and the committee which presented it, reduced him so low in the eyes of the county, that, I believe, all thoughts of attempting to reinstate him were totally abandoned. However, he avoided the disgrace of a public rejection, by taking shelter some time afterwards, under the shade of a peerage.

My attachment to, what I considered as the good of my country; and an attachment, scarcely subordinate, to the Stewart family, induced me to devote my time, my labor, and my purse, to their joint service, from beginning to end of this long and expensive contest. And as I had the honor of being a member of one of the committees, by which it was conducted, every public measure, and public character, came under my observation. Among the latter, that of the younger Robert Stewart already mentioned, was the most attractive and interesting. He was every where, with every body, and his mild manners, unremitting attention, fascinating address, and manlike conversation, revived the impressions of the preceding year, and gave strength to the prejudices conceived in his favor.

Among many instances of this which occurred, during the election, I hope I shall be excused for the mention of one. A few days before its close, I brought forward about forty

freeholders,

Freeholders, whom I had formerly engaged to wait for my call, and of a description which would have done honor to any Country. They were all wealthy farmers, and remarkably well mounted; and, as volunteering had given them some idea of order, I brought them in, in Indian file, and, after proudly parading the town drew them up, two deep, before Mr. Stewart's lodgings. This was the unfortunate morning, though I did not then know it, on which Mr. Stewart had abandoned Mr. Ward; and with him, as some maliciously said afterwards, "honor and honesty," the motto of their junction. Ere my arrival, the sheriff and his deputy had been some time in court, and Mr. Stewart could not make up his first tally. On seeing me, therefore, the expressions of joy were considerable. The young Robert rushed into the street, and, throwing his arms round my horse's neck, exclaimed: "O. Mr. Dickson, are all these for

my father" "6 Yes, my dear boy," said I. On this, he darted into the house, and, in an instant, returned, crying: " See! See ! father! See what Mr. Dickson has brought! I would rather be at the head of such a yeomanry, than be the first lord ever a king created." The multitude, who crowded the street around us, seemed delighted with his spirit, and my corps was not less so with his compliment. Their language to each other was; "this is our noble young captain-he's a sweet boy-he'll be our man yet, if he lives."

During the succeeding seven years, which were devoted to his education, his popularity not only continued, but encreased; and, that he justly deserved it, I can personally testify, as the greater part of that time he spent in my neighbourhood, and almost under my eye. He was then the pupil of Mr. Sturrock, Chancellor of Portaferry, now Dr. Sturrock, Archdeacon of Armagh a man, whose sweetness of temper, gentleness of manners, and correctness of morals, were as well calculated to conciliate the heart to virtue, as his judgment, taste, and literary attainments were to enrich the understanding with the principles of knowledge. Under the Doctor's tuition, his pupil's attention was unremitting, and his progress rapid. The knowledge of this being circulated, added to his reputation, and the hopes of his friends: and his going to the university under the auspices of the late Lord Camden, whose memory will ever be revered by the real friends, of the British empire, and of liberty; the full benefit of his Lordship's instructions and example; with the additional advantage of prosecuting his studies, under the special tuition of the celebrated Dr. Watson; led to the belief that he would enter upon the theatre of public life, not only as a profound scholar, but an accomplished statesman, a zealous friend to civil and religious liberty, and an honest advocate for the independence

pendence of the Irish legislature, and a radical reform in the representation of the Irish people.*

This belief was more than confirmed, if possible, on his first appearance in the county, previous to his election, in 1790. On his canvass, he was received, with marked cordiality, and expressive joy; and these were kindled into enthusiasm, by his strong expressions of attachment to the liberty of his country, of ardor for reform, and solemn declarations that, if returned to parliament, he would use all his efforts to obtain it.-Nay, as some averred, by expressions of patriotism much stronger.

The effect of such addresses, added to his former popularity, in such a county as Down then was, may be easily conceived. In fact, it was such, that, I am fully, convinced, had the freeholders

D 2

* While Mr. R. Steward was with Mr. Sturrock, an incident. occurred, which I would not dare to recite, had it not been published at the time, and supported by a cloud of witnesses equally numerous and respectable. These consisted of the late Lord Camden, the late Dr. Haliday of Belfast, Dr. Sturrock, Mr. Cleland, the Household at Mount Stewart, the Rosemount family, and all the surrounding neighbours. The personal friendship, determined fortitude, calm composure, and patient perseverance, exhibited, placed the youth far above the friends novel, and the heroes of romance. In hope of procuring the original publication in the Belfast paper, before this Narrative shall be printed off, I shall reserve every thing farther, on this subject, for an Appendix: See No. 1.

freeholders been left to an unbiassed choice, nine tenths of their number would have voted in his favor.

The contrary, however, was the case. His popularity was met by an opposition as formidable as power, interest, or personal favor, could excite. The influence of the government, thro' its dependents and expectants; that of a peer of the first property in the county; amiable in private character; unrivalled as a landlord; who had brought under obligations a great proportion of the gentlemen of smaller fortune, by providing for their sons, in the army, navy, revenue, and church; to whom many others looked up for preferment; and, who had two boroughs at his disposal; with all their dependents and de-dependents were marshalled against him.

To meet, and counteract, this opposition, every friend to the youthful candidate, and the cause to which he had pledged himself, set out to canvass in his favor. In the enthusiasm of the day, my mind was not indifferent, nor my exertions withholden. For several weeks, previous to the election, and the three months,, during which it continued, I was on horseback, almost every day; and seldom left in my own house, at night. In fact, I rode one horse, nearly to death, reduced another to half his