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PONSONBY. 475 plaints, which now became loud and general; and he was soon deemed by his partisans, a competent leader for the host of Opposition, who, though uniformly defeated on the division, constantly carried off the palm of argument, leaving to their opponents no triumph but that of a devoted majority. The better to concentrate their operations, the members of opposition in both Houses, formed themselves into a Whig Club, on the same principles with that in England, wearing the same uniform of blue and buff, and acting in concert with their British allies. Lord Charle mont and the Duke of Leinster took the lead in the upper House; Mr. Ponsonby, Mr. Grattan, Mr. Curran, and Mr. Forbes, in the lower. Many gentlemen, not in par liament, or connected with party, joined them. They held constant meetings, at which they concerted and arranged their measures, for the service of their country, and the annoyance of their opponents. They broadly contended, that the government patronage in the Com mons House had increased, was increasing, and ought to be diminished; that the expenses occasioned by this fatal system, had exceeded a l l former bounds; and proved, that out o f three hundred members, there were one hun dred and ten who enjoyed places and pensions under the crown, To sketch even a slight outline o f the topics o f Mr. Ponsonby's eloquence, would b e t o give a parliamentary history o f his country, from his first entrance into that senate, until its final extinction i n the Union; for he took a distinguished part o n every debate o f importance. An event occurred about the period t o which we have just alluded, which gave Mr. Ponsonby a complete triumph over the viceroy. On the alarming illness o f his late majesty, i n 1789, both kingdoms were overwhelmed i n sorrow. I t was ultimately deemed requisite b y the British minister and parliament, t o appoint a regent, during his majesty's incapacity. But then i t was determined t o restrict the heir-apparent, who was nominated t o the office, with powers limited i n such a manner, and t o such a