Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/272

 268 GRATTAN. “A commutation of tithes formed another bribe. It had formerly been observed by some of the king's ministers, in opposition to a proposal of that kind from Mr. Grattan, that it would tend to the overthrow of the church; but now, he said, the premier was not unwilling to overturn the church, if he could at the same time overturn the constitution. “Bribes were also offered to the mercantile body. Com mercial benefits were holden out for political annihilation; and an abundance of capital was promised; but first, a great part of the landed capital of the country would be taken away by the necessary operations of an Union. This rival being removed, commercial capital, it was sup posed, would quickly take i t s place. But these and other promises o f the minister would probably b e found vision ary. He goes o n (said Mr. Grattan) asserting with great ease t o himself, and without any obligation t o fact, upon the subject. Icarian imagination i s the region i n which h e delights t o sport. Where h e i s t o take away your par liament, where h e i s t o take away your first judicature, where h e i s t o take away your money, where h e i s t o increase your taxes, where h e i s t o get a n Irish tribute, there h e i s a plain direct matter-of-fact man; but where h e i s t o pay you for a l l this, there h e i s poetic and pro phetic; n o longer a third-hand financier, but a n inspired accountant. , Fancy gives him her wand; Amalthea takes him b y the hand; Ceres i s i n his train. The English capitalist, h e thinks, will settle his family i n the midst o f those Irish catholics, whom he does not think i t safe t o admit into parliament; a s subjects, h e thinks them dan gerous; a s a neighbouring multitude, safe. The English manufacturer will make this distinction: he will dread them a s individuals, but will confide i n them a s a body, and settle his family and his property i n the midst o f them; h e will therefore, the minister supposes, leave his mines, leave his machinery, leave his comforts, leave his habits, conquer his prejudices, and come over t o Ireland t o meet his taxes, and miss his constitution. The manu