New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-08

lees than bic enticing end genial dispoei-
ton, had made him universally popular.
Among the subordinate appointments was that Of
Robert Ferguson TO snecure in the Excise, TO
whom we here allude for the sake Of presenting his
poriraiture, as a specimen Of the style in which
Macaulay disposes Of the luckhss individuals
whose positions in history arouse his Indignation.
All the Whics who known 10 have traffcked
with Saint Germans belonged, not TO the main body
Of the party but either to the head the tail. They
either patrciens high in rank and Office caitis
who had long been employed in the fouest drudgery
Of faction. To the former class belonged Shrewsbury.
OF the latter class the most remarkable specimen was
Robert Ferguson From the day on which the Con-
yention Parliament was dissolved, Shrewsbury began
10 wayer III his allegiance but that he lad ever waV-
cred not till long after, suspected by the public
That Ferguson bad, q few months after the Revolt
ton, become furious Jacobte. secret to any
body and ought not to have been matter Of surprise
TO anybody For his apostasy be could not plead even
the miserable excuse that he had been neglected. Inc
gnominiOus services which be bad formerly rendered
ia his party a. spy raiser OF nots dispenser OF
bribes writer of ibels prompter of false witnesses,
had been rewarded only too prodgaly for the honor
Of the new Government. That he should hold any high
Office was Of course impossible. But snecure place
of Eve hundred year had been created for him IN the
Department Of the Excise. lie nov had what to bn
was opulence; but opulence did not satisfy him. For
money indeed he had never scuped to be guilty ofaud
aggravated 10y nypOCTlsy, YET the lONe VI wac
moi his strongest passion Long habits had developed
in him moral disease from which people who make
political agitation their calling are seldom wholly tree
lie could not be quiet Sedton from being his business,
had become his pleasure. IL was es impossible for
him to live without doing mischief for old DRAM
drinker or old opium eater to live without the daily
dose OF poison. The very dscomorts and hazards OF
n lawless life had strange attraction for him he
could no more be turned into peaceable and loyal
subject than the fox can be turned into shepherds
dog OF than the kite can be taught the habits OF the
barr door fowl The red Indian prefers his hunting
ground to cultivated fields and stately cities; the
gipev sheltered by O cOnmodous roof, and provided
With meat in due season stil pines for the ragged tent
on the moor and the meal Of carton; and even 80
Ferguson became weary OF plenty and security, OF ms
salary, his house his table and hs coach, and onged
10 be again the president Of societies where could
enter without password the director of secret presses,
the distributor of nfammatOry pamphlets; to see the
walls placarded with descriptions of his person and
offers Of reward for hs apprehension; TO have six OF
seven names with different wig and cloak for each,
and 10 change his lodgings thrice week at dead OF
night Hs hostility was not to Popery or TO Protest
antiem, to Mcnarchica Government or to Repu6hcan
Government, TO the House of Stuart or to the House
Of Nassau but TO whatever at the time established
Passing over the rest of the fret year of Will
liams reign, we must give rapid glance at the
operations in ireland, which was then regarded as
a mere colony belonging TO the English crown. The
Revolution, however, found Ireland in state OF
insubOrdinaton. Both the civil aud the military
power had been transferred from the Saxon to the
Celtic population. The army had ceased to exist.
The utmost loathing and dread existed between the
two races. II this state OF things James, the
banished monarch, decides 10 march into Ireland.
Londonderry was made the principal point attack.
BY the treachery OF Lundy, who had command of
the garrison, an organized resistance became at
first impossible. 1.-THE city was left destitute OF all
military and Of all civil Government No man in
the town had right TO command any other; the
deiences were weak; the provisions were scanty; an
incensed tyrant and great army were atthe gates.
But within was that which has often, in desperate
exremties retrieved the fallen fortunes of nations.
BETRAYED, deserted, disOrganized' uDprovlded win
resources, begirt with enemies the noble city was
stl no easy conquest. Whatever an engineer might
think Of the strength of the ramparts, all that was
most intelligent, most courageous mostblghspirlted
among the Englishry Of Leinster and OF Northern
Ulster was crowded behind them. The number OF
men capable of bearing arms within the walls was
seven thousands and the whole world could not
have furnished seven thousand men better quallhed
10 meet terrible emergency win clear judgment,
dauntess valor, and stubborn patience. They were
all jealous ProtestaDts; aud the irotestaDtsm OF
the majority was tiDged with Puritanism. They
had much in common with that sober resolule, and
Godfearine class outof which Cromwell bad formed
his unconquerable army.
But these brave men were not dlsncaf'ened'
No sooner had the fret burst Of the rage excited ny
the perfdy OF Lundy spent itself than those WHOM ne
had betrayed proceeded with law anu Co.
tho nyder and defense Of the city. Two Governors
were elected, Baker and Wakei. Bake LOOK tne
chief military command Walkers especial business
was TO preserve internal tranquility ana 10 uoie 01l
snn,lies fom the magazines. The inhabitants capable
az hearing aims were distributed into eight regiments
ColoIels Captains, and subordinate ofhceIe weIe up
poiuted In a few hours every man knew us post
and was ready TO repair 10 IL az SOUL a. .ne OH
drum was heard That machinery, 10y when ohveI
had in the preceding generation Kept up among hls
soldiers stern and So perlnaClous an enInuho7n.'
was again employed with uot tSs Pc 80 -,
INV Eighteen cergymen OF the Established Churcn
and seven or eight NOnconiormst ministers were
within the wals They all exelted theh'eVes rhGo-
tatcably 10 rouse and susan the spt OF the peVpc.
Anon Themselves there wee foI the time entire haf-
,nouv All disputes about church goycTumcDt pos
tures ceremonies forgotten The bishcpi having
fenpd that bis lectures passive Obedlece were oe
rided even 10y the bpiseopaans' haI am s LII.
self first to Raphoe, and then 10 tngahd ana Nee
prcachinc in a chapel in London On the other hand
scotch fanatic named Hewsou, who had exhored the
PresbyteIiaus not to ally themselves with s9ch as
Ssel - subscribe the Covenant had sunk under The
NeI.merited disgust and OF the whole Protestant
community The aspect OF the Cathedral was Femak
able. Cannon were planted on the summit OF the
broad tower which has since given place 10 lower o.
dife,ent proportions. Ammunition was stored III inc
v,ute la the choir the liturgy OF the Anghcan
Church was read every morning. Every afternoon
tie Disseniers crowded 10 simpler Wonlup'
-, ! 90,