102 DOBBS. standing; entangled him in the maze of contemplative deduction, from revelation to futurity; and his judgment was frequently lost in the regions of imagination. His singularities, however, seemed so separate from his sober judgment, that each followed i t s appropriate occupation without interruption from the other, and left the theologist and the prophet sufficiently distinct from the lawyer and the gentleman. There were few virtues h e did not i n some degree partake o f , while n o inclination t o vice could - be::charged 6 ¢ him, even b y the spirit o f party. By nature; a patriot and a n enthusiast;-by science, a lawyer and a n historian. On common topics h e was not singular, and o n subjects o f literature was informed and instruc tive; but there i s sometimes a key i n the human mine. which cannot b e touched without sounding those wild chords ever a t variance with the harmony o f reason. When expatiating o n the subjects o f Antichrist and the Millenium, his whole nature seemed t o undergo a change —h is countenance brightened—his language was dignified and earnest—sometimes sublime, always extraordinary, and frequently extravagant. These doctrines, strange a s i t may appear, h e made auxiliaries t o his view o f universal politics; and, persuaded himself o f the application and infallibility o f his reasoning, h e seemed t o feel n o diffi culties when treating o f these mysterious subjects. Mr. Dobbs was a decided enemy t o the Union; and o n a debate o n that subject, i n 1800, delivered the most extraordinary discourse ever uttered i n a public assembly. For a few minutes, his whimsical reasoning and extravagant deduc tions occasioned a buzz o f ridicule i n the House; but this was soon succeeded b y the most profound silence and respectful attention, which continued uninterrupted for several hours, until he had finished a most sublime and impressive speech, o f which nearly thirty thousand copies were printed and circulated throughout Ireland. Before this h e had published some excellent and spirited letters o n the Independence o f Ireland; and a n Universal History; and several miscellaneous Tracts; o f which few appeared
