Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/291

280 BUTLER. died in 1651, and was buried in the chancel of St. Canice church. Various as the dispositions of men, and the accidents of their fortunes, are the motives which induce them to en- gage in those great political convulsions, which form the terror of the age in which they exist, and constitute the most prominent features in the history of nations. Actu- ated by personal motives, revenge, or ambition, many are induced to take up arms; while others are infuenced by political or religious bigotry; and some few, more enlight- ened, engage themselves and their property in the public service, for the purpose of securing to their countrymen their rights as men and as citizens. In what are termed the rebellions of Ireland, all these incentives no doubt had their fall weight; and to these are superadded, a national animosity which burnt high in the breasts of the lineal descendants from the ancient kings of the country, who could not, with calmness, behold themselves dependant on the will of a nation which they regarded as inferior to themselves, and base in its origin. In engaging in the rebellion of Tyrone, Mountgarret probably felt with some force the animating influence of this powerful motive; the flame, though smothered, continued still to burn in bis bosom ; and when he saw the distresses, privations, and almost ignominy to which the professors of the ancient religion were exposed, and behelå the errors and insolence of the government, and of those who were entrusted with the execution of its commands, he became, what was termed, a rebel, from principle: but, in his anxiety to alle- viate the distresses of his country, he refrained from add- ing to those of his political opponents, and never, even in the heat of action, forgot for a moment the dictates of the most christian charity. THOMAS BUTLER, EARL OF OssoRY, is a name that fills an important space in the list of those, who, in different ages, have