476 PONSONBY. degree a s , i n the opinion o f Mr. Fox and the Opposition, must render the office painful, i f not odious t o that illus trious personage. His hereditary right t o the exercise o f this important function, without the sanction o f parlia ment, was questioned b y the first minister o f the day, who was supported i n the plan h e had proposed b y a great majority o f the British parliament, notwithstanding the powerful remonstrances o f his opponents. But the result was i n Ireland quite different. The Opposition, i n that country, after a short struggle, appeared i n a triumphant majority. Mr. Ponsonby, who now headed i t , aided by the powerful talents and co-operation o f Mr. Grattan, and other distinguished orators, maintained with equal boldness and success the inherent right o f Ireland, o n the suspension o f the royal functions, t o nominate and appoint a f i t regent, with o r without limited powers, independent o f any reference t o what might b e done b y the British par liament, o n the present occasion. This was the first ques tion which afforded a n opportunity t o the parliament o f Ireland for exercising their new-born independence; and o n this occasion they appeared resolute t o support that independent right. They viewed i n the heir-apparent t o the throne, the fittest o f a l l persons t o administer for his royal father, the functions o f that royal authority h e was born t o enjoy. They held i t a t once invidious, offensive, and indicative o f a n ungracious suspicion, t o trammel his royal highness with jealous restrictions, i n exercising for his father, the powers and privileges o f the crown, which were already limited b y the constitution. They could not withhold from that illustrious prince, the confidence reposed i n his father, and which must, i n the course of nature, soon b e transferred t o himself. The subject was long, ably, and indeed, violently debated i n both Houses: but i n spite o f a l l the influence o f the viceroy, and a l l the eloquence and a r t o f the Beresford party, with Mr. Fitz gibbon (the then attorney-general, and afterwards chan cellor) a t their head, the warmth o f national feeling surmounted a l l the more cool and calculating principles
