New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-02-15
Mr.. Giiea,a Lecture.


The tabernacle was not as we'll filled last even
ing as it usually is on less inclement nights: but
the Lecture before the Mercantile Associatisn by
Rev. HENRY GILES was one of the ablest and most
interesting of the course. His subject was the
Spirit OF Irish History, confined, however, to the
period during which ireland has been under Bri-
fish dominion. He sought to exhibit the wrongs
displayed; and this rather BY comprehensive, gen.
era gances at the of eras, than by detailed
examination of special acts. The spirit in which
she has been ruled, The tyranny which has op-
pressed her, the disregard of her rights which has
kept her in the DUST and the cruel outrages which
have deuged her fields with the blood OF her brave
aud high-minded sons, and implanted in the ma
tons heart bitter enmity, born from wrong and
agony, and more enduring than the ruthless desola-
ton of cooquerors sweep, were the principal
topics upon which he dwelt. Of CROMWELL S
oeody violence towards Ireland as Of the injuries
she suffered from the iron rule Of the heartless
Elizabeth, he gave most graphic and vigorous de-
scriplion; and recited, with strong humor and
efect-wih all the richnes. of the Irish brogue
and all the point OF Irish wit, the reply one would
be likely to receive frem an Irishman of whom be
should ask the history of some of the many
ruins which were left by the Protector to blacken
the face of the rebellious Isle.
In the same fine way Mr.. GILES traced the his
tory of Irish wrongs during more recent periods,
and Intervene into his discourse most graphic
sketches of CURRAN, GRATrAN, EMMETT, and
other noble spirits, who have made her name and
soil illustrious by their genius and their virtue.
His picture of the battles fought in resistance to
British oppression, were graphic and thrilling; and
the description which he gave of the terrible per-
secuton which her Catholic people endured at the
hands of Protestant England was vivid and impress
sive proving clearly that intolerance and persecution
for conscience sake spring from Power and not
from Sect, and that Freedom of Opinion and of
Faith IS to be secured not by the establishment of
Dogma or Creed, but by the Progress of Society,
by Development, in the national heart and life, of
pure Humanity, wide and deep respect for the
rights and claims of all our fellow men. Of o.
CoSNELL he gave strong portrait, with descrip-
ton Of his power as Popular Orator. especially
as he had once witnessed its exhibition at Edin-
burgh He said little Of the Prospects of Ireland,
but what he did say was full of hope and trustful
expectation. The moral revolution which, under
the guidance of simple priest has within brief
space of tne changed the whole face of Irish So
ciety and made the people quiet and orderly in
stead of savage, quarrelsome and uneasy as they
have been heretofore, he thought would accomplish
much toward her full and perfect regeneration.
The Lecture was written with great vigor and
polish of language, strong and powerfuin style We,
most finished and chaste, and was delivered with
clear, direct, forcible elocuion, which, with its
other merits, made it decidedly of the most &C,
| ceptable of the season.