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 CURRAN. 825 ed; he might have them dressed in coats and shirts all of one colour, and of a Sunday he might march them to church two by two, to the great edification of the people and the honour of the christian religion; afterwards, like ancient Spartans, or the fraternity of Kilmainham, they might dine all toge- ther in a large hall. Good heaven! what a sight to see them feeding in public upon public viands, and talking of public subjects for the benefit of the public! It is a pity they are not immortal; but I hope they will flourish as a corporation, and that pensioners will beget pensioners to the end of the ehapier." Notwithstanding the latitude to which freedoin of speech is sometimes indulged in the house of commons, and the personal stings thus inflicted without provoking personal resentment, matters are sometimes carried beyond the pitch of senatorial gravity, or philosophic patience; the interchange of invective between Mr. Curran and some of his political antagonists, has at times led to personal hostilities out of doors. In the Duke of Rutland's vice- royalty, Mr. Fitzgibbon, the attorney-general (afterwards lord chancellor Clare) issued an attachment against the high sheriff of the county of Dublin (a Mr. O'Reilly), for complying with a requisition of certain freeholders, by calling a meeting to elect members for a conventional congress to effect a parliamentary reform. This incident led to an animated discussion in the house of commons, in which the question of attachments caused considerable disquisition, and was argued with much zeal and learning. When Mr. Curran rose to speak, the attorney-general, whose professional as well as political character was deeply involved, sunk into a real or affected doze, in his seat:-"I hope," said Mr. Curran, (indignant at what he conceived contemptuous apathy,) "1 may be allowed to speak to this great question, without disturbing the sleep of any right honourable nember: and yet, perhaps, I ought rather to envy than blame bis tranquillity; I do not feel myself so happily tempered as to be lulled to rest by the storms that shake the land: but if they invite rest to