I think that none but those who register their names as paying a certain small sum in DIRECT TAXES ought at present to send members to Parliament." As in the case of Ireland, so in that of England, subsequent events have shown that Shelley's hopes were not exaggerated.
While the Shelleys were in Dublin, a meeting of the Irish Catholics was announced for the evening of February 28.

It was held in Fishamble Street Theatre; and here Shelley made his debut as an orator.

He spoke for about an hour; and his speech was, on the whole, well received, though it raised some hisses at the beginning by his remarks upon Roman Catholicism.

There is no proof that Shelley, though eloquent in conversation, was a powerful public speaker.

The somewhat conflicting accounts we have received of this, his maiden effort, tend to the impression that he failed to carry his audience with him.