But any one who judges of institutions not by words but by facts will perceive that in one way or another the influence and the wishes of the British Government were represented more than sufficiently in the Irish Houses of Parliament.

Grattan's constitution, in short, left the British Parliament absolutely supreme in all British and Imperial affairs, and gave to the British Ministry predominating weight in the government of Ireland.

This is a very different thing from the shadowy sovereignty which the English Parliament retains, but abstains from exercising, in our self-governing colonies.

It is a very different thing from the nominal power to legislate for Ireland which the new constitution confers upon the Imperial Parliament.
Since the Union England and Ireland have been politically one nation.
The Imperial or British Government has controlled, and the Imperial Parliament has passed laws for, the whole country.

Nor has the presence of the Irish members till recent days substantially limited the authority of Great Britain.