Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/153

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FLOOD. 149 nity.” The moment that he arose, the politeness of the Speaker in requesting order; the eagerness of the oppo nents of the bill seconding the efforts of the Speaker; the courtesy invariably paid to any new member, and his un common celebrity as an orator, not only brought back the crowd from the bar, from above stairs, at Bellamy’s, but from the lobby, and every part adjoining the house. All the members resumed their places, and a general silence took place. Such a flattering attention Mr. Flood naturally thought should be repaid by more than one or two sentences. He proceeded, trusting to his usual powers as a speaker, when, after a few diffuse and general reasonings on the subject, which proved that he was but little acquainted with i t , h e resumed his seat amid the exultation o f his adversaries, and the complete discom fiture—not o f his friends, for h e could b e scarcely said to. have one i n the House, but o f those whose minds breathed little else but parliamentary and almost personal warfare, and expected much from his assistance. He spoke, how ever, very fully, some years afterwards, o n the French treaty; and o n the subject o f parliamentary reform, o n March 4th, 1790, o n which Mr. Fox complimented him by saying, “his scheme was the most rational that ever had been produced o n that subject.” We have little else now t o record o f this great man, than his decease, which took place a t his seat o f Farmley, i n the county o f Kilkenny, o n the 2nd o f December, 1791. His death, i t i s said, was occasioned b y a severe cold which h e caught i n endeavouring t o extinguish a fire which broke out i n one o f his offices, i n consequence o f which h e was seized with a pleurisy, which i n a few days. terminated his existence. He was married, o n April 16th, 1762, t o Lady Frances Beresford, daughter o f the Earl o f Tyrone, b y whom h e never had any issue. By his will, made i n 1790, h e dis poses o f his large property, amounting t o 5000l. per annum, i n the following manner:-He leaves t o his kins man, Mr. Warden Flood, a n estate o f about 300l. per