1848.
HBr, 44.

188

LIFE OF UOBDEN.
5

r
{crsr

organic questions. But when the series of political revolvtions
 broke out on the Continent, all men’s minds in Eng”
land were suddenly turned to similar topics; and the
political atmosphere became so charged with the elect”
current, that it was no longer possible to avoid discussit8
organic questions. But I had no share in forcing forward
the subject. I abstained from assisting in forming a party
in the House for organic reforms, though I was much urged
by a great number of members to head such a party.” }
“ July 21. (To H.Ashworth.j—No man can defend or pallist®
such conduct as that of Smith O’Brien and his confederates:
It would be a mercy to shut them up in a lunatic asylu®
They are not seeking a repeal of the legislative union, bo
the establishment of a Republic, or probably the restoratio”
of the Kings of Munster and Connaught! But the sad side
of the picture is in the fact thet we are doing nothing to
satisfy the moderate party in Ireland, nothing which
strengthens the hands even of John O’Connell and the
priest party, who are opposed to the ‘red republicans
of the Dublin clubs. There seems to be a strong improe®-sion
 here that this time there is to be a rebellion in Ireland:
But I confess I have ceased to fear or hope anything from
that country. Its utter helplessness to do anything for
itself is our great difficulty. You can’t find three Irishme?
who will co-operate together for any rational object.”
“ London, August 28. (To George Oombe.)—I would have
answered your first letter from Ireland, but did not knoW
how soon you were going back again to Edinburg?
With respect to the plan for holding sectional meeting®
of the House of Commons in Dublin, Edinburgh, and
London for local purposes, it is too fanciful for my practical
teste. I do not think that such a scheme will ever seriously
engage the public attention. If local business be ever 8°
rid of by the House of Commons. it should he transferred