with reputation in what is called "The seven years' war;" but marrying a Spanish lady whilst he was in Minorca, he retired upon half-pay at the peace of 1763, and died soon after, without chil dren.

David took orders, and was perfectly qualified for that profession, being a young man of good understanding and great propriety of manners; he, however, died early, of a consumption, without being married.

Some

Henry, after his father's death, settled in Cork, and soon after married a Miss Bottesworth, a near relation of the late and present Earl of Shannon. She was a lady of very high accomplishments, and the union was formed on both sides on the purest principles of affection. Though a man of fortune, Mr. Sheares was not a meer idler; he combined to a good education a most excellent taste, and hence amused himself with writing many occasional pieces, which were all well received by the public. years after his marriage, through the interest of Lord Shannon he obtained a seat in the Irish parliament, where he so distinguished himself as a speaker, that he soon obtained a pension on that establishment of zool. per annum. He soon after joined a Dr. Rogers and Mr. Traverse, both gentlemen of very good landed property, in the banking business, in Cork; in which they succeeded very well, and in which he continued till his death, which happened about the year 1773. He had two sons, Henry and John Sheares, of whose intended education he had rather a particular idea. His plan was, and which he pursued, just to instruct them in the elementary principles of reading and writing, without going any further, or making any designa tion of their future professions himself, till such

time as he could find out the natural tendencies of their minds. This refinement of education, though well intended by the parent, was one of the errors of speculation. He did not sufficiently consider that young minds are alive to the impressions that surround them; and if the earliest care be not taken to instil into them the principles of religion and the uses of literature, their rising passion› have generally a stronger turn to sloth, ignorance, sensuality, &c. This was pretty nearly the case with the two Sheares. Permitted, in a great degree, to do as they liked, they preferred the indulgencies of the kitchen and the company of servants to the example of their father's conduct and the conversation of his drawing-room : they mixed with the lowest boys in the school, who flattered their rank and situation. Hence, they got forward and decisive in their opinions, negligent in their dress, and contemptuous of that regimen which other boys in their style of life were obliged to pursue. When they were between eight and ten years of age, the father saw his error, and instantly set about reformning it. He altered his plan entirely, by having the best masters in all branches of science to attend them in the house, under his own eyes, narrowly inspected what company they kept, and at a proper age sent them to the university, where, being lads of good natural parts, they acquired a considerable degree of reputation,

The father intended both for the bar; but dying before that plan could be put into execution, the elder, after finishing his studies in the college, entered into the army, where he served some time in the rank of lieutenant; but selling out on the peace of 1783, he entered himself as a student in one of the English Inns of Court, and followed the pro

fession

fession of the law in conjunction with his brothe John.

The talents of both brothers were respectable : Henry had a good share of knowledge, but was not so successful in bringing it forward as John; who being a younger brother, perhaps might have exerted himself with greater assiduity. However it was, John was considered as a very rising barrister, who had every thing to expect from his profession, had he pursued it with a proper respect for his character. From their childhood, both brothers were attached to each other, as well from similarity of sentiments às natural connection. They lived in the same house together, mixed in the same parties, and as their politics, from boys, were strongly of a republican cast, their conversation and their occasional publications partook of this spirit.

To minds so prepared, the French revolution was too great a political æra to pass by without their participation. They embarked for France in 1792, and in Paris found a fatal hot-bed for their principles; perhaps, what before this was the ebullition of liberty, which time and a more extensive acquaintance with the nature of men and govern. ments might either moderate or totally subdue, now caught the scorching flames of licentiousness. They immediately became acquainted with Brissot, Robespierre, and the patriotic butchers of that day; who not only instilled into them the principles of their diabolical art, but Aattered them with being the restorers of their country's freedom. Hence they acquired all the arcana and mysteries of clubs, fraternization, affiliation, &c so that before they left Paris, they publicly spoke of the revolution of Ireland as a thing not only possible, but very easy to be effected. Indeed they were so imprudent in

this

1

1

this particular, that they got several hints from their instructors and partisans, not to be so premature in their declarations.

Possessed with these principles, they returned to Ireland, and immediately set about their mission with all the zeal of the most violent reformers. They formed clubs in several parts of the kingdom, employed agents to sound the army and yeomanry, and were indefatigable themselves, by their writings in those papers which were favourable to their par ty, to spread the seeds of rebellion around. Government had timely notice of their proceedings, which soon became so little disguised, that they fell victims as much to their own imprudence as guilt. Their papers were seized, which breathed nothing but the most unequivocal proofs of rebellion, whilst their repeated overt acts confirmed in a great degree the doctrine of their publications. Their trial took place at Dublin, July 12, and ended the next morning. The indictment contained two principal counts: viz. compassing the king's death and adhering to his enemies, supported by seventeen overt acts. Messrs. Ponsonby, Plunkett, and M'Nally, opened the prisoners' cases separately, and Mr. Curran occupied three hours, with his usual animation and ability, in speaking to evidence. He was replied to by the prime serjeant: after which, Lord Carleton charged the jury, laying down the law of high treason according to the best legal authorities in England and the uniform practice of the courts. The jury were not retired above twenty minutes, when they returned a verdict of Guilty.

The unfortunate brothers, during their trial, preserved a manly fortitude, taking notes, and ipstructing their counsel, with the utmost composure;

but

.

but when the verdict Guilty was pronounced, all their fortitude forsook them: their cries, whilst embracing each other, expressed the bitterness of their grief; the spectators, forgetting for a moment the enormity of their crimes, sympathized in the sufferings of the unhappy delinquents.

It was remarked that Lord Carleton, in passing sentence on these two unfortunate young men, was so much affected, he could scarcely proceed. No wonder the feelings of this worthy judge should be so agitated he had been the townsman and early friend and acquaintance of their father, and lived with him in the most familiar habits of intimacy. He owed to his enlightened conversation, perhaps, some of his habits of thinking; and the recollection of such scenes, with the awful contrast which stood before him, must be heart-rending indeed!

On the ensuing Saturday, the sheriffs attended the prison, to carry the sentence into execution; but waited a considerable time for an answer to an application made to government for a short respite, and promising, as reported, ample confessions. The sheriffs went to the Castle, in order to know the pleasure of government; but returned with an answer, founded upon the advice of the privy council, that no respite could be permitted. Again, how ever, at their entreaty, the sheriffs returned to pray a respite for Henry, and an otherwise unconditiona] promise of ample confession. To this, government is said to have replied, that they had full know. ledge of every thing which could come out in confession, and that the law must take it's course. The prisoners seemed to be much agitated, Henry in particular. John, however, collected, and declared to the persons round him, that, in his poli-, tical pursuit, reform, and not indiscriminate mas

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sacre,