ENTEEND according to Act of Congress, in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred And Fifty five, by J. S. REDFIELT), in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of New York. COLLECTION Joun Philpot CURRAN, one of the truest patriots and greatest men ever native of Irish soil, was the centre of the sparkling wits, the renowned orators, the brilliant advocates, and the honored statesmen who flashed upon the darkness of his conntry's latest hours of freedom, and vainly endeavored to maintain the national independence which they had achieved for her. His life is identified with the latest years of Ireland's nationality. He manifested an independence as advocate for the accused, during the State Trials, which endeared him to the people from whose ranks he sprung. To use the words of Thomas Davis (who resembled him in many things), he was a companion unrivalled in sympathy and wit ; an orator, whose thoughts went forth like ministers of nature, with robes of light and swords in their hands; a patriot, who battled best when the flag was trampled down; and a genuine earnest man, breathing of his climate, his country, and his time.” He has been fortunate in his biographers. The life by his Son (who is yet living), contains materials which were inaccessible to other writers. Also came a volume of Recollections by Charles Phillips, who knew him well in his later years—a work which, greatly enlarged, was republished a few years ago, with all the charm of novelty. Later still appeared the Memoir, by Thomas Davis, prefixed to his edition of Curran's Speeches—a brilliant but brief tribute by one honest and gifted man to the worth and memory of another. Anterior to all these is the Memoir, by William O'Regan (the friend and contemporary of Curran, and often engaged with him in the same causes), written during Curran's lifetime, with his knowledge, if not with his direct sanction, and published within six weeks after his death a book little known, but full of interesting personal details, and abounding with anecdotal and other illustrations of Curran's wit. It appeared to me that there was sufficient in the career and character of Curran to interest not only the members of his own profession but a large number of general readers in this country. I have therefore taken the life by his Son, and without alterations or omissions, have introduced a large quantity of new matter, principally relating to his legislative and personal life. These additions will be found between brackets, and, with the notes which I have occasionally found it requi site to add, bave made the Memoir more full of interest than any yet presented. In the Appendix I have placed a few specimens of the wit with which Curran and his friends were wont " to set the table in a roar," The portrait which embellishes this work is a characteristic likeness, by Comerford, of Dublin, now for the first time engraved in this country, and little known even in Ireland. R. SHELTON MACKENZIE. New York, September 20, 1865. Mr. Curran's origin--His parents -Early education-Originally intended for the Church- Enters Trinity College-His ardour for the classics-Letter to Mr. Stack-Anecdote of his Mother-Her Epitaph-While in College fixes on the Bar-Anecdote connected with the change of Profession-His character in College-Addicted to Metaphysics-Anec- Mr. Curran leaves College-Enters the Middle Temple-Letter to Mr. Weston-Letter to Mr. Keller-His first attempts in Oratory fail-His own account of the failure, and of his first success—A regular attendant at Debating Clubs - Anecdotes—His Poem on Friendship-Dr. Creagh's character of him—Mr. Hudson's predictions and friendship- His early manners and habits-Subject to constitutional melancholy-Letters from London--His society in London-Anecdote of his interview with Macklin--His early application and attainments-Favorite authors-Early attachment to the Irish peas- Dir. Curran's early success at the bar-His contest with Judge Robinson–His defence of a Roman Catholic priest—His duel with Mr. St. Leger-Receives the dying benediction of the priest—Lord Avonmore's friendship-His character of Lord Avonmore-Monks of St. Patrick, and list of the original members—Anecdotes of Lord Avonmore-Mr. tem-Octennial bill-American revolution-Its effects upon Ireland-The Irish volun- teers--Described by Mr. Curran-Their numbers, and influence upon public measures -Irish revolution of 1782–Mr. Grattan's public services—Observations upon the sub- Mr. Flood's plan of Parliamentary Reform—Mr. Curran's contest and duel with Mr. Fitz- gibbon (afterwards Lord Clare)-Speech on Pensions-His professional success-Mode of life-Occasional verses—Visits France-Letters from Dieppe and Rouen-Anecdote -Letters from Paris—Anecdote—Letter from Mr. Boyse-Anecdote of Mr. Boyse--Let- upon the Address-Regency question-Formation of the Irish Whig opposition-Mr. Curran's speech and motion upon the division of the boards of stamps and accounts- |
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