486 PONSONBY. other leading member, the president of a great assembly. Mr. Grattan represented the dangers of exasperating the feelings of the whole country, by refusing what a l l s o con fidently expected, and the peril o f a n actual civil war; but the great leader alluded to, i s reported t o have answered, “What o f that: Suppose the conflict should cost fifty thousand lives, i t were better so, than forfeit the ascen dancy o f the Protestant interest i n church and state.” Earl Fitzwilliam, who could not have been mistaken a s t o the authorities with which h e was invested o n accepting the viceroyalty, now perceived his honour was t o be sacrificed t o the machinations o f a party i n the English cabinet, aided b y the influence o f the Orange junto i n Ireland. He felt that he had been made an instrument of deception t o the hopes o f Ireland. He explained i n a public letter, addressed t o the Duke o f Portland, and then resigned his office. Thus failed the accomplishment o f that system t o which the eloquence o f Mr. Ponsonby and his friends had been, for s o many years, zealously directed. “ The word o f promise,” thus snatched from the national ear, and “the cup o f expectation dashed from their lips;” Earl Fitz william's resignation, and the cause o f i t , were heard o f with public consternation and dismay. That nobleman, o n his way t o the yacht, which was t o return him t o England with chagrin and disgust, passed through streets crowded b y a silent and sorrowing multitude o f a l l ranks, hailed b y their farewell blessings. The shops were all closed, and business suspended; black flags and crapes were displayed from the windows; and the metropolis wore the gloomy aspect o f mourning for some public calamity. Earl Camden arrived a s the new viceroy, ac companied b y Mr. Pelham a s his secretary; and the party o f Lord Clare and the Beresfords returned t o power. The whole torrent o f mischief, restrained b y the temporary suspension o f their influence, was now ready t o rush forth o n the country with accumulated violence. I n the House o f Commons, notwithstanding what had
