Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/648

 644 YELVERTON. Mr. Brownlow, a member of parliament, eminent for his musical taste, and skilful performance on the violin. The Term was just ended, and Baron Yelverton was missing from his seat on the Exchequer bench, having left a per son to do his nisi prius duties until his return. His depar ture was not known amongst the barristers, and inquiries were anxious for him in the Four Courts' hall, when some one said he was gone to Cheltenham. Mr. Fitzgibbon, in a satirical vein, and knowing who had travelled with the judge, archly observed—“Oh, yes;–I am told he is certainly gone to Cheltenham, and travels like a showman, with a fiddler, a bear, and a monkey, in his train.” This sarcasm excited much laughter at the time. But shortly after, his majesty's mental derangement became lamenta bly evident; and the question for appointing a regent during i t s continuance, was agitated i n the parliaments o f both countries. On this occasion, Baron Yelverton once more thought and acted with his old political associates o f the Opposition. This unexpected opposition from a dignified eleve, taught ministers the necessity o f neutra lizing s o formidable a n opponent. His situation a s chief judge was certain for life, and n o power o f dismissal existed, t o keep his principles i n check. The influence o f his talents was formidable; besides, the measure o f a Union was i n contemplation, and the only hope which remained t o conciliate his support, was a n elevation t o the peerage; and accordingly, o n the 16th June, 1795, h e was created Baron Yelverton, o f Avonmore, i n the county o f Cork. The result o f the regency question i n the Irish parliament i s too well known for repetition i n this place. And, i n the course o f the discussions which followed some years after, immediately previous t o the rebellion, Lord Avonmore, then i n the House o f Peers, and his eldest son, the present lord, then a member o f the House o f Com mons, deprecated i n the strongest terms, the severe mea sures adopted b y parliament against the disaffected, instead Qf a more lenient and persuasive course, and openly con demned and reprobated i n the strongest language o f