The press of Dublin had then sunk to the lowest level.

Newspaper literature had even fallen, too.

It was divided into three sections, each of which was the whining slave of one or other of the great predominating factions of the country.

The _Register_ was generally regarded as ranking among the mercenaries of the Castle.

But no sooner did it fall into the hands of the college friends than all Dublin was startled by the originality, vigour and brilliancy of its articles.