like wild beasts; nor was the conscientious loyal Protestant treated with less severity. Free quarters did not give to the soldiery food or raiment, but accumulated property to the commander by the terrors of its infliction. Allen so far resembled Kirk or Jeffries as to make the indulgence of cruelty an instrument of wealth. His views of property are thus faithfully described by a private letter:—
"We have here a great General Council to satisfy the arrears of our army. Pray for us, that now we come to possess houses we have not built, and vineyards we have not planted, we may not forget the Lord and his goodness to us in the day of our distress."
The reader can determine upon Allen's official integrity as a commissioner of forfeited estates by the transport which accompanies such enjoyment, and the religious hypocrisy interspersed therewith. In whatever contempt or detestation the reader may be inclined to view the actors in such guilty scenes, certain resolves shew how difficult it is to eradicate from the human breast a reverence for virtue and an attachment to existing law.
"Mr. Justice Dongan survived his brethren on the Irish King's Bench in 1648." When the republican flag was boldly unfurled, and the proscription of one king followed the murder of another, this man resigned his station, though the Chief Justiceship was offered to him, (for his talents and integrity were universally acknowledged,) and the new government wished to avoid the slur which the retreat of an undoubted patriot and upright judge must occasion. Wealth and power were balanced against poverty and its attendant train—the former lost their usual attractions when incompatible with personal honour; but Dongan was doomed, by fines for political delinquency, to feel the pressure of want. On the restoration, whilst Cromwellian apostates were continued or promoted, Dongan was, after a year's delay, made a Puisne Baron of the Exchequer, without one acre of land to reward his stern unbending virtue.
William Basil was Attorney-General previous to Cromwell's usurpation, continued during the protectorate, and succeeded
