was one of the European Commission for organising Eastern Roumelia under
the Berlin Treaty, and he is also the originator of the Lords' Committee
of inquiry on the Irish Land Act. His lordship's father, in 1854, moved
the second reading of Lord Dufferin's Liberal "Leasing Powers, and
Landlord and Tenant Bills;" and in 1865 he made an able speech in the
House of Lords on the grievances of the officers of the East India
Company's army. He had previously served as a soldier with distinction in
the East, and was always listened to with deserved attention by the
peers.--[_Lord Dufferin's Speeches and Addresses._]
NOTE B. Page xxi.
DR. LELAND.
DUIGENAN'S disparaging mention of Dr. Leland is one of the most spiteful
and unjust of his utterances. There does not seem to be any proof that
Leland was guilty of any Academic disloyalty in being or becoming friendly
to the Provost, and outside this indictment the celebrity of his varied
intellectual distinctions added greatly to the lustre and dignity of the
College. He was probably the best classical scholar of the country; he was
an eloquent and popular preacher, constantly advocating the charities of
the city, and although he did not contribute to either _Baratariana_ or
_Pranceriana_ he was the most learned Irish author of the period. Dr.
Thomas Leland was born in Dublin in 1722, and was educated in Sheridan's
famous school in Capel-street. He entered College in 1737, got Scholarship
in 1741, and Fellowship in 1746. In 1746 he was appointed Southwell
lecturer in St. Werburgh's Church. He was Erasmus Smith Professor of
Oratory and Modern History in the University, Librarian, Chaplain to Lord
Lieutenant Townshend, Prebendary of St. Patrick's Cathedral, and Rector of
Rathmichael, which living he exchanged for St. Anne's, Dublin, with the
Vicar, Dr. Benjamin Domville Barrington. In 1781 he resigned his Senior
Fellowship and retired on Ardstraw, which he held by dispensation along
with St. Anne's until his death, in 1785. He was a vehement opposer of
pluralists until he became himself a pluralist. He published a
"Translation of Demosthenes," "The History of Philip of Macedon," and "The
History of Ireland" in three volumes, quarto. This last-named history is
really a work of very superior merit. Leland supported the English in the
spirit of Primate Boulter; and like Delany, he may have hunted for a
bishopric from the English Government; but as a historian, he gave an
honest and able record. No one need set out more fairly and forcibly the
rapacity of our Irish Reformationists, the frauds of Strafford, and the
barbarities of Cromwell. His book was furthermore quite a novelty in
regard of fresh material, and would be almost worth re-editing. After
Leland's death three volumes of his sermons were published, by
subscription, by M'Kenzie of Dame-street, and the list of subscribers
contains the names of Provost Hutchinson, the Vice-Provost, many of the
Fellows, the Library, bishops, judges, peers, members of parliament, and
most of the celebrities of the day, but it does not contain the name of
Patrick Duigenan.
Concerning the "History of Ireland," Leland's greatest work, we see by the
recently-issued Historical Manuscripts Commission Report, that it was
Charles O'Connor of Belanagare, the then most capable recordist of
Ireland, who moved him (1767) to undertake it "because he has abilities
and philosophy equal to the task." O'Connor writes again, that "we
undoubtedly have [in Trinity College Library], by Dr. Leland's care, the
best collection of old annals now in these islands. That learned and
worthy gentleman has made me free of the College Library." In another
letter O'Connor says: "Dr. Leland is now librarian, and promises me a warm
room and all the liberty I can require relative to the College MSS., which
are now a noble collection, indeed." It was Charles O'Connor who made Lord
Lyttleton and Dr. Leland acquainted with each other, and we do not find it
recorded that the English peer was of any service to the Irish scholar,
although Dr. Leland generously supplied his lordship with valuable
historical information for his history of Henry II.; and that, when he
himself was engaged in describing the same events in his own work.--[See
_Life_ prefixed to Sermons, and vol. viii. of _Hist. Man. Com. Reports_,
1881, p. 486.]
Dr. Johnston had a high regard for Dr. Leland, and he wrote to him a
letter of personal thanks for the Dublin University's honorary LL.D. in
1765. Johnston complained to O'Connor that Leland "begins his history too
late," and that he should have been more exact in regard of "the times,
for such there were, when Ireland was the school of the West, the quiet
habitation of sanctity and literature." It was the chance mention of
Leland's history that drew from Johnston the indignant exclamation "The
Irish are in a most unnatural state, for we see there the minority
prevailing over the majority. There is no instance, even in the ten
persecutions, of such severity as that which the Protestants of Ireland
have exercised against the Catholics."--[_Boswell._]
In the _Anthologia Hibernica_ for March, 1793, vol. i., p. 165, there is a
notice of Leland which sharply disparages his "History of Ireland." The
notice is otherwise friendly and appreciative, and it quotes Dr. Parr's
eulogy on Dr. Leland.
His "History of Ireland" closes with the surrender of Limerick in 1691,
and Hutchinson was correct in stating ("Letter 3," p. 23, _ante_) that
Ireland had no professed historian of its own since that era, and that
history furnished very imperfect and often partial views of her affairs.
NOTE C. Page xxi.
DR. DUIGENAN.
DR. PATRICK DUIGENAN, more familiarly termed "Paddy," was one of the most
remarkable men enumerated in the list of the Fellows of Trinity College.
He was the son of the Master of St. Bride's Parish School, and, doubtless,
he received his early education in the school which, in his father's days,
was kept first in Golden-lane and afterwards in Little Ship-street. In
allusion to this, Watty Coxe's Journal twits him with the diploma of "St.
Bride's College." From St. Bride's Parish School the lad Patrick was sent
to St. Patrick's Cathedral School, then presided over by Mr. Sheills (or
Shiel), and thence in the year 1753 he entered Trinity College, as a
Sizar. Whether he obtained the Sizarship by competition or by nomination
we do not find recorded; but _quocunque modo_ a sizar he entered, and next
to him on the form sat another sizar stripling, Barry Yelverton,
afterwards an usher in Buck's School in North King-street, and
subsequently Lord Chief Baron and Lord Avonmore.[104] In 1756, Duigenan
obtained Scholarship; in 1761, Fellowship; and in 1776, he retired on the
Professorship of Laws, having been, in fact, turned out by Provost
Hutchinson. He was M.P. for Armagh, King's Advocate-General, Privy
Councillor, Vicar-General, and Judge of the Prerogative Court. He was a
blustering and honest man; a fanatical anti-Catholic and a fierce
Unionist, and he is accordingly hero-worshipped by Mr. Froude. He was a
hanger-on, first of Philip Tisdall, and then of Lord Clare.
Wills, in his "Distinguished Irishmen," says that Duigenan was the son of
the parish clerk of St. Werburgh's; and Dr. Madden, in his "United
Irishmen," gives a letter saying the same, and that the father died a
Catholic. There is no foundation for either of these assertions. Hugh
Duigenan, the father, died St. Bride's parish schoolmaster, and he, as
well as his wife Priscilla, was buried in St. Bride's churchyard. It is
said in the "Life of Curran" that Duigenan once avowed in the House of
Commons that he was the son of a parish clerk, and if so the father must
have held that office in Derry before he came to Dublin. Dr. Maddens
contributor says that Duigenan was appointed to St. Bride's School through
the influence of Fitzgibbon, the father of Lord Clare. This is quite
probable, as the Fitzgibbons lived in the parish--in Stephen-street, and
many of the family were baptised in the church and buried in the
graveyard. There may be truth in the tradition that the father was
originally a Catholic and conformed. Grattan says that Duigenan was
educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood; that he was a hanger-on of
Tisdall: that his manner of speaking resembled that of a mob-man in the
last stage of agony; and Curran said his "_oratory was like the unrolling
of a mummy, nothing but old bones and rotten rags_," and that he had a
vicious way of "gnawing the names of papists." He was employed by
Castlereagh to administer the Union bribe of a million and a half, and in
1807 he was employed by Sir Arthur Wellesley, then Chief Secretary, to
negotiate about the Charter Schools and the Irish Protestant bishops.[105]
He was also one of the Public Record Commissioners.
His first wife was a Miss Cusack, a Catholic, and to her, in regard of
religious matters he was most indulgent. This was the only instance of
toleration that Duigenan was ever known to show. In 1799 he supported
Toler's (Lord Norbury) Indemnity Bill, freeing all who in 1798 had
committed illegal acts against the people. It must have cost him some
trouble of mind when, as Vicar-General in 1783, he had to license Dr.
Betagh's Catholic School in Fishamble-street, as well as some other
Catholic Schools, in obedience to Gardiner's Catholic Relief Act of the
previous year. His second wife was the widow of Hepenstal, the "Walking
Gallows." Duigenan died at Sandymount in 1816, and bequeathed his fortune
to his first wife's nephew, Baron Smith. It was a brave thing of Duigenan
when he had become a prominent man to go and reside in Chancery-lane
amongst the lawyers, within a stone's throw of the lane in which he was
reared as a poor boy; and it was not less brave of him to be a liberal
subscriber to St. Bride's parish school. He was not ashamed to look back
at the rock whence he was hewn. Very few parvenus have this sort of
nobility.
NOTE D. Page lxxiv.
The life-long competition between Fitzgibbon and Grattan was so individual
and so keen, and commenced so early, that the following quotations from
the College books, now for the first time given, will probably be
interesting. Can any other University produce a corresponding record?
The two splendid rivals, it will be remembered, carried far into public
life their early friendship. Fitzgibbon was as earnest as Grattan for
Irish parliamentary independence. He was one of Grattan's most fervid
eulogists, and it was Grattan that got him made Attorney-General in 1785.
Their first serious difference was on the Navigation Act in 1786; three
years later they fell out finally on the Regency Bill.
EXTRACTS FROM THE MATRICULATION BOOK, T.C.D.
"1763.
"John Fitzgibbon, F.C., June 6th (next class). Educated by Mr. Ball.
Tutor--Mr. Law. Class begins July 8th, 1763.
"Brought over to this class, with five others, John Fitzgibbon, F.C.
"1763.
"Henry Grattan, F.C., Nov. 1st, 6 a.m. Educated by Dr. Campbell.
Tutor--Mr. Law."
These entries show that Fitzgibbon and Grattan entered college the same
year, under the same college tutor, and that they were in the same class.
They graduated in the same Commencements. They were, moreover, in the same
division, sitting within two of each other, Fitzgibbon, from his earlier
entrance, sitting above Grattan in the hall. This proximity gives even a
quicker interest to their neck and neck race, as detailed in the following
record of their examination judgments:--
EXTRACTS FROM THE EXAMINATION BOOK, T.C.D.
"1764.
"Hilary Term--Junior Freshmen.
"1st Division--Mr. Stock, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, 3 V.B. 1 B. (i.e., Valde Bene and Bene).
"Mr. Grattan, V.B. in omnibus. Praemium.
"Easter Examinations, May, 1764.
"8th Division--Mr. Smyth, Examiner.
"Mr. Grattan, V.B. in omn. Certificate.
"Names of scholars who missed (i.e., did not go in for) the
Examination.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon.
"Trinity Term.
"1st Division--Mr. Connor, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, 3 V.B., 1 B. Praemium.
"Mr. Grattan, V.B. in omnibus. Certificate.
"Remarkably diligent at Greek Lecture--
"Mr. Grattan.
"Michaelmas Examinations, October 19th, 1764.
"1st Division--Mr. Connor, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, V.B. in omnibus. Certificate.
"Mr. Grattan, 3 V.B., 1 B.
"1765.
"Hilary Term Examinations--Senior Freshmen.
"1st Division--Mr. Smyth, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, V.B. in omn. Praemium.
"Mr. Grattan, 3 V.B., 1 B.
"Hilary Term--Senior Freshmen.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, Th. for G.L.
"Mr. Grattan, Th. for G.L.
"Easter Term Examinations, April, 1765.
"1st Division--Mr. Lucas, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, V.B. in omn. Certificate.
"Mr. Grattan, V.B. in omn. Praemium.
"Trinity Term Examinations, June 21st, 1765.
"1st Division--Mr. Stock, Examiner.
"Mr. Grattan, senior, 5 V.B. Certificate.
"Missed the Examination--Mr. Fitzgibbon.
"Easter and Trinity Terms--Senior Freshmen.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, Th. for G.L.
"Mr. Grattan, senior, Th. for G.L.
[N.B.--"Th." means _thanks_, "Rem. Th." _remarkable thanks_, and
"G.L." _Greek_ and _Latin_.]
"Michaelmas Examinations, October 21st, 1765.
"Mr. Smyth, Examiner.
"Log. Math. Gr. Lat. Th.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, V.B. in omnibus. Certificate.
"Mr. Grattan, senior, 4 V.B., 1 B. (in Th.)
"Michaelmas Term--Junior Sophisters.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, Rem. Th. for G.L.
"1766.
"Christmas Examinations (generally called 'Hilary'), January 20th,
1766.
"Junior Sophisters--Mr. Law, Examiner.
"Log. Math. Astr. Phys. Eth. Gr. Lat. Th.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, 5 V.B., optime in Ethics. Praemium.
"Mr. Grattan, senior, V.B. in omnibus.
"Easter Examinations, April 18th, 1766.
"Mr. Forsayeth, Examiner.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, 5 V.B., 2 B.
"Mr. Grattan, senior, 2 V.B., 3 B. (2 blanks).
"Michaelmas Term Examinations (Degree Examination), October 20th,
1766.
"Mr. Forsayeth, Examiner.
"Candidates.
"Mr. Fitzgibbon, 5 V.B., 1 S.B., 2 B.
"Mr. Grattan, V.B. all through."
This table of judgments bears out Archbishop Magee's statement in his
funeral sermon on Lord Clare, that Grattan was best in the first and
Fitzgibbon in the closing years of their college course; while Grattan
came to the front again at the Degree Examination. The table exhibits also
the old system of awarding examination premiums in T.C.D.; and it shows
the then curriculum in the Sophister year. It shows also that
Fellow-Commoners obtained their B.A. degree on a shortened Academic
course. Grattan entered in November, 1763, he answered for his degree in
October, 1766, i.e., at the close of his Junior Sophister year--and he
took his B.A. in Spring, 1767.
The Matriculation Book shows that Fitzgibbon was educated at Ball's famous
school, under the old Round Tower, in Great Ship-street.[106] Grattan was
educated in the same school along with Fitzgibbon, and was removed from it
shortly before entrance, as his "Life" tells, and as the Matriculation
Book also shows. Fitzgibbon was born in 1749, and, therefore, was only
fourteen or fifteen years of age when he was collaring Grattan, who was
three years his senior. Fitzgibbon was reared in his father's house,[107]
in Stephen-street, and Grattan was reared within a few yards of him, in
his father's house in Chancery-lane. In the same school, at the same time,
were educated Macaulay Boyd, one of the reputed authors of Junius' Letters
(son of Alexander Macaulay, who lived in Great Ship-street); Sir Samuel
Bradstreet, the steady patriot, who procured "Habeas Corpus" for Ireland,
and who lived in the same street; and John Forbes, who lived in the same
street with the Fitzgibbons, was a thorough supporter of Grattan, a
forward champion of Catholic claims, and the resolute and successful
assailant of the Pension List.
The University conferred its LL.D. _Honoris Causa_ on
Fitzgibbon--notwithstanding his anti-Hutchinson performances. It had no
honorary degree for Grattan, and the loss is to its own muster-roll of
fame. The name would have honoured and ennobled the Register.
NOTE E.
PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF STATE--CALLED ALSO PRINCIPAL SECRETARIES OF THE
COUNCIL, AND KEEPERS OF THE PRIVY SIGNET OR PRIVY SEAL--FROM THE
RESTORATION.
1661, Sir Paul Davys; 1678, Sir John Davys; 1690, Sir R. Southwell; 1702,
Sir E. Southwell and his son, 1775, Thomas Carter (Master of the Rolls);
1760, Philip Tisdall (Attorney-General); 1777, John Hely Hutchinson
(Provost, &c.); 1795, Lord Glentworth; 1796, Hon. Thomas Pelham; 1797,
Robert Stewart (Castlereagh); 1801, Charles Abbott (afterwards Speaker of
English House of Commons, and Lord Colchester.)
IRISH CHANCELLORS OF THE EXCHEQUER.
1761, William Yorke--_vice_ Anthony Malone; 1763, William Gerard Hamilton
("Single Speech"); 1784, John Foster (Speaker, &c.); 1785, Sir John
Parnell; 1799, Isaac Corry; 1804, John Foster; 1806, Sir John Newport;
1807, John Foster; 1811, Wellesley Pole; 1812, William Fitzgerald; 1817,
Nicholas Vansittart.
SPEAKERS OF THE IRISH HOUSE OF COMMONS SINCE THE RESTORATION.
1661, Sir Audley Mervin; 1692, Sir R. Levinge, H.M.'s Solicitor-General;
1695, Rt. Hon. Robert Rochfort, Attorney-General; 1703, Broderick Allen;
1710, Hon. John Forster; 1715, Rt. Hon. Wm. Connolly; 1729, Sir Ralph
Gore; 1733, Hon. Henry Boyle (Lord Shannon); 1756, Rt. Hon. John Ponsonby;
1771, Rt. Hon. Edmund Sexton Pery (Lord Pery); 1785, Rt. Hon. John
Foster.
CHIEF SECRETARIES TO LORD LIEUTENANTS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
_Year._ | _Chief Secretary._ | _Lord Lieutenant._
---------|----------------------------|-----------------------------
1703. | Sir E. Southwell (also | Duke of Ormonde.
| Principal Secretary of |
| State). |
| |
1707. | Joshua Dawson. | Lord Pembroke.
| |
1709. | George Bubb Doddington | Lord Wharton.
| (also Clerk of the Pells). |
| |
1711. | ---- Southwell. | Duke of Ormonde again.
| |
1713. | Sir John Stanley. | Duke of Shrewsbury.
| |
1724. | Thomas Clutterbuck. | Lord Carteret.
| |
1731. | Walter Carey. | Duke of Dorset.
| |
1738. | Edward Walpole, and | Duke of Devonshire.
| Nicholas Bonfoy. (This |
| was the Mr. Walpole who |
| had the escapade with the |
| notorious Letitia |
| Pilkington). |
| |
1740. | Henry Legg, and Nicholas | Do. Do.
| Bonfoy. |
| |
1742. | Lord Duncannon and | Do. Do.
| Nicholas Bonfoy, Esq. |
| |
1745. | B. Liddell (a Cornish | Lord Chesterfield.
| M.P.), and William Bristow.|
| |
1747. | ---- Wayte. | Lord Harrington.
| |
1751. | Lord G. Sackville (also | Duke of Dorset again.
| Clerk of the Council, and |
| Keeper of Phoenix Park). |
| |
1755. | Robert Maxwell. | Marquis of Hartington.
| |
1757. | Richard Rigby (also Master | Duke of Bedford.
| of the Rolls). |
| |
1761. | "Single Speech" Hamilton | Lord Halifax.
| (also Chancellor of the |
| Exchequer). |
| |
1763. | Hamilton again, and Lord | Lord Northumberland.
| Drogheda. |
| |
1765. | Edward Thurlow. | Lord Weymouth, who did
| | not come.
| |
1765. | Lord Beauchamp. | Lord Hertford.
| |
1766. | Lord Aug. Hervey. | Lord Bristol (did not come).
| |
1767. | Sir G., afterwards Lord | Marquis Townshend.
| McCartney (Governor of |
| Madras), and Lord Fk. |
| Campbell. |
| |
1772. | Sir John Blacquiere (also | Lord Hartcourt.
| Alnager, and afterwards |
| Lord Blacquiere). |
| |
1777. | Sir Rd. Heron (his | Lord Buckinghamshire.
| Excellency's land agent; |
| also Searcher, Packer, and |
| Gauger of the Port of |
| Cork). |
| |
1780. | W. Eden (afterwards Lord | Lord Carlisle.
| Auckland). |
| |
1782. | Colonel Fitzpatrick. | Duke of Portland.
| |
" | Lord Grenville (also Chief | Lord Temple, Buckingham.
| Remembrancer, with L4,000 |
| a year). |
| |
1783. | Thomas Pelham and William | Lord Northington.
| Wyndham. |
| |
1784. | Thomas Orde (afterwards | Duke of Rutland.
| Lord Bolton). |
| |
1787. | Alleyne Fitzherbert | Marquis of Buckingham again.
| (afterwards Lord St. |
| Helens). |
| |
1790. | Major Hobart (afterwards | Lord Westmoreland.
| Lord Buckinghamshire). |
| |
1795. | Syl. Douglas (Lord | Lord Fitzwilliam.
| Glenbervie). |
" | G. Damer (afterwards Lord | Lord Camden.
| Milton). T. Pelham |
| (afterwards Lord |
| Chichester). |
| |
1798. | Lord Castlereagh. | Lord Cornwallis.
| |
1801. | Charles Abbott (afterwards}|
| Speaker of English House }|
| of Commons, and Lord }|
| Colchester); W. Wickham; }|
| Sir Evan Napean }|
| (Treasurer of Irish }| Lord Hardwick.
| Exchequer); Nicholas }|
| Vansittart (afterwards }|
| Lord Bexley); Charles Long}|
| (afterwards Lord }|
| Farnborough). }|
| |
1801. | W. Elliott. | Duke of Bedford.
| |
1807. | Sir A. Wellesley, Robert }|
| Dundas (afterwards Lord }|
| Melville), Wellesley Pole }|
| (also Chancellor of the }| Duke of Richmond.
| Irish Exchequer, and }|
| afterwards Lord }|
| Maryborough). }|
| |
1812. | Sir R. Peel. | Lord Whitworth.
| |
1818. | Charles Grant (Lord | Lord Talbot.
| Glenleg). |
| |
1821. | Henry Goulburn. | Marquis Wellesley.
| |
1827. | W. Lamb (Lord Melbourne). | Do. Do.
| |
1828. | Lord F. Levenson Gower | Marquis of Anglesey and Duke
| (Lord Ellesmere). | of Northumberland.
| |
1830. | Sir H. Hardinge (afterwards| Marquis of Anglesey again.
| Lord Hardinge). |
| |
" | Edward Stanley (Lord | Do. Do.
| Derby). |
| |
1833. | Cam Hobhouse, E. J. | Marquis of Wellesley again.
| Littleton (Lord Hatherton.)|
| |
1834. | Sir H. Hardinge again. | Lord Haddington, and Lord
| | Mulgrave, and Lord Fortescue.
| |
" | G. F. W. Howard (Lord |
| Carlisle). |
| |
1841. | Lord Elliott (Earl St. | Lord De Grey.
| Germains). |
| |
1845. | Sir Thos. Freemantle. | Lord Heytesbury.
| |
1846. | Lord Lincoln. | Lord Bessborough.
| |
" | Henry Labouchere. | Do. Do.
| |
1847. | Sir William Somerville. | Lord Clarendon.
| |
1853. | Lord Naas. | Lord Eglinton.
| |
1854. | Sir John Young. | Lord St. Germains.
| |
1855. | Edward Horsman, and Hon. | Lord Carlisle.
| H. Herbert. |
| |
1858. | Lord Naas. | Lord Eglinton again.
| |
1860. | Edward Cardwell. | Lord Carlisle again.
| |
1862. | Sir R. Peel. | Lord Carlisle.
| |
1865. | Do. Do. | Lord Kimberley.
| |
1866. | Chichester Fortescue | Do. Do.
| (afterwards Lord |
| Carlingford). |
| |
1867. | Lord Naas (afterwards Lord | Duke of Abercorn.
| Mayo). |
| |
1868. | Chichester Fortescue again.| Lord Spencer.
| |
1871. | Marquis of Hartington. | Do. Do.
| |
1873. | Sir M. H. Beach. | Duke of Abercorn again.
| |
1879. | James Lowther. | Duke of Marlborough.
| |
1880. | W. E. Forster. | Lord Cowper.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
N.B.--It is instructive to note how very few of the here-mentioned eighty
Chief Secretaries, the persons mainly entrusted with the government of the
country for 180 years, belonged to the country, or had any real knowledge
of its condition and requirements. If the other kingdoms of the earth were
administered on this principle, the "_quam parva sapientia_" would excite
no astonishment.
INTRODUCTION.