Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/233

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GRATTAN. 229 ber, and l e t me b e a n incendiary too. But though I may b e such a n incendiary, I will never b e that which would deserve the name; I will never b y any hollow composition lay the seed o f future dissension,--I will go clearly and fully t o the work. I will b e satisfied when satisfaction i s given; my nature i s a s prone t o satisfaction, and a s distant from chagrin a s that o f any man. I appeal t o those who know me from my childhood, first a t a public school, then a t the university o f this kingdom, then a t the university o f Oxford, and afterwards during twenty-four years, taking no very private part within the walls o f this house.—I have spoken t o facts:—I d o not mean t o arraign. Any man may b e mistaken, and I wish t o suppose any man t o b e really mistaken, rather than b e s o intendedly. I would rather reconcile a l l men t o the public, than make unneces sary divisions. But, though I would d o every thing a man can d o t o prevent dissension, I cannot b e expected t o sacrifice my character t o unlimited obloquy. Sir, one circumstance I must mention, a s i t i s somewhat extraor dinary. I t has been said b y some authority o n that side o f the question, that I am the outcast o f government, and o f my prince; certainly, Sir, my dismissal from office was attended with the extraordinary circumstance o f my dismissal from council; therefore I suppose i t i s that the right honourable member has called me the outcast o f government and o f my prince. I t certainly, Sir, was a n extraordinary transaction; but i t was done i n the case o f Mr. Pulteney, i t was done i n the case o f the Duke o f Devonshire: therefore I suppose i t will not b e a decisive proof o f any reprobated o r factious character i n the person t o whom i t happened. I t i s the first time i t has been men tioned t o my disadvantage. I t was i n the House o f Lords o f England mentioned t o the disadvantage o f the minister who was supposed t o have done i t , b y a most respectable character; i t was thought not t o my dishonour here; i t was thought not t o my dishonour i n the House o f Lords of Ireland, where I have lately received from a very emi nent Peer, the sanction o f sentiments very different from