Ireland in '98

Madden, M.D., cherishes a sincere regard for his revered father, and possesses valuable documents relating to his life, which he intends publishing. Dr. Madden's greatest energies were devoted to his country, and, with the view of vindicating the aspersed memory of Ireland's noblest sons, he collected every shred of information connected with the men of '98; crossed the Atlantic, and interviewed relatives, friends, enemies, and followers, to accomplish his object. As might be expected, this information accumulated into a large mass of materials; halting old age, in the meantime, crept in, and prevented him from giving to the world the results of his indefatigable toil in the shape and form it deserved. Some of those manuscripts were placed in my hands, and I have sifted, selected, and arranged them in a cohesive form. I thought first of giving Dr. Madden's words as closely as I could, but wider knowledge of the subject induced me to abandon this plan, owing to the mass of extraneous matter, repetitions, and what appeared to me unnecessary details. I have used the materials before me as a text to go on, rejecting what I believe to be irrelevant, supplying many gaps from the copious notes and other sources, and aiming at giving as representative a sketch of the times as is needed. My critics who are acquainted with Dr. Madden's volumes on United Irishmen will appreciate my method and the labour

it entailed; should any object to my plan, I cheerfully take the consequences, and only ask that the author of the manuscripts may not be made responsible for my shortcomings. I have approached the task with some confidence, having devoted several years to elucidating the rise of the Radical movement in England given in my 'Radical Pioneers of the Eighteenth Century,' which has been well received by the public, and the same pains have been taken in the present selection. My main desire is to put before the mass of English readers a true report of the most stirring and eventful chapters of Ireland's history, suggesting valuable lessons to the legislators of the day. I am also proud to admit and glad to acknowledge that the Irish question has now approached its termination. Thank God, the hatchet is buried, and the old animosity which, for centuries, divided two peoples is fading away like clouds before the sun. The old jealous feeling is fast dying out, and the grateful hearts of Irishmen in every country and clime will rally round England, proud of their common empire and ready to shed their blood in its defence. When Ireland is allowed to regulate her own affairs and develop her resources, she will look up to England, as a young brother reveres the head of the house; England will also regard Ireland with respect, no longer as a younger brother dependent on the bounty of the elder. Ireland will

be considered a creditable addition to the old family; proud of its traditions, devoted to its interests, and honoured by being a conjoint member of the greatest, the wealthiest, and most humane nation in the universe. If this history is in any way instrumental in bringing about this much-wished-for consummation, by opening the eyes of friends and foes alike to the evils of the past, I shall feel thankful for the double privilege of being helpful to my country and useful to the land of my adoption. I have only to request those who do me the honour of perusing these pages to believe that the gleanings of history here displayed have been collected, not to furnish 'fire' to inflame the minds of any, but to supply 'light' into dark places, where only too many deeds of violence were committed.

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