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which afterwards perceptibly helped to fan the flame of American discontent. Lord Charlemont immediately repaired to the north, and by firmness and tact materially contributed towards bringing about a more settled state of affairs. All the force Government was then able to supply was 400 foot from Galway, and two troops of horse from Clonmel. For his services on this occasion he was created an Earl: but Government approval did not lessen his independent attitude in Parliament. In 1768 Lord Charlemont's marriage to Miss Hickman, of a Clare family, added greatly to his future happiness. Until 1768, members of the Irish House of Commons held their seats during the life of the Sovereign; and this contributed in no small degree to the corruption of Parliament. Lord Charlemont ably seconded the introduction and passage of a Bill for octennial parliaments. The discussion thereon created excitement throughout the country, and it was thought that the Commons passed it with the lingering hope that it would be vetoed by the Privy Council in London. Upon the success of this Bill he remarks: "Every measure intrinsically just and good will finally be carried by virtuous and steady perseverance. In the pursuit of that which is salutary and right, let no patriot be discouraged by defeat, since, though repeated efforts may prove ineffectual, the time will come when the labours of the virtuous few will finally succeed against all the efforts of interested majorities, when a coincidence of favourable circumstances will conspire with the justice and utility of the measure, and, beyond the reach of human foresight, carry into execution even that which, by the weak and timid, was deemed most impossible." In 1773 his mansion in Rutland-square was finished, and thenceforward he resided in Ireland even more constantly than before. Beauclerc, writing to him from London about this time, urging him to attend oftener the meetings of the Club, says: "If you do not come here, I will bring all the Club over to Ireland to live with you, and that will drive you here in your own defence. Johnson shall spoil your books, Goldsmith pull your flowers, and Boswell talk to you; stay then if you can." Although many minor measures of parliamentary reform had been carried, it was not until the American war broke out that Ireland was enabled to assert her legislative independence. Great Britain had then to withdraw almost all her army; and when the Mayor of Belfast solicited troops for protection against the French, he was informed that Government could do nothing, and that Ireland must rely on herself. "Then arose," says Mr. Lecky, "one of those movements of enthusiasm that occur two or three times in the history of a nation. The cry to arms passed through the land, and was speedily responded to by all parties and by all creeds. Beginning among the Protestants of the north, the movement soon spread, though in a less degree, to other parts of the island, and the war of religions and of castes that had so long divided the people vanished like a dream … Though the population of Ireland was little more than half of what it is at present, 60,000 men soon assembled, disciplined and appointed as a regular army—fired by the strongest enthusiasm, and moving as a single man. They rose to defend their country alike from the invasion of a foreign army and from the encroachments of an alien legislature. Faithful to the connection between the two islands, they determined that that connection should rest upon mutual respect and upon essential equality. In the words of one of their own resolutions, 'they knew their duty to their sovereign, and they were loyal; they knew their duty to themselves, and they were resolved to be free.' They were guided by the chastened wisdom, the unquestioned patriotism, the ready tact of Charlemont." ²¹² In July 1780 Lord Charlemont was chosen Commander-in-chief of the Volunteers—a position he occupied during the whole period of their embodiment. The organization and reviewing of the force occupied much of his attention. The famous resolutions passed at the Dungannon meeting, of 15th February 1782, are said to have been drawn up at his house, and with his approval. It scarcely belongs to this biography to relate how events now followed each other in rapid succession. Free Trade was secured; and then, mainly by the genius of Grattan, supported by Charlemont and the Volunteers, the edifice of Ireland's liberty was apparently crowned in 1782. Passing over the contest between Flood and Grattan as to the necessary guarantees for Irish liberty, we come to the great event with which Charlemont was connected—the Volunteer Rotunda Convention of l0th November 1783, from which may be dated the gradual decline of the power and influence of the Volunteers. This convention, inspired by Flood, insisted upon a reform of Parliament, by opening the close boroughs, giving votes to all Protestant forty-shilling free-holders, and to lease-holders of thirty-one years of which fifteen were unexpired, by amending rotten boroughs, excluding placemen from Parliament, ensuring purity of election, and limiting the duration of Par-

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