Few things will give a clearer idea of the extraordinarily exasperated state of politics at the time than to read the remonstrance which produced so tremendous a storm.  Take, for example, the words with which the earlier portion of it closes, and which are worth studying, if only for the impressive dignity of their style, which not a little foreshadows Burke’s majestic prose:—­

“To conclude, I think it highly inconvenient for England to assume this authority over the kingdom of Ireland, I believe there will need no great arguments to convince the wise assembly of English senators how inconvenient it may be to England to do that which may make the lords and the people of Ireland think that they are not well used, and may drive them to discontent.  The laws and liberties of England were granted above five hundred years ago to the people of Ireland, upon their submission to the Crown of England, with a design to keep them in the allegiance of the king of England.  How consistent it may be with true policy to do that which the people of Ireland may think an invasion of their rights and liberties, I do most humbly submit to the Parliament of England to consider.  They are men of great wisdom, honour, and justice, and know how to prevent all future inconveniences.  We have heard great outcries, and deservedly, on breaking the edict of Nantes, and other stipulations.  How far the breaking our constitution, which has been of five hundred years standing exceeded these, I leave the world to judge.”

In another place Molyneux vindicates the dignity of a Parliament in words of singular force and moderation:—­

“The rights of Parliament should be preserved sacred and inviolable wherever they are found.  This kind of government, once so universal all over Europe, is now almost vanished amongst the nations thereof.  Our king’s dominions are the only supporters of this most noble Gothic constitution, save only what little remains may be found thereof in Poland.  We should not therefore make so light of that sort of legislature, and, as it were, abolish it in one kingdom of the three wherein it appears, but rather cherish and encourage it wherever we meet it[14].”

[14] “The Case of Ireland being bound by Acts of Parliament made in England.”  By William Molyneux, Esq., Dublin.

For a remonstrance so dignified, couched in language so respectful, burning by the common hangman seems a hard lot.  The disgrace, if such it was, does not appear to have very deeply penetrated its author, who pursued the even tenour of his way, and the same year paid a visit to his friend John Locke, on the return journey from which visit he unfortunately caught a chill, from the effects of which he died the following October.  After his death the momentary stir which his eloquence had created died out, as the circles left by the falling of a stone die out upon some stagnant pool, until nearly a quarter of a century later a much more violent splash again aroused attention, and a far less pacific exponent of Irish abuses than Molyneux sprang fiercely into the turmoil.