CONTENTS xxiii

to Mr. Dundas on St. Lucia—A tour with Major Hay, E.E., through Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk to study the existing system of defence and mode of meeting an enemy—The interest of it is now chiefly antiquarian, but it shows the condition of the country, the preparations which had been made, and the ideas of the time on home defence...........• 255-26

CHAPTEE XI

THE BREWING OF THE IRISH REBELLION

iir Ralph Abercromby, on being appointed Commander-in-chief in Ireland, applies for Moore as one of his Brigade Commanders— Moore accompanies Abercromby to Ireland—State of Ireland at the time as viewed from Dublin—Varied forces in Ireland and their characteristics—Moore in close touch with Sir Kalph—Sir James Stuart appointed to command south of the line from Limerick to Waterford—Moore under him—Cork, Kinsale, and Middleton—Moore finds from Sir Ralph every military preparation throughout Ireland defective—The Army in peace time only a means of corruption by Castle officials—Atrocious use of soldiers in proclaimed districts—Calm apparent, deep disaffection produced —Severance between upper and lower orders—The former cry out for violent measures—At Cork he finds harbour defences a disgrace to the country—Sir Ralph visits Cork—Moore draws his attention to the defects—On Coote's departure Moore is appointed to Bandon —Hope succeeds him at Cove—Moore now commands advanced corps in the south in view of invasion—Prospects of enemy landing at Bantry—Conspiracy among Militia previous year—The men now well behaved, but have no respect for their officers— Moore writes to Sir Ralph on danger of depending on Militia, all of whose officers have been appointed for electioneering purposes— Consequently officers profligate and idle and every abuse tolerated —Moore's wish for a temporary dictator of the Roman model— Moore examines reports of disaffection in Sligo Militia—Stupid system of Militia enlistments — Other defects: the officers Protestants, the men Roman Catholics—Mischievous policy of Lord Chancellor—Moore inveighs against Catholic disabilities as seen in their effects—Sir James Stuart on arrival suffers from nervous disorder—Moore cheers him—Moore is prevented from taking a tour with him by reports from Skibbereen and Bantry of threatened rising—Moore endeavours to appease alarm, but takes all precautions—Inspects Westmeath Militia and receives anonymous letters of complaint—His speech to the men and action thereon— Finding men's complaint of robbery true as against their Colonel, he summons a Court-martial and reports facts against Lord Westmeath, the Colonel, to Sir Ralph—Finds all gentry at Skibbereen in alarm—Endeavours to calm them and to induce them to act them-