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1832 was, with Sergeant Lefroy, elected member for the ITniversity of Dublin, which he represented for sixteen years. He was made a Privy-Councillor in 1834, at which time he was considered one of the most brilliant orators and ablest leaders and debaters Ireland ever sent to the Imperial Parliament. One of his greatest parliamentary triumphs was a speech in 1834 against O'Connell's motion for a select committee, to enquire into the conduct of Baron Smith in intro- ducing politics into his charge to a grand jury. In 1840 he supported Lord Mor- peth's Irish Municipal Corporations Bill, and thereby almost forfeited the confidence of his Conservative friends. In 1845 ^^ advocated the establishment of the Queen's Colleges, and next year spoke earnestly and at length against the repeal of the Corn Laws. In 1848 he resigned his seat, probably from failing health consequent on overwork. In 1869 he inherited the title and estates on the death of his elder brother, the second Baronet. He held the position of Recorder of Dublin for about forty-eight years, from 1828 until within a few weeks of his death. It was always matter of surprise that his splendid abilities never secured for him a higher judicial position. Even his bitter political opponent, O'Con- nell, bore testimony to his " able, upright and impartial conduct on the Bench." His decisions were marked by great perspicuity and common sense ; and he often lightened the tedium of litigation by brilliant witticisms. Although his health had been giving way for some time, there was little to indicate the collapse that followed his retirement from the Bench in April 1876. Sir Frederick died at Crumlin,near Dublin, 30th June 1876, aged 76, and was interred in Mount Jerome Cemetery. "^

Shaw, John, Captain, United States Navy, w' ^ born at Mountmellick in 1773. He received but an ordinaiy education, accompanied an elder brother to Amer- ica in 1790, adopted a sea-faring life, and became a lieutenant in the United States Navy in 1798, on the breaking out of hostilities with Fi-ance. In the course of 1800, in command of the schooner Enterprise he took no fewer than eight privateers and letters-of-marque, and fought five spirited actions, two with vessels of superior force. He cruised in the Medi- terranean in the George Washington in 1801 ; was appointed a captain in 1807; served in the war of 18 12 against the United Kingdom; and in 1 816 and 181 7 commanded a squadron in the Mediter- ranean. Subsequently he had charge of the navy yards of Boston and Charleston. 470

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He died in Philadelphia, 17th September 1823, aged about 50. 37»

Shea, Daniel, an Oriental scholar, was born in Dublin about 1771, and was edu- cated at Trinity College, where he became distinguished for his classical attainments. He obtained a scholarship. Several of his dearest friends were United Irishmen ; and for refusing to give evidence against them, or the society of which they were members, he was expelled from College at the instance of Lord Clare. Without money or interest, he with considerable difficulty obtained employment as a tutor, in England, and afterwards as a clerk in a merchant's office at Malta. There he ap- plied himself to the study of Arabic and Persian, and upon his return to England published a translation of Mirkhond'a History of the Early Kings of Persia, warmly praised both for its spirit and fidelity by some of the best Oriental scholars. At the time of his death (loth May 1836) he was engaged upon a translation of the Dabistan. " A kinder friend, a better-hearted man, never breath- ed. On many occasions he submitted to great personal inconvenience, that he might relieve others whose necessities he deemed greater than his own." ^*^ '^

Sheares, Henry and John, United Irishmen, brothers, were the sons of Henry Sheares, a Cork banker, member of Parlia- ment for Clonakilty from 1761 to 1767, who died in 1776. They were both born in Cork — Henry in 1753, John in 1766 — and were educated at Trinity College. Henry entered the army ; but renounced it for the law, and was called to the Bar in 1 789. His wife died in 1 79 1, after a union of but five years, and his children were taken charge of by Mr. and Mrs. Sweet, their grand-parents. John was called to the Bar in 1788. Both brothers were possessed of ample fortunes, besides the emoluments they derived from their pro« f ession. They sympathized deeply with the progress of the French Revolution, and in 1792 went to Paris, ostensibly to visit the Sweets, who were then residing there. They attended many political meetings, became acquainted with Roland, Brissot, and other revolutionary leaders, and were present at the execution of Louis XVI. They crossed to England in the same vessel with Daniel O'Connell and his brother, re- turning from Douay — the Sheareses glory- ing in all they had seen ; the O'Connells tear- ing the tricolor cockades from their hats the moment the vessel left port. Henry married a second time. The brothers be- came members of the Society of United Irishmen, John often taking the chair at