Yet a measure conceived in such a spirit of liberality, and framed with such careful attention to the minutest interests of Irish trade, Mr.Brownlow did not hesitate to denounce as one "tending to make Ireland a tributary nation to Great Britain.

The same terms," he declared, "had been held out to America, and Ireland had equal spirit with America to reject them." He even declared that "it was happy for Mr.Orde" (the Chief Secretary, who had introduced the measure into the Irish House of Commons) "that he was in a country remarkable for humanity.

Had he proposed such a measure in a Polish Diet, he would not have lived to carry back an answer to his master.

If," he concluded, "the gifts of Britain are to be accompanied with the slavery of Ireland, I will never be a slave to pay tribute; I will hurl back her gifts with scorn." Baffled by such frantic and senseless opposition, Pitt condescended to remodel his measure.

In its new form it was not so greatly for the advantage of Ireland.