But presently they talked of public affairs--of the important measure expected to be proposed, of a union between England and Ireland--of what would probably be said and done in the next session of Parliament: my father, foreseeing that this important national question would probably come on, had just obtained a seat in Parliament.

His friend, not knowing or recollecting this, began to speak of the imprudence of commencing a political career late in life.
'"No man, you know," said he, "but a fool, would venture to make a first speech in Parliament, or to marry, after he was fifty." 'My father laughed, and surrendering all title to wisdom, declared that, though he was past fifty, he was actually going in a few days, as he hoped, to be married, and in a few months would probably make his "first speech in Parliament." 'He found Dublin as it had been described to him under arms, in dreadful expectation.

The timely apprehension of the heads of the conspiracy at this crisis prevented a revolution, and saved the capital.

But the danger for the country seemed by no means over, -- insurrections, which were to have been general and simultaneous, broke out in different parts of the kingdom.

The confessions of a conspirator, who had turned informer, and the papers seized and published, proved that there existed in the country a deep and widely spread spirit of rebellion.