"a Papist in my heart," for the very substantial reason, among others, that the maidenname of the parish-priest's mother was " Dickson." However, the general tenor of the sermon was so much approved, being calculated to promote the volunteer cause, that I was earnestly solicited, by a number of zealous friends to the institution, to publish it, with a modification of the part respecting the admission of Catholics to the volunteer ranks. To the publication I felt little objection: But, to the Modification I submitted, with great reluctance, and merely from respect to, what I then thought, superior judgment, and, at least, an equal zeal in the public cause. However, I feel happy that I retained, in print, so much of the shadow of what I expressed, in substance, from the pulpit, as will give a faint idea of what then were, now are, and, I presume, ever will be, my opinions and feelings, on that important subject. The passage, as modified, is as follows:

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3dly. Ye ought to extend your views of doing good beyond the narrow limits of party, or outward profession, in matters civil, or religious. The names of party often excite jealousies; and these,.again, are apt to resolve the most generous actions into the worst designs. This is, particularly, the case with us, in time As our enemies are generally of the Popish

of war.

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Popish religion, those of that denomination, among us, are apt to construe measures of public safety into private design, and attribute every armament to enmity against them. To remove such injurious suspicions is an object well deserving your attention, and your conduct ought to shew, that ye have not taken up arms, for this or the other denomination, but for your country-that it is not your purpose to spread alarm, terror, or desolation, but to check them in their wild career-that it is only against the enemies of your country, liberty, and peace, be their religion what it may, that your arms are pointed-and, that whoever is the friend of these, is your friend, and the object of your protection.'

During some years after this, little occupied the public mind, or employed the public tongue, except volunteering and volunteers. The system was now become universal, with a very few exceptions. Many gentlemen of landed property, who, at first opposed, or barely tolerated, the measure; and even some who seemed to dread the armament of the people, as much as they detested American independence, or, horror-struck, anticipated a French debarkation, assumed the uniform of their country some, as was supposed, merely to keep their tenantry under their own control, and others, because volunteering was become fashionable.

Be

Be this as it may, in the year 1782, Ulster was so completely armed, that, at a review, in Belfast, the number of patriotic soldiers was deemed little inferior to that of the spectators, capable of bearing arms. In a sham-fight, on the day after this review, Robert Stewart now lord viscount Castlereagh, then only in his thirteenth year, commanded the light infantry of the Ards independents, of which his father was colonel. His company consisted, mostly, of boys, a few years older than himself. Their appearance attracted universal notice, and excited the most pleasing emotions, as it promised a succession of patriot soldiers, under whose banners Ireland would recline in safety. The conduct of young Stewart did more. The manner, in which he conducted his boyish band, through the variegated, and long-protracted engagement, displayed such germs of spirit, and judgment, as excited admiration, extorted applause, and laid the foundation of that popularity, which he afterwards obtained.

One circumstance, of which I was a witness, had a most powerful effect on the public feeling. The sham-fight was a représentation of an approach to, and attack on, the town of Belfast. The Ards independents, commanded by col. Stewart, now earl of Londonderry, formed the van of the invading army. By them the advanced guard of the defenders of their country

was

was completely defeated. In their flight, they left a small party, with one piece of cannon, on a rising ground, to cover their retreat. To drive in this party, and take possession of the cannon, the younger Robert and his boyish band was dispatched; and the affair was so conducted on both sides, that some officers, who were present, declared that it bore the strongest resemblance to real action. That a great majority of our youthful heroes believed it to be such, I am fully convinced. When the defendants gave way, and abandoned their gun, young Stewart rushed forward in the ardor of his soul, grasped it in his arms, then mounted its carriage, waved his cap, and, with tears of triumph, huzzaed to the main body, and called them to come on.

This circumstance had a most powerful effect on the then ardent mind of the multitude present; and their account of it excited high expectations of, and a warm attachment to, the rising Robert, through the whole county. From that day, many began to look forward to, and speak of him, as their future representative. "If such be the boy, what may we not expect of the man!" was to be 'heard in, almost every company; and I own that my own expectations were as extravagant, and my attachment as enthusiastic, as those of any other man living.

The

The continued effect, and importance, of this circumstance, were strongly marked in the year following. In that year, the first great contest for the representation of the county, took place, between the Hillsborough and Stewart family, or, as it was generally considered, between the court and country interests. At the commencement of the election, the success of Mr. Stewart was confidently spoken of. His conduct in parliament, during the preceding seven years, had fully justified his patriotic professions, satisfied the expectations, and secured the support, of a numerous and powerful body in the county. Yet, even this well-earned popularity was weakened by a toadish coldness, and haughty distance of deportment, which disgusted and alienated many, who had been esteemed warm and steady friends to the independence of the county. The consequence was, that the contest, at the end of five weeks, became doubtful; and, a few days afterwards, notwithstanding every exertion of Mr. Stewart's friends, his conduct rendered it desperate, by a dereliction of Mr. Ward, with whom a junction had been formed and ratified, under the sanction of their common friends, for the common support of the common cause. This dereliction degraded him in the estimation of his warmest advocates; and his subsequent conduct, in the house of commons, respecting a petition against the sheriff's return,

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