Once, when his acts were unusually
unjudicial, he was reprimanded from Dublin Castle and threatened with
compulsory retirement. He rode instanter to Dublin, and never stopped
until he drew rein at the Castle gate. He demanded to see the Lord
Lieutenant, but the then Viceroy, Lord Talbot, was in England. He was
ushered into the presence of a courteous official, who was a little
astonished to be authoritatively asked, "Who are you?" "I, sir," said
the Under Secretary, whom he addressed, "am Mr. Gregory." "Then you be
d----d, and don't Sir me," said his Lordship. "Fifty-two years ago I
began life at the Irish Bar with fifty guineas and a case of pistols.
Here it is! I have fought my way to preferment. Within a few months I
expect a letter of an unpleasant character from the Castle. Tell the
writer he may take his choice of these, and send me his second." History
does not record whether "the letter of an unpleasant character" was ever
written.
[Illustration: _Photo, Guy and Co., Cork._ Cork Exhibition.]
The Municipal Buildings of Science and Art in Emmet-place can bear
comparison with those of any town of the same size in Great Britain or
Ireland. The sculpture and picture galleries are open to visitors. The
splendid collection of casts from the antiques in the Vatican Gallery
were executed under the superintendence of Canova, and sent by Pope Pius
VII.
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