ABSTRACT
In 1806 Ireland was becoming gradually accustomed to the Union. The stream of absentee landlords was flowing steadily eastward; Miss Edgeworth was beginning her literary career; and Dublin was settling down, with resignation if not with contentment, into the situation of a mere provincial town. From the beginning of the year all sections of the Irish Catholics had concurred in renewing agitation, and in preparing a petition. The more moderate Catholics in Ireland were conciliated by the eventual self-sacrifice of the Ministers, and at last consented to suspend the fatal petition. The official Whig view of the measure for which they gave up office was that it was a “commencement of wise and moderate justice to the Catholics”. The rejection of the Veto on the part of the Roman Catholics, evinces the arrogant pretensions and principles of that church but even if granted, we cannot reasonably suppose that it would afford a shadow of security.
