HIBERNIAN MAGAZINE, OR Compendium of Entertaining Knowledge. FOR NOVEMBER, 1811. With this Month's Publication we give a striking Likeness of A. J. PLUNKET, EARL OF FINGALL, CHAIRMAN OF THE CATHOLIC COMMITTEE. BIOGRAPHY OF ARTHUR J. PLUNKET, Earl of Fingall. Among the characters who press forward from the usual votaries of fame, challenging the attention of the Biographist, none appear more conspicuous than those who advocate the rights of their species, whether civil or religious. The Earl of FINGALL possesses even in this honorable class of men, a marked distinction of praise. The times, and the cause, in which he is at present engaged, will at once support and elucidate the observation. Ireland, torn by intestine divisionsthe bleeding wounds of insurrection, inflamed by the venom of party-the sacred principles of religion converted into a never-ending source of political animosity, has little hope of peace, but in an Equalization of religious Privilege. Sweep away these distinctions which give one Christian an odions pre-eminence over an other and with them will vanish private hatred, public ferment-the fury of the bigot, and the malice of the incendiary. The Earl of FINGALL, in standing forward the champion of Catholic Emancipation, is alike entitled to the thanks of every liberal Protestant, as to those of every sincere Catholic. To use sacred language, such a measure must appear, in the contemplative eye of wisdom, "the very bond of peace and of all virtue." SANY. His Lordship's family is intimately connected with that of Lord DUNThey both sprang from the same source.- The PLUNKETS were, it is generally supposed, of Danish origin. This title is so ancient that neither the Rudiments of Honor" nor the modern "Irish Peerage" give us either the christian name of the person in whom it was created, or the date when it took place. The subject of the present memoir, ART. J.PLUNKET, Earl of Fingall, was born in' the year 1759. He received education in France and England; but principally in the latter country, His Lordship is one of 3 Y those those characters, who instead of hunting after popularity, has been sought out by her. Fondly attached to all the social endearments of private life, he has "Pass'd the noiseless tenor of his way," until called into action by the powerful voice of public complaint, or national danger. It is difficult to record the Biography of such characters; they shine, and they disappear. We gain knowledge of one or two of their most brilliant atchievements-but of the occurrences of their private life we are altogether ignorant. We have one or two striking objects to pourtray on the canvass; but we are unacquainted with the minutia, which alone can give variety to the design, and finish the group. His Lordship intermarried with Miss DONELLAN, only daughter of JOHN DONELLAN, Esq. of Ballydoncllan, county Galway. By this lady he has had issue, three children, two of whom are yet living: viz. 1st. Arthur James, Lord Killeen, born March, 1791.—2d. Lady Harriet, born August, 1792.-(Both these births took place in Switzerland)-3d. A male, which died in infancy. We find his Lordship in the rebellion of 1798, taking a loyal and distinguished part in those momentous events. At the time of raising the yeomanry corps, he was looked up to by the gentlemen of the surrounding neighbourhood to his dwelling, as the most proper person, both from his rank and tried principles to command them. He was unanimously elected captain of the Skreen troop, which appointment received the sanction of government. On the memorable 26th of May, in the above year, when the Rebels were encamped on the hill of Tara, closely adjoining to his Lordship's estate, (to the number of 6,000!) he evinced that determined courage, and prompt support, which gave a demonstrative proof of catholic loyalty. Fortunately at that time the Rea Highland fencibles, commanded by Captain Scobie, were on their route to Dublin, and had halted in Dunshaughlin. Scobie ordered Captain Blanche, with a small party and one field piece, out to join the yeomen in pursuit of the rebels. This little army consisted of three companies of the Rea fencibles, (with one light six-pounder field piece) one company of the Upper Kells yeomanry in fantry, commanded by Capt. Molloy, and four troops of cavalry, viz. Skreen troop, commanded by his Lordship, the Navan, by Captain Preston, the Lower Kells troop by Captain Barnes, and the Ratoath by Captain Gorge. On His Lordship was ordered by Captain Blanche, who was senior in command, to head the Navan troop, and to form, the advance guard in marching to the attack, the infantry and field-piece in the centre, and the other troops in the rere, in all not more than three hundred men. coming in view of the rebel encampment, seeing their strong position and vast numbers, this little army halted, when the officers called a council of war, what was best to be done, it seemed the unanimous opinion that they should attack the enemy, rather than wait their attack, and his Lordship most strenuously advised it. The particular strong situation of the rebels made the attack very critical, being encamped on a high hill, on which is a church. yard with a stone wall, breast-high and large ditches, drains, &c. which rendered the cavalry entirely useless, and the road, the only way they could advance, lay almost entirely exposed to their fire, not one hundred yards from their breast-work; the houses anarchy in the county Meath, and turbance subsided. Lord FINGALL mostly resides at his castle in the midst of his tenantry, and with his family, by whom he is beloved and respected; he is remarkable for benevolence and hospitality, maintaining a friendly intercourse with the gentlemen of his neighbourhood.He is about fifty-two years of age, rather tall and athletic. houses of the village were lined with pike-men. Notwithstanding all these circumstances, at twenty minutes before six in the evening, the troops advanced; his Lordship in the front gave the word for a rapid charge, which was obeyed with great celerity and success.; in the midst of a shower of balls they cut their way through the town with only one man wounded, whose skull was fractured by a musket-ball; this seemed not much to disconcert the rebels, who kept up a heavy but ill directed fire on the infantry. Early in the action, before a shot was fired on the part of the military, the Captain Com-gularly till every symptom of dismandant had his horse shot under him, a drummer and three or four privates were killed. Under cover of the ditch they advanced rapidly up to the village, dislodged the rebels there, set fire to it in all parts, took the church-yard by storm, at which the yeomen behaved in a most steady, cool, and intrepid manner, making great carnage. Having dislodged the rebels from their strong hold, they began again to assemble in great force in the village and to advance. Here Captain Molloy ordered the cannon to be brought against them, in which he actually assisted, the gunners being mostly killed; when the rebels were in the very act of seizing it, being double loaded with grape shot, it was fired by Captain Molloy in the midst of them, which made a dreadful carnage for upwards of one hundred yards along the road. This decided the fate of the day; and with two or three more discharges put them completely to the rout. Here the cavalry were found to be greatly useful; they cut off a number of those who were attempt-conscientious efforts which he is now ing their escape, &c. The public making to heal the wounds of his papers of the day and the books country-by consolidating the rights since written on the subject, can best of ALL her sons in one grand and evince the numbers killed, wound-comprehensive system of SPIRITUAL ed, &c. on both sides; in short it TOLERANCE, and consequently TEMput an effectual stop to rebellion and The Earl of FINGALL, in his celebrated correspondence with Lord REDESDALE has manifested to the literary world the possession of talents which rank him high as an able controversialist. And when we re collect the exertions in which he has recently engaged to obtain effectual constitutional redress for the catholic body of his Majesty's subjects in this country, it surely is not too much to remark, that future historians, in delineating his Lordship's character, will be compelled to pause, before they determine, which trait most to admire, the alacrity and vigor with which he assisted the suppression of rebellion-or the firm, manly and PORAL FREEDOM. THE THE CHATEAU OF ROUSSILLON. (Continued from Page 512.) WHAT sensible heart may not paint to itself the emotions of Julie when she read the narrative of Bertolini? How much bliss and agony were mingled, as she dwelt on the confession of his attachment, and the detail of his engagements with Aldonga!" Oh! let me not repine," she repeated softly, pressing the paper to her lips; " let me not repine at ought since he loves me!the consciousness of that is bliss beyond my hopes. I too, will give up that world which he is forced to abandon. Yes, admirable Bertolini, the favoured creature whom thou hast distinguished with thy love, will never bestow herself upon another; God alone shall occupy the life she must not devote to thee." At this idea of retiring into a convent, the tears of Julie flowed afresh; but a delicious sentiment mixed with the sadness of quitting the endearments of her kindred, and the pleasures of the world, to make that sacrifice for Bertolini, seemed a duty, and felt a rapture. When Madame St. Hypolite returned into her daughter's apartment, she was surprised, yet consoled, by the divine calm that now spread over her countenance; Julie forbore to speak of her sudden intention; she only sunk into her mother's arms, repeating, as she laid her blushing cheek upon her breast:-"I am happy, dearest mother, as happy as a mortal should expect to be." Madame tenderly embraced her, and applauding her virtuous submission to the will of Providence, besought her not entirely to dismiss hope, even while she stroye to keep her mind prepared for a courageous encounter with utter disappointment. Cheered by the judicious encouragement of this affectionate mother, and animated with the joy of being beloved by one so generous and amiable as Bertolini, Julie refused herself. any further indulgence of solitary reflection. Providence had made her almost happy, and it therefore seemed doubly her duty to think of the sufferings of others. She now threw on her veil and mantle, and accompanied by Madame, went forth to visit and assist a poor widow near the chateau, whose little cottage was filled with sorrow and sickness. When the St. Hypolite family met at breakfast the next morning, Francois appeared so abstracted, that his mother soon ceased to address him, and directed all her discourse to her daughter. Julie exerted herself to converse upon subjects once very interesting, but now trivial in comparison with that which engrossed her whole soul; yet now and then she cast a tender look upon her brother, whose varying countenance, and deeply-absorbed air, made her con scious that he was pondering upon the difficult circumstances of his friend. She loved him the better for this devoted friendship, and they sighed to think how soon that interesting friend would be lost to both of them. Breakfast was over, Julie gone to her music-room, and Madame quietly settling her family accounts, when Francois suddenly started from his seat, advanced to a mirror, and looked steadfastly at his own image for some minutes. Madame St. Hypolite accidently raised her eyes, while he was thus strangely occupied, and the incident appeared so ridiculous that, bursting into a laugh, she ex-claimed :-"Why, my dear boy, you must be very absent; do you know you are all this time looking at yourself in the glass." Francois turned quickly round, and with his usual vivacity replied:— |