’The lower Irish are such acute observers that there is no deceiving them as to the state of the real feelings of their superiors. . . .

’It was soon seen by all of those who had any connection with him, that my father was sincere in his disdain of vengeance—­of this they had convincing proof in his refusing to listen to the tales of slander, which so many were ready to pour into his ear, against those who had appeared to be his enemies.

’They saw that he determined to have a public trial of the man who had instigated the Longford mob, but that, for the sake of justice, and to record what his own conduct had been, he did not seek this trial from any petty motives of personal resentment.

’During the course of the trial, it appeared that the sergeant was a mere ignorant enthusiast, who had been worked up to frenzy by some, more designing than himself.  Having accomplished his own object of publicly proving every fact that concerned his own honour and character, my father felt desirous that the poor culprit, who was now ashamed and penitent, should not be punished.  The evidence was not pressed against him, and he was acquitted.  As they were leaving the courthouse my father saw, and spoke in a playful tone to the penitent sergeant, who, among his other weaknesses, happened to be much afraid of ghosts.  “Sergeant, I congratulate you,” said he, “upon my being alive here before you—­I believe you would rather meet me than my ghost!” Then cheering up the man with the assurance of his perfect forgiveness, he passed on.

’The malevolent passions ’my father always considered as the greatest foes to human felicity—­they would not stay in his mind—­he was of too good and too happy a nature.  He forgot all, but the moral which he drew for his private use from this Longford business.  He kept ever afterwards the resolution he had made, to mix more with general society.

’His thoughts were soon called to that most important question, of the Union between England and Ireland, which it was expected would be discussed at the meeting of Parliament.

’It was late in life to begin a political career—­imprudently so, had it been with the common views of family advancement or of personal fame; but his chief hope, in going into Parliament, was to obtain assistance in forwarding the great object of improving the education of the people:  he wished also to assist in the discussion of the Union.  He was not without a natural desire, which he candidly avowed, to satisfy himself how far he could succeed as a parliamentary speaker, and how far his mind would stand the trial of political competition or the temptations of ambition.

’On the subject of the Union he had not yet been able, in parliamentary phrase, to make up his mind:  and he went to the House in that state in which so many profess to find themselves, and so few ever really are—­anxious to hear the arguments on both sides, and open to be decided by whoever could show him that which was best for his country.