nry Grattan has great
requisites, but he has great deficiencies too. The favor that he wins in
the senate, he loses in society. We want a man who shall speak for us in
public the sentiments that fall from us at our tables; who shall assure
the English Government, and the English nation too, that the Irish
Catholic is equal in loyalty as in courage,--that his fealty is not less
because his faith is that of his fathers. It is not eloquence we
need, Mr. Carew. Our cause does not want embellishment. Orators may
be required to prop up a weak or falling case. Ours can stand
alone, without such aid! An honest, a resolute, and an independent
advocate,--one whose ancient name on one side, and whose genial nature
on the other, shall be a link betwixt the people and the gentry,--such a
man, whenever found, may take the lead in Ireland; and, however English
ministers may dictate laws, he, and he alone, will govern this country."

My father listened with intense eagerness to every word of this appeal.
Not even the flattery to himself was more pleasing than the glimpses he
caught of a great national struggle, in which Ireland should come
out triumphant. Such visions were amongst the memories of his boyish
enthusiasm, begotten in the wild orgies of a college life, and nurtured
amidst the excesses of many a debauch; and although foreign travel and
society had obliterated most of these impressions, now they came back
with tenfold force, in a moment when his mind was deeply agitated and
excited. For an instant he had been carried away by this enticing theme;
he had actually forgotten, in his ardor the terrible incident which so
lately he had passed through, when Raper rushed hurriedly into the room
where they sat, exclaiming,--

"A dreadful murder has taken place in the city. Mr. Rutledge, of the
Viceroy's household, was found dead this morning in Stephen's Green."

"Within the Green?" asked Fagan. "What could have brought him there
after nightfall? There must have been some assignation in the case."

"Do you know, have you heard any of the circumstances, sir?" asked my
father.

"No further than that he was killed by a sword-thrust which passed
completely through his chest. Some suspect that he was lured to the
spot by one pretence or other; others are of opinion that it was a duel.
Robbery had certainly nothing to say to it, for his watch and purse were
found on the body."

"Have they taken the body away?"

"No, sir. It remains