Speeches

OF THE

RIGHT HON. HENRY GRATTAN ;

TO WHICH IS ADDED

HIS LETTER ON THE UNION,

WITH

À COMMENTARY ON HIS CAREER AND CHARACTER.

DANIEL OWEN MADDEN, ESQ.,

OF THE INNER TEMPLE

rrond Edition.

DUBLIN:
JAMES DUFFY, WELLINGTON QUAY

AND

22, PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON.

1868.

1885, Jan. 213

Gift of

The Heirs of C. . Felton,

PREFACE.

Fow things are more calculated to give pleasure to those interested in the welfare of our country, than the rapid progress which education has made amongst the people within the last few years.

In the Memoir of Grattau, prefixed to this volume, I have confined myself to indicating the growth of his character and genius, to commenting on the most iniportant crisis of his life, concludiug with a general review of his career, and with some plain rcmarks on the inestimable value of his example. I might have gone seriatim through all the facts of his life; but, within the limited space assigned to me, there would have been room for scarcely more than a meagre abridgment of his biography. The course I have adopted seemed to be more useful.

This edition having been designed for the public, and not for students of oratory, I have refrained from extended criticism on Grattan's eloquence. The topic has been treated of by Lord Brougham, Sir James Mackintosh, the Rev. George Croly, the late

Chicf Justice Buslie, William Taylor (of Norwich), and by a liost of other eminent persons.

Upon a critical subject as beaten it would be impossible to grow a blade of fresh thouglit. In the following Memoir, therefore, I have principally regarded the man and his life, rather than the orator and his style.

The valuable edition of Grattan's Speeches (published by his son in 1822) has long since been out of print. It was very carefully odited, and I have freely availed myself of some of Mr. H. Grattan's prefatory notes. I have also to acknowledge my obligations to that gentlemau's interesting life of his parent; but it will be seen that our views are not exactly in concurrence. In reverence for his father's memory, however, I believe all rational Trismen of every party have long since been agreed.