He forgot all, but the moral which he drew for his private use from this Longford business.

He kept ever afterwards the resolution he had made, to mix more with general society.
'His thoughts were soon called to that most important question, of the Union between England and Ireland, which it was expected would be discussed at the meeting of Parliament.
'It was late in life to begin a political career--imprudently so, had it been with the common views of family advancement or of personal fame; but his chief hope, in going into Parliament, was to obtain assistance in forwarding the great object of improving the education of the people: he wished also to assist in the discussion of the Union.

He was not without a natural desire, which he candidly avowed, to satisfy himself how far he could succeed as a parliamentary speaker, and how far his mind would stand the trial of political competition or the temptations of ambition.
'On the subject of the Union he had not yet been able, in parliamentary phrase, to make up his mind: and he went to the House in that state in which so many profess to find themselves, and so few ever really are--anxious to hear the arguments on both sides, and open to be decided by whoever could show him that which was best for his country.
'The debate on the first proposal of the Union was protracted to an unusual length, and when he rose to speak, it was late at night, or rather it was early in the morning--two o'clock--the House had been so wearied that many of the members were asleep.

It was an inauspicious moment.

No person present, not even the Speaker, who was his intimate friend, could tell on which side he would vote.
Curiosity was excited: some of the outstretched members were roused by their neighbours, whose anxiety to know on which side he would vote prompted them to encourage him to proceed.