CHAP. ations, Carteret informed the Government that the XIII. affair was desperate, and that further perseverance 1724. could end only in rebellion and confusion. The Ministers, however reluctant to compromise the King's authority, had no alternative, and yielded the point by withdrawing the patent, while at the same time the resignation of Lord Midleton was accepted, and a pension of 3000l. granted to Wood, in compensation for his loss. Several modern writers, astonished at the overwhelming and irrational outcry against a beneficial project, have devised another motive to explain it, and suppose that Wood's patent was only the pretext; a peg on which to hang the question of the independence and equality of Ireland. But such a supposition is by no means consistent with the contemporary records. There can be no doubt that Wood's patent was considered a real and enormous grievance in itself; and the question of equality was merely brought on to point a period or to swell a complaint, or rather was provoked by a foolish sally of Wood, implying that Ireland was only a "dependent "kingdom." Thus the question came on incidentally; and, when once raised, was keenly discussed. Certainly the cause of liberty in Ireland was promoted, in after years, by the stand successfully made on this occasion; but as it appears to me, there is no evidence to show that this cause was either the original, or at any time the principal, motive with the opponents of Wood. Believing, XIII. 1724 The sequel is, however, highly honourable to the CHAP. warm-hearted and Irish. generous however erroneously, that Swift had delivered them from a great public danger, their gratitude to him knew no bounds, nor ended even with his powers of mind. "The sun of his popularity," says a great poet, "remained unclouded, even "after he was incapable of distinguishing its radi"ance."* The Drapier's Head became a favourite sign; his portrait, we are told, was engraved, woven upon handkerchiefs, and struck upon medals (not of copper I presume). His health was quaffed at every banquet, his presence every where welcomed with blessings by the people. They bore with all the infirmities of genius, all the peevishness of age. In vain did he show contempt and aversion to those who thus revered him in vain did he deny them even the honour of his birth-place, frequently saying, "I was not dropped in this vile country, but in England.' In vain did he sneer at the "savage "old Irish." No insult on his part could weaken their generous attachment. Even at this day, as I am assured, this grateful feeling still survives; and all parties in Ireland, however estranged on other questions, agree in one common veneration for the memory of SwIFT. Scarcely were the disturbances in Ireland appeased, before others broke out among the Scots. I have elsewhere mentioned the great unwillingness of that nation to bear their proportion of the Sir Walter Scott's Life of Swift, p. 304. XIII. 1724. CHAP. Malt Tax, and the violent motion to which they had recourse in 1713. Since that time they had contrived, under various pretences, to evade payment of the duty, to the great envy and indignation of the English country gentlemen; until in 1724, the subject was brought before the House of Commons by Mr. Brodrick, who proposed that, instead of the duty on Malt in Scotland, there should be paid a duty of sixpence on every barrel of ale.t Walpole was by no means inclined to stir this agitating question; but finding the sense of the House against him, he acquiesced, taking care, however, to reduce the duty to three pence, or one half of what Brodrick proposed. The money, it is said, was wanted partly to defray an allowance of ten guineas weekly, which Walpole used to give to every Scotch member during the Session, in order, as was alleged, to support the charge of their residence in London. These Scotch members were now told by Walpole, when they waited upon him, that they must find or acquiesce in some mode to make up this expense from the Scotch revenue; or else, as he expressed it, they must in future "tie up their stockings with their own "garters!" + But though the Scotch members might have excellent reasons for yielding to this impost, + Commons' Journals, vol. xx. pp. 359. 374. Lockhart's Memoirs, vol. ii. p. 141., and Sir Walter Scott's Tales of a Grandfather, third series, vol. ii. p. 150. XIII. 1724. the Scotch people unhappily had none; and its CHAP. result was a general irritation throughout the country, and a serious riot at Glasgow. The mob assembled in large numbers, shouting "Down "with Walpole," and "Up with Seaforth !" they broke open and plundered the house of Mr. Campbell, of Shawfield, member for the City*; and his cellar being unfortunately well-stocked, added fresh incitement to their fury. Two companies of foot, under Captain Bushell, had been sent from Edinburgh at the first apprehension of a tumult; these were now surrounded by the mob and fiercely assailed with stones and other missiles, until the soldiers being compelled in self-defence to fire, killed nine persons, and wounded many more. Nevertheless, the mob seemed exasperated rather than dismayed; and Captain Bushell was compelled to retire to Dumbarton Castle, still pursued, and pelted by the rabble during a part of the way. Under these circumstances, the Commander-inChief for Scotland, General Wade, seeing the necessity of prompt measures, marched to Glasgow with so large a force as to disarm all opposition. Not content with seizing some of the rioters, hẹ apprehended the chief magistrates, and sent them prisoners to Edinburgh, under the charge, certainly 66 * "Had Mr. Campbell himself been in town," says Lockhart, they had certainly Dewitted him." (Mem. vol. ii. p. 162.) He coins this new term from the savage murder of the two De Witts by the mob in Holland. Thank God! we have no such English word! XIII. .1724. CHAP. well-founded, of either timidly or treacherously conniving at the riots. But, being brought before the Lords Justiciary, they were declared innocent, and set at liberty*; and this acquittal, being considered a victory over Government, revived the zeal of the people. A combination was formed amongst the brewers at Edinburgh, engaging not to give security for the new duty, nor to brew if the duty were demanded. The Duke of Roxburgh was at this time Secretary of State for Scotland; he had been attached to Carteret, and was accused by Walpole of fomenting these disturbances. Whether this was really the case, or whether Walpole merely seized the opportunity to acquire a more supple colleague, the Minister now obtained not merely the dis missal of Roxburgh, but the abolition of the office of Secretary for Scotland. Henceforth he centred the power of that department in his own hands; deputing, however, no small share of it to his devoted follower the Earl of Isla. It was Isla who on the fall of Roxburgh was despatched to Edinburgh, with the view of allaying the storm: he came armed with full powers from Government, and with no small prudence of his own. So firm, yet so skilful were his measures, that the threatening combination of brewers was speedily dissolved. They at first attempted to make terms; but being told that none would be accepted but * Culloden Papers, pp. 86-98. + Walpole to Townshend, August 17. 1725. |