the winter of 1853–'4. On 26th August 1854 these vessels were in turn abandoned, by order of Sir Edward Belcher, who had arrived in those seas, senior in command, and the crews returned home by Davis Strait, reaching England on the 28th of September. Captain McClure and his companions had been absent nearly five years, and had passed by water from west to east round the northern coast of America. Efforts were afterwards made to dim the glory of his achievement by drawing attention to the probability that Sir John Franklin or some of his party had made an earlier discovery of the North-west passage. [See Crozier, Captain.] "However," in the words of the Athenoeum, "the discoverer of the North-west passage must be one who has made it by sailing, or walking over the ice, from ocean to ocean. This was done by McClure and his Investigators, and by them alone. The discoverer's commission as Post-Captain was dated back to the day of his discovery, and he received the honour of knighthood. It never was more worthily bestowed. A select committee of the House of Commons reported that Sir Robert McClure and his companions 'performed deeds of heroism which, though not accompanied by the excitement and the glory of the battle-field, yet rival in bravery and devotion to duty the highest and most successful achievements of war.' Accordingly, a reward of ₤10,000 was granted to the officers and crew of H.M.S. Investigator, as a token of national approbation. . . In this generation, there are very few men who have achieved more lasting fame than Robert McClure." Sir Robert, in command of the Esk, afterwards served during the China war. This was the last time he was actively employed. He died, somewhat suddenly, 18th October 1873, aged 66, having attained the rank of Vice-Admiral, and received a Companionship of the Bath for his services in China. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. 7 15 34 228 241
McCoise, Errard, chief poet of the court of Malachy Mor, King of Ireland, in the 11th century. O'Curry gives a particular account of his writings, and thus speaks of his Tale of the Plunder of the Castle of Maelmilscothach: "This tale is remarkable for the vigour and purity of the language in which it is told; but it is especially useful . . for the important corroboration which it contains of the authenticity of other ancient tracts and pieces, which go more or less into minute descriptions of the state of civilization and the social economy of the Gaedhil at the period spoken of; that is so far back at least as a thousand years ago. 261
MacConmara, Donough, author of the "Fair Hills of Ireland," and other poetical pieces, was born at Cratloe, County of Clare, early in the 18th century. His intemperate and irregular habits, which adhered to him through life, prevented his reaping any happiness for himself by his genius. Most of his days were passed as a hedge schoolmaster; yet he managed to visit the Continent more than once, and also Canada. He died at a very advanced age in 1814, and was buried at Newtown, near Kilmacthomas. He wrote poems in Irish, English, and Latin. 289
McCormick, Charles, was born in Ireland in 1742. He entered the Middle Temple, turned from law to literature, and supported himself principally by writing for the press. His writings were not, according to Dr. Johnson, "composed under the shade of academic bowers." One of his principal books, a Life of Edmund Burke, is characterized by Lowndes as "a disgraceful piece of party virulence," He died in London, 29th July 1807, aged about 65, leaving his wife and family unprovided for. He had collected materials for a history of Ireland, concerning which the Gentleman's Magazine says: "The great and laudable end which he had in view in the execution of this arduous undertaking, was to induce the natives to sacrifice their political and religious prejudices on the altar of public affection." 146 16
McCracken, Henry Joy, a distinguished United Irishman, was born in Belfast, 31st August 1767. His ancestors on both sides, Calvinist and Huguenot, sought refuge in Ireland from religious persecution. Brought up to the linen business, when but twenty-two he was entrusted with the management of a cotton factory. In 1791 he co-operated with Thomas Russell in the formation of the first society of United Irishmen in Belfast, and soon gave himself up entirely to politics. When the society in 1795 assumed its secret and military organization, he became one of the most trusted members of the council in the north. He was arrested with his brother William, in October 1796, and sent to Dublin under military escort. There they endured an incarceration of thirteen months, being ultimately liberated on the recognizances of their cousin, Counsellor Joy, afterwards Chief Baron of the Exchequer, and another gentleman, Henry returned immediately to Belfast, and entered with increased ardour into the plans for insurrection. In the spring of 1798 he had
