the strongest conviction that this measure alone can restore harmony and happiness to our unhappy country.”  The Bishop of Cork wrote:  “Nothing in my opinion will more effectively tend to lay these disgraceful and scandalous party feuds and dissensions, and restore peace and harmony amongst us, than the great measure in contemplation, of the legislative Union, and incorporation of this Kingdom with Great Britain.  I am happy to tell you it is working its way, and daily gaining ground in the public opinion.  Several counties which appeared most adverse to it have now declared for it, and I have no doubt but, with the blessing of God, it will be effected, notwithstanding the violent opposition of Mr. Foster and his party.  The Roman Catholics in general are avowedly for the measure.  In the south, where they are the most numerous, they have declared in its favour.”  The Bishop of Ferns presided at a meeting of Catholics of Wexford at which an address in favour of incorporation of both legislatures was signed by 3,000 persons; and throughout the country meetings, presided over by parish priests, were held to further the movement; and the laity were quite as eager as the clergy in the matter.  Plowden, the Roman Catholic historian, says:  “A very great preponderancy in favour of the Union existed in the Catholic body, particularly in their nobility, gentry and clergy.”  Thomas McKenna, the Secretary to the Catholic Committee, wrote two pamphlets in the same interest; whilst on the other hand not a single petition against it was presented by any Roman Catholic body.

When the Session of 1800 commenced, a leading member of the Opposition sadly confessed that the people had deserted them.  But the struggle in the House of Commons was tremendous.  The Anti-Unionists had the advantage of the oratory of Grattan, who, though he had not been in Parliament since 1797, now purchased a seat for L2,400, and entered the House in a theatrical manner in the midst of the discussion.  But his vehement and abusive style of declamation could not in debate be compared with the calm reasoning of Castlereagh.  The most able speeches against the measure were not those of Grattan, but Foster.  Many divisions were taken, the Government majority steadily rising from forty-two to sixty-five, and comprising an actual majority of the members of the House.  In the House of Lords it was relatively much larger.  But it is constantly affirmed that this majority was only brought about by bribery and intimidation.  The word “bribery” has an ugly sound; and in such a case as this, it is only fair to examine what is exactly meant by the term.  There is no doubt that compensation was given to the proprietors of boroughs which were not allowed representation in the United Parliament; and it is said that as the return of members to Parliament is a public trust and not a species of property, this was not a fair matter for pecuniary compensation; hence it amounted to bribery.  But the ownership of boroughs had grown up insensibly;