History of the Irish rebellion in 1798 : with memoirs of the union, and Emmett's insurrection in 1803 . e the ridicule, rather than the anger of anIrish mob, and keeps them in good-humour. Within the house thegalleries were crowded by ladies of the highest distinction, and as thefair sex had entered warmly into the spirit of the times, as in oldendays, at tilts and tournaments, they cheered the champions of their re-spective parties during the long and arduous debate which followed,with wreathed smiles and waving handkerchiefs. Such was the excitement in the capital; and it may be ima-gined th
History of the Irish rebellion in 1798 : with memoirs of the union, and Emmett's insurrection in 1803 . e the ridicule, rather than the anger of anIrish mob, and keeps them in good-humour. Within the house thegalleries were crowded by ladies of the highest distinction, and as thefair sex had entered warmly into the spirit of the times, as in oldendays, at tilts and tournaments, they cheered the champions of their re-spective parties during the long and arduous debate which followed,with wreathed smiles and waving handkerchiefs. Such was the excitement in the capital; and it may be ima-gined that the leaders of two parties so violently opposed, and sonicely balanced, were incessant in preparations for the approaching con-test. The Government had despatched messengers in every direction towhip in loitering and reluctant supporters; the anti-unionists were alsobusily at work to recruit their ranks by every means of influence intheir power. In the lobbies, an actual canvass was openly carried on,and undecided members were almost dragged to the rival benches by * Secret Memoirs of the iv> <,L ©F (DLAffi- E IKISII REBELLION. 347 the agents of both parties, who exhibited on this occasion more zealthan parliamentary dignity. The house assembled at half-past four,but the debate did not commence till seven. In this interval, the noisoand confusion in the corridors heralded the coming contest, and was de-scriptive of the character of the debate—it was rude, sometimes bois-terous, and altogether unusual. The Speaker at length took his chair, and his cry of Order!order ! obtained a profound silence. Dignified and peremptory, hewas seldom disobeyed; and a chairman more despotic, from his wisdomand the respect and affection of the members of every side, never pre-sided over a popular assembly. When prayers commenced—all was in a moment gloomy and deco-rous, and a deep solemnity corresponded with the vital importance ofthe subject they were to determine. Warm, an
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1850, bookpublisherlondo, bookyear1854
