speak, of yesterday, declared that they were secure in their proprietary rights; and that Mr. Gladstone solemnly acquitted them of what had been laid to their charge? On the other hand, have they not been for ages the staunchest friends of England in Irish affairs, especially in troubled and perilous times? Is it for nothing that they have been called the British garrison by her foes, the strongest obstacle to rebellion and treason? And is a class, which has, on the whole, been a civilising influence, for many years, in Ireland, and which has given the State far more than a due proportion of worthies--warriors, orators, statesmen, thinkers, men of eminence in all the arts of life--to be sacrificed at the bidding of a conspiracy bent on subverting British rule in Ireland, or in deference to false and perilous theories? CHAPTER VII THE QUESTION OF THE FINANCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND The subject briefly considered--Financial position of Ireland before 1782, and under Grattan's Parliament--Her taxation and debt small before 1798--Ireland financially a distinct country--At the Union, Pitt wished to 'assimilate her in finance' with Great Britain, but this impossible, and why--Ireland's contribution after the Union--This was unjust, but it left her financially a distinct country--Ireland made nearly bankrupt--The compromise of 1816--The Irish Exchequer closed, and the Irish and British debts consolidated--The object of the compromise was rather to relieve Ireland from her burdens than to assimilate her in finance with Great Britain--She still remained for many years financially distinct from Great Britain, and is so still to some extent--The conduct of Peel a striking proof of this--Mr. Gladstone imposes the income tax on Ireland, and her spirit duties are largely raised--Injustice of this policy--The Committee of 1863-64--Ireland does not obtain financial justice--The Report of the Childers Commission made upon a reference by Mr. Gladstone following Mr. Goschen--The Commission declares that Ireland has been greatly overtaxed for many years--Evidence on which it has founded this conclusion--Examination of arguments to the contrary--Another Commission promised, but the promise not fulfilled--Importance of settling this question.