Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-13

places are among the most disreputable
saloons in Dublin.
house on Fishamble street, near the music
hall where Handel first produced his IA
nous oratorio, THE Messiah" and was
baptised in the Church Of St. John near
by. He was educated at Trinity College,
Dublin. and the trustees of that institu-
ton have erected a statue in his honor
outside the old house of parliament, now
the Bank OF England, which was the
scene of his most eminent services. He
is represented in the attitude Of pleading
with uplifted hands for the liberty of Ire
land. The figure is the very personfica-
ton of eloquence.
Grattan spent his early life in Dublin,
was admitted to the bar here and entered
parliament at the age Of twenty-nine in
1775. He Immediately assumed the lead
ershfp Of the opposition to the govern
ment. and 1t was through his ability and
able management that the king and the
British parliament was compelled to give
Ireland free trade and the constitution OF
1852. What was called "Grattans parlia-
ment' lasted nineteen years. and its &C.
tivity was tremendous and comprehensive
and the results may now be seen in every
direction. 1t conferred innumerable ben
efits upon the city Of Dublin and upon
the country at large During the nineteen
years it was in session 1t made greater
public Improvement than occurred in any
single century before. It built the two
greatest edifices in Ireland-the four
courts and the custom house, which are
beautiful examples of the classic school
of architecture and each cost several mil
lions of dollars. The Bank of Ireland was
founded as the financial agent of the gov
eminent, but Grattan, when he moved its
establishment. little dreamed that it would
store it's gold and transact its business in
the very chamber where the act was
passed. The Royal Irish Academy was
founded to promote 1.-The study Of science
and polite learning and antiquities"
Three great hospitals were built; the Col
corporated and erected, a dignified and
stately building upon Stephens Green.
The commerce of the country was devel-
oped and large warehouses and mercan-
tile establishments were erected to oc-
commodate it. Many new manufactures
were established. High roads were built
in every direction. coach lines were inau-
gurated to accommodate travel and sail
ing packets to carry passengers and mails
across the sea. canal was built
hundred miles long, to bring freight to the
city. Penny post was introduced. The
Guinness brewery was developed with
great profit to the proprietors and began
to send to England the beer 1t had been
selling for local consumption for half
century.
Where He Settled Down.
Grattan was the leader of all this pros
perity, and introduced many and advo-
Gated all of the laws to encourage it.
AS an acknowledgment of his services
parliament voted him a gift Of $3.50. 600,
which enabled him to settle down as
country gentleman in a seat called
''Tinnehinch" near the town of Ennis
kerry, a few miles south of Dublin near
the watering place called Bray.
The British government offered him the
vice-regal lodge, now occupied by the
lord lieutenant In Phoenix Park, but
might be misinterpreted.
This period of self-government. which
might be called THE Golden Age" Of
Ireland. lasted nineteen years. when
"Grattan's parliament" fell. SO many
other good things have fallen, because 1t
became vain Of its own conceit." 1t is
not expedient. 1t is not wholesome for the
same party to remain in control of affairs
too long. Its members become corrupt
extravagant. selfish. intolerant and indlf-
ferent to the public welfare and Graf
tan's parliament acquired all of these
faults. The great leader, and he was one
of the ablest political leaders that ever
came upon the theater of public affairs.
was unable to control his followers. They
became restless, they favored measures
q radical policy toward the British gov-s
eminent that he opposed with all his
energy and eloquence.
He was soon displaced from leadership
by the extremists who demanded abso-
lutte separation from England and en-
These movements were undoubtedly en-.
couraged by the example Of the French
revolution. When the hot heads came
into control Ireland burst into rebellion
which was put down with he-utmost &c.
verify. and William Pitt. prime minister
introduced ~ nrt ~