believed were occasioned by the erroneous impression which generally prevailed amongst those infuriated wretches, as to the victim who had fallen into their hands. Equally erroneous was the opinion so widely diffused, that Lord Carleton was the guardian of Henry and John Sheares.

On examining the will of the father of Henry and John Sheares, at the Prerogative Court, Dublin, I found no mention whatever made of Lord Carleton; but the care of his children was committed to the kindness of "his dear friend, Richard, earl of Shannon"-and the particular charge entrusted to him was, to see that unanimity and affection always prevailed amongst them.

How, then, could those even intimately acquainted with the sons, confound Lord Carleton with the Earl of Shannon? "Richard Boyle, Earl of Shannon, was created Baron Carleton in England, in 1786." There can be little doubt but that, in the strange confusion of names and titles, which sometimes get jumbled together in Irish genealogies, the Irish chief justice, Lord Carleton, was confounded with the Earl of Shannon, Baron Carleton of the English peerage.

The account given by Sir Jonah Barrington, of the efforts made by him with Lord Clare on behalf of Henry Sheares, and his views of the conduct of Lord Clare, and of the demeanour of the elder Sheares, with respect to the application to him, are deserving of attention. The motives of the place-hunting Sir Jonah, at the period of his writing this account (the publication of which he delayed for so many

years) in giving a false colouring to the conduct of Lord Clare, and seeking to depreciate the characters of persons so obnoxious to him, are too evident to be mistaken. He gives his lordship credit for proposing to stay the execution, at the very time he well knew it was about to be carried into effect; and sending him to Newgate, to make enquiries of Henry Sheares about disclosures, instead of making him (Sir Jonah) the bearer of instructions to the sheriff, to delay the execution pending these enquiries. He tells us, Lord Clare desired him to return to him at the Castle; and when he does return, his lordship had taken effectual measures to prevent the admission of Sir Jonah:-" orders had been given, that nobody should be admitted without a written permission." Mr. Cooke likewise kept out of Sir Jonah's way. At length, when the time was past for preserving the life of the unfortunate man, the secretary brought out an order for a respite to Sir Jonah. It is not to be presumed, that a moment would have been lost by Sir Jonah in hurrying to the gaol, to deliver such an order to the sheriffs; for, as to his anxious desire to preserve the life of Henry Sheares, there can be no doubt,-and when he arrives, the execution is over: the hangman is holding up the head of his unfortunate friend, Henry Sheares!

What an extraordinary proof Sir Jonah gives of Lord Clare's amiability, on the occasion of his shewing to him the letter of Henry Sheares: "He never saw him amiable before ;"" he was moved;" "his heart yielded;" Sir Jonah "improved on the

impression:" "He (Lord Clare) only said- What a coward he is!'"

How does Sir Jonah's account of Lord Clare's presumed ignorance of the hour appointed for the execution, tally with the statements given in a Cork paper of the sheriffs arriving at Newgate at 12 o'clock; of the application of the prisoners for a respite," for at least one of them;" of one of the sheriffs having the humanity to proceed to the Castle (where the council was then sitting) with the application; of its being refused; of a second delay being accorded by the sheriffs, to give time for another application to the government; and of the refusal of that one likewise?

But there are proofs of Lord Clare's direct interference, to prevent the remission of the sentence on the part of Lord Cornwallis, which place the conduct of his lordship, in the part he acted with Barrington, in a very odious light. In the interval between the conviction and execution of the brothers, many efforts were made by their friends, and seconded by the most powerful influence in various quarters, to obtain a remission of their sentence. The following particulars on the subject of these efforts, were communicated to me in writing by Maria Steele. Previously to my referring to her account, it is necessary to allude to a circumstance, to shew from what source the information of that amiable lady was obtained, which is herein given.

The nephew of Lord Cornwallis, Horatio Cornwallis, a young gentleman of great promise, then serving with his regiment in Ireland, some time

previously to this period, had met Miss Steele in society. The object of general admiration, was soon one of more than ordinary interest to Horatio Cornwallis-in fact, he became strongly attached to her, and was looked upon as the rival of John Sheares. The strength of this attachment can best be appreciated, by the influence which the subsequent impediments to the realization of his wishes had upon his health and spirits. It is not necessary for me to enter further on this subject, than to say, that Horatio Cornwallis died in England, about the year 1802 or 1803. Previously to the execution of the Sheares, at the urgent entreaty of Maria Steele, he interfered for them with his uncle, Lord Cornwallis. His efforts on behalf of one of the brothers, whom he knew to be the devoted admirer of the same object who had won his own affections, may well be styled generous; and with these few explanatory remarks, I give this statement in the words of Maria Steele.

"Long before conviction, Lord Cornwallis expressed a strong desire to save their lives; and said, he did not like that his first act here should be a sanguinary one. After the conviction, when his nephew, Horatio Cornwallis (at the entreaty of a friend of John Sheares, who had also great influence over Horatio Cornwallis) knelt at his uncle's feet to implore his mercy, and was on the point of obtaining it—at that very moment Lord Clare, who was present, said, that if he failed in making this example, loyal men, who awaited his decision as a

me.

test of what they were to expect from him, would withhold their confidence, &c. All he said I do not now remember, though it was faithfully repeated to Lord Cornwallis's wishes were to save their lives, and send them out of Ireland, as other men were to be thus disposed of. Great efforts were also made by his family: Mrs. Sheares (Henry's wife) sat in a sedan chair, almost the whole of the 13th of July, on Lord Clare's steps, and at length saw him, and fell at his feet, and clasped his knees -but she failed. Perhaps, he could not have saved them at that time. Horatio Cornwallis endeavoured to obtain an interview with his uncle, for Julia Sheares, but was prevented by Lord Clare's creatures, who at that time filled the court: a memorial was also delivered by Horace to his uncle-but the same powerful influence defeated it. The only friend he saw after conviction, besides one of his counsel, was Dr. Dobbin, a clergyman of great worth, who had been his tutor at one time in college. He wrote three letters-to his mother, his sister, and one other person. He seemed indifferent to his own fate, but agonized at that of his brother. His speech in court, between conviction and sentence, expressed his real feelings. Lord Carleton, who was the judge on the trial, had been the particular friend of the father of the Sheares. Previous to passing sentence, he made a pathetic address, in which he mentioned the regard and respect he had ever felt for both parents. His cousin, the late Oliver Carleton, told me that, on