talents, no more fortunate department and do any thing for the country, one thing could have fallen to Strafford than Ireland. was absolutely and indispensably necessaThe country presented at that time, in ry: its means and resources must be inmost awkward combination, the difficulties creased-in other words, the king must have of a civilized and an uncivilized state. Under money. Good and evil have fought for this King James, who prided himself, not unde- ally since the foundation of the world: the servedly, upon his attention to her, English highest contests of the middle ages assumlaw had superseded, to a great extent, the ed the form of mercantile strife, and from power of the old chieftains; the natives ideas, that spanned the universe and pierchad been brought down from their moun- ed the sky, leaped by a step to money. tains, and the establishment of the Scotch Strafford's monarchy, grand and sacred in Ulster, and of English plantations in va- source of good, sovereignty of virtue, emrious parts, had given a move to agricul- pire in the clouds, wanted money; and ture, and encouraged more settled and in- how to replenish the royal purse, was the dustrious habits in the people. On the all-absorbing question. The difficulty unother hand, the looseness of the monarchical der which the dynasty of the Stewarts had reins, in the Stewart hand, had increased writhed, Strafford had a notion he could the difficulties of government. The Irish, settle, and proposed a bold move for the while they had not been untaught all their purpose-an Irish Parliament. barbarism, had also imbibed notions of political liberty which they had not before; and the new Scotch population, as Strafford proved to his cost, were a set of subjects that no government could congratulate itself upon. The power of the chieftains had been succeeded by the license of a disorderly nobility, who, if they could not control their inferiors as they had before, had no notion of being controlled themselves; corruption had crept into every department of the public service; justice was feebly and partially administered; an ill disciplined and ill provided army preyed upon the substance of the common people; monop. olists swallowed up one source of revenue, the nobility, who had possessed themselves of the crown lands, the other. Church property was in as bad case, devoured wholesale by the nobility, and the wretched remnant seized in the shape of commendams and fraudulent wasting fines, by a covetous puritanical episcopate, and higher clergy. In church and state alike, from the council board, the judicial bench, and the episcopal chair downwards, every man, high and low, was engaged in the noble employment of feathering his own nest; and Ireland was one Augean stable of corruption. Such were the chaotic materials out of which Strafford undertook to evolve his darling project of a regeneration of the monarchy.

In July, 1633, he arrived in Dublin, settled himself in his post, made new arrangements in the vice-regal court and household, sounded the people about him, tried his strength in various encounters with individual noblemen; and after he had thus felt his way, and got information enough, decided on his great plan.

Before the monarchy could raise its head

Of all the projects that could be thought of for extricating the monarchy out of its difficulties, the most repulsive, the most alarming, and the most nauseous, to a Stewart, was that of a Parliament. A menagerie of wild beasts let loose, an army of locusts, monsters from the vasty deep, Goths, Huns, and Tartars, were but faint symbols of the terrible political image which an assembly of his faithful subjects presented to him. Parliaments were intrinsically odious, unmanageable things; time after time had they been dismissed, till it seemed part of their constitution to be so dealt with; a dogmatic catena condemned them; they were King James's five hundred tyrants; Charles's "hydras cunning and malicious," and "cats that grew cursed with age;" three had recently been dismissed in succession; and the king had quietly made up his mind to go on without them. Do manage without a parliament-any thing in the wide world but a parliament, was the almost supplicating language of the English cabinet to Strafford, on his first broaching the thought. Nevertheless, Strafford saw that he must have a parliament-that odious as was the encounter, it must be tried: parliaments there had always been; they were ingrained in the English constitution-its working constitution-and it was absurd to think of doing without them: facts could not be unmade by being not seen, by shutting your eyes to them, by turning your back upon them. A parliament therefore must be held. More than this, he aspired to making a parliament not only an engine of sup plies, a mere necessary evil, but a positive gain, and addition of strength to the royalty.

The general feebleness of the Stewart

governments may be reduced almost to one introduced subsequently to it the Magna defect-they did not face the nation; the Charta into Ireland, one corollary from nation looked them in the face, steadily, re-which great document was freedom of desolutely, and-fearful symptom of a falling bate. Strafford insisted on the letter, and cause they did not return the look, but with a side sneer at King James's adminisshrank from its eye. Discomfited in par- tration, for not "understanding the rules liament, they consoled themselves at home of government," snatched the statute from with theories of the regal power; and a the scissors of Mr. Attorney-General and most miserable contrast was of course the lawyers, who were preparing to cut the result, of a royalty potent in theory, and pare it down to modern shape, and inefficient in practice; "I make both law safely deposited the precious document in and Gospel," said King James, and did not his cabinet, in the most honored compartuphold his omnipotence with his little ment of Irish records. finger. Amidst high-sounding definitions. So far, so good-Poyning's Act was of sovereignty, the privy seals came trem-gained; but this very act brought him, as blingly forth, afraid of the light of day, and a very first step, into contact with a minor scraped up money by hole-and-corner legislative assembly, in the shape of the methods, by forced loans and benevolences, Irish Council, who were to be taken into from the private subject. This was not the his deliberations upon the subject of the method of the Lancasters and Plantage-propositions to be made to parliament. nets: no theorizers, but practical men, The class of official men in Ireland, they boldly rode forth upon their royalty, owing to the distance and laxity of the and the nation, like a generous steed, ex- home government, as well as a succession ulted in the strong hand of its rider. What of indifferent lord deputies, had become did such men care for parliaments? thought any thing but a safe and honorable set of Strafford a regular Plantagenet, he said, advisers. Their general practice was to Meet your parliament, catch the wolf's eye get round the lord deputy on his arrival, first, he will retire if you confront him. Let coax and flatter him into a course of negli this be the test: if you can stand it, you gence, or some precipitate or rapacious are not merely saved, but raised, lifted up act; after which they hung in terrorem over sky-high; if you cannot, your monarchy is him, and with his exposure in their power, good for nothing.-"I did always," were followed their own devices in security. his words on the scaffold, for which he has Strafford soon discovered their character, been charged with hypocrisy with no sort and looked about him with very like the of reason "I did always think parliaments caution and distrust which the vicinity of to be the happy constitution of the kingdom pickpockets excites. "God deliver me," and nation, and the best means, under God, he says, "from this ill sort of men, and to make this king and his people happy." give me grace to see into their designs."A parliament accordingly was summoned. The council was composed of various noThere was one part of the constitution blemen and high officers of state, one of of an Irish parliament, which made it much whom, the chancellor, as second in the easier of management than an English one. country permanently, considered his post By an act passed in the reign of Henry VII. not at all inferior to the changing office of commonly known by the name of "Poyn- lord deputy. The whole body, grown enor ing's Act," the houses could only debate mously insolent and untractable, put the on those propositions which the lord depu-lord deputy virtually at defiance, dictated ty or council put before them. Strafford, to, harrased and bullied him. we need hardly say, strongly appreciated Strafford had, very early on his arrival, the merits of this statute; but, strange as taken pains to teach these officials their it may appear, its very monarchical charac- proper place. One order, procured from ter made the home government afraid to the king, forbade any member of the counstand upon it; it seemed to be too much of cil sitting covered in the lord deputy's pres a privilege to claim in such times; and what ence: by another, they were not allowed to took away from the perilousness of a ses speak to one another at the council board, sion once begun, required greater courage but obliged to address every word to the in the first instance to seize and take the lord deputy. Discipline still more humadvantage of. Moreover, a sort of legal bling to the stomachs of these great men haze had gathered about the act; an his- was added, ex abundanti, by Strafford himtorical interpretation was claimed for it in self. The most punctual and business-like contradistinction to the letter by the popu-man in the empire, when he chose, he aslar party, and King James, it was said, had sembled his council, and kept them for

sumptuous, and the claims of himself and colleagues utterly contemptible; and his lordship retired from the presence-chamber, himself "a little out of countenance," and the Pale wholly extinguished.

hours waiting, "attending on his leisure." | Pale was, it may be readily supposed, a very Thus tamed and brought into something round one indeed: "As he was the mouth like training, they had also been augmented which came to open for them all, I thought fit by two friends of his own, Sir George to close it as soon as I could." The Earl of Radcliffe and Sir Christopher Wandesford. Fingal was simply informed that his quesStrongly averse as he was to the interference tion was ignorant, impertinent, and preof official counsellors, no man living had more respect than Strafford for advisers of his own choosing. Years of uninterrupted friendship, during which he had habitually, and on all occasions public and private, consulted them, had proved the ability and affection of these two: he brought them with him to Ireland, and they formed his cabinet, and never left his side. They three met every day, debated on whatever ques. tion was coming on, argued pro and con, discussed circumstances and probable consequences, and thoroughly sifted it before bringing it into public.

The important meeting of the councilboard still remained. Strafford's proposi tion to parliament was simply a demand of six subsidies of thirty thousand each; and he sent in that proposition for discussion at the board, purposely keeping away himself, that he might elicit the more freely their real sentiments, but ready to interpose on the first symptom of matters going wrong. That symptom very soon appeared.

He was threatened with more plagues, in the shape of councils and official ad- We have mentioned some Stewart misvisers, even than the Irish Council-board. takes of government; the bargaining poli A certain body existed, known by the name cy, a descent from high ground, and ipso of the "Lords of the Pale," of whose pri- facto confession of weakness, was one. vileges it was difficult at that time to say King James had gone on, throughout his what they exactly were, and how far they reign, buying and selling with his parlia had grown obsolete and been superseded ment, piecing offer and demand together: by political changes. The body existed, I will give this, if you will give that-so however, and claimed to be consulted upon much prerogative for so many pounds sterthe opening of parliament; and it number- ling-till the royalty and the nation seemed ed many noblemen among its members, the at last exhibiting themselves as two marweight of whose family names was a re-ket-women, at a stall, bating and cheapenspectable addition to the more venerable, ing and cheating each other. The blunder but less ascertainable claims of the body. still went on; and the Council had hardly The representative of the Pale on this laid their wise heads together, before they occasion was the Earl of Fingal, a some- made it. They spread the annual payment what empty-headed nobleman, who, on the of the subsidies over a year and a half, and strength of being a leader or tool of the then coupled even this diminished demand disaffected party, assumed the man of im- with a monopoly and a pardon bill, as a portance, and gave himself consequential quid pro quo to the popular party to buy off airs. He waited in due form and ceremo- the opposition. But Strafford was at hand, ny for and in the behalf of the Pale, on the and waiting in his cabinet: information lord deputy-had heard a report that there reached him from Radcliffe and Wandeswas to be a parliament-was anxious to ford of the turn things were taking; his know the truth of the matter, as in that mind in a moment fastened on the weak case their Lordships of the Pale would pre- point, and before the discussion could propare themselves for deliberation as to the ceed further, the lord deputy was in procourse to be pursued upon so critical an priâ persona at the head of the council occasion; their Lordships of the Pale were board, giving his sage councillors as rough exceedingly desirous to promote the good a set down as ever set of erring politicians of their country, and their Lordships of the received. Did they imagine that the king Pale thought their advice and counsel high- would degrade himself by such wretched, ly necessary for that end-all this, says paltry shifts? No, no: my great master, Strafford, in a grave electorate kind of way. and my gracious master, and my royal Strafford had a variety of modes of an- master, and my sovereign master, would swer, according to the merits of cases and act very differently. "Like all other individuals; but for one he had a great par-wise and great princes, his majesty expecttiality-the round answer-a phrase of veryed to be trusted; he would not in any case frequent occurrence in his despatches. admit of conditions, or be proceeded withal The answer to the representative of the las by way of bargain or contract; he would

be provided for as the head, and care for acuteness in makin it one of the first acts his people as members; as a gracious and to correct this disorder-when change good king, but still according to the order would be less invidious than afterwards, of reason, nature, and conscience-himself, and would come as a simple order from his people afterwards. They had begun the king, without any appearance of per. altogether at the wrong end, thus consult-sonal pride on the deputy's part-"I crave ing what would please the people in a par- such a direction from his majesty," he says, liament, when it would better become a "that they may know it to be his pleasure: privy council to consider what might please otherwise I shall be well content it may be the king, and induce him to call one." spared, having in truth no such vanity in Think no more, he continues, of your mo-myself as to be delighted with any of these nopoly bills, of your parliament pardons- observances." Nevertheless he sent with "poor shallow expedients! The king has his letter as accurate a table of etiquette, no fancy for them. It is far below my great for the king's approval, as the most rigid master to feed his people with shadows or master of the ceremonies could desire. empty pretences: if the noble and real Noblemen were admitted on days of meetfavors of a gracions and wise king will noting to the presence chamber; the drawing carry it, he will do without your money, chamber was assigned to the untitled class and expect with patience the honor that below them, who were not however allowed will attend him, the repentance that will to bring in their servants; the gallery to fall upon yourselves in the conclusion." the members of the council. The audacity Full of his own majestic illimitable idea of the gentlemen ushers, who had been in of the monarchy, Strafford went on, and the habit of following their masters the poured forth the whole of his royalist soul lord chancellor and the treasurer into the upon the assembled council. He rose from lord deputy's presence, was repressed, and eloquence to poetry; the beams of light they were enjoined to stop at the gallery. and truth were invoked upon the demon of door: the purse-bearer, who had ambitioussuspicion "That spirit of the air that ly mixed himself with the councillors in walked in darkness between king and peo- the gallery, received the same direction; ple:" and from the midst of a magnificent and the lord chancellor, it was added, ought labyrinth of sentences, and an overshadow to be too proud to carry his own purse in ing cloud of imagery, the board was in- the lord deputy's presence. formed that in case they and Parliament Policy and feeling combined produced refused to accept the Lord-deputy's view these arrangements. Strafford's awful he should forthwith put himself at the head ideas of the monarchy colored every thing of his majesty's army, and there persuade down to a king's little finger with majesty. them fully that his majesty had reason on his If the king wrote a letter, it was his "saside-the puissant Straffordian oath on cred pen" that officiated: if he went from peril of my life and that of my children- one place to another, it was his "blessed followed the threat. journey." And as the representation and "Annuit et totum nutu tremefecit Olym-reflection of royalty, he regarded himself pum."-The council was fairly taken aback as raised far above nobility: he taught the and overwhelmed by this portentous dis- proudest of Irish lords to feel their "implay of energy; the proposition of the six mense distance," and hide their diminished subsidies passed free from all degrading ap-heads before the shadow of a king. He pendages; and 'no wills or councils inter vened now between Strafford and his parlia

ment.

One thing more he thought proper to attend to, because he would lose no chance of success-the ceremonial department. He resolved to have the most stately and gorgeous ceremonial of a parliament that had ever been known in Ireland.

On Strafford's first arrival he found every thing connected with court etiquette in the lowest possible state of neglect. A melée of all ranks used the vice-regal castle in club-house fashion, parading galleries, swinging doors, and making themselves free every where. Strafford showed his

had a natural, even a simple love of pomp and ceremony, and, but for a strong intellect, would have been bombastic; as it was, nobody was less so. "I am naturally modest," he says of himself, with real simplicity, "and extreme unwilling, to be held supercilious and imperious among them" and his social habits formed a sufficient contrast to his haughtiness as viceroy. He was fond of conversation and shone in it, especially in the entertaining depart ment; and, whenever he could spare the time, after supper walked off his friends into his cabinet, where he smoked and told good stories, of which he had a copious supply, or at Christmas time played at

most unthankful, the most unpardonable people

in the world.

Primero and Mayo, at which he was an can be said is far subordinate, yet you will admit adept. At his public table he was very me, that sees how much the whole frame of this conscientious in playing the don on one like to settle or suffer with the good or bad success Commonwealth, by a close consent of parts, is point. It was always splendidly provided, of this present meeting, as a person that hath no though he partook but sparingly of it him- end but uprightly to dispense my master's jus self; but he allowed no toasts, except on tice amongst you, without acceptance of persolemn days the King, Queen, and Prince, sons; nor expects, hopes for no other reward, in order to mark his discountenance of the than through the monuments and testimonies I habits of drinking then universal in Ireland. trust I shall be able to leave behind me, to be As the great day of the opening of par- children, a true lover of your country: give me acknowledged when I am gone, by you and your liament drew near, vast pains were taken to collect all the information on the cere- affected, to tell you plainly, that if you do not leave, I say, as a person thus qualified, thus monials which had been observed on such perfectly and cheerfully conform yourselves to occasions; tables of forms and precedence fulfil his Majesty's desires, you render yourwere ransacked, solemn rolls and parch-selves to all equal minds the most unwise, the ments reproduced from the dust of ages, and heraldry, with her inspiring insignia and mystic antique glare, summoned to the tell me if ever the desires of a mighty and "For lay your hands upon your hearts, and scene. On July 14, 1634, with the sound powerful king were so moderate, so modest, of trumpets and wave of banners, a mag- taking, asking nothing for himself, but all for nificent procession moved to the parlia- you. His Majesty hath contracted a vast debt ment house, through the streets of Dub- merely in the service of this crown, and now lin, such as Ireland, it was said, had never wishes you to ease him of the burden. His Maseen before her whole aristocracy (ac-tection and safety-nay, hath entered into a jesty issueth all he hath willingly for your procording to exact order of rank and date of new charge of seven thousand pounds a year patent)-knights and squires, dukes, earls for safeguarding your coast. His Majesty and and barons in their robes, bishops and arch- his royal father have had but one subsidy from bishops in their rochets, privy councillors you, where England hath given them thirty and ministers of state with all the badges subsidies; and can you be so indulgent to yourof office; the courts of law were emptied selves as to be persuaded you must ever be exof their judges and serjeants: heralds, empt: if it should be so, certainly the stars pursuivants, and troops, filled up the inter- conquered nation under heaven. No, no; let were more propitious to you than to any other stices, and serjeants-at-arms with naked no such narrow, inward considerations possess swords flanked; the long line wound up you; but roundly and cheerfully apply yourwith Strafford himself, who marched sur- selves to the contentment of his Majesty after rounded with all the paraphernalia of vice- your long peace. regal pomp, Lord Brabazon bearing his "Suffer no poor suspicions or jealousies to train, Lord Ormond the sword, Lord Kil- meetings and consults in your chambers. Here vitiate your judgment. Take heed of private more the cap. The procession halted at is the proper place. His Majesty expects not the great entrance of St. Patrick's, where to find you muttering and mutinying in corners. the chapter and choir met them, and, with I am commanded to carry a wakeful eye over the Archbishops of Cashel and Tuam, head- these private and secret conventicles; therefore ed them into the cathedral, singing the Te it behoves you look to it. Deum: and after service and a sermon from judgment in all things, yet let me not prove Finally," he concludes, "I wish you a right the Primate, Strafford opened the session. Cassandra among you to speak truth, and not Step by step all had succeeded hitherto, be believed. However, speak truth I will, were and Strafford determined not to be want- I to become your eneiny for it. Remember, ing to himself at the wind-up scene. Sum- therefore, that I tell you, you may easily make moning every nerve and muscle, and strain- or mar this parliament. If you proceed with ing every joint, for a last effort, he threw respect, without laying clogs or conditions upon down the gauntlet, declared in a speech to do, you shall infallibly set up this parliament the king, as wise men and good subjects ought of unshrinking swing and power his full eminent to posterity, as the very basis and resolution, and dashed the royalty in the foundation of the greatest happiness and pros face of the Irish parliament. "And al-perity that ever befell this nation. But if you beit," he continues, after a general sketch of affairs

"Albeit his Majesty need insist upon no other argument to bow you to his just desires, but his own personal merit, and those sovereign duties you owe him for his justice and protection, in comparison whereof I confess indeed all that

meet a great king with narrow circumscribed hearts, if you will needs be wise and cautious above the moon, remember again I tell you, you shall never be able to cast your mists before the eyes of a discerning king; you shall be foun! out; your sons shall wish they had been the children of more believing parents; and in a time when you look not for it, when it shall

a