Mr. Rigby, on Nov. 15, writes:

"A messenger, it is true, arrived to-day with a letter to my Lord-Lieutenant, which does not seem to require such a particular attention. The post would have brought it time enough; it contains, however, the King's approbation of our message to the House of Commons, and all that passed in consequence of it; but requires more active zeal from the loyal subjects of this opulent kingdom, particularly mentioning the want of spirit in recruiting the army in Ulster, which the great men there spontaneously offered. All this, by the bye, is very true, for they have done little or nothing."

From Mr. Fox to Sir Robert Wilmot:

"I have just received a note from Mr. Rigby, and am upon thorns till I know that his Grace's request of making him Master of the Rolls is complied with. Be so good as to give me the earliest notice of what concerns so much a man whom I love so dearly."

From Mr. Rigby, when he obtained the office of Master of the Rolls :

"And now, my dear Sir Robert, ten thousand thanks to you for your express, which arrived at six this morning. I had the kindest letter you ever read from the Duke of Newcastle yesterday, in answer to one I wrote him before the old man died; and I did not doubt, after I read it, my success; and, if anything could be added to the value of the thing itself, I own it is the gracious manner in which I have received it from all of them. It is a damned good place, Sir Robert, as I shall know better, and will tell you when I see you. I will write about my re-election when

I am in absolute possession; I don't apprehend my seat in Parliament vacated till then."

On the subject of the Dublin riot, Nov. 28:

"Since I wrote last to you, our mobs are at an end, and perfect quiet and peace restored. I am told, too, the weavers, the people who chiefly made up the multitude, are ashamed of having been so grossly imposed upon. The House of Commons have appointed a committee to endeavour to find out the ringleaders; and Johnny Magill tells me they shall certainly discover who they are. mob being dispersed, I did not care a farthing if the committee was also."

Again, in Dec. 10:

The

"I am told of my life being threatened every hour, but I meet with no insults whatever. When I stay out late at night, I make my servants carry fire-arms; and by God, if I am attacked, I will wait for no peace-officer to give the word of command."

On Dec. 19, he writes:

"Here Mr. Hely Hutchinson continues his daily attack; and neither Primate, Speaker, or Lord Shannon dared to oppose resolving that the exportation of live cattle from hence was prejudicial to this country; so I was left alone to speak for it, which I did in the best and strongest terms I was able. He then wanted to bring his resolution to my Lord-Lieutenant, but upon a division he could get but six to proceed to such extremities against 104. His Grace is not satisfied, nor am I much pleased, that they would not show spirit enough not to suffer that matter to be at all stirred."

Duke derived, as he deserved, much strength from the knowledge that he was inclined to loosen the fetters which pressed so hard on the limbs of the Roman Catholics. An address from the Roman Catholic body was drawn up by Dr. O'Connor, agreed to at a public meeting at Dublin, and ordered to be presented to the Lord-Lieutenant by the Speaker of the House of Commons. The address was drawn up in a spirit of devoted loyalty to the throne; and while a relaxation of the penal laws was prayed for, the utmost gratitude was expressed to the Lord-Lieutenant for his wisdom, justice, and moderation. Such has been on repeated occasions the conduct of the Roman Catholics of Ireland. While they have felt acutely the injury and degradation to which they have been subjected by English laws, every relaxation of undue severity and even every dawn of a kinder disposition towards them, has been met by a warmth of gratitude and a zeal of attachment which seem to have no memory for past injuries, and no suspicion of future injustice.

In the midst of a war with France, the loyalty of the most numerous portion of the Irish people could not be a matter of indifference. In October, 1759, the Duke of Bedford received from Mr. Pitt a despatch by a special messenger, informing him that the French were preparing an expedition com

prising eighteen thousand land troops; and that, if they should escape the vigilance of our fleets, Ireland would probably be one of their chief objects. The Lord-Lieutenant, perceiving that much alarm was caused by the report of the arrival of a special messenger from Mr. Pitt, called his council together, and with their concurrence determined upon summoning Parliament, and acquainting them with the full extent of their danger.

The first effect of this measure was a panic, and the stoppage of two banks; but this mischief was repaired by an association set on foot by the LordLieutenant, which agreed to take in payment the paper of the Dublin banks. The conduct of the Roman Catholics was at this crisis highly gratifying. The Roman Catholics of Cork especially voted an address to their Lord-Lieutenant, in which they declared their determination to oppose the Pretender; thanked the King for the lenity shown to them under his Majesty's mild and auspicious reign; promised to defend his Majesty's person and Government against all invaders whatsoever; and declared that they thought themselves particularly happy to be under the direction and command of so known an asserter of liberty — such an important and distinguished Governor.

The histories of the period in question may be consulted for an account of the riots in Dublin, and

And on the 18th Dec., respecting Lord George Sackville:

"As three good reasons are found for not bringing Lord George to a trial, pray let me know as soon as one good one is found for giving him a regiment again."

Again, on the Dublin riot, Dec. 23:

"What nonsense! to talk of a civil magistrate and the troops! The blockhead of a mayor refused to take the troops; and had the insolence or cowardice, or both I think, to tell my Lord-Lieutenant in council that there was no disorder, at

the

very time when, to his face, my Lord Chancellor declared that they had sworn him and the Chief Justice in his coach, and refused him admittance into the House of Lords. Had the troops not marched, at last when they did, and it was duskish, and the mob had been suffered to remain till it was quite dark, many houses had been pulled down, and many people murdered, I have not the least doubt. Pray tell Wood all this when you see him. Had they attacked me, I would have been my own civil magistrate, I promise you; but we have heard no more of it since...... These mobs and parliaments are damned troublesome, to be sure; but assure yourself they don't appear half so formidable to us here, as when reported to you at a distance."

The following, of Dec. 27., is remarkable:

"Whether these disturbances were in connection with the apprehended invasion, I cannot say; I rather think not. However, they certainly are the effects of those wicked insinuations to the prejudice of Government in 1753, which, with the national dislike to English rule, has rendered the people easy of belief of all suggestions to its prejudice, and consequently not to be relied on for its support."