BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 171
(( This spirit of false chivalry,” adds Barrington, (( which took such entire
possession of Hamilton Rowan’s understanding, was soon diverted into the
channels of political theory.” The (( wrongs of Ireland,” real and imaginary,
were not without their influence on a mind so susceptible of humane and
honourable impressions. In 1782 he had participated in the memorable but
short-lived triumph obtained for their country by the Volunteers, whom the
emergency of the times called into existence j and he saw with equal regret the
return of anarchy and disorganisation which so speedily followed that propitious
effort of national unanimity. The spirit of democracy, so fearfully awakened in
the Revolution of France, acted with talismanic effect upon the people of Ireland,
where the patriotic exertions and eloquence of a Grattan and a Curran were
expended in vain against the corruption of the Irish Parliament.
In Hamilton Rowan the promoters of the societies of (( United Irishmen,”
the first of which was held in Belfast in October 1791, found an influential and
enthusiastic coadjutor. The first sitting of the Dublin Society was held on the
9th November following; the Hon. Sirnon Butler in the chair, and James
Napper Tandy, secretary. Of this body Hamilton Rowan was an original
member; but it was not till 1792, at the meeting on the 23d November,
that we find him officially engaged in the proceedings. Dr. Drennan (whose
talents as a writer have been much admired) was elected chairman, and Mr.
Rowan, secretary.
The views of the “ United Irishmen ” were ostensibly the accomplishment
of political reformation-and probably nothing farther was at first contemplated ;
but it soon became evident that measures as well as principles were in progress,
which were likely to increase and streugthen in proportion as a redress of
grievances was denied or postponed. That national independence was an event,
among others, to which the United Irishmen looked forward, is strongly countenanced
by concurring circumstances-although it ought to be borne in mind
that the original political associations were entirely distinct from those subsequently
entered into, bearing similar designations. Early in 1792 a body of
volunteers were formed in Dublin, approximating in design to the National
Guards of France-the leaders of whom were Hamilton Rowan and Napper
Tandy. This body of armed citizens-who “wore clothing of a particular
uniform, with emblems of harps divested of the Royal Crown ”-had hitherto
met only in small divisions ; but a general meeting, to be held on Sunday the
7th September, was at length announced in a placard, to which was attached
the signature of Mathew Dowling. Alarmed at this procedure the Government
issued a counter proclamation the day previous, which proved so entirely
authoritative, that the only individuals who appeared on parade in uniform
were Rowan, Tandy, and Carey, printer to the Society.
Immediately following this, the ‘( United Irishmen ” met in consdtationan
energetic address to the Volunteers of Ireland, or rather the disorganised
remains of that once powerful body, was agreed ob-and the Guards of Dublin
were summoned to meet in a house in Cape Street, belonging to Pardon, a