But among all his peculiarities, and in all the busy variety of his occupations, politics formed the darling object of his thoughts; and his steady adherence to the cause of government, in the perilous period of the Irish rebellion, his personal courage, zeal, and activity, will long be remembered to his honour. He used to relate many curious anecdotes which occurred to him and his family, at that momentous epoch; one in particular of his mother, which may be worth commemorating. They had in their family a gardener, who had been thirty years in their service, and who was a Roman Catholic. The old lady, who was of a remarkably mild, amiable, and unsuspicious temper, used to walk without any attendant about her spacious garden and domain, till some of her neighbours who had been molested, cautioned her against the danger of walking without a companion. In consequence of this, she one day called to the gardener, and reminded him of the great length of time he had lived in the family, of their kindness to him, and of her own acts of friendship in particular. She concluded with asking him, whether any influence or authority could induce him to make any attempt upon her life. “Certainly not, Madam,” was the reply, “unless my priest should order me.” When the Union was fully arranged and confirmed, our friend came to England, where his services, his patriotism, his activity, and abilities, were acknowledged and rewarded. He was appointed to a highly honourable situation, the functions of which, for a considerable time—indeed whilst he retained the office—he duly and faithfully discharged. In this interval he married; how wisely, it is not here necessary to pronounce. They who think forty-five, marvellously disproportionate to twenty, will be of opinion, that he might as well have let it alone. There was, however, a certain sort of restlessness, which so characterized this gentleman, that he was perpetually looking about him for some new scene for the display of his activity. A near relation was appointed to a high and splendid situation in one of the remote dependencies of the British Empire. It was proposed to him to accompany his noble friend in a great and confidential office. He did so, and if he survives, there he yet remains. Whether he has obtained wealth, or whether satisfied with his situation, he intends to return to Albion no more, is still problematical. One of his first acts seemed to indicate his determination to turn the wilderness into a garden, and make corn-fields laugh and sing in the African deserts. He ordered ploughs, harrows, and every kind of agricultural apparatus, to an extent that alarmed his friends, and were sufficient for a numerous colony.