[475] In 1810, Sir William Stamer, who seized John Keogh's papers in 1803, gave a masquerade. McNally went as Æsop, but scorned to wear a mask. Huband, whom he often reports, went as Pan; Dogherty, afterwards Chief Justice, as Jeremy Diddler; Wolfe, afterwards Chief Baron, as a hair-dresser; Sir Jonah Barrington as a friar; and 'Doctor Turner' (no doubt Samuel, LL.D.), as Punch. For a full account, see _Hibernian Magazine_ for 1810, p. 125. [476] Lecky's _History of England_, vii. 142. [477] _The Metropolis_ (Dublin, 1806), p. 43, second edition. [478] McNally always describes himself, in his secret letters, as 'my friend.' [479] Spy as he was, McNally trembled throughout the troubles, and is not likely to have delivered the defiant reply which he claims to have done. On May 24, 1798, he describes his family as 'all females--all live in terror.' He has moved them a short way from Dublin. He hopes that Cooke's interest will prevent the impending evil of free quarters on his house. It was astutely felt at Dublin Castle, however, that the more McNally seemed to suffer persecution for justice sake, the more freely would popular confidence be reposed in him. On June 27, 1798, he writes to Cooke, bitterly complaining that his house had been attacked by soldiers, who refused to respect Castlereagh's protection.' [480] _Life of Curran_, by his Son, ii. 148-9. Compare Lecky, viii. 24, where MacNally seems humanely to lament the theft by soldiers, from a Dublin barrister, of a stand inscribed 'Erin go bragh.' [481] J. W. (secret), September 19, 1800. [482] Wickham seems to allude to this fact in the _Colchester Correspondence_, i. 456. [483] Mr. Ross, in his preface to the _Cornwallis Papers_, states that Wickham's papers are destroyed. His grandson tells me that the papers are safely in his possession. [484] Now the cemetery at Harold's Cross, Dublin. [485] Madden's _United Irishmen_, iii. 330. [486] J. W. to Mr. Secretary Cooke: endorsed 'November 1797.' McNally adds, of a subsequent Whig Lord Chancellor, on whom he had his eye: 'Geo. Ponsonby is not of the private meetings at Grattan's or Curran's.' [487] _Life of Curran_, by his Son, ii. 385. [488] The same manuscript further records, under the respective dates, March 16, 1803, and November 26, 1803, two sums of 100_l._ each, paid to 'J. W.' [489] Mr. W. B. Kelly, who held the copyright of a book of mine called _The Sham Squire_, got it reprinted in Edinburgh many years ago. I had no opportunity for revising the proofs, and I am anxious to correct the strange misprint at p. 250, of '1,000_l._' instead of '100_l._' to McNally. The original edition, at the same page, states the amount correctly. [490] Camden to Portland, December 2, 1797. [491] Most of McNally's letters are endorsed by Cooke. This is marked by Pelham, 'November 8, 1797.' [492] McNally himself.