question which would, in his opinion, have more directly concerned the Catholics."

I asked O'Connell if he was in Dublin when the

Union passed?

"Yes," he answered, "but there was less excitement than you would imagine; the hatred which all classes (except the small government clique) bore to the measure, had settled down into sulky despondency. I was maddened when I heard the bells of St. Patrick's ringing out a joyful peal for Ireland's degradation, as if it was a glorious national festival. My blood boiled, and I vowed, on that morning, that the foul dishonour should not last, if I could ever put an end to it."

O'Connell's first political speech was made against the measure of Union. He told me that he never wrote a speech beforehand; but of this, his first speech, he wrote the heads (a practice he frequently observed at all subsequent periods :) and after it was delivered, he reported it at full length for the Dublin Evening Post. The meeting at which it was spoken, was held at the Royal Exchange. Major Sirr endeavoured to disperse the Anti-Unionists. But an application which was made to the Viceroy for permission to meet, was conceded; as his Excellency probably thought the

success of the measure was effectually secured, and that there could be no danger in permitting the remonstrants to assemble.

O'Connell contrasted his embarrassment when making his first speech with the ease and self-possession acquired by subsequent practice.* "My face glowed," said he, "and my ears tingled at the sound of my own voice, but I got more courage as I went on."

Speaking of his own political agitation, as compared with the popular efforts of English Reformers, he thus criticised the latter: "In England they are very aristocratic agitators. If they want a public movement, they are never happy till they get some fellow with a handle to his name; some duke, if they can, and if not, a marquis; and so on down to a knight. Now, in Ireland, if a titled man will join us, well and good-we are glad to have him. But if we cannot get him, why, it never dispirits us, for we know what a movement exclusively popular is able to work out."

* As O'Connell repeatedly declared that his first speech against the Union was the text book of his whole political life, I shall give it insertion in the Appendix.

CHAPTER XXII.

Danger of Secret Political Societies-Arbitration Court-Judge Day-Bully Egan-Who wrote Junius ?-Reply of Lord Charlemont to the Address of the Repeal Association.

WHILST we walked up from the beach on the evening mentioned in the preceding chapter, O'Connell said,

"I learned from the example of the United Irishmen the lesson, that in order to succeed for Ireland, it was strictly necessary to work within the limits of the law and constitution. I saw that fraternities banded illegally, never could be safe; that invariably some person without principle would be sure to gain admission into such societies; and either for ordinary bribes, or else in times of danger for their own preservation, would betray their associates. Yes.-The United Irishmen taught me that all work for Ireland must be done openly and above-board."

On our return to the house, there was a large

concourse of the peasantry awaiting O'Connell's arbitration of their various differences. He constantly held a Court of Arbitration at his gate, in which he heard and determined the disputes arising amongst the peasantry. The litigants, of course, were their own counsel. O'Connell was judge and jury. The proceedings were always conducted in Irish. I am not aware of any case in which the Liberator's decision was appealed from to any other tribunal.

Ere O'Connell entered the house, a poor man solicited from him employment as a labourer. "My labour list is full," replied O'Connell; "but go to my steward, and try what he can do for you. Good God!' he exclaimed, when the man was gone, "what a country is this, in which a fellow-creature solicits as a boon, permission to labour for twelve hours at hard work for eight-pence!"

In the evening he amused us with forensic recollections. He talked of ex-judge Day, who had then for many years retired from the bench.

"He must now," said O'Connell, "be at least ninety-eight;* and he writes as firm a hand as ever, and preserves his intellect (such as it is) unimpaired. To be sure he never had much to preserve in this respect; but all he ever had, he has kept. He

* Day died a few months after the period when these words were uttered.

has excellent qualities of the heart; no man would take more pains to serve a friend; but as a judgethey could scarcely have placed a less efficient man upon the bench. Curran used to say that Day's efforts to understand a point of law, reminded him of nothing so much as the attempt to open an oyster with a rolling pin. He once said to me at the Cork assizes, 'Mr. O'Connell, I must not allow you to make a speech; the fact is, I am always of opinion with the last speaker, and therefore I will not let you say one word.' 'My lord,' said I, 'that is precisely the reason why I'll let nobody have the last word but myself, if I can help it!' I had the last word, and Day charged in favour of my client. Day was made a judge in 1798. He had been chairman of Kilmainham with a salary of 1200l. a year. When he got on the bench, Bully Egan got the chairmanship."

"Was Bully Egan a good lawyer?"

"He was a successful one. His bullying helped him through. He was a desperate duellist. One of his duels was fought with a Mr. Reilly, who fired before the word was given; the shot did not take effect. Well, at any rate my honour's safe!' cried Reilly. Is it so?' said Egan,' egad, I'll take a slap at your honour for all that.' And Egan deliberately held his pistol pointed for full five minutes at Reilly,