when
he saw this, and more than this,--that the best names and the best blood
in the land were slighted, in order to show some special and peculiar
attention to vulgar wealth or still more vulgar pretension, Curtis
thought it high time to take his leave. This is the why; and as to the
how, he went away in the same old conveniency that he arrived by; and,
though drawn by a sorry hack, and driven by a ragged Irishman, he felt
prouder as he sat in it than if his place had been beside a duke in the
king's livery, with a coach paid for out of the pockets of the people.
“This is the answer, therefore, to your correspondent. And if he wants
any further information, will you tell him that it will be more in
accordance with the habits of Irish gentlemen if he'll address himself
personally to Mr. Curtis, 12, Ely Place, than by any appeal in the
columns of a newspaper.
“And now, Mr. Editor, a word for yourself and the others. I know nothing
about the habits of your order, nor the etiquette of the press; but this
I do know: I am a private gentleman, living, so far, at least, as you
and the like of you are concerned, out of the world; I am very unlikely
to fill a paragraph either among the marriages or the births; and
if--mark me well, for I am not joking--you, or any of you, print my name
again in your pages, except to announce my decease, I will break every
bone in your body; and this 'without prejudice,' as the attorneys say,
to any future proceedings I may reserve for your correspondent.”
None who knew Curtis doubted for an instant the authenticity of this
letter, though many at the time fancied it must be a queer quiz upon
his style. The effect of it was, however, marvellous; for, in the most
implicit confidence that he meant to keep his word, his name entirely
dropped out of the discussion, which, however, raged as violently, if
not more violently, than ever. Personalities of the most offensive kind
were interchanged; and the various guests were held up, with little
histories of their private life, by the journals of one side or the
other.
Up to this moment my father's name had never been regularly introduced
into the discussion. Regrets, it is true, were insinuated that he
who could afford the shortest and most satisfactory explanations of
everything should not condescend to give the public such information. It
was deplored that one who so long enjoyed the confidence of the national
party should feel himself bound to maintain a silence on questions which
a few words would suffice to make intelligible. Gradually these regrets
grew into remonstrances, and even threatened to become reproach.
Anonymous letters, in the same spirit, were addressed to him in great
numbers; but they all failed in their object,--for the best reason, that
my father saw none of them. A feverish cold, attended with some return
of an old gout attack, had confined him to bed for some weeks, so that
he had never heard of the controversy; all the newspapers, filled as
they were with it, having been cautiously withheld from him by the
careful watchfulness of MacNaghten.
Such was the state of matters as my father, still weak from his attack,
descended, for the first time, to the drawing-room. MacNaghten had
persuaded my mother to accompany him on a short drive through the
grounds, when my father, whom they had left in his room, thought he
would make an effort to get downstairs, and surprise them on their
return. He was seated at an open window that looked out upon a
flower-garden, enjoying, with all an invalid's relish, the balmy air of
a summer's day, and feeling as if he drank in health at every stir
of the leaves by the light wind. His illness had not only greatly
debilitated him, but had even induced a degree of indolent inaction
very foreign to the active habit of his mind in health; and instead of
experiencing his wonted curiosity to know what the world had been doing
during his illness, he was actually happy in the thought of the perfect
repose he was enjoying, undisturbed by a single care. The rattling of
wheels on the ground at last gave token of some one coming, and a few
moments after, my father heard the sound of voices in the hall. Resolved
to deny himself to all strangers, he had risen to reach the bell, when
the door opened, and Rutledge entered.
“Why, they told me you were in bed, Carew,” cried he, endeavoring by a
half-jocular manner to conceal the shock my father's wasted appearance
imparted. “They said I could not possibly see you, so that I had to send
up a few lines on my card to say how urgently I wished it, and meanwhile
came in to await your answer.”
“They only said truly,” muttered my father. “I have crept down to-day
for the first time, and I 'm not quite sure that I have done prudently.”
“What has it been?--gout--rheumatic fever?”
“Neither; a bad cold neglected, and then an old ague on the back of it.”
“And of course the fellows have bled and blistered you, without mercy.
My medical skill is borrowed from the stable: hot mashes and double
body-clothes are generally enough for a common attack. But rich fellows
like you cannot get off so cheaply. And madam--how is she?”
“Perfectly well, thank you. And how are all your friends?”
“As well as men can be who are worried and badgered every hour of the
twenty-four. It 's no use in sending Englishmen here, they are never
trusted! I don't believe it's possible to find an honester man, nor a
truer friend to Ireland, than Portland; but his Saxon blood is quite
enough to mar his utility and poison every effort he makes to be of
service.”
“The children are paying off the scores of their fathers, Rutledge.
The sentiment that has taken some centuries to mature, can scarcely be
treated like a mere prejudice.”
“Very true; but what bad policy it is--as policy--to obstruct the flow
of concessions, even coming from a suspected channel. It 's rather too
hard to criticise them for doing the very things we ask them.”
“I have not looked into a newspaper these few weeks,” said my father,
half wearied of the theme.
“So that you know nothing, then, of--” He stopped short, for he just
caught himself in time.
“I know nothing whatever of the events that have occurred in that
interval; and--however inglorious the confession, Rutledge, I must make
it--I 'd almost as soon live over my attack again as hear them. Take it
as a sick man's peevishness or sound philosophy, as you may; but, in the
jarring, squabbling world we live in, there 's nothing so good as to let
bygones be bygones.”
“That's taking for granted that anything is ever a 'bygone,' Walter;
but, faith, my experience says that we are feeling, to the end of
centuries, the results of the petty mischances that befell us in the
beginning of them.”
My father sighed, but it was more in weariness than sorrow; and Rutledge
said,--
“I came out to have a long chat with you, Walter, about various things;
but I fear talking fatigues you.”
“It does fatigue me,--I'm not equal to it,” said my father, faintly.
“It's unlucky too,” said the other, half peevishly, “one so seldom
can catch you alone; and though MacNaghten is the best fellow in the
world--”
“You must still say nothing against him, at least in my hearing,” added
my father, as if to finish the sentence for him.
“I was only going to observe that in all that regards politics--”
“Pardon my interrupting you again,” broke in my father, “but Dan never
pretended to know anything about them; nor is it likely that a fellow
that felt the turf a contamination will try to cultivate his morals by
the intrigues of party.”
Rutledge affected to laugh at the sneering remark, and after a moment
resumed,--
“Do you know, then, it was precisely about that very subject of politics
I came out to talk with you to-day. The Duke told me of the generous way
you expressed yourself to him during his visit here, and that although
not abating anything of your attachment to what you feel a national
cause, you never would tie yourself hand and foot to party, but
stand free to use your influence at the dictates of your own honest
conviction. Now, although there is no very important question at issue,
there are a number of petty, irritating topics kept continually before
Parliament by the Irish party, which, without the slightest pretension
to utility, are used as means of harassing and annoying the Government.”
“I never heard of this before, Rutledge; but I know well, if the measures
you speak of have Grattan and Flood and Ponsonby, and others of the same
stamp, to support them, they are neither frivolous nor contemptible;
and if they be not advocated by the leaders of the Irish party, you can
afford to treat them with better temper.”
“Be that as it may, Walter, the good men of the party do not side with
these fellows. But I see all this worries you, so let 's forget it!” And
so, taking a turn through the room, he stopped opposite a racing print,
and said: “Poor old Gadfly, how she reminds me of old times! going along
with her head low, and looking dead-beat when she was just coming to her
work. That was the best mare ever you had, Carew!”
“And yet I lost heavily on her,” said my father, with a half sigh.
“Lost! Why the report goes that you gained above twenty thousand by her
the last year she ran.”
“'Common report,' as Figaro says, 'is a common liar;' my losses were
very nearly one-half more! It was a black year in my life. I began it
badly in Ireland, and ended it worse abroad!”
The eager curiosity with which Rutledge listened, suddenly caught my
father's attention, and he stopped short, saying: “These are old stories
now, and scarcely worth remembering. But here comes my wife; she 'll be
glad to see you, and hear all the news of the capital, for she has been
leading a stupid life of it these some weeks back.”
However uneasy my mother and MacNaghten might have been lest Rutledge
should have alluded to the newspaper attacks, they were soon satisfied
on that point, and the evening passed over pleasantly in discussing the
sayings and doings of the Dublin world.
It was late when Rutledge rose to take his leave, and my father had
so far rallied by the excitement of conversation that he already felt
himself restored to health; and his last words to his guest at parting
were,--
“I'll call and see you, Rutledge, before the week is over.”