On the 19th died Stone, the famous Primate of Ireland, aged 57, having ruined his constitution by indulgence to the style of luxury and drinking established in Ireland, and by conforming to which he had found the means of surmounting the most grievous prejudices and of gaining popularity, ascendant, power: an instance of abilities seldom to be matched. He was aided, too, by several virtues: he was generous and charitable, and of a soul above revenge. When Lord Chesterfield[33] held the government of Ireland, he told the Primate, “My Lord, you must govern this kingdom, for you have the best parts in it; but you want one thing, you must take orders:” alluding to the irregularity of his life. But Stone had greater parts than Lord Chesterfield imagined, for he _did_ govern that kingdom without conforming to the decencies of his profession.[34] Stone was survived but a few days by his ancient competitor the Earl of Shannon[35]--a more common character, he having sold his patriotism for a peerage; and maintaining by hypocrisy an influence that Stone had supported with the boldness of a statesman, and with scorn of the little knavery that he might have borrowed from his rank of Archbishop. The noise which our succession of Patriots had made in Europe, and the disgrace their prostitution had brought on the character, gave occasion to the following anecdote. Monsieur Elie de Beaumont, renowned for his defence of the family of Calas, was in England, and went to Bath. Conversing there with Lord Chief Justice Pratt and Lord Strange, Monsieur de Beaumont said he wanted to see a Patriot. Lord Strange replied, there was no such thing. “You surprise me, my Lord, said the Chief Justice; till now I thought your Lordship one!” At the conclusion of the year the Cider counties instructed their members to join the Minority; and Sir George Yonge[36] carried a letter from some of the chiefs to the Duke of Newcastle, proposing union. The Duke sent the letter to Mr. Pitt, as an inducement to him to declare himself. Pitt thanked the Duke for the communication, but observed, the letter had not been intended for him (Pitt). He desired to be consulted no more, for he was, and would be, a single man. The Minority, he said, had heard the late glorious war abused the last session, and had sat silent. Therefore would he join nobody, but would act on every single occasion as he should think right.[37] Thus, without chiefs, numbers, or union, were we left to meet the opening of Parliament in the ensuing year! CHAPTER II. Church Preferments.--Meeting of Parliament.--Conway’s Speech.--Lord Chatham’s Legacy from Sir William Pynsent.--Speeches on Dismissal of Officers.--Duel between Mr. Chaworth and Lord Byron.--Renewal of the Question of General Warrants.