258 GRATTAN. by such a plan would be a l l electors, or, they might pur chase the votes o f that great body o f electors introduced b y such a plan into the constitution, a l l the beggars i n the neighbourhood. The minister too, for the short time such a plan suffered king o r minister, could, i n the cor rupt confusion o f such election, preserve some influence b y the application o f the treasury, and the command o f the army; h e could have a l l the swords and votes o f a l l the common soldiers. But the farmer and the citizen could have none o f those advantages, and indeed what farmer o r citizen would g o t o the hustings o f a medley o f offenders met o n a plan, where bayonets, bludgeons, and whiskey, elected the House o f Commons? I n the mean time, the respect which the landlord and candidate now pay t o the farmer and t o the citizen, would b e a t a n end; and, instead o f resorting t o the farmer for his vote and interest, the squire would g o t o the farmer's dung-yard, and canvas the boys o f his lawn, who would have more votes, though neither farm nor freehold; the consequence o f the citizen would b e a t a n end also, and, instead o f going t o his shop t o ask the tradesman for his vote, the candidate would apply t o the beggar o n the bridge, o r the scavenger i n the kennel, o r t o the hospitals i n Channel row, and those places where the poor are now wisely sup plied with bread, instead o f being intoxicated with hand bills, offering, i n the place o f bread, the hopes o f returning the parliament, and becoming a third constitutive part o f the legislature.” I n the year 1794, a change o f administration and o f measures took place i n Ireland, when Mr. Grattan and Mr. Ponsonby were sent for t o England t o consult upon the arrangement and plan o f government. Lord Fitzwil liam was appointed viceroy; and s o persuaded was Mr. Grattan o f the good intentions o f Great Britain towards the Irish nation, that o n the 22nd o f January, 1794, h e moved the address i n answer t o the speech o f the viceroy, which was carried without a division. These halcyon days were but o f short duration. On the 12th o f February,
