three distinct classes, viz. the Irish, among whom were the descendants of the first English settlers, or "the degenerate English," as they were called, all Roman catholics-the Scotch settlers, nearly all presbyterians—and the new settlers, who were all of the episcopal, or established church, and who, though fewest in number, were the greatest in power, as having the government of England to support their proceedings, and for whose benefit. in fact, the whole political system of the country was and is calculated. And this state of parties is nearly the same at this day.

In order to complete the predominancy of the protestant party, all the former penal statutes were put in force, and new and very oppressive ones were added to them-By such measures as these, the catholics were completely excluded; and hence arose those formidable party distinctions, of catholics, presbyterions, and protestants, which have ever since divided and distracted Ireland. The religious prejudices of the two first are dexterously played off against each other; whilst the third party, the least in number, contrives to domineer over them both, and turn every circumstance to its own advantage and emolument.

A union was now formed between the ancient Irish, who, after losing their lands and their laws, were to lose their religion, and the old English, whose lords and men of influence were to be deprived of their consequence, whose priests and lawyers were thrown out of employment, and whose numerous people had their churches taken from them by force, and punished for not conforming to the religion of their oppressors!—All these united, under the banner of the catholic faith, against the protestants, as against a common enemy.

The English government was so much distracted by the contest between Charles I. and the parliament, that little attention was paid to the affairs of Ireland. Irritated by oppression, and favoured by a combination of events, a general insurrection was planned, and carried into execution by the Irish, in October, 1641; many of the protestants were killed,

but the scheme miscarried, and only added to their misfortunes.*

The catholics of Ireland, at this time, were in fact stretching out their hand to assist King Charles, but the infatuated prince did not see it. He threw himself upon the Scotch, who deserted him. He called upon the Irish when it was too

late.

The Irish having been baffled in their attempts upon the Castle of Dublin,, both the loyalists and parliamentarians united against them. At length, Cromwell, that fierce and hypocritical usurper, came with a large army, and cut off by the sword the inhabitants of Drogheda, and several other towns. The limits of this Sketch will not admit of our entering into a detail of these bloody scenes; they would only shock the feelings of our readers, and show the depravity of human nature exhibited in a cruel and remorseless war which continued eleven years.

New colonies were transported into Ireland, in order to occupy those lands which were either taken from the catholics, or had become vacant by the destructive effects of the war. All the native Irish were commanded to retire into the province of Connaught, which had become nearly desolate; and a certain day was fixed for them to retire, on pain of death! It was one of those cruel measures which resemble the expulsion of the Moors from Spain; with this difference, that the Moors were the invaders some centuries

*

By the English writers, this insurrection has been called a massacre; indeed it was very like one. It is impossible to justify massacre or assassination, yet it may be said, that they have their degrees of guilt, their shades of provocation. The Irish massacre had a different complexion from the horrible butchery of the protestants in Paris, &c. viz. on St. Bartholomew's day, 25th August, 1572, when 70,000 Hugonots throughout France were murdered in the name of Christ! To excite the first, there was a long train of national oppressions and individual misery-on the other, only the cruel bigotry of a king, a priest, and a woman!-See De Thou's History, &c.

before; whereas the Irish were the original inhabitants, and had the only just right to the soil.*

The famous Revolution of 1668, in England, (famous for its beneficial consequences to the liberties of mankind,)† was the cause of another war in Ireland. Driven from a throne which he unworthily filled, James fled to France, from whence, in March, 1689, he sailed with a great armament, and landed at Kinsale. He found the greatest part of the country in his favour; by altering the charters, he had procured a majority of the catholics in parliament, and Lord Tyrconnel, and most of the popish lords, had taken arms in his defence.

James soon found himself at the head of 40,000 men, with whom he marched to the north, where lay the strength of the protestant interest. At the siege of Derry, he wasted his time, and weakened his army ;‡ and in July, 1690, he was defeated by his son-in-law, William III. at the famous battle of the Boyne. Soon after, James retired to France, resign

*By the wars which took place in Queen Elizabeth's time, those of Cromwell, and those of King William, the inhabitants of Ireland were reduced from three millions to half the number at the capitulation of Limerick, when many thousands of the catholics left the country entirely and settled in France and Spain-hence the origin of the Irish brigades in those countries.

It is not the intention of the editor to justify King William in every part of his character, but only to speak of the beneficial consequences resulting to liberty in general from the revolution of 1688 William showed

much liberality in religious matters: He gave to the presbyterians their mode of worship in Scotland; and he granted to the Irish catholics the exercise of their religion as in the reign of Charles II. He endeavoured also to reconcile the jarring controversies of the English episcopalians and the Scotch presbyterians; but herein he failed-the man who moved and directed the intricate politics of Europe, was not able to overcome the bigoted obstinacy of a few priests and presbyters!

The siege of Derry, which continued three months, is remarkable in the history of Ireland for the bravery and hardships of the inhabitants, who, whilst they baffled the attack of King James's army, suffered all the miseries of a protracted siege, the sword, famine, pestilence, &c.-See Journals, written by the Rev. Col. Walker, &c.

ing the government of a great empire to a more deserving rival. It has been said, that King James foolishly bartered three crowns for three masses; even the pope disapproved of his rash bigotry; and the catholics, to this day, look upon his memory with contempt. He pined the remainder of his days, a zealous but a disappointed devotee, in most inglorious. obscurity, a dishonourable dependent upon the ostentatious bounty of Louis XIV.

The war continued above a year longer between King William's generals, and the French and Irish forces, who were defeated at the battle of Aughrim. At length, the surrender of Limerick put an end to the war. This capitulation, known by the name of The Articles of Limerick, was signed on the 3d of October, 1691. By this capitulation, the rights of the Irish catholics were to be ever after known and established.

The principal articles were, That the catholics should exercise their religion in the same manner as they did in the reign of Charles II.; that they should take the oath of allegiance and enjoy the common privileges of subjects. These articles were observed by King William, who constantly resisted the endeavours of the church party to have them repealed. Indeed, the inclination of that prince for religious toleration, forms the brightest part of his character, and must ever do honour to his memory.

Immediately after his death, this system was departed from. In the reign of Queen Anne, acts of parliament were passed, which gradually violated the articles of Limerick. To complete the system of oppression, the laws of discovery were enacted.

By these laws, the catholics were disarmed; they could not purchase land; if one son abjured the catholic religion, he might dispossess his father and all his brothers; if a catholic had a horse in his possession, if worth 50 or 1007. a protestant might take the horse from him, upon paying down 51. if the rent paid by any catholic was less than two

1

thirds of the improved value, the protestant discoverer might take the lease; and various restraints were laid on their education at home, and penalties inflicted for obtaining it abroad!

By these and many other acts, and by the coercive spirit of the English government, the Irish were reduced to a very low condition indeed. Yet, in the midst of this degradation, occasional efforts were made by individuals, to assert something like national independence. Mr. Molyneux published a pamphlet entitled, "The Case of Ireland being bound by English Acts of Parliament," wherein the author vindicates the independence of the Irish parliament in their own affairs. The English government was greatly offended at such presumption; they addressed the king on the subject, and had the pamphlet burnt by the hands of the hangman!

In the year 1719, in consequence of a decree of the court of exchequer, in the Annesly cause, the English lords took offence, addressed the king, and obtained an act, declaring, "that Ireland is subordinate unto, and dependent upon, the imperial crown of Great Britain; and that the king's majesty, by and with the consent of the lords and commons of Great Britain, has full power and authority to make laws and statutes to bind the people and the kingdom of Ireland." Dean Swift having been disappointed in becoming a bishop in England, resolved to become a patriot in Ireland.* English council having, in 1723, granted a monopoly to one Wood to circulate a species of half-pence in Ireland, the Dean, through his Drapier's Letters, contrived to agitate the

The

* Upon the expulsion or abdication of the Stuart family, in the person of James II. there arose in England the two great parties called whigs and tories. King William and the two first Georges were of the former.Queen Anne of the latter party. During Anne's reign, Swift had distinguished himself as an active partisan in favour of the high church system; but on the coming in of the Hanover family, he found himself on the wrong side; instead of being made an English bishop he got only an Irish deanery. Hence, (like many others,) he became a patriot from disappointed ambition.