tion, which is putting forth all its influence; and it is mighty in England-the powerful exertions made at the registries-the loss of a Carlow-the determined opposition of the Lords-the sledging of a Brougham, who has been, like Pericles, "thundering, lightning, and confounding all Greece," and above all the weakness of the ministry caused by their half-and-half conduct,-all seem tending to the one thing, the ousting of the present possessors of Downing-street, and the incoming of Sir Robert, whose plausible conduct in the house-whose apparently liberal sentiments at times, when he is not forced into some act of true Toryism, against his better judgment, are calculated to do much mischief. So that we doubt not, they are insensibly inducing many liberal minded men, imposed upon by his adroit management, and gulled by his skilful recognitions of popular power, thrown out on various occasions, into a belief that a government with Sir Robert Peel at the head of it, would be a reforming government, could not be worse than the present finality one, and would be the means of preventing the recurrence of such scenes as those at Newport. This apparent liberality of Sir Robert Peel is a thing to be guarded against, with the utmost cautiousness. It is, for all practical purposes, only apparent. No doubt the man is at heart a reformer, and were it not for his distinguishing characteristic of "letting I dare not wait upon I would," he would have been, where his natural promptings pointed at the head of the liberals of England for the last decade of years. But while such men as Newcastle, Roden, Lyndhurst, Buckingham and Londonderry in the Lords-Knatchbull, Inglis, Gladstone, Jackson and Litton in the Commons, exist; while the Orange party in Ireland, and the Church party in England, continue in their present rabid state, Sir Robert, as minister, dares not, if he would, be liberal. Instead of professing to further and widen reforms, his march would be a retrograding to "the good old times." For his party "Nisi quæ terris remota, suisque It is possible that circumstances might force him, now and then, to advance a step, but verily, for one step forward, there would be two backward; there would be under such a leader, a game, as the Scotch say, of " jewkery-pawkery," but the aim would always be "the good old times;" the ceasing not, until they had planted their flag, "super antiquas vias." Locke in his treatise on civil government has aptly illustrated the precise case under consideration. In such a case, he says, "How can a man anymore hinder himself from believing in his own mind, which way things are going, or from casting about how to save himself, than he could from believing the captain of the ship he was in was carrying him and the rest of his company to Algiers, when he found him always steering that course, though cross winds, leaks in his ship, and want of men and provisions did often force him to turn his course another way for some time, which he steadily returned to again, as soon as the winds, weather, and other circumstances would let him." Such we feel confident would be precisely the case of a Tory ministry at the present time. We sincerely hope that the public will ponder well on these things, and act accordingly; that they will seriously consider the unseemly conduct of the Tories to their Queen; calling her the Queenof a faction, because she will not have them as her advisers-the daring disloyalty of the Canterbury revellersthe haughty demands of the high Church party on the Education question-the monstrous attempt to disfranchise an entire people. We trust they will consider these things as the true marks of what Toryism has been, is now, and ever shall be, and that they will not suffer themselves to be deceived by the plausibilities of the wily Sir Robert. If they do-we hope better things-but if they do, we can only say in the words of Laocoon, "O miseri, quæ tanta insania, cives? Creditis avectos hostes? aut ulla putatis Dona carere dolis Danaum? Sic notus Ulysses?" VOL. III. NO. XVI. Ι THE WEXFORD RETREAT. AN EPISODE IN THE HISTORY OF 'XCVIII. BY A COTEMPORARY. IN the autumn of 1829, I resolved on an excursion into Leinster, determined after a non-intercourse of many years, on paying a long contemplated visit to an old and respected friend in Meath-a gentleman of the true Milesian caste, whose mansion was the seat of hospitality; but whose fortune owed little to the worldly prudence of a proprietor, who, in the spirit of his ancestors, had been ever more disposed to the enjoyment of the present than speculations for the future. His horses, his hounds, the adventurous companions of his morning chase, or the more selected friends of his evening board, formed no unimportant appendages to the enjoyments of an ever active life-chastened by the benevolent dispensation of those duties, to which the helpless and the indigent, he conceived, had a prescriptive claim. And thus years glided_on with scarcely a shade of variation. But the political hemisphere became clouded -and e'er the impending storm had burst, which divided kindred and fellow-countrymen under adverse banners, in that short but blighting contest, my friend became enrolled, with others of his locality, in the service of the crown. Whatever sentiments he might subsequently have entertained, as to the expediency or the policy of those measures, to which the Government of that day had recourse, it is not my province to investigate. But this I can assert, that in the sterner duties of the soldier he never compromised the nobler qualities of the man. Cruelty and oppression were foreign to his nature, and love of country and of kind were the strongest sentiments of his heart. But I am not writing the history of this individual, whose life might not perhaps be devoid of interest :-I shall merely advert to such passages as are relevant to the subject before me, under the title prefixed to my present review. A ship with this benevolent gentleman, was of a singular, if not romantic character. It was near the close of an eventful crisis; a period memorable in the annals of our country, and at a moment of yet high political excitement. Need I apprise my reader, that I allude to the disastrous era of 'NINETY-EIGHT? Our views in life were opposite: our political positions equally so-and yet it was to him I was indebted for the hospitality of the domestic hearth, and the sympathy of a friend in the hour of emergency. period of many years had since intervened, and important changes had taken place in the political world. A sanguinary war had laid the foundation for a peaceful revolution; and, in the progress of events, the influence of moral power bad effected what physical force had failed to achieve. When now about to renew my long suspended intercourse with this old and valued friend, I felt a strong desire to avail myself of the favourable opportunity, which that circumstance presented, for revisiting some of those scenes, which from their relation with past occurrences, however painful the retrospect,-ever afford me subject of interesting remembrance. Besides, I entertained the further view of investigating, in their respective localities, the particulars of certain transactions of those times and from the personal knowledge of my intelligent friend, I anticipated facilities, important to the object of my research. The season which I selected for my long contemplated excursion, was peculiarly inviting. It was that period of the year, when, in the diversified colouring of nature, the scenery of our midland districts is viewed to the highest advantage; and that quarter through which I had to pass, may perhaps be regarded as the fairest, if not the most fertile,within the ancient principality of Meath. The reader, if he be an admirer of the beauThe circumstance which introduced me to tiful and picturesque, who has only once jouran early acquaintance and subsequent friend-neyed through that romantic section of the Province, which marks on the north and south the course of the river Boyne, needs not to be reminded of the richness and variety of the scenery, which on either hand is presented to his view. Here the expanding waters, swelling beyond the boundaries which nature seems to have designed for their limits, glide in placid course over the alluvial plain, glittering with the gently spreading current. At intervals, they are seen rushing, dark and deep, beneath high shelving banks, dense with the loftiest trees of the forest. The rich meadow grounds and pasture fields, teeming with herds, or flocks of the finest fleece, display the generous gifts of nature to a soil unrivalled in its excellence: while the gently undulating hills rising to the north, and either crowned with perennial verdure, or the fruitful reward of industrious husbandry, present a grateful variety to the eye, and form a delightful contrast with those dark and towering mountains in the more distant west, which seem to form an interminable line of demarcation, and, as it were, an impenetrable barrier, of the confines of Ulster-a province not more interesting to the philosophical enquirer in the variety of its localities, than to the political, in the diversity of its fortunes. Notwithstanding the long interval which had passed since I had last visited this quarter of Leinster; and that the lapse of years, with the improving hand of man, had produced considerable change in the general aspect of the country; I could trace at once the scenes of events, which now struck as vividly on my mind as an occurrence of only the evening before. It was through this fair and fertile district, in the same season of the year, and thirty summers anterior to the present, that *** and Fitzgerald led their hardy followers on their disastrous expedition to the north; and where circumstances which it can interest none now to learn, afforded me a transient opportunity of witnessing the daring conduct of those adventurous chiefs, in one of the boldest military movements contemplated during the insurrectionary warfare of 'NINETY-EIGHT. But this forms a subject of history, too ample here to be retraced: I shall therefore briefly advert to such points, for the more general information of the reader, as will serve to elucidate the views entertained by the insurgent leaders on their incursion into Meath. The decisive battles of the 20th and 21st of June had re-established the royal authority in Wexford; and General Lake, with twenty thousand British troops, occupied the several posts which his Majesty's forces had previously been constrained to abandon. Wexford was at this moment the principal depot of the British army in Ireland: and we may estimate the importance attached to the subjugation of that county, by reference to the military force employed on the occasion. * The several popular leaders, who, on the faith of Lord Kingsborough's treaty,† retired from the field, soon paid, in the forfeiture of their lives and the sequestration of their properties, the "penalty of their political offences." Those who preferred the fortune of war to the faith of the victor, retained their arms: and making rapid incursions into some of the neighbouring counties, averted for a time the fate that awaits the unsuccessful in civil contests. *** when no longer able to maintain his ground in Wexford, associating himself with Fitzgerald of Newpark, whom Sir John Moore designated the "Intrepid and Humane," retreated to Kildare; where, with the residue of their rces, who had survived the Wexford cign, they formed a junction with the ever active and enterprising Aylmer, who still held an imposing position in that section of Leinster. It was there, after one or two unsuccessful attempts to surprise some of the royal posts in that district, that the Wexford chiefs formed the daring design of relieving their native county, by making a diversion to the North, with the view of attracting the attention of the enemy to a new position, and a fresh warfare on the southern confines of Ulster. *The following is taken from the official returns, as published by the Irish Secretary, Lord Castlereagh, with the names of the officers of superior rank, who were opposed to the United Irish forces, in the county of Wexford, in the actions of the 20th and 21st June, 1798. Lieutenant General Lake, Commander in chief. Lieut. General Dundas. Major Generals: Sir James Duff, Sir Charles Asgill, Needham, Johnson, Eustace, Cradock, Loftus, Hewitt. Brigadier Gen. Moore. Lords: Ancram, Roden, Blayney, Glentworth, Loftus, Dalhousie. †This treaty, negociated between Colonel Lord Kingsborough and certain influential inhabitants of Wexford, where his Lordship for some time previously was prisoner to the United Irish forces-had placed the Town of Wexford in Lord Kings"Guarantee of his borough's hands, on the Honour, for the general security of life and property." This treaty was submitted to the Commander-in-chief, General Lake, who refused to ratify it after the success of his Majesty's arms at Vinegar Hill. " The overwhelming pressure of the British | field or stall, no man scrupled to exchange army in Wexford, the military judgments his weak or wearied steed for a fresh and hourly executed on the most influential of vigorous charger; and of yeomanry horses, its inhabitants, and the unrestrained outrages on occasions, rapid was the transfer from to which the subjugated and defenceless po- the Loyal to the Rebel ranks. For the yeopulation were a prey, counterbalanced in the manry troops, the Wexford men entertained estimation of those leaders, the worst conse- an avowed hostility, with the most marked quences which might possibly result, even in contempt. Indeed the latter feeling was at the failure of their enterprise. Hopeless as times displayed in the mere indulgence of the success of that enterprise might have those humourous propensities which are so appeared to spirits less ardent, the measure congenial with the Irish character, and often was not perhaps beyond the reach of attain- evinced under circumstances of the gravest ment, if aided by those resources on which import. the leaders had calculated. They conceived that by producing an insurrectionary movement in Meath-being also favoured by a passive, if not an insurgent spirit in Louth,they could gain possession of the important fastnesses on the north of that county, and thereby be enabled to maintain at least a defensive warfare; until Wexford and the contiguous districts, relieved from the internal pressure of the enemy's troops, should be afforded an opportunity of retrieving the ground they had lost in the late sanguinary campaign; for though Wexford was internally subdued, the spirit of her people was not extinct; and the recent struggle had made every peasant familiar with the duties of a soldier. Animated with these hopes, and impatient for the enterprise, *** and Fitzgerald marshalled their bands; and separating from the confederate forces of Kildare-at the head of sixteen hundred bold and tried companions in arms, they marched for the North. The advance of the Wexford column was rapid, as the object of their march was bold and adventurous. The arrangement of the force, the novelty of the equipment, with a musketeer and a pikeman mounted on each horse and notwithstanding all this, the celerity of their movement, seemed to have so paralysed the more loyal inhabitants of the country through which they passed, that the fearful armament, on the moment, was pronounced irresistible. The leaders, too, were versed in insurrectionary warfare, had the address to avail themselves of every circumstance favourable to the object of their expedition. The weather was most oppressively hot-it was the sultry summer of 'ninety-eight. This, with the burthen of an extra rider, rendered a frequent change of horses a measure of the first consideration; and the means of procuring such relief were resorted to, with little delicacy or reserve. The rich pasture grounds of Dublin and Meath afforded, at that period of the year, a reasonable supply: but whether from Whatever interruption the leaders might have had reason to apprehend from a rencounter with their yeomanry opponents, it does not appear that they were at any time over cautious to avoid the contact. The whole line of their march was intersected by those military stations or divisional depots, of which in general the local yeomanry constituted the garrison; the regular troops occupying the more important towns. On the borders of the metropolitan county, a permanent post of observation had been established, which, from its situation, was considered a station of some importance. This post was on a commanding eminence at the junction of two roads, running in a nearly parallel direction for some miles, and terminating in one great leading thoroughfare, to which it might not inaptly be termed the key. It was in the direct line of the Wexfordmen's route; and from this prominent position, the advance of a force was early descried by the immense clouds of dust which enveloped the column on its march. Nothing further, however, could be ascertained; for nearer and nearer as the division approached, it was still concealed from view, and the formidable movement no otherwise discernible than by the dense curling current which darkened the atmosphere around. It was evident, however, from the rapidity of their motion, that the troops were cavalry; but whether English, Scotch, or German auxiliaries, the most practised military eye could not discover. But of all rational conjectures, the last to be entertained was the advance of an enemy! The Wexford campaign had closed. The royal cause had triumphed; and to the north of Kildare there was not a rebel in arms. The gallant squadron (as presumed,) now returning with "well earned laurels from the hard fought field," claimed respect from the loyal and the brave; and the commander of the depot was not the man to forego one point of military etiquette in the pompous display of a soldierly reception, for which so favourable an opportunity was afforded. The bugle sounded-the garrison turned out the troops formed in order; and at the head of the imposing line, the courteous commander awaited to receive with military honours, "his brothers in arms!" and with a bold show of confidence and soldier-like bearing, it had taken up a prominent position, apparently well disposed to maintain the 'vantage ground it occupied; and from the direct line of which, the enemy could not, and as it appears, was not inclined to diverge. The excellent description of the public roads, which, even in that period of less general improvement, opened to the northern province, afforded greater facility for the compact order in which the Wexford division now advanced; and from the apparently limited space of ground it covered on its march, the armament appeared in the distance less formidable to the opposing troops. But as the hostile band neared the position of their well appointed, but too confident opponents, the fearful display of double The commander of the royal party was not deficient in personal courage; and the urbanity of his manners had attached to him the good feeling and confidence of his men, The column mean time kept sweeping forward with rapid course-the men chanting, in merry mood, their favourite airs, and rounding the chorus with thrilling cheers for the "Baronial sons of Shelmalier and Forth."* This was not the characteristic deportment of British troops -neither did the diversified habiliments of the insurgent band, now emerging from the dusty cloud, correspond with the glittering uniforms of the royal forces. The astounding discovery was as the an-numbers, with the alternate arrangement of nouncement of fate!-And neither courtesy a musket and a pike, gave a new and more nor hostility being suited to the emergency imposing aspect to the scene. of the moment, both yielded to the imperious law of necessity; and a timely abandonment of the post preserved the prudent garrison from the fearful encounter with a "rebel foe." Hasty and promiscuous was the retreat; while the advancing division, in taunting enjoyment of the disorderly scene which its unlooked-for presence had produced, pursued its course. As the hopes of their enterprise rested on the promptness of the execution, a moment of time was never wasted by the Wexford leaders, of whom it has been observed, that their march more resembled the sweeping blast of a whirlwind, than the regular advance of a military force. But the intelligence of their approach had outrun the velocity of their own movements. The fugitive garrison had sounded the alarm, and troops were now to be seen collecting from every quarter to impede the march of the invader. Amongst the several divisions that had hastily taken their ground-for scarcely a village or hamlet, at this period, was without its divisional guard-was a yeomanry squadron, which, from the better quality of the men, and the superior description of the horses, was proverbially termed "a crack corps ;" and certainly, in both these points, together with its general equipment, it was not undeserving the appellation. It is not to be presumed that a corps so high in the estimation of others, should be altogether insensible to its own merits; The baronies of Shelmalier and Forth, in the county of Wexford, were peculiarly distinguished by the zeal and intrepidity of the inhabitants in the insurrectionary warfare of Ninety-eight. 66 important considerations; but, however desirable under ordinary circumstances, not sufficient in the present, to warrant the hazard of an unequal contest with a foe, schooled, if not in a lengthened, at least in a bloody campaign. "We can never stand this, boys!" exclaimed the commander of the royal squadron. Zounds! we might as well think of stopping the mountain torrent." "On! Shelmalier and Forth! Down with man and horse!" was now the loud and audible cry vociferated from the van of the Wexford column; and as the thrilling sound penetrated the adverse ranks, hearts were appalled by fear, which, but a little while before, displayed a manly firmness. "It is all in vain," repeated the commander, eyeing this corps with a mingled feeling of compassion and dismay,-"it is all in vain !" and, while each man gazed on his fellow in mute amazement,-" quick," said he, addressing the trumpeter, "quick! sound a retreat.' The terrified musician applied the brazen instrument to his lips; it was mute! "Sound! fellow," reiterated his commander, "sound!" "I cannot sound, please your honour; I have not a blast to blow." "Then run! d- -n ye, run!" No order was ever more promptly obeyed. Magh go Bragh! and away fled man and horse; the distance in the disorderly files encreasing with the spur of the rider, and the fleetness of his steed. On the second morning of their march |