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 BANKS OF THE WYE, 
 
 In Four Volumet, 
 
 By the Author of the WINTER IN BATH. 
 
 THE MYSTERIOUS GENTLEMAN FARMER, 
 
 OR, THE DISGUISES OF LOVE, 
 
 In Three Volumes, 
 
 By JOHN CORRY Author of ALFRED, VIEW OF LONDON, &r- 
 
 THE RED TYGER, 3 vols.
 
 THE 
 
 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 A NOVEL, 
 IN THREE VOLUMES. 
 
 BY MRS. PLUNKETT, 
 
 LATE MISS GUNyI^^G, 
 
 • Why I can smile, and murder while I smile, 
 " And cry content to that which grieves my heart, 
 " And wet my cheeks with artificial tears, 
 " And frame my face to all occasions." 
 
 " To lasting toils exposed, and endless cares, 
 
 " To open malice, and to secret snares ; 
 
 *' To malice, which the vengeful foe intends, 
 
 " And the more dangerous love of seeming friends. 
 
 VOL. I 
 
 Hontion : 
 
 Priiited by T. Plummer, Seething-Lane, 
 
 FOR B. CROSBY AND CO. STATION ERS'-COURT, 
 
 LUDCATE EILL. 
 
 1808.
 
 
 TO THE PUBLIC^ 
 
 A Female, -who has already 
 V been so highly favoured by the 
 attention of a generous PubUc, 
 ^^Once more ventures to solicit its 
 " flattering patronage, though under 
 another name ; yet she trusts the 
 xOne she now b^ars will in time in- 
 sure
 
 \ 
 
 n 
 
 sure to her an equal degree of par- 
 tial indulgence, conscious as she is 
 that it is to their kindness, and not 
 to her abihties she is indebted for 
 the very flattering approbation 
 with which they have already ho- 
 nored the trifling productions of 
 her pen. 
 
 In the present little narrative, a 
 slight sketch is presented of some 
 facts with many enlargements and 
 additional circumstances, rendered, 
 
 from
 
 yii 
 
 from necessity indispen§ible, to the 
 narrator. 
 
 As a Avoman she has avoided any 
 thing hke pohtical discussion, well 
 aware how ill one of her sex must 
 be qualified to enter on such a 
 topic. All she has has to add is 
 that it is the man and not the poli- 
 tician that is here delineated. 
 
 For herself she has only to add 
 that she is still most truly ambitious 
 
 of
 
 via 
 
 ofvthat favour it will ever be her 
 aim to merit. And has the honour 
 to subscribe herself, with the highest 
 respect, the Public's 
 
 Most devoted grateful and 
 
 Obedient Servant, 
 Elizabeth Pluxkett, 
 
 (Late Gunning.)
 
 TH2 
 
 EXILE OF ERIN 
 
 LETTER I. 
 
 4 
 
 Francis Portland, £sq. to Captain 
 Glanmorgan, 
 
 Briar Field, Nor. 7 
 
 W ITH what sentiments of 
 pleasure did I find, by your last le/cer. 
 that the favorite wish of your heart was 
 at length accomplished, by the consent 
 
 TOL. I. B A<
 
 2 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 of your parents having been obtained, 
 to your entering on that line you have 
 so long contemplated as the sure road 
 to glory and to honour. 
 
 I suppose you will immediately join 
 your regiment ; for well I know when 
 one's heart is set on any expedition, 
 the inteimediate space is a space indeed, 
 void of every enjoyment. Joy to you 
 then, ray first and dearest friend, upon 
 this your entrance into life ; and may 
 each succeeding year be gay, serene, and 
 lia; py, like the past. A benevolent and 
 > lively humour, my father used to say, is 
 a cordial we should never be without ; 
 it keeps our passions alive, tempers 
 them most delicately, and gives life a 
 serene sunshine ; the traveller who 
 
 carries
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 3 
 
 carries it with him, views every prospect 
 of the road in its brightest eolourlng, 
 and turns every incident to account. 
 
 We are all convinced that first im- 
 pressions are those which are retained 
 the longest, and are with the utmost diffi- 
 culty, if ever, effaced ; a truth I at this 
 moment but too fatally experience ; for 
 when the tender passion has been che- 
 rished for some time, however innocent- 
 ly, it is more easy to determine against 
 its ilKlulgence than to subdue it. In 
 tlie woining of life, when the mind, 
 like an unfolding flower, is shooting up- 
 wards, and enger after novelty, it nou- 
 rishes itself with every thing that is planted 
 near it ; it is surely then of much moment 
 B 2 that
 
 4 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 that it should be watered with the purest 
 springs; forgive, my dear Glanmorgan, 
 the gravity of my vStile, but you know 
 the sad sad reason I Iiave for reflec- 
 tion. 
 
 I feel that I owe a debt of sfratitude 
 to your worthy parents for their unre- 
 mitting kindness in the hour of danoer 
 to one far dearer to me than life itself, 
 which I hope some day to repay ; my 
 heart avows it, though the debts of 
 sensibility and of love are the reverse of 
 all others, for in the intercourse of fceli- 
 ing minds, every attempt to discharge 
 them proves but the means to encrease 
 their amount ; but let us continue that 
 friendship formed in our infancy, and 
 which I trust will terminate but with 
 
 our
 
 EXILE OF ERIPf. 5- 
 
 our-lives. The world is now opening to 
 our view, and we shall at least amuse 
 each other by oair observations and 
 comments upon things as they appear 
 and strike the youthful imagination, be- 
 fore its honest genuine dictates are 
 damped by the cold hand of suspicion, 
 which will probably arise from that 
 necessary caution in our future com- 
 merce with society. How much misery 
 mij/ht be avoided were we to act more 
 for ourselves, and to give less credit to 
 the professions of others, by relying too 
 implicitly upon them. 
 
 I anticipate in our present seclusion 
 
 from mankind with delight the lively 
 
 sallies of your pen ; I anticipate also 
 
 B 3 that
 
 >, 
 
 6 EXILE OP ERIN. 
 
 that I shall smart for my temerity in 
 challenging so elegant a correspondent; 
 but I tlirow myself upon your gene- 
 rosity by honestly confessing that I seek 
 rather my own gratification, instruction, 
 and amusement, from the lively sallies 
 af your pen, than having the vanity to 
 ground any claim to such indulgence 
 from the adequate amusement I can offer 
 in return. 
 
 To a disposition naturally grave, I 
 have had it, alas ! rendered still more 
 thoughtful from the fate of a beloved 
 parent. Adversity is an etlicaciocis in- 
 stucto: ; under her auspices I appear 
 doomed to pass the mournful days of 
 my youth ; and in a short time her se- 
 vere lessons have enligluened my igno- 
 rance
 
 tXILE OF ERIN. 7 
 
 ranee, matured my reason, and formed 
 my judgment; it is on the cautious 
 circumspection which she has taught 
 me, that I depend for council in cases of 
 difficulty or danger; and I trust that 
 the deadly rust of indolence, so fatal to 
 the human mind, will ever remain un- 
 known to me. 
 
 My education has been such as to 
 qualify me for the profession of the 
 law ; but the banishment of the best of 
 father's from his family and home, has 
 prevented one thought of self from in- 
 terfering with the attention I owe my 
 beloved mother, who, I trust, will short- 
 ly be more reconciled to her fate ; it 
 v^ill then be time for me to apply to my 
 
 B 4 OWR
 
 S EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 own studies, in the hope of encreasing 
 the comforts of my family. 
 
 ' Rossanaa too, my gentle, unassuming 
 sister, is to be consigned for sometime 
 to tlie care of a near relation of cur 
 mother's, who resides in England. My 
 poor father almost idolized her ; and 
 desirous that she should be happy from 
 her cradle, he wislied toexempther from 
 tears, weakness, and every contradiction 
 that infancy is subject too, when, 
 alas ! they are but too necessary to ac- 
 custom us insensibly to the disappoint- 
 ments and oppositions wdiich our de- 
 eires and passions are doomed to meet 
 with in the course of our lives. Happy 
 are those who are early taught the use- 
 ful .and indispensable lesso.i of obe- 
 dience
 
 EXILE OP ERIX. g 
 
 dience and self-command. I say no- 
 th'ng of the present state of our un- 
 happy country ; I hate such subjects ; 
 the pub'.ic papers will inform you of the 
 mistakes ; — blood — misery — murder — 
 the obstinacy of a few — and the madness 
 and villainy of a many ; 1 am grieved lest 
 this should effect mv father, but let us 
 hope he shall yet be restored to his once 
 happy, but now weeping family, and 
 that my mother may no longer tremble 
 at what is yet to happen ; for is it i ot 
 the most terrible of evils to be in con- 
 stant terror for the safety of a beloved 
 object? — But are there not adverse 
 hours in some men's lives that are even- 
 tually the most beneficial by bringing 
 home all their scattered thoughts, and 
 B 5 e^ivinsr
 
 10 EXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 them a just idea of themselves ? Our 
 present misfortunes seem to me like the 
 noise of distant thunder, which murmurs 
 in the horizon, long after the lightning 
 has anHOunced its approach ; perhaps — 
 perhaps, we may experience only this 
 terrifying lightning ; — perhaps the des- 
 tructive thunder may yet spare us, and 
 roll unheeded by. Adieu, my friend, 
 this is a subject on v/hich I dare not, 
 must not venture to expatiate. 
 
 LETTER
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 11 
 
 LETTER II. 
 
 Briar Field, Nov. 20. 
 
 rROM the sirength of mind 
 Yisible in the conduct of our dearest 
 mother, it appears as if she was formed 
 for misfortunes only. 
 
 She has shewn a mind on all occa- 
 sions vigorous from exertion, and unem- 
 barassed by care ; she affects no con- 
 B 6 ceal-
 
 12 Es:iLE OP ERrsr. 
 
 cealnient of her own condition, of her 
 wants, or her comfots; she lays no 
 Stress upon her misfortunes, bui con- 
 trives to deduce some beneficial conse- 
 quence to herself, and some motive 
 for gratitude to heaven, from every" 
 wayward incident that lias befallen 
 
 ilCT. 
 
 To-morrow my gent'le sister leaves us 
 for the tranquil shores of England ; and 
 in the v^ortex of splendour and dissipa- 
 tion of the great world, laidently pray 
 she may retain lier native simplicity 
 amidst all the temptations of vanity, 
 and tl^.at the affectionate innocence of 
 heart Avhch characterizes her, may at- 
 tend lier through the v/eary pilgrimage 
 of hfe; then let her path be ever so 
 
 thorny
 
 EXILE OF ERIIf. 15 
 
 thorny, be her way ever so perplexed 
 by unsought misery, she will retain that 
 inestimable jewel, which kings mav 
 envy — a blameless conscience. 
 
 Lady Avanmore, to whose protection 
 my blooming Rossanna is to be conCclcd, 
 by her rank and connections has it 
 greatly in her power to be of essential 
 use in the present unfortunate crisis of 
 our affairs. Her ladyship is a widow, 
 with two daughters, and one son, at 
 present on his travels ; she so kindly 
 pressed my sister to pass some months 
 with her, that my motlicr gives up her 
 own gratification to what siie fondly 
 flatters herself may be for the future 
 advantage of her darling girl; Lady 
 Avanmore was the companion of her 
 
 infancy,
 
 14 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 infancy, the friend of her youth, and if 
 we may be allowed to judge from ex- 
 pressions, is formed witii sensibility and 
 tenderness; she solemnly promises to 
 consider our sweet blossom as her daugh- 
 ter ; yet flattering as are these prospects 
 for my sister, I am selfish enough to re- 
 pine at the loss of her society, more I 
 believe on my mother's account than on 
 my own, for since her soul-rending sepa- 
 ration from the most affectionate of hus- 
 bands, her life seems bound up in her 
 lovely daughter ; the heart must have 
 something for its affections to anchor 
 on ; there is no getting on cheerly in 
 the journey of hfe without certain pre- 
 eminent objects, to which thp thoughts 
 raay recur whenever we grow languid 
 by the way, or our path becomes rugged 
 
 and
 
 BXILE OP EP.rilf. 15 
 
 and perplexed ; the severest pang sepa- 
 ration can inflict is the apprehension of 
 being forgotten, when time shall inter- 
 pose its potent spell, and distance out- 
 strip memoiy. Rossanna has been 
 my friend from infimcy, and friendship 
 supplies the place of every thing to 
 those who know how to make a right 
 use of it, it makes prosperity more 
 happy, and adversity more easy ; yet in 
 her happiness I shall forget my own re- 
 gret ; and in administering to the peace 
 of our beloved mother, I will endeavour 
 to prevent her too deeply feeling the los§ 
 of her sweet companion ; for though she 
 bears the prospect with her accustomed 
 resolution and fortitude, yet at times a 
 silent tear and pale cheek declare, more 
 painful than words could do, the inward 
 
 agony
 
 IQ XXI IE OF ERI!r. 
 
 agony of her heart. My father is the 
 most tender and adored of husi)ands ; 
 he has the noblest heart that ever adorn- 
 ed the breast (»f luiinanity, and yet one 
 mistaken principle, grounded on good, 
 but, alas ! unfortunate motives, has 
 m.ade him early acquainted with crla- 
 mity, has driven iiim from his family 
 and friends, and banished him fiom his 
 native country, perhaps for ever* 
 
 O never can his weeping family know 
 happiness but by nan.e, since his^ fate is 
 diawn by providence in its most gloomy 
 colours ; to you 1 need not say he is 
 honor and liberality ; his air grand, his 
 address elegant, and his hospitality lui- 
 bounded ; faithful in friendship, stern in 
 resentment, but too high minded for re- 
 venge ;
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 17t 
 
 ve»nge ; he was the best of husband's, 
 the most tender of father's, and yet we 
 live to support the loss of such a pro- 
 tector. You will say I have hit upon 
 the most melancholy page of my hfe, 
 and tu. ned down the leaf to ruminate on 
 it; — it is, alas! the reading of all th« 
 sons and daughters of men ; nor is it in 
 the end an unprofitable study, since it 
 shews ambition its Ta?2ifi/, pride its 
 meamiess^ zvealth its emptiness, and 
 learning its insufficiency ; and by le- 
 velling all ranks of mortals, annihilates 
 the paltry distinctions of the world : 
 But the utmost that can be said to 
 the sons and daughters of affliction 
 is no more than this — that it is our 
 dutv> and our interest, to bear with 
 patience that which it is not in our 
 
 power
 
 18 JSXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 power to alter ; but the emotions of 
 nature must subside before the soothing 
 voice of reason can be heard. 
 
 There is a pleasing idea which some 
 liave entertained, that every one hath 
 a guardian spirit hovering near, whose 
 friendly office it is to give us safe convoy 
 throuo'h all the difficulties which lie 
 across our way, and to support us under 
 the severest trials ; — why «)ay we not 
 conceive the imaginary existence to be 
 hope! — we caanoi, I am sure, trust to 
 a safer gviide, nor wibh in tiie hours of 
 adverse fortune to be led forward by the 
 hand of a more cLeering companion. 
 
 LETTER
 
 EXILE OF ERri^. l^ 
 
 LETTER III. 
 
 JLaST night, after our littl© 
 Biipper, my sister advei ted to her intended 
 journey, and the distress she felt at the 
 near approach of that hour which was 
 to separate her from those most dear on 
 earth; and as she fondly hung round 
 the neck of my mother, every consi- 
 deration of prudence gave way to the 
 dictates of tenderness, and they wept 
 
 som.e
 
 §0 EXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 some moments in each other's arms; at 
 length our angel parent rousing her 
 mind from the soft sensibility which 
 • had for a short time taken possession of 
 it, thus addressed herself to the sorrow- 
 ing gill : *' If I have," said this ex- 
 cellent woman, '' transmitted to my 
 Rosanna the profound sensibility and 
 the ardent imasfination, which were 
 the charm and torment of my life, it is 
 iny duty to guard her against the se- 
 ductions of ail kinds of enthusiasm, of 
 which many have been the victims du- 
 ring the whole course of their existence; 
 but I trust my counsels and lessons will 
 secure you, lii y lest love, from the il- 
 hisio; s ()[ ihe im.-.gination ; never in your 
 journey through life set an extravagant 
 value on objects beyond your reach ; 
 
 b©
 
 ZXiLK OF ERIN. 2l 
 
 * 
 
 be contented with the real blessings 
 yoQ may enjoy ; nor ought we to sigh 
 if the paths of life we have trodden have 
 been uneven, provided they lead to hap- 
 piner>s at last. It iias been by viewing 
 events on the brightest side that I have 
 myself borne with some degree of for- 
 titude the buffets of affliction ; for have 
 I not lived to experience a separation 
 from the husband of my youth, the fa- 
 'ther of my children ; even to rejoice at 
 the sad idea that seas separate us, alas ! 
 perhaps for ever ;— have I not trembled 
 for the life of him on whose safety my 
 own existence hangs ; and live to ex- 
 perience the infallibility of those who 
 call themselves my friends, but who£e 
 professions were like the shadow on a 
 dial, that appears m clear weather, but 
 
 vanish
 
 22 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 vanish as soon as it is cloudy ; I have 
 unfortunately amongst my near connec- 
 tions some abominable original pictures, 
 and such terrible strong likenesses too, 
 that out of humanity I will for the pre- 
 sent keep a curtain oyer them. My 
 Rossanna, we must practise self-denial, 
 it is the handmaid of virtue, the nurse 
 of happiness, and keeps us within the 
 sober bounds of reason, which if we 
 stray beyond we are lost ; we hart 
 now, my love, only to seek for happi- 
 ness where it is ever seated, in the mind 
 alone is this invaluable gem to bt 
 found, and the unerring guides to it are 
 reason and religion ; thus armed, let 
 terrestrial storms surround you un- 
 lieeded ; protected by these divint 
 guards you are shielded from harm, and 
 g safe
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. SS 
 
 safe from all injur v ; the c 'uncils of the 
 one will repel the eirojs of misfortune, 
 and the j^recepts of the other will as- 
 suredly support you under it ; well do I 
 know that the sting of ingratitude is 
 deep and wounding ; perfectly am 1 as- 
 sured that- the poison of the adder is 
 not more bitter to the human frame than 
 is the voice of contumely, or the air of 
 neglect, from those we have loved, yet 
 even these portions, unpallitable as they 
 are to the taste, will subside; those 
 monitors teach us to swallow, and bv 
 infusing the sweet balm of content in 
 the mixture, will cause us to drink the 
 cup of misery to the dregs unhurt ; how 
 grateful then my children ought we to be 
 when we reflect that these divine coun- 
 sellors are ready to fly to the assistance 
 
 of
 
 24. EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 of all, if sought after. By proper means 
 iearn to contemn those evils which no 
 consciousness of guilt embitters ; and 
 seek in the pure plaudits of a monitor, 
 whosesiient voice no flattery ever sullies, 
 for the peace a witless world refuses t© 
 to bestow/^ 
 
 Were I to address myself to any 
 one but you, who I have ever consider- 
 ed as the repository of my thoughts, I 
 should apoligize for the gravity of my 
 letter, but to the friend of my heart 1 
 shall only say, that reflections, such as 
 these I have been reciting, can never 
 be heard but with veneration and res- 
 pect whch must ever repel the insi- 
 duous attacks of a vicious age. Oh, 
 that her children may steadily resolve 
 
 tt
 
 JEXILE OP ERIN. 25 
 
 to conduct themselves through life so as 
 to merit the tender affection of such a 
 parent. 
 
 ▼OL. I. c LETTER
 
 56 EXILE OF ERI?f. 
 
 LETTER IV. 
 Eossanna to Mr-^, Portland. 
 
 x\DIEU ! beloved Ireland, sa- 
 cred asylum, which contains a beloved 
 parent, and all, save one, dearest to my 
 heart : Thus thought your sorrowing 
 Rossanna, as she cast her eye at the 
 shore, which gradually diminished from 
 her sight. Adieu ! beloved, regretted, 
 
 unfor-
 
 KXILE OE ERIN. 27 
 
 unfortunate country, whose destiny I 
 can never cease to weep, though it has 
 caused me to lament the separation of a 
 beloved and indulgent father ; my mo- 
 ther, my brother, will you not also short- 
 ly quit the romantic abode of my infancy. 
 And, ah ! how soon may not the ravages 
 of rebellion extend its rude arm over 
 our once comfortable, once happy home; 
 and in a little time, perhaps, even erase 
 ik from the eye of filial duty. 
 
 I am gone, but the dear remembrance 
 of those I love will accompany me for- 
 ever; that cruel moment that sepa- 
 rated us will never be effaced ; yes, I 
 shall constantly behold that sweet smile 
 with w^hich you endeavoured to console 
 c 2 3^our
 
 ffe EXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 your weeping child, or that last ex- 
 pressive look, which penetrated my 
 soul, as I stept into the chaise which 
 conveyed me' from your maternal arms. 
 The situation of my heart at that mo- 
 ment is little known, and can never be 
 described ; but few, very few, will ever 
 take the trouble to dev^Iope it; for have 
 you not often told me how limitted are 
 the number of those who can compre- 
 hend the silent language that explains 
 the 'Sorrows on which sensibility ban- 
 quets, or even marks its liquid essence, 
 that falls involuntary from the eye, while 
 its deep source is enshrined in the 
 heart. 
 
 When I landed at Holly head, you 
 would be surprised to hear I had ceased 
 
 to
 
 KXILE OF ElilN. ^ 
 
 to weep, for at that moment I ftit tliere 
 are sorrows that sink into the heart, but 
 are neither to be expressed by tears ot 
 complaints, though their source silently 
 corrodes lifers vital current. 
 
 From the season of the year being so 
 much advanced, my journey vvas of 
 course unpleasant, tlie trees being des- 
 poiled of their decorations, and the uni- 
 form mantle of snow which covered the 
 earth, presented to the eye a mano- 
 tonous and inanimate picture of desola- 
 tion. 
 
 As we travelled through North Wales, 
 
 the extreme cold appeared to have kept 
 
 every person under their own roof, for 
 
 c J the
 
 ?0 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 the roads were almost deserted, and the 
 villages as we passed seemed uninhabiN 
 e$l ; the mountain birds were silent, and 
 the waters at rest in their icy prisons ; 
 the howling of the winds, and the 
 pelting of the rain against the carriage 
 (^'incbws, alone interrupted the universal 
 gloom ; they alone informed the fatigued 
 traveller that the repose of nature was 
 not that of death ; but such awfully 
 sublime scenes were pleasing to your 
 Eossanna, the}'- were in sympathy with 
 ker grief, though they were less 
 iflooniv than her reflections. Absorbed 
 
 by a train of thought my ,eye wan- 
 dered over every successive scene with- 
 out fixing on any object; every thing 
 became the source of afflictive recollec- 
 tion ;
 
 £X1LZ OF ERIN. 31 
 
 tion; alas ! I remembered that in a few 
 months all nature would be renovated ; 
 the trees would recover their verdure, the 
 flowers their perfume, a sacred fire still 
 circulates in their sap, and they all retain 
 life though apparently dead ; ah, how 
 different is the grief- worn mind, which 
 neither the winter's frost, or the rose's* 
 bloom can alter. I fear my dearest 
 mother will blame her Rossanna for en- 
 couraging such melancholy reflections; 
 but can I forget the sentiments you have 
 inculcated, and the happy, happy years 
 I have passed under the guidance of the 
 most indulgent parents a child was ever 
 , blessed w'ith ; no, though we are sepa- 
 rated I will cherish them in my soul, and 
 endeavour not to murmur against the 
 c 4 decrees
 
 3i XXILE OF EillV. 
 
 decrees of God, or dare despise all the 
 blessings which he has still left us, be- 
 cause they are not moulded to my fancy, 
 or given in the manner which I think 
 best ; for were, as you have often ob* 
 served, our duty always accordant with 
 our inclinations, where would be the 
 test of our integrity ; but your simple 
 gir!, my dearest mother, pretends not to 
 that heroism which can at once yield 
 without a murmur, nor do I envy the 
 apathy which could effect an end so dis- 
 agreeable ; I lov^e not the lethian cup, 
 which ^vould banish from my memory all 
 recollections of the past. 
 
 Hitherto I have been able to look back 
 to scenes of domestic happiness, alloyed, 
 alas 1 it is true by trials tlie most hard, 
 
 heart-
 
 EXILK OF ERIN. S3 
 
 heart-rending, and terrific ; but never, 
 while existence animates my frame, can 
 the heart It contains recollect those hours 
 of early happiness without renovated 
 delight ; to me oblivion w^ould be 
 wretchedness, for having nothing plea- 
 sant to look forward to, a retrospec- 
 tion of the past is my greatest com- 
 fort. 
 
 Banished as I am from all those I lovcj 
 yet have I much to be thankful for, 
 when I reflect that the icy hand of death 
 lias not robbed me of the best of pa- 
 rents, and that it is yet possible I may be 
 once more restored to their protection; I 
 will therefore console myself with the re- 
 flection, that there is no sorrow whose du- 
 C 5 tioif
 
 34 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 tion is eternal ; sooner or later a happy day 
 shines on tlie unfortunate, a clay which 
 dries up their tears. With this soothhig 
 idea I will endeavour to regain tranquillity 
 and chearfulness, and hasten tofcnfonn 
 my beloved mother that I have arrived 
 in safety at the place of my destinatioHv 
 on the 10th day after L quitted my be- 
 loved home. It was evening when I 
 reached your amiable relation's, the go- 
 thic grandeur of vv^hose castle was en- 
 creased by the lofty mountains covered 
 Vvithsnow, which towered above it; the 
 immense lake which bathed its walls, 
 rendered its situation wildly sublime; 
 the moon as I approached glittered on 
 its icy bosom, and added considel'able 
 
 beauty
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 35 
 
 beauty to the romantic scenery ; but the 
 soul-charming sounds of music, and the 
 tones of mirth, which disturbed the uni- 
 versal stiHness, together with lights, re- 
 flected from different parts of the castle, 
 whose brightness gleamed on the sur- 
 rounding darkness, seemed in some de- 
 gree to banish a weight of sorrow from 
 my heart. . 
 
 Aloud bell, which was echoed back, 
 re-vcrberated from mountain to moun- 
 tain, and in a moment the weight of the 
 gates groaned on their hinges^ a vene- 
 rable old man, who appeared like the 
 druidof the place, conducted me to a 
 vestibule, in which I was most affec- 
 tionately received by your amiable Lady 
 c 6 Avan-
 
 36 £XIL£ OF ERIN. 
 
 Avenmore, who appears to have blended 
 in her all the politeness and affability 
 which is so engaging on a first ac- 
 quaintance ; she embraced me as if I had 
 been indeed her daughter ; and in the 
 warmth of her reception it was easy to 
 discover she regarded me as the repre- 
 sentative of the beloved friend of her 
 youth, and in the most tender and de- 
 licate manner introduced me to two 
 lovely young women as a third sister; 
 but kindly considerate that I must have 
 suffered from the fatigues of so long a 
 journeys she dispensed with my attend- 
 ing her that evening to the drawing- 
 room, in which I found were assembled 
 a large party of friends, who were met 
 to pass the festive season of Christ- 
 mas
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 37 
 
 mas at this hospitable mansion. Most 
 warmly did I thank her ladyship for 
 her considerate kindness ; and after hav- 
 ing seen me take some refreshment she 
 left me to take that repose which my 
 long journey had rendered necessary. 
 
 It was late the next morning when I 
 arose, but on looking from the windows 
 of my apartment, I was enchanted with 
 the different views which they presented 
 of nature^s scenery ; the blue lake, ob- 
 scured by the morning mists that were 
 slowly rising from its bosom, prevented 
 the eye from tracing its extent, on one 
 side mountains covered with forests of 
 black fir, and leafless trees, whose tower- 
 ing *heads seemed to bid defiance to the 
 fury of storms, whose sombre appearance 
 
 was
 
 38 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 was brightened by the glowing berries 
 of the mountain ash, interspersed by- 
 deep glens, in the bosoms of which 
 rushed impetuous torrents, whose in- 
 cessant roar was contrasted by the so- 
 lemn silence which appeared to reign at 
 the foot of the mountain which borders 
 the lake, whose base is laden by enormous 
 masses of rock, cloathed on each side 
 with brush wood, and the most beautiful 
 shrubs. 
 
 While gazing attentively at the wild 
 grandeur of the scene I was interrupt- 
 ed by the entrance of the lovely sis- 
 ters, who appeared like the sylvian 
 inhabitants of this romantic spot ; they 
 led me to the dressing room of their 
 mother, that opened into a conser- 
 vatory, which absolutely struck me
 
 EXILE OF ERIV. 39 
 
 as an enchanted palace, where even at 
 this inclement season every exotic is 
 cultivated in the greatest profusion, 
 while ripe fruits, and beautiful flowers, 
 arranged by the hand of taste, at once 
 banquets the eye with their blooming 
 colours, and fill the air with the sweetest 
 perfumes the rose, orange, and hyacinth 
 can exhale. From this enchanting spot 
 We were led to the chapel of the cas- 
 tle ; the decorations of which are also in 
 the higbiCst stile of appropriate elegance, 
 and the entrance opens into the conser- 
 vatory ; here we liad morning prayers 
 read to us by Mr. Osborne, the domestic 
 chaplain of her ladyship, who next to 
 the amiable owner of this happy man- 
 sion, and her charming daughters, has 
 
 pre-
 
 40 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 prepossessed me most in his favour of 
 all the society here. He appears about 
 five and forty ; descended from an an- 
 cient family, but having little fortune, 
 he was educated for the church, which 
 perfectly coincided with his wishes, 
 being passionately fond of study and 
 polite literature; the path struck out 
 for him allowed him to devote himself 
 to his favourite pursuit ; but, my dear 
 mama, merit is not always the best road 
 to gain preferment in the world, selfish- 
 ness and dissimulation often, as Lady 
 Avanmore informs me, gain infinitely 
 more than either fine abilities or acknow- 
 ledged rectitude, for this worthy man, 
 for whom she entertains the highest res^ 
 pect, with the most correct principles, 
 a mind highly cultivated, and a heart and 
 morals most pure, could not gain a si-
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 41 
 
 tuation which was sufficient to afford him 
 an independance, until his generous pa- 
 troness, who has sense enough to appre- 
 ciate the merit of such a character, and 
 flattered at having so respectable a man 
 an inmate of her family, made him an 
 offer of becoming a resident in the castle, 
 and has settled on him a liberal salary, as 
 a reward, she delicately terms it, for the 
 assistance he afforded her in the educa- 
 tion of the present earl and her lovely 
 daughters. 
 
 His lordship has, I find, passed three 
 years on the continent, from which his 
 return is daily expected. We have some 
 visitors at the castle, with whose charac- 
 ters I shall endeavour to make myself 
 familiar, in order to entertain my beloved 
 
 mother
 
 42 EXILE OF £R1N. 
 
 mother in the hours of solitude. The 
 time is now, I trust, rapidly approaching 
 when we may expect letters from our 
 beloved wanderer. Oh, how anxious 
 are the hours of suspence to the heart of 
 sensibility. Tell my dearest brother, 
 that to his care I commit the delightful 
 task of contributing to the comfort of the 
 most tender and beloved of parents. 
 
 Jvenmore Castle, Nov. 29.
 
 JEXILE or ERIN. 43 
 
 LETTER V. 
 Henry Portland^ Esq, to his JVife. 
 
 Your letter, my best and 
 only love, are indeed cordials to my 
 heart, for in the knowledge of your 
 safety and that of my beloved children, 
 I taste a portion of happiness of 
 which it has not been in tiic power of 
 aiy enemies to deprive me ; the most 
 
 bitter
 
 44 ZXILE OP ERIK. 
 
 bitter pang their persecution has been 
 able to inflict has been the sad convic- 
 tion, that all your distresses were occa- 
 sioned by him, who, notwithstanding he 
 would sacrifice his existence to make 
 you happy, has unfortunately only occa- 
 sioned discord and confusion, misfortune 
 and distress to the heart of the best and 
 most heroic of women. 
 
 And are you indeed, my love, more 
 satisfied with my lot, or is it only to 
 afford me consolation that you say you 
 are so; it is true it has been unfortu- 
 nate, but can that degradation which at- 
 taches to my situation extend to an a- 
 miable wife and innocent children, who 
 without havinij merited sucli humiliation 
 has nevertheless learned to resign them- 
 selves
 
 EXILE OP IRIM. 45 
 
 selves to it. I thank my God I have never 
 despaired of working- through the diffi- 
 culties that have surrounded me ; I am, 
 it is true, still in an uncertain and un- 
 settled state respecting my future ex- 
 pectations, hut I trust that I shall some 
 time or other be once more fixed in my 
 happy comfortable home, where in your 
 arms, and enjoying the smiles of our be- 
 loved children, we may together find a 
 shelter from the storms of fortune, where 
 we may look down upon the riches and 
 vanity of this world, and look up to 
 glorious hopes and expectations of abet- 
 ter, without which a christian would in- 
 deed be of all men the most mise* 
 rable. 
 
 My heart is oppressed only on your 
 
 account,
 
 46 EXILE OF ERJN. 
 
 account, for that soul which kings could 
 not intimidate, and which adversity has 
 no power over, sinks within me when I 
 reflect on the situation in which those 
 most dear are placed ; yet do I feel that 
 no action of my life has really degraded 
 them, since my only crime has been 
 perhaps a too enthusiastic love for that 
 unhappy country which gave me birth. 
 
 You, my tender affectionate wife, 
 have not abandoned me ; you will teach 
 our children, at the same time you 
 warn them, to escape the dangerous 
 paths of poUtical controversy, not to 
 blame too sevtrdij the author of their 
 being for the errors his impetuous ar- 
 dour has brought upon him ; with this 
 
 . thought
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 4^ 
 
 tliought, even in exile, I am content. 
 For my sake be careful of your precious 
 health, for the body always pays clearly 
 for the emotions of the mind ; the sou! 
 cannot bear too great and frequent exer- 
 tions, like a bow that has been over- 
 strained, it relaxes in proportion to its 
 extention ; and if you should sink then 
 indeed I am unfortunate, since no event 
 of fate has the power to make me wretch- 
 ed if the woman is still spared to me, 
 who with invariable steadiness and true 
 affection, has in the midst of distress, 
 danger, uncertainty, and even what the 
 world denominates disgrace, by the uni- 
 formity of her conduct, and the heroic 
 fortitude of her soul, proved beyond 
 example, that a wife who is fondly at- 
 tached is capable of the most exalted 
 
 tfi., actions
 
 48 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 actions of tender and disinterested affec- 
 tion in the midst of distress. 
 
 What a consolation that the mind can» 
 not, like the body, be confined at the 
 will of every tyrant ; no, my love, we 
 have happily experienced that he only 
 who imparts the understanding can con- 
 fine its operations. 
 
 The chief regret I now feel is, that se- 
 parated as I am, from all the dear com- 
 forts of domestic life, I am, alas ! rendered 
 useless to all those who have the most 
 powerful claim to my tenderness and 
 protection ; it is this thought which will 
 sometimes; force the tear to my eye ; but 
 but there are tears of pleasure as well as 
 
 tears
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 49 
 
 l-ears of distress ; the latter are excited by 
 our own sufferings, the former is the in- 
 voluntary tribute which sensibility pays 
 to virtue and prudence such as yours ; 
 but when I learn that you live peace- 
 fully, and protected, in the bosom of our 
 country, I will, though in a state of dis- 
 tant banishment, be tranquil ; for am I 
 not fortunate in comparison to many of 
 my fellow-sufferers in this remote part 
 of the world, who, in exile, have no fa- 
 mily, no friends to lament their absence; 
 never have they received the tender ca- 
 resses of a sympathizing wife ; never 
 did the delightful sensations of a proud 
 father rejoice their heart; jsolate in the 
 world, free from all the sociafties of lif$, 
 they are not only exiles, but they are un- 
 fortunate. 
 
 D It 
 
 b
 
 50 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 It is twenty years since that I received 
 your hand at the altar ; every hour which 
 has followed that period has given me 
 new proofs of the treasure heaven then 
 gave to my charge ; every day has been 
 marked by some before undiscovered 
 proof of your virtue ; and can I ever 
 recompence you but by consecrating 
 that heart to your remembrance, which 
 looks up to you as the divinity which 
 has soothed and consoled me in the midst 
 of mortification ; should not I be ungrate- 
 fi;! if I were unconscions of the full 
 amount of all the blessings heaven has 
 destined me, and endeavour to efface 
 from memory those moments of adver- 
 sity we have lately seen^ and look forward 
 to brighter days, when persecution shall 
 be no more, and tranquillity smile on 
 
 the
 
 rXILE OF ERIN. 61 
 
 the green fields so lately deluged by the 
 blood of thousands. 
 
 It is now time I should give you an ac- 
 count of my pres?jnt situation, and the 
 plans I have determined on following 
 during my continuance in this country, 
 as by occupying my mind I shall banish 
 from memory many unpleasant thoughts ; 
 and at the same time, improve the little 
 property I brought with me to this 
 country. 
 
 We had a safe and expeditious pas- 
 sage ; and on my arrival at Philadel- 
 phia I received the greatest attention 
 from some of the most repectable inha- 
 bitants ; and was welcomed with a mix- 
 ture of pleasing pain by many of my 
 D 2 im- 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UHIVERSfTY OF fllWWi
 
 ^2 EXILE OF LRIN. 
 
 unfortunate countrymen who are in a si- 
 mi lar^situation with myself. 
 
 In consequence of tlie determination 
 I had formed, I lost no time in making 
 frequent excursions into the country, in 
 order to take a farm ; I was for some 
 weeks totally unsuccessful in my pur- 
 suits, when one fine morning I set off 
 with a determination of exploring still 
 deeper than I had hitherto done into the 
 bosom of this beautiful country ; I had 
 rode some miles, by turns lost in reflec- 
 tion and absorbed in admiration at the 
 wild scenery by which I was on every 
 side surrounded, when my horse, who 
 was left at complete liberty *to follow his 
 own inclinations, had turned down a 
 narrow steep road; the unpleasantness of
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. .13 
 
 his motion, as he trod on the loose rough 
 stones, brought me to a recollection of 
 inyself, and I found I was entering a deep 
 glen, whose sides were covered with 
 birch and mountain ash ; the low mur- 
 mur of a cascade was heard at a distance, 
 and alone broke the solemn silence 
 around me ; the road, or rather the path, 
 which led to the ralley below, was scarce 
 six feet across ; on the right, the moun- 
 tain, out of which it was scooped, form- 
 ed a jetting wall ; above its head the 
 tall pine, and graceful birch, grew out 
 of the fissures of the naked grey 
 rock, but their foliage was too scanty 
 to soften the rude scenery, or to hide 
 those ponderous and rugged masses, 
 which seemed to hang in air by the 
 D 3 power
 
 S4t EXrLE OF ERIN. 
 
 power of magic, to threaten every mo- 
 nient to break the spell which confined 
 them ; on the left, the road was bounded 
 by a narrow hollow ; its opposite side 
 appeared less abrupt than that over which 
 I had passed, but it presented nothing to 
 the eye but naked rock, or a long thin 
 parched grass, which grew neglected 
 amongst the looser stones ; a river, just 
 risen from its source, murmured over the 
 fallen fragments which obstructed its 
 course, but as the mountain still pre- 
 served its perpendicular line below them, 
 the water itself was lost to the sight ; 
 some elders only, which covered the op- 
 posite bank, could be discerned, and 
 which like a veil, instead of diminishing, 
 served only to heighten the effect. I 
 
 con-
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 continued my way through all obstruc- 
 tions until I gained the meadow, which 
 was only separated from this romantic 
 glen by a narrow sloping bank, covered 
 with green sward About a hundred yards 
 from me 1 discovered a mill-house, at the 
 back of which I was obliged to pass in 
 order to gain a grassy lane, vvhitii ap- 
 peared the only road by which I was 
 likely to regain the way which I had 
 lost. By the curling smoke that ascend- 
 ed from amongst the trees, 1 could per- 
 ceive it was inhabited, and every object 
 appeared cheerful, enlightened by the 
 bright beams of a resplendent sun. The 
 mill had already began to work, and its 
 noise, with the dashing of water, min- 
 gled with the cries of poultry that were 
 collected round to be fed, formed a com- 
 = D 4 bination
 
 56 EXILE OF ERTK. 
 
 bination of sounds, the most agreeable 
 to an unvitiated taste. I discovered 
 there were two fronts to the cottage, one 
 of which being exactly like the com- 
 moner sort of cabins, contained on a 
 single floor the apartments of the fa- 
 mily ; and the other, whose casement 
 windows were shaded with fragrant 
 creepers, and looked into a grass plat 
 bordered with flowers, and almost con- 
 cealed by a large Acacia tree, that grew 
 in front, whilst a little rustic porch 
 pointed out the entrance to this romantic 
 abode, from which, as the barking of a 
 dog announced my approach, a woman 
 advanced ; her appearance was of a supe- 
 rior order, but her pale face, and swoln 
 eyes spoke the bitter sorrow of her 
 heart ; she asked me in a brokcR voice 
 
 to
 
 EXILE OF ERIK. ^7 
 
 partake of what refreshment her cottage 
 could afford ; I enquired into the cause 
 of the sorrow which was so evident on 
 her grief-worn countenance, and with 
 heart-rending sobs, she exclaimed, *'Oh, 
 sir, I fear we are about to consign our 
 only child, blooming in youth and 
 beauty, to an early grave ; yet I know 
 I ought not to murmur at the decrees of 
 lieaven, though that should even rob me 
 of my darling child, and of every hope we 
 so fallaciously formed ; with submission 
 ougbtl to bow to the bitter mandate,and 
 prepare my mind to yield for ever our only 
 earthly treasure to the possession of him 
 who gave it ; nor ought I to wish her 
 recovery, since like me, did she survive, 
 she might be fated to have early in youth 
 D 5 ever/
 
 5S EXILE OF ERlh, 
 
 every cherished hope destroyed, every 
 ideal felicity crushed. Should I then re- 
 pine that she will be spared perhaps 
 years of sufferings? that while yet iano- 
 centas she is lovely she will be recalled 
 to the bosom of her Creator, and secured 
 eternally against all those scenes of 
 anguish, which, through this vale of 
 woe, has been the bitter portion of her 
 mother ?" 
 
 » 
 I endeavoured to soothe the agony of 
 her mind, but my new acquaintance, 
 with clasped hands, and streaming eyes, 
 exclaimed, "Oh, enter and behold the 
 dreadful havoc a few short days have 
 made in the fairest form nature ever 
 framed ; had you like me been the witness 
 to her piety and resignation, you w©iild 
 
 com-
 
 EXILE OF ERIIf. 69 
 
 commiserate her wretched parents ; nor 
 think any arguments in life could recon- 
 cile them to the loss of such an ano;eI, 
 It was but this moment, when expression 
 could scarcely be attained, that the dying 
 cherub requested that we would resign 
 her with resignation, aiding her entrea- 
 ties by those looks that the heart can so 
 well explain— the subtle pressure, the sud- 
 den tear, that hastily filled with recipro- 
 cal drops those eyes on which the dear 
 invalid gazed with earnest supplication, 
 — the uplifted hand which called Heaven 
 to vyitness the compact, and exchanging 
 glance, alone implied ; and the last falter- 
 ing benediction was divided between the 
 only objects of her affeGtion,at the same 
 moment embracing us as if we had the 
 D 6 power
 
 60 EXILE OF ERI5. 
 
 power of retaining the departing spirit 
 in its worn-out dwelling. '^ 
 
 I hastily enquired the nature of her 
 disease, and was informed that her be- 
 loved child laboured under a dangerous 
 fever, which in all probability death 
 would terminate in a few short hours. 
 Humanity urged me to accompany her 
 to a small but ncaL parlour, where she 
 introduced me to the partner in her 
 affliction, the wretched father of this 
 idohzed child, t© whom she . presented 
 me ; he appeared about fifty years of 
 age, his figure tall and majestic, and his 
 thick brow gave, if I may be allowed 
 the expression, a degree of dark ferocity 
 to a countenance that appeared - marked 
 by tjie gloomy traits of disappointment 
 
 and
 
 EXILE OP £RIN. 61 
 
 and affliction ; but with an innate cour- 
 tesy he for a moment appeared to forget 
 the grief which overwhelmed him, and 
 welcomed me to his humble roof in a 
 manner which would have done honour 
 to a court. By his accent and manner I 
 soon discovered that he was one of my 
 own unhappy countrymen, a gentleman 
 of the most respectable family, and in- 
 dependant fortune, of an amiable cha- 
 racter, and the warmest philanthropy ; 
 but after a trial he was found guilty, 
 and sentenced to pay one thousand 
 pounds, and to give security of five 
 thousand more for his good behaviour, 
 when some new cause of suspicion being 
 brought forward, he was again implicated 
 and strongly confined ; but by stratagem 
 he made his escape from a secs)»d trial, 
 
 to
 
 62, EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 to which, but for the courage and forti- 
 tude of his wife, his Ufe in all probabi- 
 lity must have been the sacrifice. 
 
 I found he had been near three years 
 In exile ; and that after remaining be- 
 hind him for a few months to settle their 
 affairs, his wife and daughter had follow- 
 ed him ; he had purchased the farm 
 which surrounded the mill, but I soon 
 discovered it was now their wish to dis- 
 pose of the whole concern, under the 
 idea, should they be deprived of their 
 adored child, they never could reconcile 
 themselves to remain on that spot which 
 her presence had endeared ; and if the 
 Almighty heard their prayers, and res- 
 tored her to them they determined on re- 
 moving her to a different air. In a few 
 
 hours
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 63 
 
 hours I had the happiness to see their 
 anxiety in some degree removed; the 
 fever, which at the moment of my arri- 
 val was at a crisis, was now rapidly de- 
 creasing ; and I had soon the happiness 
 of congratulating these tender parents 
 on the restoration of their really angelic 
 child. 
 
 The peaceful abode of this amiable 
 family enchanted me ; I proposed such 
 terms for the purchase of the house, 
 mill, and farm, as was soon accepted, 
 and every thing concluded in little more! 
 than one week. 
 
 All preliminaries being thus adjusted 
 between Mr. Fitzgerald and myself, I 
 took possession of the premises on con- 
 
 ditioa
 
 64 EXILE OF ERIM-. 
 
 dition that he should not leave me un- 
 til I am perfectly master of the business I 
 have ventured upon, a stipulation! made 
 least their delicacy should induce them 
 to quit me before they had fixed on any 
 other plan for their future establishment. 
 Their story is affecting, and I can give 
 it in no manner so forcibly as in the 
 words of Mr. Fitzgerald himself, with 
 whom I have already formed a friendship 
 that will end but with our lives. 
 
 At present the cottage of the glen as I 
 have named ray little retirement, is in- 
 habited by your husband, who is now 
 coavcrled into a comple&e farmer ; do 
 not start, my dearest love, when I tell 
 you that I drive my wheel-barrow every 
 
 to
 
 iXILE OF ERIN. 65 
 
 market day with fruits and vegetables 
 to the neighbouring town , and am, whilst 
 thus innocently employed, as happy as I 
 can be separated from you. My 
 companions, Fitzgerald, his wife, and 
 a lovely girl, just buding into life, 
 and two servants. Isolated in this retire- 
 ment, they formed no connection with 
 any person whatever ; the pursuits of 
 the farn^4i[#NMIfc^fea¥«' occupied their 
 attention, and its produce have afforded 
 them means to purchase at Philadelphia 
 the necessaries of life. 
 
 They found in useful occupation 
 their time fully employed. Fitzgeiald 
 in the cold wmter morning would pass 
 whole hours in pursuing the game 
 with which this country abounds ; 
 
 and
 
 66 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 and the long evenings was employed in 
 the pleasing task of instructing the 
 youthful Erin, in those studies which 
 would amuse and improve her mind. 
 ** Often/' said the fond father, "asshesat 
 beside us, reading the interesting pages 
 of history, would I engage her attention 
 to those events which would at once ele- 
 vate and expand her heart, while her a- 
 miable inotherneglected not to point out 
 those sentiments that were calculated to 
 soften and interest her feelings. I con- 
 ceived it my task to impress on her 
 youthful imagination all the glory of 
 my wife's heroism, to set forth the charm 
 of piety, modesty, and virtue ; and in- 
 dependent of the vanity of an idolizing 
 parent, I must say the result of our uni- 
 ted cares brought forward a character at 
 
 onc^
 
 £XILE OF ERIN. 67 
 
 once courasreous and sensible, iinitins: 
 the most extraordinary energy with an- 
 gelic softness. '^ 
 
 As I well know your tender anxiety 
 on my account, and for every circum- 
 stance in wjiich I stand, 1 shall give yoia 
 a sketch of the few characters with whom 
 I have it in my power to associate, well 
 knowing that no event, however trivial 
 in itself, can be uninteresting to you if 
 1 am connected with it. 
 
 In the person of Mrs. Fitzgerald I 
 present you a women about five and 
 thirty, still handsome, and so intirely 
 devoted to her God, her husband, and 
 her daughter, that the placid duties 
 those feelings shed around her give her an 
 
 im-
 
 6s EXILZ OF ERllf 
 
 impression of interesting loveliness 
 which time can never efface, the same 
 created to love with fervour, and to ful- 
 fil with devotion each duty of life. Oc- 
 cupied in her domestic pursuits, she 
 seeks only the gratification of her hus- 
 band ; attentive to his smallest wishes, 
 she even appears to anticipate them ; 
 born to affluence, she, like yourself, 
 cheered his brighter fortunes, and with- 
 out a sigh of regret for what she quitted 
 has followed him into banisbment; and 
 but for the habitual gloom which spreads 
 itself invariably on his countenance, 
 would cease, 1 am convinced, to feel one 
 pang at the present situation. 
 
 Brought up in this romantic seclusion, 
 the young Erin knows no other home; 
 
 and
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 69 
 
 and here she finds all the amusements her 
 youth and innocence demands ; nor does 
 she appear to suppose that fate could 
 have allotted her a more delightful ha- 
 bitation. Her health is now confirmed 
 by the natural strength of her constitu- 
 tion, and the salubrity of the air ; her 
 graceful figure, developed by exercise, 
 while on her sweet face reposes the peace 
 and innocence of her heart ; indeed each 
 day appears todevelope some new grace ; 
 but separated as she unfortunately is 
 from society, this enchanting girl seems 
 born only to gratify the fond wishes of 
 her parents, like the flower of the forest 
 which expands only to the sun, she also 
 buds and blooms but to gratify those 
 which gave her life. When 1 behold 
 this interesting creature, I am some- 
 times
 
 70 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 times led to indulge the romantic idea, 
 that she may one day be united to my 
 son, sincelam convinced she possesses a 
 heart and disposition like his own ; she 
 has the most tender affections, which 
 having been centered heretofore in so 
 few objects have acquired a strength and 
 energy that in so young a creature 
 would astonish you ; knowing no other 
 but her parents in the whole world, she 
 loves, but them, indeed they are almost 
 idolized ; tliey are every thing to her ; 
 the protectors of her infancy, the com- 
 panions of heryouth, and her only society 
 in solitude ; she has imbibed no senti- 
 ments but what they have taught; her 
 talents, her instructions, her amuse- 
 ments, all are their work, and she feels
 
 EXILi; OF ERIN. 71 
 
 a pleasing confidence in adependance at 
 once so natural and delightful. 
 
 The other evening I was expressing my 
 admiration of this sweet child of simpli- 
 city, when Fitzgerald, whom melancholy 
 appears to have stamped with her own 
 gloomy impression, seizing my hand, 
 with energy exclaimed, "Oh, cease those 
 praises, which you kindly utter to con- 
 sole me, but your words, my friend, 
 have, alas ! a contrary effect, and carry 
 poignards to my soul; for those virtues 
 and charms which in a happier fate it 
 would have been my pride and glory 
 to contemplate, now cause my despair, 
 when I reflect, owing to my own mis- 
 taken folly, my lovely child is, alas ! 
 doomed to a life of seclusion, fated 
 
 perhaps
 
 72 EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 perhaps to live and die unknown and 
 unbeloved ; — why would not her tender 
 but ill-fated mother consent to remain 
 behind me ? — why follow me in my 
 disgrace and banishment?^* 
 
 '' Ah, my love, speak not in this 
 manner,'^ exclaimed Mrs. Fitzgerald, 
 fondly embracing him. '^ to your happy 
 wife." 
 
 " Happy I" he exclaimed, in a tone 
 of agony, " in adesart, and in a state of 
 exile ?^^ 
 
 *' Yes," she returned, " in a desart, 
 and in exile, happy beyond comparison 
 in any situation with you and our dar- 
 ling Erin, in whose society every coun- 
 try would be a paradise." 
 
 The gloomy countenance of her agi- 
 tated
 
 EXILE OF ERIK. 75 
 
 tated now took a more pleasing turn ; A^^^t^ou^-ri^ 
 and in her soothing consolations he ap- 
 peared to regain some degree of com- 
 posure, but his oppressed heart could 
 not utter one sentence, but he remained 
 for some moments silent and immove- 
 able, as if in the presence of an angel, 
 then pressing her fondly to his heart, he 
 declared that moment richly over paid 
 all his sufferings, and he softly articu- 
 culated, "No, my beloved, we will not 
 always remain in this country, our child 
 will yet be known ; she cannot be unfor- 
 tunate ; so much virtue will call down 
 one day or other, the blessings of Hea- 
 ven on her head ; but me, dear Port- 
 land," he continued, turning to me, " to 
 you I will confide the reason of my ba- 
 nishment, and the particulars of that 
 E unhappy
 
 74 IXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 unhappy infatuation which now makes 
 uine a prey to remorse and fruitless re- 
 pentance ; this night I will endeavour 
 to forget every thing but the secret sen- 
 sations this angelic women has awaken- 
 eid in my heart. ^^ 
 
 Till this moment he had only hinted 
 in a general way his situation to me ; 
 nor did I venture to solicit a confi- 
 dence not voluntarily granted, though 
 deeply interested in the fate df this 
 charming little family, from the first 
 moment chance. introduced me to their 
 acquaintance. 
 
 The next morning, as we were walking 
 over my little farm, he renewed the sub- 
 ject
 
 IXflLE OF IRIX. 75 
 
 ject of the last evening, and thus ad- 
 dressed himself to me : — 
 
 ** To you, my worthy friend, 
 though our acquaintance be of so short 
 a date, I find myself drawn by the sym- 
 pathetic ties of friendship; to your 
 keeping therefore I do not hesitate to 
 confide the true situation I am unfortu- 
 nately placed in. Descended from a 
 family both noble and respectable, 
 and possessed of an affluent fortune, I 
 resided for many years on my family 
 estate, I may without vanity add, be- 
 loved and respected by all around me ; 
 feelingly alive to the grievances I thought 
 my country laboured under, and se- 
 duced by fallacious appearances, I em- 
 E 2 barKed
 
 76 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 barked on that tempestuous ocean, 
 whence was so seldom permitted a re- 
 turn ; and made too late the horrid 
 discovery that the instfament of politi- 
 cal reform, which could have no effect 
 or influence, served but to desolate and 
 depopulate that country in the defence 
 of which I would shed my last drop of 
 blood. , 
 
 ** At the moment when rebellion 
 raised its hydra head, and distracted our 
 unfortunate country, my crime was led 
 on by the enthusiasm of the moment, 
 and the madness of political error, to 
 take up arms, and command a party of 
 those brave but desperate men who 
 thought by blood to relieve our wrongs ; 
 rain efforts, mistaken ideas, which I am, 
 
 alas !
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 77 
 
 alas ! too late convinced originated in 
 in despair; fortunately for me, and for 
 all my fellow-suft'erers in the same 
 cause, had we continued in the calm 
 scenes of domestic life, without em- 
 barking on the turbulent ocean of po- 
 litics 1 
 
 *' After a long time successfully avoid- 
 ing being made a prisoner, I was at 
 length seized, when under arms, and 
 confined in a loathsome prison, without 
 being- brought to trial, where from the 
 interest I had, I sometimes gained per- 
 mission to be visited by my amiable wife, 
 to whose resolution and conduct I owe 
 mv life, for had 1 been brouorht to trial 
 my execution would be inevitable; her 
 £ 3 inge-
 
 78 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 ingenious stratagem opened my prison 
 gates, and having engaged a vessel to 
 convey me from the Irish shore, I em- 
 barked for this country ; the Almighty 
 favoured my escape. My faithful com- 
 panion remained sufficient time to get 
 together what money we could conve- 
 niently collect ; for having made an 
 outlaw of me, my estatel are at this 
 moment in the hands of government ; 
 having secured possession of a few 
 thousands by the means of her indefati- 
 gable exertions, in my favour, she pre- 
 pared to follow my fallen fortunes, and 
 in doing so I have the happiness to 
 know she listened more to the soft dic- 
 tates of her heart than to her duty, and 
 that had there been any country even 
 more distant and solitary than this, she 
 
 would
 
 EXILE OF ZRli:\ 79- 
 
 irould have fled to it with transport, as 
 the asylum in which I would have found 
 safety, 
 
 '' It was, lam convinced, by her ex- 
 emplary piety and intercession with the 
 Almighty, that a life was spared whicli^ 
 had no other value than beinor dear to 
 her ; how bttter therefore must be the 
 agonizing reflection, that, indebted as h 
 am to this inestimable being, it is 
 through my madness and headstrong- 
 folly that the rankling thorn of sorrow is- 
 planted in her gentle bosom." 
 
 I endeavoured to inspire him with 
 the same flattering hopes I myself enter= 
 tfiin, that one day our former conduct' 
 
 e4 will
 
 80 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 will meet a generous pardon ; for the 
 sight of so many of my fellow exiles, 
 who are possessed of the most resplen-. 
 dent talents, and brilliant ability, which 
 even yet properly employed, may be of 
 the most essential use to whatever pur- 
 pose they may be applied, but who from 
 a mistaken and enthusiastic idea, have 
 for themselves, unfortunately volunteer- 
 ed in the cause of liberty, and are now 
 perhaps for life banished from their 
 homes, when, were they once more 
 allowed to return to their families, gra- 
 titude for an act of mercy thus extended 
 to them, and a conviction of the jus- 
 tice and moderation of those Jaws which 
 could thus forgive, would make them in 
 future^ I am convinced, their most zea- 
 lous
 
 EXILE OF ERIN, SI 
 
 lousand active supporters. God grant 
 the judges of the realm, actuated by the 
 godlike sentiments of justice and virtue, 
 may pass an act of oblivion on the past, 
 and then indeed would the true spirit of 
 impartiality consider them as the basis 
 of a free and glorious constitution, 
 to which most of these unfortunate men 
 would bean infallible exception, and who 
 tiius situated must be monsters, that 
 would attempt to oppose the measures of 
 so merciful and benevolent a sovereign ; 
 W'hose throne would be at once support- 
 ed, and his dominion consolidated, by the 
 united attachment of all his people ; 
 and by which measure, dictated by mo- 
 tives of humanity, a valuable portion of 
 individuals would be recalled to their 
 E 5 duty
 
 82 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 duty and allegiance ; and a recurrence 
 to whose minds of past deeds would 
 produce the most heart- felt contrition for 
 their former errors ; and enforce, by th« 
 amiable sentimentof gratitude, every re- 
 paration remaining in their power, to make 
 atonement for the many injuries, in va- 
 rious shapes, they have committed, but 
 who, with proper encouragement would 
 be the most impenetrable bulwark, and 
 shed the last drop of their blood to sup- 
 port a constitution, the liberty of which 
 they would in that case have reason to 
 respect, far more impressive than an; 
 system of coertion could possibly effect; 
 and this irrefragable truth I hope may 
 have its due weight, an-d thatwx may one 
 day live to experience such an act of 
 grace, is an expectation my heart has 
 
 formed ; 

 
 EXJLE OP ERIN. 83 
 
 formed ; and the advantages, I would 
 venture to stake my existence, would be 
 more beneficial to government than 
 whole years of banishment in foreign 
 climes. 
 
 Adieu, my best beloved ; need I add 
 that every thought of future happiness 
 is centered in our re- union ; and the con- 
 stant prayers of your affectionate lius- 
 band are daily offered to heaven to bless 
 and protect my Mary, and our children. 
 
 Cottage of the Gletiy \ 
 near Philadelphra, 
 
 E 6 LETTER
 
 S4 EXILE OF £RIM. 
 
 LETTER VI. 
 
 Rossanna to Mrs, Portland. 
 
 A OU request, my dearest mo- 
 ther, a particular account of the per- 
 sons, manners, and occupations of that 
 family of which your child is now an 
 inmate. It is long you say, since you 
 have seen Lady Avanmore ; that not- 
 
 with-
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 85 
 
 withstanding your early friendship, it 
 will be interesting for you to have a par- 
 ticular description of her; you shall be 
 obeyed ; but it is needless that I should 
 mention her ladyship has reached that 
 period of life when a woman of good 
 understanding and amiable manners 
 finds the attention of the other sex se- 
 cure to her on the justest claims, and 
 has but little to regret from the depar- 
 ture of youth ; her features are noble, 
 and regular, and judging from them I 
 should suppose her not more than forty ; 
 melancholy is strongly imprinted on her 
 countenance, which even a placid smile 
 does not entirely remove and renders 
 her siill more interesting, and gives to 
 her face a mild and sensible expression ; 
 never surely did black eyes join to the 
 
 vivacity
 
 86 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 vivacity -^o natural to them, an expres- 
 sion of sensibility more striking. The 
 late earl has been dead near five years, 
 and notwithstanding she has received 
 some of the most advantageous propo- 
 sals in the kiiigclom, she has rejected 
 them all, devoting herself to the educa- 
 tion of her children, and the comfort 
 and happiness of her family, and inde- 
 pendance ; wretchedness is banished 
 from her abode, and the comfortable 
 cottages of the surrounding peasantry 
 form a striking contrast to the poverty 
 of the poor in general ; nor does she 
 with selfishness enjoy the luxury of her 
 splendid mansion without considering 
 the wants of others ; she has a school 
 for children, and an infirmary for the 
 aged and the sick ; and distributes from 
 
 the
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 87 
 
 the castle good cloathing, and utensils 
 for every kind of work the industrious 
 poor can require ; surely such a woman 
 deserves to possess riches, since her first 
 consideration is the vvrelfare of others. 
 
 In viewing the splendour of the cas- 
 tle you would, my mother, praise her 
 elegant taste, but in the gratification 
 you would receive in beholding her ad- 
 mirable institutions, you would justly 
 appreciate the benevolence of her 
 heart. 
 
 I expressed my surprize and admira- 
 tion this morning, after walking with 
 the countess to view the school, which 
 is immediately under her own direction, 
 
 that
 
 88 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 that a woman so formed for society, and 
 the great world, should relinquish them 
 so entirely as she appears to have 
 done. 
 
 " I have, my love/^ she replied, 
 " enjoyed all that is termed pleasure in 
 the most unlimitted degree. In my 
 youth I was surrounded with all the 
 most unbounded self-love could wish or 
 expect ; but at the death of my beloved 
 lord 1 withdrew from those gay scenes, 
 and with the orphan cherubs he had 
 committed to my care, determined to 
 dedicate my time to their improvement ; 
 it was in vain that the wishes of my 
 friends, or the alluring scenes of dissi- 
 pated life, endeavoured to recall me to 
 its fleeting pleasures, and have resolute- 
 ly resisted every temptation to draw me
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 89 
 
 from my beloved solitude ; and in tlie 
 approaching marriage of my Oliva with 
 the Marquis of Desmond, I feel a plea- 
 sing gratification, independent of the 
 splendid alliance she is about to form, 
 since her sister will also secure a proper 
 protector in the gay circles of fashion- 
 able life, and I shall be relieved from the 
 necessity of entering once more into its 
 vortex, and feel myself at liberty to 
 consecrate the whole of my time to the 
 real 'enjoyments of benevolence and 
 friendship, without fear of having my 
 store of happiness diminished, when I 
 draw it only from the inexhaustible 
 bank of domestic comfort and reciprocal 
 friendship," 
 
 Sentiments so like those I have a thou- 
 sand times heard from the lips of the
 
 90 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 best of parents brought back the recol- 
 lection of all your tender goodness,. 
 with such force to the mind of your 
 Rossanna as to render her incapable of 
 a reply; so rapidly does memory fly 
 back on the wings of time over the years- 
 that have passed away, and gives a mo- 
 mentary existence to an hundred oc- 
 currences that had been almost obli- 
 terated, when your children, happy un- 
 der the united care of the most indul- 
 gent parents, attended to the advice 
 they gave, at once inspired by the 
 soundest judgment arid the warmctt 
 affection, — as the intervals lengthen, 
 there are vast chasms for thought to^ 
 fill tip. 
 
 For
 
 IXILI OF ERIN. 91 
 
 For the present your grateful child 
 quits her adored mother but to dwell on 
 those instances of fond maternal love it 
 will ever be the pride and study of her 
 life to merit. 
 
 Avenmore Caztk, 
 Jah. 10.
 
 92 -* rxILE OP ERIN, 
 
 LETTER VII. 
 
 Th^ Earlqfylvenmore to Sir Frederick 
 Darlington^ 
 
 JnLAVING, as you, my dear 
 companion in iniquity well know, pass- 
 ed the last three years of my life in a 
 constant round of dissipation, when I 
 ought to have been only seeking 
 improvement and health, I am now 
 
 retired
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 93 
 
 retired from the world, tired of its 
 gaiety, in poverty of pocket, and in 
 love, so, joining with Solomon, thatall is 
 vanity and vexation of spirit, I now 
 hve with my mama at our old castle in 
 North Wales, romp with my sisters, and 
 go to church once a week to say my 
 prayers ; I assure you that most of us 
 religious people reap some little satisfac- 
 tion in hoping that you wealthy volup- 
 tuaries have a very fair chance of being 
 damned to all eternity ; and that Dives 
 shall call to Lazarus, for a drop of which 
 he seldom tasted while he had thciwelvc 
 apostles in his cellars. Now, Darlington, 
 that doctrine being established, I wish 
 you, as my friend, a loop-hole to escape 
 through ; but I shall not tell you in 
 what manner, until I have stated in all 
 
 due
 
 Si r.XILE OF ERIN. 
 
 due form that on my arrival at the vene- 
 rable seat of ray forefathers, 1 was re- 
 ceived with rapture by my lady mother 
 and my two lovely sisters, whom I should 
 really consider as two very pretty crea- 
 tures, were they not totally eclipsed by 
 by a fair little rebel from Ireland, whom 
 my wise mama has taken under her pro- 
 tection ; some distant cousin, I believe, 
 of her ladyship's, but by my soul it will 
 not be my fault if she is not more nearly 
 connected with the noble race of the 
 Avenmore^s then she is at present ; in- 
 deed she is the most bewitching little 
 devil my eyes ever beheld ; but more of 
 her hereafter ; for the present, instead of 
 calling your attention to a blooming girl 
 cf sixteen I wish to engage it for an old 
 grecian of fifty, a respectable clergy- 
 man.
 
 rXILE OF ERI^'. 9^ 
 
 man, for whom I intend you the honor 
 of making a provision. 
 
 It was Sunday morning, when my 
 carriage broke down, in a small roman- 
 tic village, through which my road lay 
 to the castle ; finding the repairs of my 
 chaise would take some time and seeing 
 a groupe of pretty girls entering the 
 Tillage church, I determined on joining 
 the cavalcade, and wascivilly shewn into 
 a seat by a pretty little sparkling black- 
 eyed rustick, on whom my eyes were 
 fixed when prayers began. I of course 
 rose as others did on a similar occasion, 
 and began to stare about the church, 
 when at once my attention was attracted 
 by the accent of the parson, and I am 
 not ashamed to add, my devotion awa- 
 kened 
 
 e^
 
 96 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 kened by the most pathetic prayer I 
 have ever heard ; this made me all atten- 
 tion to the sermon, and, to say truth, a 
 finer discourse I never heard uttered by 
 the hps of man. 
 
 On my return to the inn, I had the 
 mortification to hear that all the good 
 people who belonged to the congrega- 
 tion of this venerable pastor were to® 
 religious to mend my broken carriage of 
 a SHnday ; being obliged to make a vir- 
 tue of necessity, I determined to return 
 to afternoon service, and, if possible, 
 scrape an acquaintance with this inte- 
 resting divine, and accordingly attended 
 the tinkling sound of the village bell ; 
 and heard the same preacher exceed his 
 
 morning
 
 ICXILE OF ERtN". P7 
 
 morning work, by the finest chain of 
 reasoning, conveyed by the nnost elo- 
 quent expressions. 
 
 I immediately thought of what Felix 
 said to Paul, ^^ Almost thou persuadest 
 me to be a Christian." And on his de* 
 scending from the pulpit he made me a 
 meek and humble bow, presuming, I sup- 
 pose, from my sanctified demeanour, 
 that I was devotion personified ; I did 
 not loose the opportunity his natural and 
 polite attention had given me of making 
 his acquaintance ; and, after some con- 
 versation, he clieerfuUy agreed to accom- 
 pany me to the inn, and partake of 
 my dinner. He accordingly came, 
 and I verily believe I almost tired this 
 man of God with my numerous ques- 
 tions ; but ifthey appeared impertinent, I 
 p may
 
 gS EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 may say they were well-meant ; I even 
 enquired if his sermons were his own 
 compositions, which he affirmed they 
 were ; I assured him I believed him, for 
 no man ever wrote or spoke so well. 
 
 Mr. Evans now informed me that he 
 was curate to a clergyman of large inde- 
 pendent fortune, who besides enjoyed a 
 fruitful benefice of at least eight hundred 
 pounds per annum out of the parish I was 
 then in, but who seldom visited it, on ac- 
 count of its great distance from town ; 
 spending his time in luxurious dissipa- 
 tion between it and the most fashionable 
 watering places, whilst he nobly gives 
 my new friend thirty pounds per annum 
 for preaching and instructing his poor 
 neglected parishioners, and for walking- 
 ten
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 9Q 
 
 ten miles every Sunday, (for he cannot 
 afford to keep a horse,) to fulfill the 
 duties of his parish. 
 
 1 enquired why he did not reside on 
 his curacy ; his reply was, that the scanty 
 pittance that he received from it would 
 scarcely procure him the common ne- 
 cessaries of life, but for his own indus- 
 try. I asked him if he possessed any 
 other wealth. A placid smile of heart- 
 felt happiness illuminated his countenance 
 as he replied he was rich in domestic 
 comfort, since he was married to the most 
 amiable woman in the world, who had 
 made him the happy father of eight in- 
 fant cherubs, for whom I found he had 
 no other support than the miserable 
 F 2 thirty
 
 100 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 thirty pounds a year from his sleek stall- 
 fed rector, and from the produce of ten 
 acres of ground, which his own laborious 
 industry enabled him to rent. This is my 
 story ; now to my petition : I see by this 
 morning's paper, a good livinghas fallen in 
 your gift, and as I believe you have not, any 
 more than myself, a numerous acquaint- 
 ance amongst the reverends of the day^ I 
 trust you will oblige me by immediately 
 providing for this eloquent innocent apos- 
 tle. By this action, and no other way, 
 you have a chance of salvation ; do this 
 man good and he will pray for you ; this 
 will be a better purchase than any you 
 have ever made, not excepting your seat 
 in parliament, as it may perhaps procure 
 you one in heaven \ and I think it will 
 
 help
 
 tXILE OF ERIX. lOI 
 
 help me forward to, since I am the 
 man who told you of the man so wor- 
 diy and deserviife, so pious, so elo- 
 quent, and whose prayers may do us 
 both so much good. 
 
 Think what unspeakable pleasure it 
 will be for us saints to look down from 
 Heaven and see all our brethren in 
 iniquity swimming in lire and brimstone, 
 when you and I are sitting with Mr. 
 Whitfield and his old woman lookinoj 
 beautiful, frisking, and dancing ; all 
 which comforts you may look forward 
 to the hope of enjoying by the simple 
 act of settling my new friend on your 
 living, 
 
 F 3 Until
 
 102 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 Until I hear from you on this head 
 your's, in all meekness^ love and bene" 
 volence. 
 
 AVENMORE.
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 105 
 
 LETTER VIII. 
 Rossanna to Mrs, Portland. 
 
 AvENMORE Castle is become the 
 chosen mansion of gaiety and happi- 
 ness. 
 
 A few days since arrived the youthful 
 
 heir of this charming spot — charming 
 
 even at this inclement season ; the placid 
 
 F ^ coun-
 
 1*04 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 countenance of our beloved countess, 
 wore, if possible, a more placid smile, 
 since the return of a fondly beloved, 
 and long-absent son. 
 
 His lordship has been three years ab- 
 sent; and handsome, admirable, and con- 
 descending as he appears, I fear, if 1 
 may judge from a slight sketch I have 
 gaine' from our worthy chaplain of his 
 character, that he has some enors in 
 his composition which may occasion 
 uneasiness to his amiable parent. 
 
 " The earl," said this excellent man, 
 as I was yesterday enumerating the ex- 
 treme elegance of his person and man- 
 ners, " was born with that dangerous 
 sensibility which is always more or less 
 
 the
 
 IXILE OF ERIN.'' 105 
 
 the cause of so much uneasiness to its 
 possessor ; he has joined to this gift at 
 once so dear and yet so cruel, an imagi- 
 nation so creative — so full of brilliant 
 dreams, that the sober reality will always 
 discrust him ; his education having added 
 to those extremes in his disposition v^^ith 
 which nature, either in her bounty or 
 anger, has so liberally endowed him ; 
 but generous, humane, and ardent in his 
 transient likings, he is the opposite in 
 most respects, to his exemplary mother ; 
 for young as he is, his mind is even now 
 engrossed with most ambitious projects; 
 and though not yet one and twenty, it has 
 been proved that even love itself was a 
 subordinate power when compared with 
 the stronger passions of his character ; 
 however, I trust," continued his early 
 F 5 pre-
 
 106 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 preceptor, that a few ** years experience 
 of the fallacy of all worldly plans will 
 remove from the character of this young 
 nobleman every shade of imperfection. 
 For as the tallest trees are most in the 
 power of the winds, so is the ambitious 
 man more subject to the blasts of fortune. 
 But the spring of life is that critical in- 
 stant that must either confirm or blast the 
 hopes of all succeeding seasons; and 
 ambition is a weed, if it may properly 
 be called so, apt to grow in the best of 
 soils.'* 
 
 And yet, notwithstanding the high opi- 
 nion I entertain of the judgment and 
 discrimination of this good man, I can- 
 not, my dearest mother, harbour an idea 
 contrary to the high opinion I have form- 
 ed
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 107 
 
 ed of the merits of Lord Avenmore, who 
 certainly cannot fail of being amiable, 
 when his early years were passed under 
 the immediate care of such a parent as 
 he possesses. 
 
 The Marquis of Desmond, who is you 
 know the destined husband of the lovely 
 Lady Olivia, arrived last night to claim 
 his destined bride. Indeed were you 
 now to take a peep at this enchanted cas- 
 tle you would suppose it was in the coun- 
 try only Cupid held his court. In Lon- 
 don the young men say dissipation and 
 vanity secured them from the shafts of 
 beauty ; but here us girls appear as little 
 sovereigns, to whom each heart pays will- 
 ing homage. As to Lord Desmond he 
 appears only to live in the smiles of the 
 F 6 fair
 
 108 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 fair Olivia. He is, I am informed, a cha- 
 racter that is at once a mixture of good 
 and evil ; having estabHshed a taste for 
 gallantry, profusion, and dissipation, 
 which could not be exceeded by the 
 most extravagant or thoughtless of those 
 who trod in the gay circle of fashionable 
 life, for forty years he has escaped the 
 shackles of matrimony, but fascinated 
 by the modest graces and blushing ti- 
 midity of the enchanting Ohvia, some 
 months since he made an offer of his hand 
 and fortune to the sweet girl, who uncon- 
 scious, I believe, that she has a heart or 
 affections it is necessary to consult on an 
 occasion which must fix the colouring of 
 her future destiny, gave way at once to 
 that flattery, which like some enchant- 
 ment lays all his guards asleep. Lady 
 
 Aven-
 
 EXILE OF ERiy. 109 
 
 more, amiable and accomplished as she 
 is, early began to train her daughters in 
 those pursuits that would promote her 
 favourite plan of marrying them what 
 the world calls advantageously. 
 
 Lady Olivia has taste, genius, and viva- 
 city, together with a docile disposition ; 
 her person though beautiful in the 
 extreme, appears only the casket which 
 contains a gem of yet superior worth and 
 brilliancy ; endowed as she is with the 
 most unbounded vivacity, surrounded by 
 splendour, admired, and indulged, the 
 giddy Olivia will in a few days embark 
 on the vast ocean of the gay world, with 
 every thing necessary, except a skilful 
 pilot, to render her an honor to all those 
 connected with her. 
 
 The
 
 110 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 The countess appears to behold in this 
 intended alliance the full fruition of all 
 her fond maternal hopes ; in the splendid 
 establishment of that beauteous blossom, 
 on the foundation of whose infant beau- 
 ties she had long built the superstructure 
 of future aggrandisement. 
 
 Lady Cecilia appears the only in- 
 dividual in this happy family, not 
 transported with pleasure at the con- 
 templation of her sister's approach- 
 ing splendour. The sedateness of her 
 character forms an amusing contrast with 
 the laughing eye and invariable vivacity 
 of the marchioness elect ; but, notwith- 
 standing this difference in their disposi- 
 tions, the most unbounded affection sub- 
 sists between them ; they smile and weep in 
 unison, though they think and act in diffe-
 
 EXILE OF ERIN^. 1 11 
 
 rentbut not discordant keys, and I doubt 
 not on all momentous occasions, they rea- 
 son and they feel alike, yet in ordinary 
 cases they separate as it were in two differ- 
 ent tracks ; but this diversity is productive 
 only of harmony ; and the more thought- 
 ful Cecilia, much as she will regret the 
 loss of her sister's society, appears to be 
 reconciling herself to that which is now 
 inevitable ; and does not by selfish regret 
 imbitter the happiness of her beloved 
 Olivia ; and consoles herself in the hope 
 that the beauty, sweetness, and inno- 
 cence she possesses cannot fail to secure 
 to her the tender affections of a man so 
 much her senior in years. 
 
 As to 01ivia,withaheart unoccupied by 
 
 a prior affection, she is contented to take 
 
 3 upon
 
 112 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 upon her the sacred name of wife, in obe- 
 dience to the wishes of her family, with- 
 out appearing to entertain a particle of 
 that tenderness for her future husband 
 which would sanction their choice with 
 the approbation of her own heart ; whilst 
 his lordship seems delighted with the 
 naivete of his fair intended ; and con- 
 vinced of the innocence of her heart, he 
 appears to take the same sort of pleasure 
 in her gaiety that he would do in the 
 playful tricks of a child of five years 
 old ; indeed the Marquis appears per- 
 fectly good-humoured, and in all res- 
 pects the highly accomplished man of 
 fashion, so that I trust my fair friend 
 may be as happy as 1 am certain she de- 
 serves. 
 
 The
 
 EXILE OF ERIie. 113 
 
 The countess observed this morning, 
 in conversation with Lady Mary Coburn, 
 who is sister to her late lord, and of whom 
 I shall give you some time or other a 
 more particular description, when speak- 
 ing of the intended union, that notwith- 
 standing the advantage it would be of to 
 a young woman of high rank and small 
 fortune to form such a conection, yet 
 had she left the matter intirely to Olivia, 
 for though her wishes were more cer- 
 tainly in favour of the Marquis's ad- 
 dresses, yet she determined, not even 
 by the slightest persuasion, to lay any 
 restriction on her inclination, since to do 
 so, continued this excellent woman, 
 would perhaps have given her an induce- 
 ment to break them ; for the moment a 
 female is directly or indirectly warned of 
 
 any
 
 114 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 any danger, she never is at rest till she 
 has discovered its full extent; and like 
 the curious observer who approaches too 
 near the centre of a volcano, in order to 
 ascertain its precise degree of danger, 
 she sometimes goes so close to the flame 
 that it is not without many scorches that 
 she escapes being intirely consumed ; 
 but I trust I may now indulge in the 
 flattering idea which her conduct sijice 
 the arrival of the Marquis has given rise 
 to, that her heart will ratify those vows 
 which will soon be registered in Heaven ; 
 and that this will not be one of the too 
 common and sordid connections of the 
 world, which invested with public sanc- 
 tion, receives not the private assent of 
 the heart. Such are the hopes and expec- 
 tions of this amiable w^oman ; that they 
 
 may
 
 £XILE OF ERIN. 115 
 
 may be realized, and the felicity of her 
 beauteous daughter insured on the basis 
 of solid happiness, will be as much the 
 prayer of my beloved mother as it is that 
 of her devoted Rossanna. 
 
 Avenmorf CastUf 
 FEB. a.
 
 116 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 LETTER IX. 
 
 The Countess of Jvenmore to the 
 Marchioness of Desniond. 
 
 X HE feelings of a fond mother 
 at the most momentuous moment of your 
 life, my beloved Olivia, urge me to ad- 
 dress a few hints for your serious atten- 
 tion ; consider them well, my darling 
 girl, and recpUect that on your felicity 
 
 depends
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 117 
 
 depends that also of a tender and 
 anxious parent. 
 
 With a lieart deeply impressed by 
 gratitude at the conduct of your noble 
 lord on a late occasion ; I have re- 
 signed my sweet child to his tender pro* 
 tection ; but young and unexperienced 
 as is my Olivia, I should not conceive 
 my duty as a mother to be half perform- 
 ed did I not point out a few general rules 
 of instruction, which I trust she will pur- 
 sue; for in the season of youth, before 
 the world unfolds its ample page, we 
 catch with avidity the spring that vi- 
 brates to joy, from every sun beam that 
 glitters over our heads ; we bask in its 
 chearing influence, and dream not that 
 to-morrow's rays may be impregnated 
 
 with
 
 118 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 with tears of remorse, and, perhaps, 
 alas ! bring shame and dishonour on the 
 most exalted families, and dissolve by 
 one act of imprudence all the dear and 
 social ties of life. Marriage, my best 
 love, is a very honourable, while it may 
 be a very miserable, institution ; for it 
 may produce wretchedness, while it con- 
 fers honour. 
 
 Your union with a character so con- 
 spicuous in life as that of the Marquis, 
 has imposed on you a thousand motives 
 for exercising a benevolent heart, and by 
 making you as it were a mark of distinc- 
 tion, enjoins that nice propriety of con- 
 duct, by which, if we cannot escape cen- 
 sure and sorrow, we are secure from the 
 self reproach of having deserved it. 
 
 You
 
 EXILE OF ERIK. fll9 
 
 You are commanded to prepare yom*- 
 self for a spiritual world, and not to la- 
 vish out life in luxurious softness, but like 
 the glorious orb, when sinking in the 
 west, spread comfort and delight on all 
 around you, and become a noble specta- 
 cle to men and angels. 
 
 Do not, my child, resign these privi- 
 leges, to place your whole happiness on 
 the splendour by which you are now 
 surrounded ; marriage rightly understood 
 should enlarge the sense of our happiness 
 and misery. 
 
 The union of love is pleasant, the mar- 
 riage of interest easy, and a marriage 
 where both meet happy ; an (establish- 
 ment of this description has centered in 
 
 it
 
 IfO EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 it all the pleasures of friendship; all the 
 enjoyments of sense and reason, and in- 
 deed all the sweets of life. 
 
 Nothing is a greater mark of the de- 
 generate and vicious age we live in than 
 the common ridicule which passes in this 
 state of life; it is indeed only truly 
 happy to those who can look down with 
 scorn on the impiety of the times, and 
 tread the paths of life together in a con- 
 stant course of piety and virtue ; yet 
 should we not think humanity is perfect ; 
 something, perhaps, will be discovered in 
 each which the other must overlook ; 
 something will still be done by the one 
 which the other must excuse. Rely, 
 therefore, my love, for happiness, not 
 on agreeable qualities but on solid 
 
 vir-
 
 , i:XILE OF ERTV. 121 
 
 virtues ; endeavour to please your lord 
 and you will succeed. 
 
 The ceremony you just past is only 
 the seal of mutual love, the bond, I 
 trust, was made before ; it is not intend- 
 ed by Heaven as the attachment of a 
 day, a month, or year, it is to last for 
 life ; it is to follow each other through 
 all perils and dangers ; its holy ardour 
 is to burn equally bright and pure, and 
 to be extino^uished bv death alone. 
 Much of felicity, my beloved Olivia, 
 will depend on yourself; many duties 
 are interwoven with the sacred character 
 your lover has assumed • he will, per- 
 haps, be no longer that enamoured ad- 
 mirer which nothing unconnected with 
 his fair idol can interest j he is born to 
 G adorn
 
 122 EXILE OF ZillN. 
 
 adorn the rank fortune has placed \mn 
 in, nor will one of those duties which 
 that elevated sphere imposes, be, 1 trust, 
 unfulfilled. Those occupations must 
 prove highly pleasing to an intelligent 
 mind, but they will not be entirely di- 
 vested of duties that may sometimes be 
 irksome, and when, in consequence 
 thereof, histemper is ruffled, those assi- 
 duous observant attentions which before 
 marriage were as largely lavished by the 
 one as ihey were joyfully rticeived by 
 other, will, perhaps, at tliese moments 
 of painful perplexity, prove a disagree- 
 able restraint, and from no longer flow- 
 ing spontaneously, they will lose much 
 of their zest ; believe me, there is no 
 part of the female character dearer to 
 the other sex than that which gives them 
 
 an
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 123 
 
 an idea that we are the soothers of their 
 inquietudes, the friend to whom they 
 may fly for comfort in every distress. 
 
 The enthusiasm of youth often min- 
 gles with the addresses of a lover ; an 
 overstrained submission, w^hich places 
 our sex in an exalted, but, let me warn 
 you, a false point of view ; the husband, 
 when he reflects coolly upon every cir^ 
 cumstance, will, if he judges right, con- 
 sider it better to preserve the heart he 
 has gained by displaying the manly 
 qualities of sense, philanthropy, inte- 
 grity, and fortitude, than by the lover- 
 like cant which his first affections might 
 urge him to adopt, and the discreet wife 
 will hasten to elevate her character by 
 G 2 adding
 
 l£4r EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 adding to the delicate tenderness of th« 
 bride the dignified virtues of the ma- 
 tron. 
 
 Exert, my Olivia, the powers of 
 your understanding, even during the 
 first fond period of wedded love, 
 strengthen the bonds by which you first 
 gained the heart of your lord, and let 
 the study of each day be to give some 
 proof of mental excellence, which will 
 become dear when your person and ac- 
 complishments shall have lost the gloss 
 of novelty. Summons your resolution, 
 and ere the Marquis changes the mode 
 of behaviour, his unbounded fondness 
 has imposed, do you imperceptibly re- 
 lease him from the restraint; engage 
 him in amusements which will suit his 
 
 dispo-
 
 EXILT. OF ERIN. IQ5 
 
 tHsposition» and even such as will now 
 and then occasion a short absence ; he 
 will return to you with additional satis- 
 faction ; and your relish of eacli other's 
 society will be improved by the inter- 
 ruption of company ; but above all 
 things, my child, study his character 
 with the deepest attention, in order that 
 3^ou may discover the peculiar tenden- 
 cy of those prejudices and errors from 
 which the best are not exempt, that by 
 familiarizing them to your mind they 
 may steal upon you in the diminished 
 fjrn> of little imperfections ; if you neg- 
 lect to do this, you may, perhaps, per- 
 ceive them at a moment when passion 
 has increased them beyond their usual 
 magnitude, and your alarmed imagina- 
 tion may further extend them till they 
 Q 3 eclipse
 
 1^6 EXiLE OF ERIN, 
 
 eclipse their neighbouring virtues ; be- 
 sides, a wife^s discretion may often 
 guide her husband from an error by 
 knowing tlie ];ecaliar temptations to 
 which he is most hable. 
 
 Believe me, my darhng child, not- 
 Avithstanding the union you have form* 
 ed was such as left me nothing to re- 
 quest, yet in resigning one of my heart's 
 best treasures, at so early a period of 
 life, to the protection of another, I offer? 
 ed violence to my own feelings ; for 
 w^hat can recompence us for the loss of 
 the society of those we love ? but in our 
 path through life, we must practise self- 
 denial, it is the hand-maid of virtue, the 
 nurse of happiness ; the time will come 
 when we must separate for ever ; and 
 
 though
 
 EXILE or ERIN"^. 127 
 
 ihonsh to be surrounded by one's chil- 
 dren and friends at the trying moment, 
 be, no doubt, a consolation, yet what is 
 it compared with the comfort that fills 
 the soul when conscious that those most 
 dear are fully worth.y of our affection ; 
 when we can reflect that wc leave them 
 imrsuing the same course which we have 
 taken. 
 
 Whether you, my child, are present 
 ornot to close iny eyes, may I be able 
 to contemplate your conduct without 
 shame or son'ow, and be enabled to com- 
 mend you with confidence to the care 
 of Heaven ; and since all the advan- 
 tages of nature enjoyed are not able to 
 create intire happiness in tliis world, wc 
 should therefore search for It without dis- 
 G 4 gust,
 
 ]28 EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 gust, enjoy it without eagerness, and 
 lose it without leo-ret, convinced of this 
 truth, that happy is the mind which can 
 entirely resist S3me passions, and only 
 unbend itself to others; it would be 
 then void of fear, sadness, hatred, or 
 jealousy ; it would desire without vio- 
 lence, hope without impatience, and 
 enjoy without transport. You must, 
 therefore, on this, your first entrance 
 into life, rouse every power of your 
 soul ; you must callto mind every mo- 
 tive, every consideration, whether of 
 present inward applause, or of future 
 permanent good, in the aid of a cause 
 in which to triumph is not easy, but to 
 fail will be disgraceful. And may the 
 Almighty direct and prosper your every 
 virtuous undertaking, and render your 
 
 sojourn
 
 EXILE' OF ERIN. 129 
 
 sojourn in this probationary world as 
 exempt from misfortune as the condi- 
 tion of humanity will permit, is the ar- 
 dent prayer of your fondly attached 
 mother 
 
 E.,AVENM0RI:. 
 
 i 5 LETTER
 
 130 EXILE OF ERIIV 
 
 LETTER X. 
 Jlossanna to 3Irs. Portland. 
 
 January ^. 
 
 JriVE days since the laughing 
 playful Olivia became Marchioness of 
 Desmond ; the ceremony was perform- 
 ed by our amiable chaplain, in the draw- 
 ing-room of the castle ; nothing could 
 equal the enchanting appearance of the 
 
 blooming
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 131 
 
 blooming bride ; there was such ease in 
 her carriage, such symmetry in her form, 
 her features were so beautifully regular, 
 her azure eyes expressed sueh heavenly- 
 mildness, and her auburn tresses curled 
 on such a forehead that it was impossi- 
 ble not to view her as a superior being, 
 indeed her brow appeared the seat of 
 composure ; and her gentle breath 
 heaved the bosom of peace. 
 
 The Marquis, as I understand, be- 
 haved in the most liberal manner ; on 
 the morning of the nuptials, he presented 
 the gentle Lady Cecilia with ten thou- 
 sand pounds, which was the portion of 
 the Marchioness. 
 
 The Earl of Avenmore is all life and 
 G 6 gaiety
 
 JJ2 EXI LE OF ERIN. 
 
 gaiety at the splendid alliance his 
 favorite sister has forrned ; and, indeed, 
 ^spite of the little errors to which I un- 
 derstand his lordship is liable, I cannot 
 but think him the most amiable and 
 agreeable young man I have ever seen. 
 
 Immediately after the ceremony the 
 bridal party left us for a villa his lordship 
 has near town, where they propose re- 
 maining till the birth-day, when they 
 are to make their appearance at St. 
 Jameses. 
 
 I believe I have before-mentioned 
 hovr much the gentle unassuming man- 
 ners and placid goodness, so apparent in 
 Mr. Osborn, has already prejudiced me 
 in his favour ; he appears indeed, though 
 
 scarcely
 
 EXILF OF Er.iy. 133 
 
 scarcely passed the spring-tide of his 
 days, to have the blossoms untimely 
 faded in his cheeks, and his eyes to 
 speak the language of pensive melan- 
 choly ; indeed, it is impossible to know 
 and not esteem him ; and a little anec- 
 dote he related to me of himself has 
 added compassion to the sentiments I 
 before entertained in his favor ; and as I 
 was charmed and affected v^iththe man- 
 ner in which he related it, I w^ill, ray 
 dear mother, give it you exactly in his 
 own words. On the morning preceding 
 the marriage of the Marchioness, a 
 beautiful miniature, most richly adorn- 
 ed with brilliants, arrived from London, 
 intended by the Marquis as a parting 
 present to Lady Avenmore, on taking 
 from her the lovely original ; it passed 
 
 from
 
 134 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 from hand to hand ; the suffrages of all 
 the party were loud and prolix, but the 
 interestinir Osborn resfarded it with fixed 
 and solemn attention, and with a rising 
 tear that plainly evinced it made a deeper 
 impression on him. and recalled sorrowful 
 ideas to his heart; it was during break- 
 fast this scene past, and as I usually spend 
 some hours in the library every morn- 
 ing, in perusing those authors my beloved 
 parents had selected for my study, and 
 which i now regard as the chosen friends 
 of my youth, in whose society I have 
 passed the sweetest moments of my life ; 
 during these hours of solitude, my ima- 
 gination imperceptibly transports me to 
 o«T once peaceful home, where my be- 
 loved brother attended to the councils 
 and advice of our dear persecuted father, 
 
 as
 
 EXILE OF ERTX. I3j 
 
 as he read to us ; and, as our reason ex- 
 panded, nature, all bountiful nature, ap- 
 peared more so to us, when we, thus to- 
 gether, under the eye of our indulgent 
 instructor, admired her various and won- 
 derful productions. Happy in your 
 affections, we early became almost en- 
 thusiasts, and gave ourselves up without 
 controul to the delightful sensations 
 which those sentiments inspired without 
 considering the source of the felicity we 
 then enjoyed itiight so soon be stopped 
 by the icy hand of persecution ; it is 
 one of my greatest indulgences when I 
 can thus take a retrospective view of 
 past scenes ; my thoughts succeed each 
 other with such rapidity that the fatal 
 change, as it crosses the path of memory, 
 
 eu-
 
 I?i6 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 encreases my melancholy, and chilU 
 every chord of my heart. 
 
 Observing all the gay circle pleased 
 and pleasing, I stole away, according to 
 my usual custom, and was scarcely seat- 
 ed in the library before the door opened, 
 and Mr. Osborn entered, w^ho taking 
 a seat by my side, we entered into a 
 conversation of a pensive. nature, 
 
 -' My dear Miss Portland, ^^ said he, 
 <* young and lovely as you are, I ob- 
 serve with astonishment and delight, 
 the various resources you possess ; it 
 must surely afford you that indepen- 
 dence of mind which all must covet ; 
 nor can you be ever conscious of the 
 oppressions of time, since with your 
 
 various
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 15? 
 
 various accomplisliments you must 
 meet its approach with joy, and only 
 blame the rapidity with which it seems 
 to steal away from you ; those who imi- 
 formiy employ themselves will ever be 
 (bund tiie happiest ; chearfulness is the 
 natural result of exertion, and man the 
 only being we know to whom time ap- 
 pears often burthensome ; to the un- 
 happy it may be so, and I am one of 
 that-unfortunate number;'' then drawing 
 a miniature from his bosom, which he 
 pressed with a quick motion to his lips, 
 and his eyes lifted up to heaven, as if in 
 silent ejaculation, whilst a passing flush 
 crossed his pale cheek, he, with a sigh 
 that spoke more eloquently and touching 
 than any language could have done, put 
 it into my hand ; it represented a beau- 
 tiful
 
 158 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 liful young woman, with the com-^ 
 plexion, and somewhat of tlfe features^ 
 of Lady Desmond ; I immediately- 
 read in it the cause of his graceful emo-^ 
 tions ; he saw I was affected by his visi- 
 ble distress ; and continued, " but for 
 the loss of that lovely creature I should' 
 Imve been th€ mast fort\iaate of mortals, 
 aa I am now, perhaps, one of the most 
 wretched,-- It 8truck me she might 
 have been unvv^orthy of so much affec- 
 tion, and some observation escaped me to 
 that efTect. '*0, no,'^ he cried, with 
 emphasis, " she was as amiable as she 
 was beautiful, and thence my deep sor- 
 row, which seven years penitence and 
 prayer have not been able to erase ; she 
 was indeed the fairest ornament of na-- 
 tu^e, but only made her appearance on 
 
 earth
 
 EXILE OF ERIN-. IS'9 
 
 eartli, and suddenly vanishing from my 
 srght, has left an eternal remembrance 
 behind her, like a rose, which v/e have 
 seen in the fair morn of spring ready to 
 unfold it:^ bloom, and whose transient 
 beauties we still regret amidst the frosts 
 of winter ; I weep, I lament her charms^ 
 now for ever lost, and- yet my eternal 
 regret is due, not so much to her ac- 
 complishments, her youth, her perish- 
 able beauty, as to that numerous assem* 
 blasfe of substantial and amiable vir* 
 tucs which adorned- her heart. I am 
 the son of a gentleman of small inde- 
 pendent fortune, in the north of Eng- 
 land ; I passionately loved this charm- 
 ing creature, and won her heart; she 
 was of equal birth ; our families were 
 ^neighbours, and lived in the constant 
 
 exchancje
 
 140 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 exchange of friendship ; they approved 
 our vows, and the day was fixed for our 
 nuptials ; in the meanwhile my father 
 gave a little rural ball ; at which we 
 danced together^ wiiii al! the joy of 
 young and heedless mortala that gave 
 themselves up to the transports of an 
 ardent passion, which meets no opposi- 
 tion, and dreads no reverse. After a long 
 and fatiguing dance, oppressed with 
 heat, she went into the room where they 
 dealt out refreshments, and desired me 
 to procure her sonie warm wine and 
 water; I pressed through the crowd t® 
 demand it ; in the hurry and confusion 
 they, alas! put some cold lemonade into 
 my hand, which, through a carelessness 
 I:^ never shall pardon myself for, I did 
 
 not
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 141 
 
 not observe ; the object of all my wishes 
 drank it eagerly, put her hand to her 
 forehead, uttered one groan and dropped 
 lifeless at my feet/* 
 
 Tears choaked his words, mine flowed 
 with him ; all I could say was that it 
 was not for man but Heaven to give him 
 comfort. He clasped his hands in agony 
 together, and with a mixture of energy 
 and humility in his countenance, replied, 
 *' it has taught me resignation, but can 
 it teach me forgetfulness ?^^
 
 14.g XXILE OP ERIH. 
 
 Rossanna in continuation* 
 
 Jl his moment, my dearest mo- 
 ther, have I received the blessed ac- 
 counts of my father's safe arrival in 
 America. 
 
 With whdLt transport did I dwell on 
 every line of the packet ypu had the 
 the goodness to forward me, traced by 
 the hand of 'the best and most beloved 
 
 of
 
 HXILE OF ERIN. 14i) 
 
 of parents; may the Almighty conti- 
 nue to us the blessing of his invaluable 
 health, and then I ti'ust we may in time 
 be again united to him, as I think it 
 next to impossible the malice of his ene- 
 mies can long continue to counteract the 
 effort of our friends in his behalf, power- 
 ful as their interest is, though the time 
 it may take to bring this so much desired 
 event to a.conclusion may be long and 
 tedious. 
 
 The Countess of Avenmore has most 
 kindly interested the Marquis of Des- 
 mond in favor of my father's cause, and 
 from the active part he. takes in public 
 affairs, and the seat he holds in the cabi- 
 net, I cannot but entertain the most 
 sanguine hopes of ultmiately triumphing 
 
 over
 
 144 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 over our most implacable enemies ; but 
 hope, you have often told me, is a young 
 and giddy-headed creature, that gives 
 credit to every thing that pleases her; 
 whose imagination is much stronger 
 than her judgment, and who is infinitely 
 delighted with shadows and chimeras ; 
 who takes truth for falsehood and false- 
 hood for truth, and who extracts out of 
 the most airy appearances, a thousand 
 pleasures which have no being but in 
 the imagination • but this once I willj 
 my dear mama, indulge the pleasing 
 prognostics, and believe that all-wise 
 providence seldom sends a grievance 
 without a remedy, or, at least, such a 
 mitigation as takes away a great part of 
 the smart* 
 
 Your
 
 JEXILK OF ERIN. 14.5 
 
 Vour amiable friend, Lady Avenmore, 
 requests, if the task be not too painful, 
 that you will write her a statement of 
 all those cruel events which have con- 
 spired to drive my father from his family 
 and country ; her ladyship is indeed 
 most truly the friend of the unfortunate, 
 in whatever line she discovers that she 
 can be of use to others ; and not like 
 those who boast the name of friend to 
 such who are linked by the ties of con- 
 sanguinity, affinity, interest, mutual ob- 
 ligation, or acquaintance ; these are such 
 friends as are usually contented with a 
 strict reserve of interest on both sides, 
 and seldom lasts longer than the pros- 
 perity of eiiher party, and even during 
 tliat, are frequently renounced upon 
 slight foundations, or languish and die 
 H of
 
 146 EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 of themselves; but this truly valuable 
 woman conceives urbanity, civility, and 
 kindness are a debt she owes to mankind, 
 and that benefits and polite attention to 
 the good of others will be like perpetual 
 letters commendatory to her ; other vir- 
 tues have need of something to maintain 
 them ; justice musthave power, liberality 
 wealth, but this sets up with no other 
 stock than pleasant looks, kind words, 
 and no evil actions ; it is an easy 
 purchase when friends are made by 
 kindness and affability ; indeed I feel 
 most truly grateful and happy, that 
 separated from you, I have had the 
 good fortune to be placed under the 
 protection of this inestimable woman, 
 for if there is a happy contagion in 
 
 goodness
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 147 
 
 goodness we may, perhaps, be kindled 
 like green wood by the neighbouring 
 flame, and the example of another's 
 zeal may awaken mine ; those showers 
 of benedictions, which the prayers of 
 good people bring down, are so plen- 
 tiful, that some drops at least may 
 scatter upon those about them. 
 
 The time now draws on when my 
 brother, you determined, should visit 
 England, in order to pursue his studies 
 at the bar ; tell him I rejoice in the 
 prospect of so soon meeting him. 
 Lady Avenmore bids me add when 
 we go to town, which will be in March, 
 he must have no home but her house 
 during his stay. 
 
 H 2 O,
 
 148 EXILE. OF ERIN. 
 
 O, how I envy him the happiness he 
 now enjoys, in contributing to the 
 felicity of the best and most beloved 
 of parents. 
 
 LETTER
 
 EXILI OF ERIK. H9 
 
 LETTER XL 
 
 Mrs, Portland to the Countess of 
 Avenmore, 
 
 Yes, 
 
 Briar-Field, 10th Feb. 
 
 my dear and most va- 
 lued friend, your wishes shall be com- 
 plied with, and every sad particular, as 
 far as recollection will serve, shall be de- 
 posited in the bosom of sympathy and 
 benevolence ; but the task will be long 
 H 3 and
 
 156 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 and painful, for the past appertains to 
 the dominion of memory, the future is 
 the inheritance of hope, and the pre- 
 sent which is only our own by the pro- 
 perty of the mind, which. we term ima- 
 gination, may be pushed aside to make 
 way for its own illusions when she 
 wishes to enliven the prospect, and shed 
 a sunshine, which the present does not 
 offer ; for ill-fortune is not content with 
 bringing us into calamitous circum- 
 stances, but she makes us more tender 
 and sensible of every thing that wounds 
 us ; and nature, which ought to resist 
 her arbitrary power, is in confederacy 
 with her, and gives us a more exquisite 
 sense of our misfortunes, but what a 
 consolation do I possess in the affec- 
 tionate kindness your ladyship has the 
 
 goodness
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 151 
 
 goodnes to evince to my lovely Rossanna; 
 and in relating to you a long train of sad 
 events, I slia!! enjoy one of the chief 
 blessings friendship can impart, in thus 
 discharging the full swellings of the 
 heart, which is caused by the passions ; 
 we know diseases of suffocation are the 
 most dangerous to the body, and grief 
 is altogether as fatal to the mind, for 
 like the fire, the more it is covered the 
 more powerfully it rages ; this truth I 
 know from woeful experience, since often 
 in the presence of my dutiful and atten- 
 tive children, for their sakes have I been 
 obliged to stifle the most poignant sor- 
 row, occasioned by the fate of a beloved 
 husband, in order to impress on their 
 minds, by my own example, that where 
 there is no remedy but patience, custom 
 H 3 should
 
 152 e:xile of erix. 
 
 should make our feelings easy, and ne- 
 cessity give us courage. Often, during 
 the sad sad hours of suspence and horror 
 I for months experienced, have I inward- 
 ly ejaculated, at the same moment I 
 forced a look of serenity to my counte- 
 nance, before I sleep again another leaf 
 will have been filled up in the great jour- 
 nal of human events, another leaf blot- 
 ted like all the rest, with treacherous 
 and daring crimes, or soiled with afflic- 
 tion and distress, if such are to be its 
 contents may heaven in mercy close the 
 book OB me for ever. Such were often my 
 silent prayers. 
 
 It would be both troublesome and un- 
 necessary for me to inform your lady- 
 ship, with whom I have had the honour 
 
 of
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 1^3 
 
 of being so nearly connected, and in 
 whose society many of my early years 
 were passed, that at the death of my 
 father I found myself in possession of a 
 handsome property in Ireland, where 
 some business of importance shortly 
 after demanded my personal attendance, 
 and in health and gaiety I undertook 
 a journey which fate had intended 
 should decide the future colouring of 
 my life. 
 
 Amongst the numerous families who, 
 with the accustomed kindness of this hos- 
 pitable country, welcomed my arrival to 
 their then peaceful shores, was the family 
 of Mr. Portland ; they were my nearest 
 neighbours, and at the period I am now 
 speaking of, consisted of himself, a mo- 
 H 5 thcr,
 
 154 EXILE OP ERIN 
 
 ther, and one lovely sister, whose fate, 
 alas ! has been even more wretched than 
 my own, since the iron hand of rebellion 
 deprived her of a beloved husband a 
 few days only before she became a 
 mother. He was torn from her arms, 
 and suffered an ignominous death, 
 in spite of the tears — the heart-rending 
 supplications of his distracted wife, who 
 "loudly called on justice, the humanity 
 of those in power to have that life spared 
 on which her own depended ; but, alas ! 
 the cruel fiat was gone forth, and he, 
 without one proof, after the most contu- 
 melious and public arrest, and a few days 
 confinement, with six other innocent 
 men, fell a sacrifice to the atrocious vil- 
 lainy of a common informer, who under 
 the garb of friendship had gained ad- 
 3 mittance
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 155 
 
 mittance to his house, and under its spe- 
 cious mask soothed the miserable wife 
 with hopes that his interest would pro- 
 cure her husband's release, when at the 
 same moment he had by perjury and 
 falsehood prepared the rope which was 
 to deprive her of all happiness on earth ; 
 this man was employed like, many others 
 at that unfortunate period, to watch the 
 motions of those who were suspected of 
 what is termed disaffection, but no go- 
 vernment, had it been acquainted with 
 the atrocious cruelties of wis infernal 
 character, would have sanctioned, by its 
 protection, such diabolical acts; it is 
 generally remarked of those who ad- 
 minister to the wishes or passions of 
 others, that they even outstrip the wishes 
 of their employers, and Mr. Ridmond 
 H 2 endea-
 
 166 EXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 endeavoured to make himself conspi- 
 cuously useful in practising the sum- 
 mary mode of quieting an agitated and 
 distracted country, by the infliction of 
 all kinds of torture; he seemed indeed 
 to have emulated, or rather rivalled the 
 conduct of all others, who had made 
 trial of the salutary effects of persecu- 
 tion somewhat sooner ; and many many 
 there were, horrid as it appears, who 
 urged on by the hopes of aggrandising 
 themselves, started up, eager for the 
 glorious distinction of outstripping all 
 others, each by his own superior deeds 
 of death, deflagration, and torture; but 
 1 cannot help observing, that till this 
 moment of horror, this Judas in the 
 shape of Ridmond, had never possessed 
 either talents or respectability sufficient 
 
 to
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 1^7 
 
 to entitle him to take a leading part, yet 
 if burning houses, whipping, or half- 
 hanging numbers, executing, and shoot- 
 ing others, with attendant atrocities, 
 constitute the characteristic of loyal and 
 good subjects, he must be aHowed a 
 strong claim to eminence ; pardon me, 
 my kind friend, for intruding on your 
 notice the sorrows of those who have 
 not the honor of being known to you, 
 when it is but too true 1 have a long 
 catalogue of my own to relate, but in 
 some instances my fate has been so 
 deeply interwoven with that of my un- 
 fortunate sister, that I cannot disunite 
 our interests ; brought up in the bosom 
 of domestic peace, her gentle heart was 
 ill-calculated to bear the scenes of misery 
 to which she is unfortunately destined, 
 
 for
 
 15S EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 for those that are early accustomed to 
 suffer bear their evils more patiently 
 than when the smooth tide of happiness 
 receiving an interruption, foams and 
 bubbles at every impediment, and makes 
 a whirlpool of its stream ; thus it was 
 with the unhappy Julia, who from 
 the hour she received the fatal in- 
 formation of her husband's execu- 
 tion has been almost a blank in crea- 
 tion ; not all the united efforts have 
 been able to re-kindle the spark of rea- 
 son, which, like a bird frightened from 
 its home, fled to return no more. Never 
 shall I forget the first interview I had 
 with her after the death of Mr. Dan vers; 
 his fortune had been comfortable, their 
 union that of love countenanced by 
 
 prudence,
 
 EXILE OF ERiy. 169 
 
 prudence, and to witness the hospitality 
 and comforts of their peaceful home ; 
 you must perceive with how few mate- 
 rials happiness is built when the foun- 
 dation is firm. It happened that during 
 the arrest and suffering' of Air. Dan vers 
 I was confined to my house by the birth 
 of my youngest child, but the moment 
 I could venture so far, I flew to my 
 sorrowing sister, and the scene of silent 
 desolation which there met my sight, 
 was indeed a dagger to my heart ; alas ! 
 it seemed the sad forebodir.gof my own 
 future destiny. I approached the house 
 on foot, and entered without warning; 
 the door that led into the parlour, which 
 in happier days was at tlris hour the 
 cheerful abode of domestic comfort and 
 hospitable profusion, but now, though 
 
 the
 
 160 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 the evening was cold and wet, no blaz- 
 ing fire was seen, no voice of kindness 
 welcomed my approach ; the hearth 
 which used to groan beneath the pile of 
 sparkhng turf, was ornamented, as in 
 sammer, with evergreen shrubs, and a 
 few flowers, w hose skeleton forms alone 
 told what they once had been, though 
 it was now the second month of frost 
 and snow ; shocked at the remembrance 
 of events which had marked the spot 
 with desolation, 1 pulled the bell, and 
 eagerly enquired for my sister, she 
 heard my voice in an adjoining apart- 
 ment, and flew into ray arms; for 
 some moments the violence of my feel- 
 ings on beholding the cruel ravages grief 
 had made on her once lovely form, de- 
 prived me of all recollection ; oncoming 
 
 to
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. l6l 
 
 to myself, I found my hand pressed be- 
 tween her^s, then rising with an air of 
 wildness, and pointing to the faded 
 flowers, exclaimed, "look at that poor 
 withered rose, it is an emblem of my- 
 self, who once like it was blooming and 
 gay; you weep for me my sister, once 
 I could weep too, but one dreadful, one 
 mental earthquake has turned my heart 
 to adamant, and it has ever since remain- 
 ed an impenetrable petrefaction, with 
 the darling image of my martyred love 
 frozen so hard within it that neither 
 cruelty nor tenderness has been able to 
 dissolve it/^ 
 
 I made use of every entrqaty tender- 
 ness could urge to prevail on her to ac- 
 company me to Briarfield, which was at 
 
 that
 
 162 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 that time my tranquil happy home, but 
 no persuasions could prevail, and at 
 this moment she continues the solitary 
 inmata of Summerfield cottage, attended 
 by a proper person, in whose tried 
 fidelity we can confide, that every atten- 
 tion is paid to herself, and the sweet girl, 
 who at the moment of her bii tli was de- 
 prived of a father's protection ; but this 
 afflicting anecdote, 1 regret to say, is 
 not a single instance of the hearc-felt 
 calamities which at that fiatal period gave 
 a convincing proof that there is no suffi- 
 cient court of judicature against the 
 venom of slander, for though you even 
 punish the author you cannot wipe off 
 the calumnies, that in any other country 
 of Europe, or perhaps of the globe, 
 
 would
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 165 
 
 would excite horror and indignation 
 in the breast of humanity, yet many are 
 the malignant traducers of their coun- 
 trymen who dare to utter such gross de- 
 traction as would bring down pubhc 
 execration, and endanger the life of a 
 fellow-creature ; Ireland, which by a 
 peculiar providence, is freed from some 
 of the most hated reptiles, abounds with 
 these monsters in human form, who ban- 
 quet on the ruin of public prosperity ; 
 but I fear I tire your ladyship with the 
 dark characters justice commands me to 
 trace, and for the present I shall bid you 
 adieu. 
 
 LETTER
 
 164 IXILE OF ERIN4 
 
 LETTER XII. 
 
 Mrs. Portland to the Countess of 
 Avenmore. 
 
 1 Shall now return, with your 
 permission, my dear madam, to that pe- 
 riod of my eventful life which left me 
 in full possession of health, youth, and 
 independence, if not of affluence, for in 
 relating the sufferings of my sister I 
 
 had
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. l6S 
 
 had passed over several years of sweet 
 domestic felicity, spent amidst those 
 friends with whom by marriage I be- 
 came connected ; but in order to gire 
 some clue to the sad tale, of which, alas ! 
 I am the pensive historian, it is necessary 
 I should recur to my first introduction 
 to those with whom I am now so inti- 
 mately connected. I had been but a 
 short time acquainted with the family of 
 Mr. Portland when he, in the most can- 
 did and open manner, laid himself and 
 fortune at my feet, declaring, till his 
 thoughts were engaged on me, he had 
 been more eager to search in the scenes 
 of dissipation than in seeking a rational 
 companion to be the sharer of his pains 
 and pleasures, and now that he had 
 seen me, he was almost fearful the first 
 
 object
 
 166 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 object of his ambition was unobtarnable. 
 His person, his character, and fortune 
 were unexceptionable, and in his coun- 
 tenance was combined every thing that 
 could be deemed a letter of recommen- 
 dation to the heart of any young wo- 
 man who wished for the most valuable 
 of all possessions, peace of mind, and 
 rational domestic felicity, the most inva- 
 luable of all blessings, which does not 
 depend on the vain decorations of the 
 apartments which we inhabit, for is not 
 the most humble cottage, while it 
 screens us from the views of the rich, 
 is it not a thousand times preferable to 
 their pompous palaces, where all the base 
 and cruel passions revel without con- 
 troui ? certain it is that happiness lies not 
 in the things themselves, but in our 
 
 palate
 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 15? 
 
 palate, and the relish we have of them ; 
 we are happy by the enjoyment of what 
 we fancy and desire, and not what other 
 people think lovely and desirable. Thus, 
 in a union where equality was the basis 
 I flattered myself nothing could occur 
 to interrupt my promised felicity, for 
 though our property separate was mode- 
 rate, and merely comfortable, yet when 
 united would certainly give a claim to 
 affluence; for tenderly as my heart was' 
 attached to Mr. Portland, I would not 
 even to gratify that affection, have 
 plunged him into the difficulties of do- 
 mestic life without the ample means of 
 supporting that rank in society we had 
 both a claim to, and in two short 
 months, won by his liberal conduct 
 and the recommendation of an o])en, 
 
 noble.
 
 168 JXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 noble disposition, which is generally, 
 though not always, the index of the 
 mind ; for the rays of the soul passing 
 over the countenance, and dignifying 
 the actions of men, usually discover 
 that degree of brightness which shines 
 within ; so that the title-page of the 
 countenance appears designed not only 
 for ornament but information ; for what 
 can be more significant than the sudden 
 flushing and confusion of a blush, than 
 the sparkling of rage, or the lightning 
 of a smile, which may be reckoned 4:he 
 sunshine of the mind, that breaks out 
 with the brightest distinction ; it plays 
 with surprising agreeableness in the eye, 
 sits like glory upon the countenance, 
 and seems to make the very soul visible; 
 but one by appearances is flattering ; 
 
 in
 
 EXILE OF ERIN-. 169 
 
 in the short period I have alreily men- 
 tioned, from our first introduction to 
 each other, I became the wife of Mr. 
 Portland ; and for days, months, and 
 years experienced that a regular well- 
 governed affection does not scorch, but, 
 like the lamp of life, warms the heart 
 with sjentle and refreshing heat : and in 
 the delightful routine of domestic fe- 
 licit}'', and by comj^iaring my situation 
 with that of many, I received a new 
 gust of life, contrasting my own happi- 
 ness with th.e state of the necessitous 
 and unfortunate, whose miseries made 
 me the more deliciously enjoy the feli- 
 city I possessed. And in a year after I 
 1 gave my hand, the interesting duties 
 of a mother fully filled every leisure 
 VOL. I. I moment
 
 \70 EXILE OF ERlXrf 
 
 moment of my life, whilst my hus- 
 band, naturally of asanguHiC turn, fond- 
 ly flattered himself in the soothing idea 
 that the storms of life would blow over 
 our humble happy roof ; but, alas ! the 
 calculations of generous and tender 
 souls are generally false, and we are 
 marked out as tlie objects for malice 
 and private revenge; but I know from 
 bitter experience, it is .with fortune as 
 with other fantastical mistresses, she 
 makes sport with those that are ready to 
 die tor her, and tiirows herself at the 
 fjct ol others who despise her. 
 
 Biiarfield was indeed the seat of hos- 
 pitality, elegance, and domestic happi- 
 ness, till that period, so fatal to thou- 
 sands, when the torch of rebellion first 
 
 began
 
 EXILE OF ERIN-. 171 
 
 began to spread on all around it; at 
 this period, from the natural candour and 
 openness of disposition Mr. Pordand 
 possessed, which made it impossible to 
 hide any sentiment he felt, with more 
 w^armth than prudence, declared princi- 
 ples of liberality, which, had hebeen pro- 
 fessedly of any religion besides the catho- 
 lic faith, would have been passed over in 
 silence; but he unfortunately became an 
 object of suspicion, and tiiis suspicion, 
 which fell on thousands as well as him, 
 must be attributed to that bane of society 
 the odious prejudice of religious bigotry, 
 too generally inculcated in this unfortu- 
 nate country with the first dawn of rea- 
 son, and afterwards blended with educa- 
 tion, and wiiich sad experience proves to 
 have been so fatal to the interests of Irc- 
 I 2 land ;
 
 179 EXILE OF ERIN". 
 
 land ; the pei*petiial bar to her otherwise 
 infallible prosperity. If men would 
 but so far divest themselves of prejudice 
 and indulge sentiments of christian cha- 
 rity, so as not to avoid the society of 
 their fellow men on account of a diffe- 
 rence in religious opinions, the great 
 advantantage would be soon perceptible; 
 it would be quickly found that uncha- 
 ritable principles could not be cherished 
 by any denomination of people profess- 
 ing the religion of peace and love ; the 
 delusion would vanish, and the un- 
 hallowed monster of bigotry and pre- 
 judice would soon be abashed and aban- 
 doned. 
 
 Every man of a serious and feeling 
 mind must think it a very awful misfor- 
 tune
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 173 
 
 tune to be born and reared in a country 
 where the great majority of the people 
 is an object of hatred and horror to most 
 of the superior class of high rank ; en- 
 tertaining unfavourable sentiments of 
 a community must prove a horrible 
 scourge to a nation ; the balance of jus- 
 tice may be placed in his hands, while 
 his prejudice must inevitably prevent its 
 impartial administration ; for it is the 
 nature of prejudice to warp and super- 
 sede all other affections, so far even as to 
 pervert the fair dictates of moral truth, 
 and of mild and generous humanity ; 
 alas ! that Ireland should verify the re- 
 flection. But let our regret avert our 
 contemplations, and direct our views to 
 better prospects. My husband possesses 
 a heart the most benevolent that ever 
 
 bea
 
 )74 EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 beat in the Iiuman body ; and contrary 
 to the conduct of some gentlemen in our 
 neighbourhood, who had become, with 
 large estates, needy by dissipation and 
 extravagance, and who felt it an indis- 
 pensible necessity to support an accus- 
 tomed luxury by wresting occasional 
 supplies from the hard labour of wretch- 
 ed and dependant tenantry, whose 
 calanitous appeii ranee was enough to 
 send horror to the soiil of humanity, 
 he endeavoured invariably to render more 
 comfortable; for instead of any appear- 
 ance of common con^fort, such as your 
 peasantry, my dear Couotess, abound 
 in, you here behold a man half-naked, 
 and his wife and family in rags without 
 being slaves ; in fact, their condition is 
 little better than vassalage is in its mast 
 
 op-
 
 ZXILE OF ERIN. 1 /.V 
 
 Oppressive form ; potatoes and butter 
 milk, tlie food of an English liog, form 
 the degrading repast of an Irisli pea- 
 sant, a little oatmeal is a delicacy, a sun- 
 day bit of salt bacon a great and rare 
 luxury ; depressed to an equality with 
 the beast of the field, lie shares his 
 scanty dinner with his wife, his children, 
 his cow, his dog, and his pig, wdio are 
 equally the associates of his humble 
 roof; his sense of degradation, and a 
 conviction of his wretchedness in the 
 scale of human penury, has, I fear, 
 often led the unhappy wretch to mingle 
 in those unfortunate lumults which have 
 so ions: and so fatallv retarded the im- 
 provement of this distracted country ; 
 and, when he belield how hopeless were 
 he. exertions of rebellion, to push des- 
 1 4 peratcly
 
 176 EXILE OF ERIN* 
 
 rately forward in the scene of slaughter^ 
 uncover his head, and bow it to the bul- 
 lets of his enemy ; indeed, from a con- 
 stant residence in this part of the world 
 for nearly twenty years, I have made 
 their character in some degree my study ; 
 and from constant observation have dis- 
 covered they are generous even to their 
 oppressors, sensible of the power of 
 their superiors, and blindly submissive 
 to it ; are cordially hospitable, ardent hit 
 their affections, social in their habits, 
 Jcind in their dispositions, in native 
 pleasantry of thought unrivalled ; warm 
 and constant in their engagements, te- 
 nacious of respect, actually sensible of> 
 and easily won by kindness ; yet by such 
 men as Lord Hartviile and the Dean of 
 Finland, such eharacters, valuable as 
 
 tlxey
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 177 
 
 they might be rendered, are beheld with 
 distance and suspicion, without the wish 
 of ameliorating the miseries to which 
 they are every day an eye-witness. 
 
 To these personages all my distresses, 
 all my trials have been owing ; your 
 ladyship will then forgive me if 1 can- 
 not at all times suppress the feelings of 
 a wife and mother, when necessity 
 obliges me to make mention of charac- 
 ters, the knowledge of which must im- 
 press every thinking mind with con- 
 tempt, detestation, and horror ; such are 
 the men who despise the simple hind that 
 cultivates their lands, and who calum- 
 niates to other countries the subdued 
 and crawling peasant of his own ; whose 
 ears are to be gratified, whose Iiearts 
 I 6 are
 
 17S £xiLe of zrin. 
 
 are cheerfully delighted by a rancorous, 
 defamatory, and indiscriminate reviling 
 of their countrymen, — calumnies, that 
 were they fairly traced to the fountain- 
 head, would excite indignation and re- 
 proof in the breast of all mankind. Sorry 
 am I to make the observation, which 
 truth and justice oblige me to do, that 
 in this little island a kind landlord is a 
 rare blessing. It is easy to gain the 
 affections of the warm-hearted pea- 
 santry, if a person of rank deigns but 
 to pay them those attentions which 
 are accounted but common even by 
 the lower classes in England. Mr. 
 Portland was universally beloved; and 
 on his approach delight beamed on 
 the countenance of our }>oor neighbour- 
 hood;
 
 LXILE OF ERIX. M79 
 
 liood ; enlightened, useful, proud in dis- 
 tress, sensible, and patriotiche preferred 
 exile to apostacy in his forms ; united 
 aristicrac and the people with tl e 
 manner of a court, and the principles of 
 a patriot with the flame of liberty, and 
 the love of order ; unassailable to the 
 approaches of power, of profit, or of 
 titles, ..e annexed to the love of free- 
 dom a veneration for order, and cast on 
 the crowd that followed him tlic 
 gracious shade of his own accomplish- 
 ments, "O t tat the very ra'l)ble grew hu- 
 manized as they approached his person. 
 
 Is it not surprising, my dear friend, 
 
 that more characters are not found to 
 
 purchase at so easy a rate the love and 
 
 I G ., attach-
 
 1«6 
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 attachment of a generous and grateful 
 people ? 
 
 Several meetings had taken place of 
 the poor deluded creatures in the neigh- 
 bourhood of Briarfield, which the magis- 
 trates of the country fouiid it impossible 
 to quell, but on Mr. Portland appearing 
 among them, from his lenity and uni- 
 formity in acts of benevolence and kind- 
 ness, it was discovered tliat he had ac- 
 quired that unbounded sway over their ac- 
 tions that they dispersed at his entreaty, 
 without having committed one act that 
 the laws of the country could punisli ; 
 and becausehis humanity induced him to 
 prevent the splendid houses of his two 
 powerful neighbours from being de- 
 stroyed by fire, as a mark of revenge for 
 
 the
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 181 
 
 the acts of arbitrary oppression they 
 had long exercised and which his po- 
 pularity could only liave prevented, 
 since the inflamed minds of the sur- 
 rounding poor were bent on razing to 
 the ground those mementos of splendid 
 extravagance, which only by compa- 
 rison made their own misery the greater. 
 Lord Hartville in particular, was most 
 justly the object of hatred and detesta- 
 tion Lo the lower class, from a continued 
 system of usurious persecution, taking 
 from his poor tenantry large and even 
 unlawful interests, if their necessities 
 obliged them to go beyond the stated 
 periods allotted for the payment of their 
 miserable cabins and little potatoe gar- 
 dens, from which alone they could de- 
 rive subsistence for themselves and fa- 
 milies ;
 
 182 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 milies ; tliis griping and miserable po- 
 Jicy^ wiiile it enriched his pocket, 
 made his person the just detestation of 
 all who lived within the circle of his 
 baneful influence ; and it was at this 
 moment of terror, the poor creatures 
 bleeding under their inju?ies, seized 
 with avidity the period wiiich, under 
 the mask of popular fury, gave them 
 an opportunity of seeking from him pri- 
 vate revenge ; they accordinghad assem- 
 bled with an intention of levelling to 
 the ground one of the finest places in 
 the county, whenmy husband gaining in- 
 telligence of the mischief they intended, 
 exerted his authority to prevent their 
 having recourse to so unwarrantable a 
 mark of venorcance : and sfreat as was 
 his influence, beloved and respected as 
 
 he
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 183 
 
 he was, yet it required all the exertions 
 lie could make in ordtr to restrain them 
 from pursuing tiieir intended project; 
 but, aLts' ' at this critical moment the 
 influence of any popular cliaracter he- 
 cam^ displeasing, whicli I ft\nr prevent- 
 ed m%ny persons from interfering, even 
 to bring about the restoration of tran- 
 quillity, lest they should incur odium, 
 and draw dow« private malice on their 
 lieads, which it is well-known was but 
 too frequently excited, and the accusa- 
 tions of any magistrate deemed fully 
 sufficient to cause any person to be sent 
 to a place of confinement, which, how- 
 ever, was esteemed by many the safest 
 asylum they could have, as it was ex- 
 pected that when the popular fury should 
 be averted, the persons so confined, 
 
 would
 
 lB4i EXILE OF ERIH, 
 
 would be permitted to return quietly 
 to their homes. 
 
 Lord Ilartville, whose pride could 
 only be equalled by his avarice, and wiio 
 relied on ihe allegiance of a few depen- 
 dants, soon discovered that towards 
 such characters there can be no true 
 friendship ; and that through the osten- 
 tatious pomp and natural haughtiness 
 of his disposition, he had neglected 
 those means by which alone the attach- 
 ment of a person of principle can be 
 attained. 
 
 For some time he had entertained 
 Ja strong prejudice against Mr, Portland, 
 who had uniformly exerted the influence 
 be had in the county against the interest 
 
 of
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 183 
 
 of his lordship^s heir apparent, wlio liad 
 been more th^in once a candidate to re- 
 present the county ; liurt therefore at 
 receiving even theslightcstbenefit from a 
 man he had set down as his most bitter 
 enemy, he felt mortified that internally 
 he was forced to acknovvledoe himself 
 under any degree of obligation, con- 
 scious that hispower had rescued his pro- 
 perty from becoming a prey to the indig- 
 nation of a tenantry by whom he was 
 detested, and who would have gladly 
 seized on the first approaches of anarchy 
 and confusion to revenge a long system 
 pfprivate oppression, determined to rid 
 himself, if possible, of so iiated a rival, he 
 represented Mr. Portland in the most un- 
 derliand and private manner, as a dan- 
 gerous and determined toe to govern i.icnt, 
 
 whose
 
 ISG EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 whose interference alone prevented his 
 house from being destroyed by the 
 tlames of rebelHon ; and that humanity 
 whicli alone led him to exercise the 
 power his good actions had afforded 
 him, was the OLcasion of all our- subse* 
 quent distresses, and tore from t 
 arms of his wife and children, the best 
 of husbands and of fathers ; a proof 
 that the power of popularity, at all 
 times precarious, so difficult of attain- 
 ment, and so easily lost, and which no 
 truly wise man ever made the scope of 
 his actions, or final objects of pursuit, 
 could effect little in such troublesome and 
 turbulent times as those I have the mis- 
 fortune to treat of; when an insur- 
 rection prevailed, excited by oppression, 
 
 and
 
 EXILE OF ERI^r. 1S7 
 
 and in which there existed no reg>alar 
 plan of operation or system of action ; 
 whilst the minds of the ungovernable 
 multitude were sore and desperate from 
 recent irritation; surely amidst such 
 dreadful public ferment, popularity to a 
 Jiberal mind proves a most tyrannical 
 subjunction, as it encumbers the pos- 
 sessor with tlie oppressive weight of 
 mobbish applause, while it confers not 
 on him a power of relieving a suffering 
 fellow being, though that person be even 
 a determined foe, without becoming the 
 victim of misrepresentation and revenge ; 
 is it not, my dear madain, melancholy to 
 reflect, that on such occasions it is in the 
 power of man like this to counteract by 
 false reports the most meritorious and 
 benevolent intentions ; and assign diffe- 
 rent
 
 188 
 
 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 rent motives to actions which sprung^ 
 from the heart of viruie, respectability, 
 and intelhgence. 
 
 Adieu for the present, to-morrow I 
 will resume my pen. 
 
 BnarfuJii.
 
 ;XILE OF ERIN. 1?9 
 
 LETTER XIIL 
 Mrs. Portland in continuation* 
 
 It Is a dreadful reflection td con- 
 sider how many Innocent persons were 
 unavoidably made the partakers of the 
 crimes of others; numbers, for hiotance, 
 have come immediately within my own 
 knowledge, of whose conduct, had it 
 been carefully examined into, no suipi- 
 
 cion
 
 IQO EXILE OF ERIN 
 
 cion could have been entertained ; but, 
 on the contrar3% like that of my perse- 
 cuted Portland, deserved reward instead 
 of punishment ; yet they, alas ! fell vic- 
 tims to the purest sentiments of philan- 
 throphy, which dictated their inter- 
 ference, a motive which has been per- 
 verted by their enemies, who are also 
 enemies of the human race, into crimes 
 utterly unpardonable. Is this any thing 
 less than arraigning; benevolence and hu- 
 manity, the most amiable qualities of 
 the soul of a man, as criminal and atro- 
 cious? — But every breast, whatever be 
 its sentiments and its principles, will 
 feel with irresistible force, that crime 
 and atrocity will lie on the other side ; 
 and surely our common nature will in- 
 cline us to make some concessions to 
 
 the
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. ipi 
 
 the feelings of men driven, though by 
 their own faults, from their farms and 
 iheir dwellings ; wretched dwellings, to 
 sure, but to them as valuable as to the 
 grandee his palace; and all the bitter 
 sufferings attendant on rebellion, the 
 hard gripe of which these poor crea- 
 tures, by their own folly, were doomed 
 to experience ; yet it is a painful truth, 
 that the records of past ages will not in- 
 fluence the transactions of the present 
 generation ; tlie ultimate end of all 
 rebellions have enabled us to ascertain 
 the violent method by which the conduct 
 of tiie actois has been influenced. 
 Private piques hive been revenged^ 
 party distinctions have raged with un- 
 controuled fury, and all under the garb 
 
 of
 
 199 EXILE OF ERiy* 
 
 Of loyalty; and individuals, very lin* 
 worthy of trust or confidence, have hccn 
 vested v^^ith authority, who had no other 
 claims than what tho affectation of ^. vio- 
 lent zeal confers on the most worthless in 
 such a state of affairs. 
 
 It was very shortly after his interposi- 
 tion that I first began to suspect all was 
 not right; 1 first took the alarm, by ob- 
 serving an occasional gloom, and thought- 
 ful melancholy would frequently sit on 
 that countenance which, during the fif- 
 teen years whicli had passed with ra- 
 pidity since our union, had been only the 
 title-page of content and happiness; 
 but I, on such occasions, deceived my- 
 self with the falacioDs hope it was only 
 some trifling matter, witli the knowledge 
 of which he did not chuse to disturb my 
 
 peace,
 
 fe^CILE OF ERIN. 193 
 
 peace, and that to-morrow would res- 
 tore serenity, so enviable, to a brow 
 which I scarcely ever saw ruffled by 
 passion, or obscured by sullen discon- 
 tent ; — to-morrow is still the fatal time, 
 when all is to be rectified ; — to-morrow 
 comes — it goes— and still we please our- 
 selves with the shadow whilst we love 
 the reality ; unmindful that the present 
 time alone is ours, the future is 3^et un- 
 born, and the past is dead, and can only 
 live as parents in their children, in the 
 actions it has produced; but, alas! the 
 passing' day brought no comfort with it, 
 and my tranquillity and peace was now 
 most seriously interrupted by the evi- 
 dent discomposure which appeared in 
 the manner of my adored hubband. 
 He would for hours absent himself from 
 
 VOL. I. K us
 
 1^4 EXILE OF ERIX, 
 
 US, and at his return, after such un- 
 usual absences, would appear abstracted 
 and uneasy ; every conversation appear- 
 ed irksome and uninterestii^g, except 
 only that one auhjecty which vvas, alas ^ 
 too common at a period when scarcely 
 two persons thought alike; he would 
 oi\en complain of hunger but eat little, 
 of weariness yet continually, when at 
 liome, paced the room with hurried ir- 
 regular steps ; the orders he gave the 
 servants were in a tone which discovered 
 a wish of their being lieard only by the 
 per^oiis to whom they were directed ; I 
 for a' -long time suppressed my curiosity 
 on a subject so interesting,not to torment 
 him by interrogations which it would, 
 I was too well convinced, be painful for 
 him to reply to. One morning, how- 
 ever,
 
 F.XILE OF £RIX. IQj 
 
 rver, as I was walking in the lawn be- 
 fore the house, 1 saw some men ap- 
 proach, with whose appearance I was 
 not much pleased, knowing them to be 
 some of those poor dehided creatures 
 who, almost in a state of desperation, 
 looked forward to scenes of bloodshed 
 and confusion for redress. I enquired 
 their business; they wished to see their 
 master, an appellation by which tlie 
 lower class usually distinguish the man 
 under whom they live. I took this op- 
 portunity of hinting my fear, and re- 
 questing an explanation of the mystery 
 by which we appeared to be now sur- 
 rounded ; he embraced me tenderly, 
 and requested I would endeavour to 
 make my mind easy on his account, 
 assuring me at the same time, there was 
 K 2 nothing
 
 196 :EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 nothing in reality which ought to 
 cause me apprehension or alarm. 
 
 Not to add to his uneasiness, I en-« 
 deavoured to appear more easy, and I 
 assured him, that until he chose to con- 
 fide his sorrows to my bosom, I would 
 no more seek to be the sharer of them ; 
 adding, at the same time, I would wait 
 with patience, with silent submission ; 
 that however he mis^ht want other com- 
 forts, the pleasures of having one to 
 sympathize in his afflictions would still 
 be his, trusting that God would 
 strengthen me for the task of enduring 
 whatever evil his will may inflict, so 
 th^t we were not separated from each 
 ether. 
 
 Adieu,
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 197 
 
 Adieu, my dear Countess, I fear to 
 encroach too long on your attention, 
 and shall for the present release you 
 from the disagreeable task your good- 
 ness has brought upon you. 
 
 k3 letter
 
 19^ EXILE OF ERIX, 
 
 LETTER XIV. 
 
 M7^s. Portland in continuation. 
 
 About a mlle from Briar- 
 field, stood the splendid mansion of 
 Dean Finland, who had for many 
 years professed a degree of kindness 
 and friendship towards Mr. Portland » 
 which, to do him justice, I believe at 
 one period he really felt ; indeed, until 
 
 the
 
 EXILE OF ERTX. IQO 
 
 the dreadful din of political fury spread 
 itself on all sides, he had given little 
 cause of complaint to the surrounding 
 neiglibourhood, who beheld in him the 
 pleasant companion, the hospitable en- 
 tertahier, and whose only fault ap- 
 peared to be a too great love of the 
 pleasures of the table ; but, at the mo- 
 ment when every person took some de- 
 cided part in the transactions of the 
 times, the Dean became, under the in- 
 fluence of Lord Hartville, so inveterate 
 and determined an enemy of all those 
 whose principles differed in the smallest 
 degree from his own as to render him- 
 self an object of dislike to those very 
 men who had once looked up to him 
 with respect and complacency ; for the 
 individual whose life it is supposed is 
 K 4l dedi-
 
 §00 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 dedicated to a constant warfare with 
 his passions, whose life is a scene of 
 temperance, sobriety, assiduous prayer, 
 and unremitting attendance on the -du- 
 ties of his important function ; such a 
 character is certainly entitled to all the 
 merit justly due to christian works ; 
 but when, under so pure and plausible a 
 surface, tliere be a dark and frightful 
 void — if under the show of virtue the 
 stream of justice and sensibility does 
 notflow— if such a man, pure and evan- 
 gelical as he may appear, has never beea 
 marked by one solitary act of human- 
 ity, by one instance of that brotherly 
 affection and mutual love which hourly 
 breaks out into offices of mercy and use- 
 ful beneficence, who will hesitate to aver 
 that so specious an exterior is a mockery 
 
 ou
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. ^l 
 
 on true virtue, an imposition on good 
 sense, and above all, an insult on the life 
 of Christ, and the morahty of his gos- 
 pel? who will hesitate to admit that the 
 character of such a divine, however 
 exalted his rank, may be justly com- 
 pared to a mountain for its sterility and 
 elevation, which encumbers the earth 
 with its pressure, while it chills all 
 around with its shade ; how much more 
 christian-like for a clergyman of the es- 
 tablished church to have practised as well 
 as preached the doctrine of universal 
 Christianity, and to have had his heart 
 open to the impulses of humanity, and 
 commiseration, rather than to poach in 
 politics for little and wicked tenets, in 
 order to burden the prayer-book with a 
 sorry selfishness, which would disgrace 
 K,5 the
 
 202 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 the frontispiece of a Macliiavel ; surely, 
 a man who possesses one of the first 
 episcopal dignities in the realm, should 
 take it only by virtue of the command- 
 ing benevolence of his mind in right of 
 a superior and exalted nature, and should 
 be knov^n only as we know superior 
 beings, by his good works; but when 
 they so far forget their duty as to em- 
 bark in the career of politics, so con- 
 trary to the system of christian meek- 
 ness, they surely become most dangerous 
 characters, since the duty expected from 
 a teacher of the gospel, whatever be his 
 faith in religious matters, is to inculcate 
 peace, charity, mercy, and brotherly 
 regard, amongst all descriptions ; when 
 his conduct deviates from this line he 
 acts inconsistent with the holy pro- 
 fession
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 203 
 
 fession he has entered into. — Why throw 
 off the meek garb of peace and good- 
 will for the horrid habiliments of war I 
 Under no possible circumstance ought 
 a minister of God to aid in the persecu^ 
 tlon of any person, except, indeed^ in 
 the most urgent necessity of self-defence; 
 on the contrary, guided only by the 
 true dictates and principles of Christian- 
 ity, really exemplary and meritorious, 
 they should comfort the afflicted in the 
 most trying and critical periods, practi- 
 sing every deed that must be considered 
 benevolent by every liberal and eur 
 lightened man ; let him seek Heaven 
 by whatever path his judgment may 
 lead him to pursue, 
 
 J soon discovered what my husband, 
 K 6 an
 
 20 i EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 in his anxiety for my happiness, had 
 endeavoured to keep from my know- 
 ledge — that our powerful neighbours, 
 eager to seize the opportunity which 
 the turbulence of the times appeared to 
 present, of removing from their neigh- 
 bourhood a man they at once disliked 
 and feared, by incessant applications and 
 remonstrances, which represented Mr. 
 Portland, from his principles, religious 
 tenets, and, above all, from the un- 
 bounded influence he possessed over 
 the minds of the lower class of people, 
 as dan^erouF,had succeeded in establish- 
 a considerable degree of suspicion 
 against him, which was strengthened by 
 complaints of that part of the country 
 being infested with constant meetings of 
 
 the
 
 IXILE OF ERiy. 20.) 
 
 the rebels, headed, as they faisel}^ de- 
 dared, by Mr. Portland, and that un- 
 less his person was secured, a rising of 
 the dissatisfied was inevitable. This re- 
 port gained, unfortunately, too much 
 credit from government, bringing as a 
 proof of his disloyalty the very protec- 
 tion his humanity had been the means 
 of affording tiiem, at a moment when, 
 but for the aid he had so given, their 
 property, if not their lives, would have 
 beea in all probability the sacrifice ; 
 an act of kindness they would have re- 
 paid by depriving the man who had so 
 preserved them, at least of liberty if 
 not of life. These dangerous rcprestnta* 
 tions, made under the semblance of 
 loyalty, by men of the highest rank in 
 the county they lived in, and conveyed 
 
 to
 
 206 EXILE OF ERI2C. 
 
 to the castle by the youngest son of th& 
 Honorable Lord who made them, who 
 eager by every additional proof his virii-. 
 lence and folly could permit him to 
 make, under the specious in. posingand so- 
 lemn appearance of facts, thus related by 
 persons who certainly should have been 
 intitled to credit had not their actions 
 degraded them to a level of meanness 
 and duplicity which it would be scarce- 
 ly possible for minds less debased than 
 their own to believe, had the effect of 
 imposing on the noble Viceroy, who 
 held the helm of government; who with- 
 out the deliberation and enquiry which 
 it was sonecessary to make having been 
 thought of, was induced to give his aur 
 thority to their system of persecution. 
 
 The
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 207 
 
 The first intelligence I received of the 
 true situation in which my husband was 
 placed, was after I had began to flatter 
 myself that he was beginning to resume 
 his natural serenity and clieerfulness. 
 
 It was early in the month of April, the 
 spring had been uncommonly wet, and 
 on this evening a sort of drizzling rain, 
 which had fallen through the day, made 
 us draw our chairs after dinner round a 
 blazing turf fire ; and though it was 
 yet too early for the light to have for- 
 saken the sky, to call for candles, and 
 down the curtains of the room for the 
 sake of additional warmth ; and in the 
 internal comfort of our domestic circle 
 we at that moment seemed to possess, 
 we had almost banished from our minds 
 
 that
 
 20§ EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 that.we existed in an unhappy country, 
 divided against itself, and that our hves 
 and properties were equally subjects of 
 military and popular violence and de- 
 vastation ; for at that period,, a general 
 and gloomy consternation prevailed ; 
 every countenance appeared > clouded 
 and distrustful, every person was cau- 
 tious and circumspect how he spoke or 
 acted, as all confidence was entirely, 
 done away, and each individual thought 
 only of his own personal safety. While 
 wesatthusseeniingly happy inourdomes- 
 tic ciicle, a faithful servant, who had been 
 the foster father of my son, rushed into 
 the room, and in accents of terror and 
 confusion, informed us he had gained in- 
 telligence that a warrant was issued 
 Against his master, and that a corps of 
 
 tlio
 
 EXILE or KRIN. 20^ 
 
 the military would in a few minutes sur- 
 round tlie house. Shocked, as you may- 
 suppose we must have been, by this 
 unexpected blow, we found fortitude 
 and exertion so immediately necessary 
 that we had not one moment to lose in 
 fruidess effusions of regret; on the 
 contrary, 'at the instant, it would have 
 appeared, each individual of our united 
 httle family, was most anxious to force 
 from our comfortable home that object 
 on whom we all depended for felicity 
 and support; indeed, so dreadful were 
 my fears, that I thought it the most for- 
 tunate event 1 had ever known when I 
 saw him escape safely at the bottom of 
 the garden, at the end of which a deep 
 and rapid river flowed, and surrounded 
 small island, inhabited by a few of 
 
 our
 
 210 EXILE OF ERIX. 
 
 our tenants, who I well know, thougli- 
 informed a considerable remiineratioiv 
 was offered for discovering their land- 
 lord, would have sacrificed the last- 
 drop of their blood for his protection ; 
 yet the reward was sufficient to have 
 presented a temptation to betray, which' 
 I really believed would scarcely have 
 been resisted, but his person was held 
 &acred ; and in the midst of penury^ 
 and distress, bribes, which would have 
 secured independence to these poor 
 wretches, were rejected with scorn ; 
 indeed, in no country in the world 
 is treachery held in more detestation 
 than in Ireland, because in none can 
 be found a higher spirit of frankness 
 and generosity ; an elegant author 
 expresses it thus, " Upon the door 
 
 of
 
 EXTILK OF ERIN. ^l I 
 
 of every cabin might be justly in- 
 scribed, liiist.ikc me not too much to 
 think my poverty is treacherous." 
 
 The boat which conveyed him across 
 was safelv secured on the other side; 
 and I had little fear they would sus- 
 pect the spot he had chosen as the place 
 of his concealment ; and I endeavoured 
 to prepare my mind for the disagreeable 
 visitors I expected to receive ; the par- 
 ticulars of which I shall have the honor 
 to communicate in the next packet I 
 forward for your perusal. 
 
 LETTER
 
 ei2 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 LETTER XV. 
 3Irs, Portland in continuation. 
 
 JVIr. Portland had scarcely 
 been half an hour in a place of secu- 
 rity, when a loud whistle, which M'as 
 the signal agreed on to announce the 
 approach of our enemies, informed me 
 they were already in the avenue which 
 led to the house ; and in a moment the 
 
 crash
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. SKI 
 
 <:rash of the horses feet on the gravel 
 beneaJi my window bespoke their im- 
 mediate entrance. 
 
 The door of the room in which I 
 sat was violently thrown op<?n, and the 
 Honorable and Reverend son of Lord 
 Hartville entered, followed by a num-» 
 ber of military, who, with the most mi^ 
 nute investigation, proceeded to search 
 every part of the honse, not omitting 
 the smallest corner in which it was 
 possible my fugitive could have been 
 concealed. 
 
 The son of Lord Hartville, with ran- 
 cour at his heart, bat an at-ten^pt at feel- 
 ing in his manner; to which his conduct 
 gave the falsehood, faltered out a sort of 
 
 apology
 
 214 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 apology for the iingentleman-like cou^ 
 duct be pursued, lamenting that, wLat 
 he was |>Iease. to term the guilt of Mr, 
 Portland, should render it his duty to 
 place hiui in a situation where he would 
 have no opportunities of disseminating 
 liis dangerous principles, at the same 
 time making a compliment to myself 
 and family on the situation in which he 
 found us. 
 
 I had the satisfaction, however, of 
 treating tliish^^pocritical divine with the 
 contempt his character and conduct so 
 justly merited, and to assure him that 
 any further attempt to secure the per- 
 son of Mr. Portland would be as ineffi- 
 cacious as the present. Conscious 
 
 that
 
 i;XlLE OF ERIX. Q\S 
 
 that he was out of their power, I gra- 
 tified ir.yself by pursuing a cahii uii- 
 daur-ted mode of conduct, which, 1 am 
 pleased to think, lias appeared to all 
 tijose \\ ho have dechued themselves 
 enemies of my })eace, by j.ecoming tlie 
 unprovoked persecutors of my hus- 
 b-ind ; and who, from the black and 
 angry passions of the hour, misrepre- 
 sent ihe actions of those Vvdio, at the 
 moment of danger, from a motive of 
 philanthropy, vainly hoped, that with- 
 out bloodshed a c^ovcrnment mis>ht be 
 establislied on so liberal a nature as to 
 leave no shackles on industry or merit, 
 and render Ireland at once a-flourishing 
 and happy country, but who have been 
 egregiously mistaken in the nature of 
 
 the
 
 216 tXILE OF ERtN* 
 
 the instruments on which they in a 
 great measure depended for the accom- 
 plishment of their scheme. 
 
 Not dreading a return of my perse- 
 cutors, and anxious to fix on some 
 plan to be pursued, which would extri- 
 cate us from my present state of sus- 
 pence, I went to consult Mr. Portland 
 on what steps 1 should take ; it having 
 occurred to me in the morning, I should 
 proceed to Dublin, in order to try what 
 effect a clear impartial representation of 
 his case would produce ; and, indeed, 
 from the justice and liberality of go- 
 vernment i entertained strong hopes of 
 success; it was speedily settled that I 
 should make the attempt, and I imme- 
 diately 
 
 i
 
 EXILE or ERIN. 217 
 
 diatelyset forward for the capital, where, 
 after a fatiguing and anxious journey, I 
 arrived on the morning after I left my 
 home; and, on an application being 
 made, I was honoured with an interview 
 at the castle, during which I found my 
 before depressed spirits rise as the energy 
 of my case encreased, and experienced 
 the truth of an observation I have often 
 made, that they vi^ho solicit for another, 
 though that other be even dearer than 
 self, has tlie confidence of one who 
 demands justice ; they who plead for 
 themselves, the confusion of those who 
 implore mercy. 
 
 I received every mark of polite atten- 
 tion from his excellency, and repeated 
 assurances that every thing should be 
 
 VOL. I. L done
 
 SIS EXILE OF mix. 
 
 done in his power to ameliorate my si- 
 tuation, when after being informed that 
 in a day or two I should receive the final 
 determination of government, respecting 
 the fate of my husband ; and two days 
 after I received a letter, expressing that> 
 feeling for my situation, every indulgence 
 government could grant should be allow- 
 ed ; that if my husband would surrender 
 himself, and agree to the terms they 
 would then propose, his person would 
 be properly protected until his future 
 destination should be determined on ; 
 at the same time politely regretting that 
 from the representations made by Lord 
 Hartville and the Dean of Finland of the 
 tranquillity of the country being disturbed 
 by Mr. Portland continuing at liberty, 
 it was not in his power to grant me fur- 
 ther
 
 LXILE OF ERIN. 219 
 
 ther relief. Unsatisfactory as was this 
 assurance, I was under the necessity of 
 being content, and returned to ray anx- 
 ious family, who, young, lively, and 
 not inured to scenes of disappointment 
 and distress, viewed every transaction 
 with horror and amazement, and stood 
 in need of all the energy I could sum- 
 mon to bring them to a state of toler- 
 able composure, trembling as they were 
 at every moment for the very existence 
 of a fond and indulgent father. 
 
 On the most mature deliberation, I 
 judged it would be better for him to 
 follow the plan government had pointed 
 out, any thing appearing in my eyes pre- 
 ferable to that state of seclusion and 
 want of almost every comfort he must 
 L 2 experience
 
 220 EXILE OF ERKV. 
 
 experience in the situation he was at that 
 moment placed, provided a security was 
 given that his life should be preserved ; 
 and difficult as I feared would be the 
 attempt, I resolved to persuade him to 
 surrender himself. 
 
 Every mile I travelled of my melan- 
 lancholy journey convinced me, by- 
 some new scene of horror, the cruel 
 strides rebellion had made in the coun- 
 try ; at one moment I would pass over 
 innumerable acres covered with brown 
 heath, or more sable peat, whose hard 
 and gloomy surface the rays of the sun 
 shone upon without brightening, and 
 here and there diversified by the walls 
 of a wretched hovel, whose decayed ap- 
 pearance proclaimed the inhabitants had 
 
 fled ;
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 22 1 
 
 fled ; one spot in particular inspired me 
 v»ith the most horrific ideas ; it was a 
 a long dark avenue, which led to the 
 ruins of a mansion I had myself beheld 
 a scene of splendid hospitality, but had 
 suffered from the ruthless hands of party 
 Tcngeance ; it stood at the foot of a 
 mountain, some of tlie walls, blackened 
 by smoke, still remained ; the garden 
 was over-run by briars and brambles, 
 not even a solitary rose was to be seen, 
 and the plantations were a wilderness. 
 
 My imagination forcibly depictured the 
 tortures of the frantic mob, sleeting a 
 frighful gleam through the trees, and 
 and now it beheld the crackling blaze of 
 the devoted pile reddening the sable 
 scenery below, and the murky clouds 
 I 3 above
 
 222 ZXILi: OF ERIN, 
 
 above, until it sunk amidst the yell of 
 the misguided multitude, wliile at ano- 
 ther turning at the road, my eyes were 
 shocked by groupes of women and chil- 
 dren who, frightened from their miserable 
 houses, fled for shelter, scarcely with 
 any covering, and whose pale and squaHid 
 countenances marked the famine and 
 wretchedness of their condition ; while 
 tearing their hair, and loudly screaming 
 for their murdered husbands and fathers, 
 that heart must indeed be cased with 
 steel which could resist the feelings of 
 humanity ; nothing could equal the me- 
 lancholy scenes of wretchedness, confu- 
 sion, and flight ; the poor terrified crowd 
 flying in all directions, the road filled 
 with cars, some loaded with females of a 
 
 better
 
 EXTLE OF ERIN. ^23 
 
 better description, accompanied by the 
 miserable miiltitiule on foot, many of 
 \vhom luid infants at tlieir backs, or 
 hanging at their poor emaciated bosoms 
 to gain that sustenance nature almost re- 
 fused to give. Such scenes of death 
 and fannine could scarcely be imagined 
 but by those who are ocular witnesses of 
 the state of things ; you might travel 
 twenty miles together without seeing an 
 inhabited cabin, and if you did pass one, 
 it was the wretched abode of some aged 
 man, or helpless children, whose skin 
 was black like the oven, from hunger, 
 cold, and famine, it being rare to see 
 either smoke by day, or fire and candle 
 by night ; sometimes under the bare 
 shelter of an almost leafless hedge, or 
 L 4 mad«
 
 ^54 EXILE or ERIN. 
 
 the stone wall, you would behold a blaze 
 made by a few sods of turf, and a com- 
 pany of miserable women and screaming 
 infants hovering over it, roasting in the 
 embers a few potatoes, the charity of 
 some less indigent than themselves had 
 bestowed. 
 
 The plagues of war so often visit the 
 world, that we are apt to listen to any 
 description of it with indifference and 
 satiety, it is the actual inspection 
 only that shows the monster in its proper 
 deformity ; its evils belong not exclu- 
 sively to the vanquished, the victorious 
 party also must feel some portion of 
 the general misfortune. But not to 
 dwell longer on scenes almost too dread- 
 ful
 
 IXILE OF ERIN. 22.5 
 
 fill for remembrance, I shall at pre- 
 sent only state, that fatigued in body, 
 and nearly overpowered by the desola- 
 tion I on every side beheld, I found 
 myself once more at home, and learned 
 from my Rosanna and her brother, that 
 during my absence their father had 
 remained secure from his persecutors ; 
 spent with fatigue and anxiety, as 
 a trembling hare, when all hopes of 
 safety are vanished resigns itself to 
 the mercy of its pursuers, so did I 
 feel on my return from an unsuccessful 
 embassy to the bosom of my agitated 
 family ; my only consolation, the know- 
 ledge that however my adored husband 
 might be persecuted, however he may 
 want other comforts, the pleasure of 
 L 5 having
 
 226 EXILE OP ERIN. 
 
 havinor one fond breast in which to 
 repose his affliction would still be 
 his. 
 
 \ 
 
 ; BriarficU.
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 2!27 
 
 LETTER XVI. 
 
 Mrs, Portland in continuation. 
 
 jTJlT the moment the carriage 
 stopped at the door of our once happy 
 home, and I found myself again restored 
 to the embraces of the dear inmates it 
 contained. On the evening of my return 
 from Dubhn to Briarfield, I felt most 
 forcibly that there are in almost every 
 L 6 situa-
 
 25S ZXlhE OF ERIN. 
 
 situation those chasms in life — those 
 pauses in existence which are only to he 
 filled up with domestic pleasures; ah, my 
 dear Lady Avenmore, what inexpressible 
 sensations is contained for the feeling 
 heart in the word home. 
 
 Man, wretched man, has need of 
 some asylum for his griefs ; he looks 
 round the unpitying world, and sickens 
 at the chilling selfishness by which his 
 warmest sympathies are repelled ; he re- 
 members his home, and his heart again 
 expands it tells him he is not alone 
 upon the earth, that there are yet beings 
 who look up to him for comfort, and for 
 happiness, and who, in the bitter hour 
 of distress and mortification, will share 
 his griefe and hush his inquietudes to a 
 
 state
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 21^9 
 
 State of calm repose. A happy home 
 isa terrestrial paradise; and the most for- 
 tunate man an objert of commiseration 
 if he liave not a little circle which affec- 
 tion and sympathy have endeared to 
 to him, and in which he can recount his 
 successes, and excite a participation irt 
 his rejoicings ; even pain may be more 
 supportable than pleasure, if either must 
 be borne alone ; we naturally wish to spare 
 those we love a knowledge of the pangs 
 which may afflict our own hearts, but 
 when rapture dilates the bosom, its 
 sighs proclaim its desire that those dear 
 to it should participate in its transports; 
 concealment of pain is the effect of fon- 
 titude, but to enjoy pleasure alone is 
 to indulge selfishness. I, alas I found 
 myself the messenger of disappointment, 
 
 and
 
 230 JLXILE OF £R1X 
 
 and it was not till some hours after my re- 
 turn that 1 had the resolution to hint at 
 my wishes that Mr. Portland would give 
 himself up to the government, as by 
 doing so it would be in his power to 
 make terms with them advantageous to 
 himself and family ; I had the satis- 
 faction to find him, however, calm and 
 collected in the midst of danger and the 
 intrigues of those who, envious of the 
 good character they did not partake, be- 
 cause they did not merit it, endeavoured, 
 under the specious pretence of reform, 
 to reduce all to their own level ; indeed, 
 without vanity, I may add, to know was 
 to respect him ; and the sentiments of 
 commiseration which the knowledge of 
 his misfortunes might inspire, yielded to 
 
 admi-
 
 EXILE OF £11 IX. 231 
 
 admiration of the fortitude with which 
 they were borne. 
 
 ** Party rage/' said he, as he fondly 
 welcomed my return, " has not been 
 able to deprive me of my wife or my 
 children, and in them I possess trea- 
 sures be^'ond what wealth or fame can 
 give; all my anxiety is on their ac- 
 counts; for my individual safety I should 
 have no fears, but when I look at youy 
 my Mary, and our beloved children, 
 then, indeed, 1 lose the hero in the softer 
 duties of a husband and a father, and 
 would willingly sacrifice life, fame, and 
 fortune for those so dear.'* 
 
 My fond heart at all times proudly 
 acknowledged that the partner of my 
 
 life
 
 232 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 life possessed that innate dignity, that 
 lofty sentiment of heart which could 
 alone support him against the world ; 
 but yet 1 felt that I could not wish him 
 to depend only on that for safety ; tlie 
 countenance of the rich and powerful is 
 the securest shield against malice and 
 ill-nature ; and I have often since our 
 distress, most forcibly felt how wound- 
 ing it is to witness the coldness and 
 neglect of those who had, till now, 
 professed the most warm and unbound- 
 ed friendship to my Portland. Yes, 
 Lady Avenmore, I have been wounded 
 to the soul to see him, who in the bright 
 morning of happiness never assumed 
 consequence from prosperity, treated by 
 those, in every way his inferiors, and 
 who once proudly boasted in his ac- 
 quaintance, 
 
 '^ t^i/ m uj -f^
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 235 
 
 quaintance, with studied neglect. Mis 
 voice, which formerly had never failed 
 to command respectful attention, would,:, 
 now, too frequently, either not be listen- 
 ed to, or rudely interrupted ; and even 
 those who chance thiew in his so- 
 ciety, seeing how much party run 
 against him, and of how little conse- 
 quence he was now made, would ap- 
 pear, or affect to be attending to con- 
 versation in some other part of the 
 room, least his should be directed to 
 them, as if these men, whose minds 
 were poisoned by prejudice, supposed 
 that from the mean interchange of ci- 
 vility, they should imbibe any of the 
 reproach, which, from his political prin- 
 ciples, unfortunately attached to him ; 
 happily the object of their slights pos- 
 sesses
 
 234 EXTLE OT ERIN. 
 
 sesses that true dignity of soul which 
 cannot be degraded, that fortitude wliicli 
 cannot be subdued ; yet while I blame 
 the generality of those we once called 
 friendSj let me not be unjust to many 
 who could appreciate merit, however 
 obscured, rich in the independance 
 of their country, and their own minds, 
 thought for themselves, and acted accord- 
 ing to their feelings, and whose kind and 
 delicate attentions have often restored me 
 to a proper and necessary sense of my 
 own and my family^s consequence, by 
 arising my mind to a state superior to the 
 petty attacks of malice. 
 
 Some weeks had elapsed since my un- 
 successful visit to Dublin, and Mr. Port- 
 land still remained in setlusion and dis- 
 guise,
 
 EXILL OF ERIN. 235 
 
 guise, feariag to be made a prisoner by 
 either of his persecutors, the Divine or 
 Peer, who actuated by secret disHke, 
 seized with avidity on the unfortunate 
 moment, when the lamentable state of 
 poor persecuted Ireland gave, alas ! but 
 too favourable a moment for all tliose 
 who meanly felt like the e unchristian 
 characters, to revenge on those innocent 
 and persecuted men those imaginary 
 crimes which it suited their present views 
 to establish in full force. 
 
 A general election was on the eve, 
 and convinced while Mr. Portland re- 
 mained, his interest would prevent the 
 return of the Honorable Colonel, who 
 was the future representative of the 
 illustrious bouse of Hartville, from 
 
 poy-
 
 S36 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 possessing a seat in the British Parlia- 
 ment, he, with triie^ nobility of hearty 
 engaged the interest of his reverend 
 friend the Dean to coalesce with himself 
 in all tlie dark and wicked jDlots which 
 tore me from the arms of the best of 
 husbands, and left my children and my- 
 self objects for the contempt and neglect 
 but too often the portion of those exilf>s 
 who are driven by misfortune from their 
 home — their country — and all those 
 social tves which can render life va- 
 luable, 
 
 A gentleman, who liad resided but a 
 short time before our misfortunes com- 
 menced, ia the neighbourhood of Briar- 
 field, and who, from his being an En- 
 glishman, a stranger, and above all a 
 
 per-
 
 tXILE OF XRIN. 
 
 237^ 
 
 person who had never interfered in the 
 pohtics of the day, could not be sus- 
 pected, called on me to request we would 
 for a time, seek an asylum in his com- 
 fortable mansion, where he insisted on 
 our immediately removing, as his wife, 
 his Fanny, and himself, he assured me 
 with all the warmth of a brother, would 
 be happy to afford every assistance in 
 their power ; and as Summerfield was 
 at some distance from us, he conceived it 
 wotild be the more likely to escape the 
 researches of our determined persecutors 
 than any place in our more immediate 
 vicinity. 
 
 Of this amiable family I shall have 
 oci asion to speak more fully, ars the fate 
 of my son is now but too deeply, 1 fear, 
 
 for
 
 238 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 for his future happiness woven with 
 their's. 
 
 Since I had rejoined my family, I had 
 been constantly endeavouring to per- 
 suade him to surrender, at once con- 
 scious that we should not lonor be able 
 to evade the strict search makins: for 
 Mr. Portland ; but in this one point he 
 had been uniformly stedfast in his refu- 
 sal. In the conviction that nothinfj 
 could induce him to change his deter- 
 mination, I at last gave up my in- 
 treaties on the subject, conscious that he 
 must be a better judge of his own situa- 
 tion than I could be ; but the agonies of 
 suspence under which I for months la- 
 boured it is impossible for language to 
 give description to ; indeed, I am asto- 
 nished
 
 EXILE OF ERIN, 239 
 
 nislied that I am still left in possession 
 of my reason sufliciently to relate the 
 dreadful events which 1 unfortunately 
 witnessed — or have I only had a terrify- 
 ing dream, the horrid remembrance of 
 which even now appals me ; no, days, 
 months, have elapsed, and yet memory 
 bat too faithfully records scenes which, 
 though 1 tremble to recollect them, I 
 must yet exert my fortitude to relate to 
 your ladyship, as well for the relief 
 of my own surcharged bosom, as to 
 give an additional claim in your friendly 
 heart for my darling girl, who I fear is 
 not happy. Rosanna is not accustomed 
 to complain, but the word happy indeed 
 is improper, for it would be doing injus- 
 tice to her filial affection to suppose she 
 could be so at present; but, I trust, she 
 
 will
 
 940 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 will soon, under your kind protection, 
 recover that tranquillity which was 
 broken by our separation. 
 
 Oh, my dear madam, how vastly is 
 my debt of gratitude encreased to you 
 when I consider the too general un- 
 feeling disposition of the world ; how 
 few, like yourself, would exert them- 
 selves to render her loss of fortune, and 
 all those brilliant expectations with 
 which she entered life, less painful. 
 Situated as lam, I joyfully accept your 
 generous offer of sheltering her almost 
 orphan sweetness, till my husband — 
 alas ! I must say, returns. Oh, my per- 
 secuted love, could I Lave believed 
 when first I pledged my faith to you, 
 that 1 should live to be thankful that 
 
 we
 
 EXILE OF ERIK. 241 
 
 we are separated, perhaps, for ever. Ah, 
 when I received his last embrace, little 
 did I suppose that I could exist so long 
 deprived of his society. 
 
 Be not distressed, my kind friend, at 
 the traces of my tears — they blot my pa- 
 per, but they relieve my heart, and will 
 enable me to summons resolution to con- 
 tinue my distressing narrative ; and if 
 my Portland is ever restored to my 
 prayers, I shall indeed regain some por- 
 tion of long-vanished happiness, in our 
 sweet retreat of Briar field. 
 
 I know he is not ambitious— there, occa- 
 sionally surrounded by the friends we 
 love, may not >/e enjoy after our long 
 long separation, a pleasure which we 
 VOL. I. M have
 
 242 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 never yet found in the scenes of splen- 
 dour and dissipation ? — I trust we shall — 
 and my imagination loves to indulge 
 the hope, that the declining years of my 
 life may yet be spent with the dear ob- 
 jects of my affections, in tranquil happi- 
 ness. 
 
 ^ Happiness and I have long, very long, 
 been strangers to each other ; but if I 
 can see my children blessed, and be 
 assured, when I am called hence, that I 
 leave my Rosanna in the situation of one 
 who can appreciate and reward her wortl], 
 what have I more to hope for in this 
 world ! 
 
 Am I not a perfect eg,#tist, my dear 
 madam ? on looking ovej\ what I have 
 
 written,
 
 tXILX OF ERIN. 24-5 
 
 written, I find I have not yet said a word 
 on any subject but what concerns my- 
 self. Alas ! does not misery make us 
 selfish ? but your ladyship desired I 
 would be minute ; yet think not I am 
 insensible to the happy prospects of the 
 lovely lady Olivia ; Rossanna informs me 
 she is on the eve of matrimony with a 
 man apparently deserving the treasure 
 which he will possess, when allied to 
 worth and sweetness like her's. Ah ! 
 may her married life be happy as her sin- 
 gle state has been ; and may she ever 
 find in her husband, the protector, the 
 friend, the companion she has found in 
 her mother. 
 
 I will, for the present, lay down my 
 u 2 pen
 
 ^44 EXILE OP ERIN. 
 
 pen, and in a short time re-assume my 
 narrative ; for the present let me con- 
 jure your ladyship to transfer to my 
 child that friendship ^vhich has with- 
 stood adversity ; to your tender care I 
 bequeath her^ with a firm assurance 
 that she will derive from it every con- 
 solation that her situation will require ; 
 for myself, amidst the checquered scenes 
 of life, the bright hope of an hereafter 
 never failed to gild with its resplen- 
 dent rays the often gloomy path of 
 my existence ; steadfastly to pursue that 
 shining light, has ever been my fervent 
 wish ; and imperfectly as I have per- 
 formed the various duties of my station, 
 I yet venture to look up with humble 
 confidence to that Almighty Being who 
 
 alone
 
 IXILZ OF ERIN. 245 
 
 alone can, if his wisdom sees it fittings 
 restore once more to happiness your 
 ladyship's devoted, 
 
 Mary Portland* 
 
 M 9 LETTER
 
 %^€ ixiLE or XRIW, 
 
 LETTER XVIL 
 
 Mrs, Portland in continuation, 
 
 X Had latterly discovered that the 
 machinations of our neighbours had 
 affected the health and spirits of my hus- 
 band; he appeared, indeed, no longer 
 himself; the soft peace of conscious se- 
 curity was exchanged for restless in- 
 quietude and constant alarm ; — his brow 
 
 was
 
 EXILE OF KRIS, 217 
 
 was clouded with anxiety — the voice of 
 love was no longer music to his ear — his 
 cheek no longer wore the crimson blush 
 of health — his eye no longer beamed the 
 serenity of his soul ; I beheld this change 
 with the keenest anguish — I had entered 
 into life with him with the brightest pros- 
 pects of futurity, and when I saw those 
 prospects fading away — when I saw his 
 brow constantly clouded with care, I 
 would have administered the balm of 
 consolation, but I knew not the depth of 
 those wounds I essayed to heal ; though I 
 felt some speedy means must be resorted to 
 to deter him from the rock on which so 
 many had perished ; for I trusted, though 
 the sombre cloud of sorrow hung over 
 our persecuted family, the gales of re- 
 tribution would yet chase away the thick 
 M 4 mist
 
 S48 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 mist of misfortune, and the sun of pros- 
 perity gild M'ith his gladdening beams 
 the hemisphere of his life. 
 
 Overcome by the generous offer of our 
 English friends, the noble-minded Glen- 
 morgans, and in the fond hope that 
 change of scene would remove the de- 
 pression under which I saw, in spite of 
 his efforts at concealment, my Portland 
 lingered, I urged the acceptance of an 
 offer made from the heart, and in a few 
 days we found ourselves their his hos- 
 pitable roof, where every thing was done 
 in that peculiarly pleasing manner which 
 takes off in a great measure the pain a 
 feeling mind must always experience 
 while labouring under a sense of obliga- 
 tion
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 249 
 
 tion that can never be repaid. Our 
 noble-minded friend was blessed with a 
 partner who shared his amiable qualities ; 
 he possessed a handsome income, and 
 was blessed with two children, lovely 
 and beloved, the eldest a son, the be- 
 loved friend of my Francis, and a girl 
 endowed with all the generous affec- 
 tions that characterize her father, toge- 
 with those personal attractions by which 
 her mother, who is an English woman, 
 was peculiarly distinguished ; she was 
 just verging into woman-hood at the 
 time we became inmates of Summer- 
 field. 
 
 Young as was the lovely Fanny, she 
 
 had already many candidates for her 
 
 hand, but her heart seemed perfectly 
 
 M 6 free
 
 550 ZXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 free, and she would often sportively de- 
 clare that \vhile her father lived, she 
 would never own another lord and mas- 
 ter, since she found the task of pleasing 
 him too agreeable and too important to 
 allow any other duties to interfere with 
 it ; and, indeed, it appeared to be her 
 only study to amuse and charm him and 
 those whom he honored with his friend- 
 ship ; her kind assiduities to us and to 
 our children I can never forget — she 
 was to me a second Rosanna, and I shall 
 ever fed for her a regard almost ma- 
 ternal. 
 
 Often, during our stay at Summer- 
 field, did this sweet girl decline parties of 
 pleasure because my children, from the 
 peculiarity of their situation, could not 
 
 accom-
 
 T.XILE OF ERIX. 2j1 
 
 accompany her; and many a melan- 
 choly hour did she beguile by her art- 
 less vivacity. 
 
 We continued with this amiable fa- 
 mily for about six weeks, in uninterupt- 
 ed security, and the object of all our 
 anxiety appeared to be regaining his 
 natural chearfulness of disposition, 
 and to find comfort and happiness in 
 our limited circle of friends, without a 
 wish expressed to launch his bark again 
 on the rough and tempestuous sea of 
 politics. 
 
 The pursuit after him was dropped, 
 
 and I flattered myself with the fond 
 
 hope that all might yet be well ; but vain, 
 
 alas! was the soothing idea — a storm 
 
 M 6 sue-
 
 262 EXILE OF ERIK. 
 
 succeeded to the deluding calm, which 
 will I fear wreck our felicity for life. 
 A letter from the unfortunate sister of 
 my Portland, — the beloved — the widow- 
 ed Julia — whose heart was yet bleeding 
 at every pore for the loss of an adored 
 husband, and whose gentle spirit was 
 unequal to buffet with the storms of 
 life, requested to sec her brother for a 
 few hours, in order to consult with him 
 on some business relative to a law-suit, 
 in which the future fortune of her 
 daughter was involved ; she wrote so- 
 liciting to see him, in a way[so pathetic, 
 that much as I dreaded his leaving me, 
 though but for a few hours, yet con- 
 ceiving it would be cruelty to deny her 
 request, I unfortunately urged his 
 going, without recollecting the danger 
 
 which
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. 255 
 
 which awaited him. The distance was 
 not more than five miles, and he pro- 
 mised to be with us again at Summer- 
 field to a late dinner. 
 
 The morning was bright, and all na- 
 ture smiled, and the spirits of our social 
 little party appeared revived by the 
 cheering brilliance of an autumnal sun. 
 The hours passed in quick succession 
 till the time had nearly elapsed when I 
 might expect Mr. Portland to return, 
 but the clock had struck five times since 
 the time he had appointed to meet us ; 
 Mrs. Glenmorgan had delayed dinner 
 for two hours ; and at seven o'clock 
 our apprehensions became insupportable. 
 My kind friends endeavoured to amuse 
 my thoughts from dwelling too much 
 
 on
 
 254 ZXILE OF ERjy, 
 
 on the clangers I was anticipating, 
 while their own expressive countenances 
 evinced the affectionate interest they 
 took in the feehngs by which I was agi- 
 tated. 
 
 Gleninorgan ordered his horse, and 
 insisted on going in pursuit of his 
 friend, an oRer I gladly accepted ; 
 meanwhile, in anxious suspence, I 
 counted the hours of his absence ; all 
 was silent, save the autumnal gale, and 
 the chirping cricket in the hearth — sad 
 indication of approaching winter. A 
 melancholy presentiment, which I chid 
 myself for indulging, but could not 
 conquer, foreboded .he winter of my 
 hopes. The evening was now consider- 
 ably advanced, and yet my husband 
 
 came
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. ^55 
 
 came not ; I took my seat at the window 
 ^vhicll opened on the garden, at which 
 be usually entered, listening to the sigh- 
 ing ©f the waving trees ; my gentle 
 Rossanna et^deavoured to amuse my 
 mind, but neither her music, or the at- 
 tentions of my amiable friends, could 
 afford their accustomary pleasure. 
 
 The clock toiled eleven — I opened 
 the casement — the moon had wandered 
 through the trackless heavens^ and was 
 linking on the bosom of the lake, and 
 I seemed in fancy to catch the well- 
 known footsteps, but the next echoing 
 blast undeceived me ; my suspence now 
 was exquisitely painful, and I sat in a 
 melancholy stupor — every moment in- 
 creased my impatience — now I with- 
 drew
 
 256 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 drew from the window — then returned — 
 then closed the casement, almost in 
 despair — then as quickly returning : 
 Thus passed the hours until Aurora 
 blushed in the horizon, when the wel- 
 come footstep of my husband at length 
 approached — my heart palpitated with 
 pleasure — I flew to the door, and opened 
 it with eagerness — my Portland was 
 there— his brow was contracted to a 
 frown, his aspect haggard, and his hair 
 dishivellcd. 
 
 *'My love,'' said I, '' thank ^God 
 you are returned in safety ; I had 
 dreaded the worst," 
 
 He made no reply, but flung himself 
 into a chair, leaning his head upon the 
 
 tables
 
 EXILE OF ERiy. 2.57 
 
 table, then suddenly starting up ia 
 frenzy, he exclaimed, *' Villains, you 
 will ruin me, — curse you — curse you.'* 
 
 There was such an air of frenzy in 
 his countenance, and his eyes rolled so 
 wildly that I trembled for his intellects. 
 Consolation I could not offer — I could 
 only weep — he beheld my tears — the 
 tenderness of a husband returned — he 
 flew to me. ' * My life ! my love ! — Great 
 God, have I madeyou miserable? — weep 
 not for me, nay, look not on me with 
 that aspect of^ soft compassion, rather 
 tell me I am a fool — a madman — a 
 wretch ; heap on my head deserved re- 
 proaches for bringing ruin on us all. 
 Oh, God ! is there no avenue to escape 
 destruction for my children. 
 
 '' Yes.
 
 558 EXILS OF ERIW. 
 
 **Yes, my love,'^ I replied, willing 
 to seize on the moment I hoped might 
 be favourable to my wishes, *' there is 
 one avenue^ and there is butone.^^ 
 
 " Name it — and though ten thousand 
 demons oppose me, I will boldly rush 
 through and regain the sweet peace I 
 have so long been a stranger to/' 
 
 *^ Give up politics, and dissolve all 
 your connections, then you will cease 
 to be an object of distrust, and we may 
 again be happy." 
 
 *' Ah, my dearest Mary, it is too late ; 
 my character pledged — my person 
 sought after — start not, my souFs trea- 
 sure, when I tell you my property will 
 
 soon
 
 EZILE OF ERIN, 259 
 
 soon be taken by the hand of power, 
 and you, and my beloved children, will 
 feel that I have brought destruction on 
 my own head, and entailed indigence 
 on you. — Can you after this love me 
 still?" 
 
 '* And can my Portland doubt the 
 heart of his wife ? — can he indeed think 
 her affection can ever change ? — I love 
 you whatever be your destiny ; even 
 fate, however cruel, shall not divide us; 
 I have for years shared jin your prospe- 
 rity, I will also you share in adversity ; 
 and in happier hours how often have 
 you declared, that possessed of me, and 
 our children, you could find content- 
 ment in a cottage, where competence is 
 
 the
 
 S60 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 the sweet reward of industry, — Can 
 wealth make the heart happy ?" 
 
 " Heaven/^ he exclaimed, ** what a 
 wretch am I to have rendered so de- 
 serving a woman unfortunate, who, 
 had she never known me, would have 
 been happy.'* 
 
 I for some time vainly endeavoured 
 to collect what it was that had occasion- 
 ed him to feel so deeply ; but the fact 
 was, on quitting his sister, he met a 
 gentleman with whom he had always 
 been in habits of the most friendly in- 
 tercourse^ and whose house had for a 
 long time been considered as an asylum 
 against his pursuers, equally safe with 
 our own, and was unable to resist his 
 
 pressing
 
 KXILE OF ERlIf. 26l 
 
 pressing entreaties to join a few gentle- 
 men at dinner ;| Mr. Portland for a long 
 time refused, but almost by compulsion 
 the hospitable Mr. O* Donald succeeded, 
 and my husband was made a pri- 
 soner by his kind-hearted neighbour. 
 
 After the claret had circulated pretty 
 freely, the conversation turned, unfor- 
 tunately, on politics, and my unguard- 
 ed husband, who felt the fire of freedom 
 in his heart, too frankly declared that he 
 venerated the heroic band, who dared 
 even within reach of arbitrary power, 
 to blow the trump of freedom through- 
 out a subject continent. Mr. O'Do- 
 nald was candid and liberal : the con- 
 versation became interesting, and at 
 length grew warm ; unfortunately, a 
 
 stranger
 
 So5 i:XlL£ OF ERIK. 
 
 stranger \yas present, who had that day 
 only been introduced to Mr. O'Donald, 
 and of whose sentiments they were ig- 
 norant ; Mr. Portland's conversation 
 appeared to engage his attention, and 
 he asked which of the two popular par- 
 ties he believed in tha right? — Mn 
 Portland resolutely answered *' ITei- 
 ther.^^ 
 
 "Are you then of neither party," 
 said this wretch, who had made a hand- 
 some property during the rebellion, by 
 gaining admission into families, and 
 then giving information of the conver- 
 sations which passed, interpreting them 
 as best suited his own black purposes. 
 This vvTetch, it seems, had been pur- 
 posely introduced by Lord Hartville, to 
 
 the
 
 EXILE OF ERIir. S6S 
 
 thehou-;e of our friend, in -order tc give 
 him intelligeiice of whatever v/culd 
 transpire. 
 
 To his question, !Mr. Portland re- 
 plied, ** I am not without principle, I 
 am persuaded that nothing on earth 
 can supplant my attachment to liberty, 
 yet I deprecate the influence of that 
 dreadful spirit of party which has al- 
 ready made such inroads in our country ; 
 both parties are striving for power, not 
 indiscriminately, however; and power 
 makes every man insolent, yet they arc 
 all my brethren, let them be catholics, 
 protestants, aristocrats, democrats, or 
 republicans, it shall be my glory to be 
 called an Irishman, or rather a citizen 
 of the world, an inhabitant of tlu 
 
 globe;
 
 564 ZXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 globe ; we all sprang from one common 
 parent, we are all members of one com- 
 mon family." 
 
 ** Then you would bring us all upon 
 a level/' rejoined the stranger, ** all 
 men are born free and equal — then I am 
 on a par with my footman." 
 
 " Your servant is a man — you arc 
 but a man ; your inherent and unalien- 
 able rights are the same — you have a 
 larger proportion of property than your 
 servant, .nevertheless you have no right 
 to oppress him ; his little property is his 
 own — he is a free man — he is your ser- 
 vant, but not your slave." 
 
 ^* Then you deny the existence of a 
 privileged class?"
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. ^6S 
 
 '* By no means. There are are a class 
 of men who are privileged with the 
 power to assist their fellow men— the 
 rich are privileged with a sum to admi- 
 nister to the distresses of their needy 
 brethren ; man is man — ^and who is 
 more ?" 
 
 My husband grew warm ; the master 
 of the house interfered, and the contro* 
 versy was dropped, but not before it 
 was too late to prevent the mischief 
 which it brought on our devoted heads. 
 The conversation had been related to 
 our most inveterate enemy, with a 
 thousand exaggerating circumstances, 
 which had no other foundation than 
 the malice of those who related the 
 event ; and the pursuit, which had began 
 
 VOL. I. X to
 
 ^66 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 to subside, was commenced with three- 
 fold diligence, and not an avenue ap- 
 peared for his escape. 
 
 I now redoubled my entreaty thai he 
 would surrender himself, thinking that 
 by so doing he might perhaps make bet- 
 ter terms ; every argument my fond 
 heart could suggest was had recourse 
 to, and though he did not positively 
 grant my wish, yet I could perceive he 
 appeared to^ averse to my proposal then 
 he had heretofore appeared. He told 
 me that he would take a few hours to 
 consider; and, in the mean-time Glen- 
 morgan gave orders that a watch should 
 be set at the different roads which led 
 to Summerfield, in order that he might 
 not be surprised by his enemies before 
 
 he
 
 KXILE OF ERIJSr. ^67 
 
 he had decided on what should be his 
 future plans ; while I felt a degree of 
 satisfaction to which I had been long 
 a stranger, in the hope that his life at 
 least would be secured by a surrender 
 to a power which I conceived far supe- 
 rior to party prejudice, or capable of 
 being biassed by any secret and mali- 
 cious attempts of private pique. 
 
 The accounts from Dublin did not 
 appear at this time alarming ; the dis- 
 turbances which had taken place since 
 I had visited it, were not of sufficient 
 extent to cause general alarm, being 
 principally occasioned by different par- 
 ties who paraded the streets in defiance 
 of each other, and who made more use 
 of their words than actions ; yet of late 
 N 2 we,
 
 268 EXILE OF ERI^^. 
 
 "dc, however^ had been apprehensive 
 that something more serious was about 
 to happen ; terror and expectation were 
 marked on every countenance of our 
 little family, and eveiy part seemed to 
 feel a presentiment of approaching dan- 
 ger. 
 
 In the evening of the day on which 
 my husband had intended giving him- 
 self up, the next morning he passed a 
 ft\^ hours with us, as it had been judged 
 imprudent for him to continue longer at 
 the house of Mr. Glenmorgan after the 
 search was renewed, but myself and 
 children remained with our worthy 
 friends, while his faithful adherents 
 watched every avenue for miles by which 
 it was possible we could be surprised ; 
 
 we
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 2(?9 
 
 we were seated in the parlour, consult- 
 ing on the best method Mr. Poitlanil 
 could pursue, and the reflection of what 
 might be our future situation, encreased 
 the habitual depression of our spirits ; 
 and after some fruitless efforts on my 
 part were made to converse, we gave 
 ourselves up to silence and meditation : 
 our reveries were suddenly interrupted 
 by a confused murmur of voices, and 
 a loud repeated whistle, which was to 
 us the signal of our enemy^s approach ; 
 this struck more terror into my heart 
 than the loudest din of arms. I start- 
 ed up, and flew to the court-yard, as it 
 commanded a view which led to the 
 road, from whence I discerned several 
 files of armed men, who had ranged 
 themselves on each side, and whose num- 
 N 3 bers
 
 270 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 bers appeared to extend on every side. 
 Can you wonder if in this situation my 
 trembling limbs almost refused to sup- 
 port me, and that on my return to the 
 house, my tongue, stiffened with hor- 
 ror, was utterly unable to express my 
 fears ? 
 
 My children, and my friends, endea- 
 voured to re-animate me; they, like 
 myself, had witnessed so many scenes of 
 this nature, that for a short time I felt 
 my courage revive in their firnmess ; 
 my husband too manifested the utmost 
 fortitude, he clasped me to his breast, 
 exclaiming, *' Oh, God ! protect my 
 wife and children. 
 
 *' Be comforted, my love, you will be 
 
 pro-
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 271 
 
 protected — it is for you only that I can 
 now fear, yet you must be safe, as from 
 tlie retired innocent life we liave led, 
 Ave could not have rendered ourselves 
 obnoxious to the malignity, or attracted 
 the notice of any party." 
 
 I urged him to escape if possible, yet 
 feared now from the near approach of the 
 military, it would be impossible to be 
 effected ; whilst we remained uncertain 
 as to the plans which it would be most 
 prudent to adopt, we heard the reportof 
 musquetry in every direction, accom- 
 panied with shouts, which indicated the 
 peasantry had gone in order to beat off 
 the soldiery ; these hostile sounds 
 roused me even to agony, as I knew 
 not but they would instantly take my 
 N 4 hus-
 
 ?72 IXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 husband from my arms, who would tall 
 the immediate sacrifice to one party or 
 the other, and I could not avoid exclaim. 
 ing, that instant death would be prefer- 
 able to the horror of suspence we then 
 suffered. 
 
 The house had been strongly blocked 
 on former occasions, as a slight indivi- 
 dual defence against the assassins whose 
 object was to murder in the security of 
 the night. Scarcely daring to breathe, 
 least the panting respiration of terror 
 should be overheard ; the tumult in- 
 creased, the shrieks of females rose on 
 the air, and the imprecations of the sol- 
 diers were wafted on the passing gale — 
 we heard the feet of numbers on the 
 gravel under the windows, and the at- 
 tempt to force the door — the violent
 
 FXILE OF ERIX. 273 
 
 tlirobbings of my heart almost over- 
 powered me — I chmg to Mr. Portland, 
 who pressed me in his arms, and endea- 
 voured to console me, when a tremendous 
 knocking at the hall door excited in us 
 the last efforts of despair — to think was 
 now to act, we immediately disguised 
 ourselves as well as the short time which 
 we could command would allow, and 
 ran hastily into the garden, through 
 which bullets flew in almost every direc- 
 tion. We heard the soldiers exclaim, 
 with dreadful oaths, **They are rebeb 
 by their obstinacy, but our language 
 speaks well, and will be understood, the 
 arguments we use are forcible, and claim 
 attention. 
 
 Fear winged our flight, and in a fc\r 
 N 5 mo-
 
 274 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 moments we reached a private door 
 which opened into an obscure lane ; as 
 we could not hope to escape notice if we 
 all continued together, my husband de- 
 termined on going on foot to a town at 
 about ten miles distant, where we went 
 to join him, at the house of a friend, 
 by a better and more public road ; we 
 trembled as we embraced, and wept as 
 we said farewell ; we never expected to 
 meet again, and yet, alas I great as my 
 fears at that moment were, they did 
 not forbode the events that followed. 
 
 We were almost sinking under terror, 
 and required all the support which my- 
 friends could afford us. As we pro- 
 ceeded, it was just the point of day, 
 and a chilling damp in the air added to 
 
 the
 
 ZXILE OF ERIN. 275 
 
 the indescribable gloom and melancholy 
 of our reflections ; we avoided the 
 roads, dreading the barbarities which 
 were frequently committed there by 
 wretches who, on the apj)earance of 
 commotion, have lain in ambush for 
 those unfortunates who have fled iii 
 despair from their homes to meet death 
 in the field. 
 
 It was my intention to make the best 
 of our way to a small inn, about two 
 miles on the road, which was kept by a 
 former domestic, and from whose house 
 I could be accommodated with post 
 horses to Longford, where I expected to 
 meet my wanderer, who intended to go 
 to Dublin, in order to make his own 
 terms, and resign himself to govern- 
 N 6 ment j
 
 S76 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 mcnt, conscious that any thing was 
 preferable to the life we now led. 
 
 The man who was the master of this 
 little inn, in which it was our intention 
 to seek a temporary refuge, had been for 
 many years superintending the stables 
 of Mr. Portland, to whom he had al- 
 ways appeared to be most faithfully at- 
 tached ; we arrived in safety at the hum- 
 ble dwelling, and, as it was perfectly 
 isolated, stood at the door quite unmo- 
 lested. I now began to feel consider- 
 ably more at ease then I had hitherto 
 done ; when Mac Dermot^ however, 
 appeared, his countenance discovered 
 such a strange mixture of surprize, 
 doubt, consternation, and regret, that I 
 5gain felt disturbed ; I, however, ven- 
 tured
 
 EXILL OF LRIS. £77 
 
 turetl to inform bim of our situation, 
 but his agitated and hurried manner ap- 
 peared so exceedingly embarrassed that 
 I began to fear we had been mistaken 
 m our opinion of his fidehty, we, how- 
 ever, entered, and after taking some re- 
 freshment, desired the chaise to be got 
 ready, which was to convey us to the 
 spot where we had settled to meet my 
 persecuted husband ; it was conducted to 
 the door, we entered it immediately, 
 agitated with the most gloomy fore- 
 bodings, and had nearly reached Long- 
 ford, when we were met by a party of 
 military, who enquired what rout we 
 were pursuing? — My son replied, that 
 the chaise belonged to the inn on the 
 hill, and that he was going to Dublin 
 
 \vith
 
 278 EXILE OF ERIN 
 
 with two ladies, who had been passing 
 some time in Connaught. 
 
 ** But why Dublin,'* said the com- 
 mander, of these military assassins^ 
 with an insulting smile and sarcastic 
 tone, which I now perceived could 
 only come from the despised son of Lord 
 Hartville ; *' why leave home, young 
 man, at a moment when all good sub- 
 jects are anxious to shew themselves 
 friends to the country ; turn your horses 
 and rejoice the hearts of those friends 
 whom you have been visiting, by telling 
 them that you have returned to see the 
 noble efforts of freedom crowned with the 
 success which they deserve, I will accom- 
 pany you with my escort, not only to 
 protect you, but to gratify myself 
 
 with
 
 FXILE OF ERIN". 279 
 
 witnessing the pleasure of your meet- 
 
 The inhuman wretcli concluded these 
 words with a malicious grin, which will 
 for ever remain imprinted on my me- 
 mory, and which sufficiently declared 
 that we had been unable to deceive him, 
 yet I felt some/relief that my husband 
 had in all probability escaped; and cau- 
 tious of this, I made the best excuse in 
 my power, and after some little remon- 
 strance we were allowed to proceed, but 
 not till every part of the carriage had 
 been searched, and they were satisfied 
 Mr. Portland was not of our party. 
 
 As we entered the town of Longford, 
 Rossanna caught my hand in speech- 
 less
 
 2 80 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 less terror, and grasped it almost convul- 
 sively ; the street was crowded with 
 armed men in every direction, whose 
 savage countenances were rendered 
 still more ferocious bv beino- stained 
 with blood. Our situation was not less 
 conspicuous than dangerous, and we 
 again deplored the imprudent attempt 
 which had plunged us in it. 
 
 The cry of rebels resounded from all 
 around, while the poor women and 
 wretched men called loudly for liberty, 
 equality, and revenge ; fear so completely 
 benumbed my senses that I at length 
 seemed only to hear those dreadful 
 sounds as from a distance, or as in a 
 dream ; alas, from the comparitively 
 happy state of lethargy I was roused by 
 
 shrieks 

 
 EXILE OP ERIN. 981 
 
 shrieks which have never ceased to vi- 
 brate ill my ears, by a sight M'liich has 
 never since left my eyes — Oh, my God I 
 what did I feel at that moment — they 
 were the screams of Rossanna, which 
 rent the air; I immediately looked out, 
 and saw the mob forcibly dragging 
 my son from the carriage; he forgot 
 his youth, and was defending himself 
 from the assassins, when the merci- 
 less villains stabbed him before my 
 eyes I — yes, I saw the poignards of 
 ruffians enter the bosom of my son — 
 and I survived the sight. My shrieks 
 seemed to arrest his spirit in its courise, 
 and I thought he bid me live for his 
 darling sister's sake. 
 
 Think you, my dear friend, that horror 
 
 froze
 
 282 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 froze the blood in my veins, or that na- 
 ture, overcome by the shock, took re- 
 fuge in insensibility? — Ah, no, I liad 
 not yet suffered enough, my cup of sor- 
 row was no*: yet exhausted, surely I am 
 Dot destined to drink it even to tlie 
 dregs; turning my eyes in anguish 
 fr.)in the bleeding body at my feet, I 
 saw my husband surrounded by the 
 same wretches, to whom my son bad I 
 thought just fallen a sacrifice— I heard 
 the savage shouts of down with the re- 
 bels—away with the enemies of their 
 countrv — I saw and heard, but could 
 not niove — I gazed in stupid despair, 
 and beheld the being for whom I lived, 
 dragged away without making one 
 effort to save him ; happily, my Ros- 
 s^uua was not so lost to every impres- 
 sion —
 
 EXILE OF T.RIN 283 
 
 sion — she threw herself before these exe- 
 cutioners, and exclaimed, '* Wretches, 
 would you also kill my father ! — Oh, 
 spare him," — then raising her clasped 
 hands, she added, '' Oh, spare him, 
 if but for one hour; — as you hope for 
 mercy yourselves hereafter, shew it to 
 him now/' Sobs at length choaked her 
 utterance, but eloquent even in silence, 
 she knelt with such expressive anguish, 
 that nature for a moment pleaded for 
 her even in the breast of these hardened 
 murderers. Yes, they relented, and 
 granted that my husband should be 
 lodged in prison till the will of govern- 
 ment should be made known ; his wife 
 and children were not allowed to com- 
 fort him with their presence, but such 
 was the agony wc had before expe- 
 rienced
 
 $84 KXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 rienced that this mitigation of it was 
 ccstacy, and being overpowered by her 
 feelings, my Rossanna fell senseless into 
 the arms of the parent whose life she 
 had just preserved at the risk of her 
 own. 
 
 The cruel wretches already repenting 
 of their clemency, would not extend 
 it by permitting her father the happiness 
 of seeing her recover, and become sen- 
 sible of his expressions of gratitude, 
 and he was immediately placed in a 
 post- chaise and conveyed to Dublin, 
 while my children and myself, agitated 
 by anxiety, and sickening with terror, 
 passed the night in prayers and tears ; 
 sleep now oifered itself to our affrighted 
 senses ; and with the first dawn of day, 
 
 we 
 
 1
 
 EXILE OF ERIX. "^SS 
 
 we set off for Dublin, where we found 
 Mr. Portland under a strong military 
 guard ; it was with difficulty that we 
 obtained permission to see him in the 
 presence of his gaolers, but when we 
 did gain that indulgence, it was a satis- 
 faction to see him cheerful and resigned 
 to his confinement. 
 
 My terrors now began to subside, in 
 the hope his enemies would not proceed 
 to extremities, and that after a few 
 months imprisonment he would in all 
 probability be restored to us, without 
 1)eing liable to further suspicion. 
 
 Not knowing where we might be more 
 safe in times when danger visited alike 
 the cottage and the castle, we did not 
 
 think
 
 m 
 
 286 EXILE OF ERIN, 
 
 think of leaving Dublin while my 
 dear husband's situation was so un- 
 certain ; for his life hung on a proba- 
 bility, and that probability also was 
 within the power of the malignity of 
 his adversaries at any time to deter- 
 mine; besides, my heart told me that 
 being near him would soothe the pain of 
 his separation from his family, and we 
 should feel more consoled by the ease 
 with which we could procure informa- 
 tion concerning him, than we could be 
 by reflecting that though our own 
 safety was increased, our distance from 
 him was increased likewise. 
 
 How my heart bled when my imagi- 
 nation pictured him in a lonely apart- 
 ment, or perhaps surrounded by those 
 
 whose
 
 EXILE OF ERIN. 287 
 
 whose manners may shock, or whose 
 misfortunes may wound him, and when 
 I turned to my amiable, my lovely chil- 
 dren, and beheld them weeping for their 
 parent's fate, could I avoid cursing those 
 unfortunate opinions which had brought 
 such misery upon us. 
 
 We were seldom allowed to see him, 
 and we found it impossible to write/as 
 all letters were strictly forbidden to be 
 received into, or come out of the prison, 
 and every precaution was used to insure 
 the observance of this cruel prohi- 
 bition. 
 
 Our time continued to roll slowly on 
 in all the uniformity of dullness, inter- 
 rupted only by occasional vicissitudes 
 
 of
 
 288 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 of hope and fear. I could not but 
 dwell on the thoughts of the happy 
 fleeting days of my youth, \vhen a 
 thousand certain and fleeting ideas of 
 future felicities floating in my mind, in- 
 spired me with the most delicious sensa- 
 tions, and I could not but contrast those 
 days with the sensations which I then 
 felt. I have been severely tried, yet let 
 me not repine, how many adored hus- 
 bands, how many idolized sons, and re- 
 vered parents has the cruel hand of re- 
 bellion made pale, silent, and unrenew- 
 able. 
 
 Alas ! I now began to tremble for 
 my children — my Rossanna began to 
 sink, the blast of adversity was too 
 
 rough
 
 EXILE OF ERIN 289 
 
 rough for my sweet flower, which drooped 
 under its severity,and whose stem seemed 
 almost broke; and my son too, though 
 he endeavoured to hide his own feelings, 
 appeared the iu:iaoe of hopeless despon- 
 dency ; so exquis'te was the sensibility 
 of this youug man's disposition, that it 
 almost amounted to a fault, for he even 
 suffered trifling circumstances to prey 
 upon his feelings, and afflict him in a 
 manner beyond what they deserved ; 
 the persecution of his father he had 
 felt with a poignancy which none but 
 minds of a peculiar turn can conceive, 
 and oppressed his mind with a load he 
 was unable to sustain. In vain did his 
 anxious father and myself offer him 
 consolation ; restless, uneasy, agitated, 
 and dejected, he appeared labouring un- 
 3 o der
 
 
 290 EXILE OF ERIN. 
 
 a depression which tortured my soul 
 with additional fears, for too well we 
 guessed the cause of the dejection which 
 preyed upon his mind, and which seem- 
 ed to encrease every hour of his life ; 
 but it is necessary that I should inform 
 your ladyship of an event which will I 
 fear tinge the life of my beloved son 
 with the dark hue of sorrow, bu^ I will 
 teserve this little history for another 
 letter, and for the present hid your lady- 
 ship adieu, with the wish that every 
 happiness may be your's. 
 
 END OF VOL. I 
 
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