The Irish standard., 1897-11-13
from Donegal about 177s. to phladcl-

during the Anglo-American war in
Norfolk harbor, he had his revenge by
capturing several British ships while
In command Of the frigate Constitu-
ton. During the war, too, Capt. Stew
art saw plenty of service, and no doubt
placed his country under deep obliga-
tons. His return home upon the con-
clusion of the Treaty of Ghent was
made the occasion of Il tremendous well
come. Every kind of public honor was
bestowed on him. A triumphant pro-
cession at Boston; the freedom of the
city, and the inevitable gold snuff box
at New York; the thanks of the Com
monwealth of Pennsylvania and gold
hilted sword; the thanks of congress,
and gold medal struck in Ills honor,
We're some of the honors showercd on
him. Admiral Stewart left two chill
dren, a son and daughter, Della.
Charles Stewart was the fourth son of
John Henry and Della Parncll An an
ecdote of Mr.. Parnclls childhood was
/ published, some years since, on the a,l-
thority of his mother in an Irish ncws-
paper. Charlie Parncl and his sister
had each, 1t seems. Il battalion of wood
en- soldiers, and park of artillery in
the shape of a pop-gun apiece. War
having been declared, tho young ladys
soldiers went down swiftly before Il
tremendous fire opened by Charlie on
her lines. Meanwhile the young gem
tleman's soldiers. though perpctually
hit, declined to fall The victory re-
mained with him, and it was subse-
qucntly discovered that he had glued
his men to the floor. Was 1t an earnest
of his future tenacity of purpose? His
mother has always been an ardent re-
publican, and has never sought to hide
her convictions. During the Fcnian
risings of 1S66-G7 she actively symp,-
thizcd with the Fcnan movement. She
was living in Dublin at the time with
three sons, including Charles Stewart,
and several daughters. and 1t was in
her house, it is said, that many of the
Fcnian leaders who We're wanted found
secure hiding place until they could
make good their escape to America.
Mrs. Parnell was, at any rate. for some
time under observation Charles
Stewart was born at Avondalc in June,
1916. But nearly the whole OF his early
life was passed In England. At years
or age he was sent to school at Yeovil
He moved thence to Kirk Langley, in
Dcrbyshirc. where he was under the
charge of the Rev. Mr.. Parton. He was
for time, too, n pupil of the Rev. Mr..
Wishaw. an OxfolNlshirc clergyman.
He went up to Cambridge like his father
before him, but did not graduate, nor
seriously attempt to take any university
or other course of study.
1t was In 1872, when Mr.. Blcnncrilas-
sett had won such victory for Homo
Rule at Kerry. that Mr.. Parncll seems
to have first turned his attention to par
liamcntary life. MIR. Blcnncrhassctt was,
like himself, Il Protestant and q land
lord, and his triumph seems to have
first suggested to Mr.. Parncll the idea
OF once more attempting action within
the Constitution" AT this jlmtlrc in
the political history of Ireland the con-
CcptiOn was in the nature of a furlOrn
hope.
At the dissolution of February, 1874,
Mr.. ParnclI wished to stand for the
county Wicklow, but being high sheriff
q hn p.i lni,, all,
resign. he was disqualified. An oppor-
tnnlty, however soon offered itself.
Col. Taylor accepted the Office of chan
cellor of tho Duchy OF Lancaster in Mr..
decided to contest the scat-cOunty Dub
lin. Mr. Parnell offered to fight The
battle at his own expense, and was ac-
ccptcd a candidate. Not that there
were not great msgivings as to the
bona-fides OF the young landlord. At
this moment he WAS scarcely known
outside Wicklow. Social ambition, It
was feared, was the main motive of his,
desire to represent Il constituency in
parliament. But after an Interview
with John Martin and A. M. Sullivan,
the latter undertook to propose his
adoption at a melting at the Rot;lnda.
1t is amusing now to read of this, Mr..
Parncl's first appearance in public life.
"Thc resolution" says Mr.. Sullivan,
(which | had moved in his favor hav-
ing been adopted with acclamatiOn, he
came forward to address the assem-
bagc. TO our dismay he broke down
utterly. He faltercd, he paused. went
on, got confused and pale, with intense
but subducd nervous anxiety, causing
every one to feel deep sympathy for
him. The audience saw it all, and
chccrcd him kindly and heartily, but
many on the platform shook their neads,
sagcly prophcsying that if ever nc got
to Westminster no matter how long he
stayed there, he would either be a 'si-
lent member" or be known as Single
speech Parncll.
In his first election address, after
some aIlusion to his ancestors, he wrote:
Il think can promise with confidence
that, as your representative, ] will do
nothing unworthy of them" The motto
which was probably in his mind when