through fear of the demonlike cruelties which even a successful revolution might induce; and the general fear which the aristocratic party had of giving freedom to the uneducated classes, influenced them to a fatal silence.  Again the middle classes were left without leaders, who might have tempered a praiseworthy nationality with a not less praiseworthy prudence, and which might have saved both the nation and some of its best and bravest sons from fearful suffering.  A Catholic meeting was held in Dublin, on the 11th of February, 1791, and a resolution was passed to apply to Parliament for relief from their disabilities.  This was in truth the origin of the United Irishmen.  For the first time Catholics and Protestants agreed cordially and worked together harmoniously.  The leading men on the Catholic committee were Keogh, M’Cormic, Sweetman, Byrne, and Branghall; the Protestant leaders were Theobald Wolfe Tone and the Hon. Simon Butler.  Tone visited Belfast in October, 1791, and formed the first club of the Society of United Irishmen.  He was joined there by Neilson, Simms, Russell, and many others.  A club was then formed in Dublin, of which Napper Tandy became a leading member.  The fundamental resolutions of the Society were admirable.  They stated:  “1.  That the weight of English influence in the government of this country is so great, as to require a cordial union among all the people of Ireland, to maintain that balance which is essential to the preservation of our liberties and the extension of our commerce. 2.  That the sole constitutional mode by which this influence can be opposed, is by a complete and radical reform of the representation of the people in Parliament. 3.  That no reform is just which does not include every Irishman of every religious persuasion.”

Tone had already obtained considerable influence by his political pamphlets, which had an immense circulation.  There can be no doubt that he was tinctured with republican sentiments; but it was impossible for an Irish Protestant, who had any real sympathy with his country, to feel otherwise:  it had endured nothing but misery from the monarchical form of government.  The Catholics, probably, were only prevented from adopting similar opinions by their inherent belief in the divine right of kings.  In 1791 the fears of those who thought the movement had a democratic tendency, were confirmed by the celebration of the anniversary of the French Revolution in Belfast, July, 1791; and in consequence of this, sixty-four Catholics of the upper classes presented a loyal address to the throne.  The Catholic delegates met in Dublin in December, 1792, and prepared a petition to the King representing their grievances.  It was signed by Dr. Troy, the Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, and Dr. Moylan, on behalf of the clergy.  Amongst the laity present were Lords Kenmare, Fingall, Trimbleston, Gormanstown, and French.  Five delegates were appointed to present the petition, and they were provided with a very large sum of money, which induced those in power to obtain them an audience.  They were introduced to George III. by Edmund Burke.  His Majesty sent a message to the Irish Parliament, requesting them to remove some of the disabilities; but the Parliament treated the message with contempt, and Lord Chancellor FitzGibbon brought in a Bill to prevent any bodies from meeting by delegation for the future.