declared “that none could oppose the Bill, except such as had Irish estates or Irish understandings.”  Lord Ossory protested that “such virulence became none but one of Cromwell’s counsellors;” and he being the eldest of the Duke of Ormonde, and having Irish interests, opposed it.  Several noble lords attempted to draw their swords.  Ossory challenged Buckingham; Buckingham declined the challenge.  Ossory was sent to the Tower; the word “nuisance” remained; some members of the “Cabal” said it should have been “felony;” and the Irish trade was crushed.  Even the Puritan settlers in Ireland began to rebel at this, for they, too, had begun to have “Irish interests,” and could not quite see matters relative to that country in the same light as they had done when at the other side of the Channel.  At last they became openly rebellious.  Some soldiers mutinied for arrears of pay, and seized Carrickfergus Castle—­ten of them were executed, and peace was restored; but the old Cromwellians, both in England and Ireland, gave considerable anxiety to the Government; and, indeed, it seems marvellous that they should not have revolted more openly and in greater force.

So many complaints were made of Ormonde’s administration, that he was now removed for a time.  He was succeeded by Lord Berkeley, in May, 1670, a nobleman whose honest and impartial government earned him the respect of all who were not interested in upholding a contrary line of conduct.  The Catholics offered him an address, which was signed by two prelates, who held a prominent position, not only in their Church, but also in the history of the period; these were Dr. Plunkett, Archbishop of Armagh, and Dr. Talbot, Archbishop of Dublin.  Colonel Richard Talbot, who was afterwards created Earl of Tyrconnel by James II., had been, for some time, the accredited agent of the Irish Catholics at the English court; he now (A.D. 1671) attempted to obtain some examination into the claims of those who had been ejected from their estates during the Commonwealth.  After some delay and much opposition, a commission was appointed; but although the “Popish Plot” had not yet made its appearance, a wild “no Popery” cry was raised, and the King was obliged to recall Lord Berkeley, and substitute the Earl of Essex.  Even this did not quiet the storm.  On the 9th of March, 1673, an address was presented to the King by the Commons in England, demanding the persecution of Papists in Ireland; and the weak monarch, all the more afraid of appearing to show partiality, because of his apprehension that Popery might be the true religion, and his still more serious apprehensions that his people might find out his opinion, at once complied, and even recalled the Commission of Enquiry.