"Nonsense! coming to me with a promise that's rubbed out. Who'll listen to that in a court of justice, do you think?" "I don't know, plase your honour; but this I'm sure of, my lord and Miss Nugent, though but a child at the time, God bless her! who was by when my lord wrote it with his pencil, will remember it." "Miss Nugent! what can she know of business? What has she to do with the management of my Lord Clonbrony's estate, pray?" Management!-no, sir." "Do you wish to get Miss Nugent turned giving the pen to his brother; for his hand out of the house?" "I'd be sorry to trouble him. Then take it on my word, and believe me, sir; for I would not tell a lie, nor cheat rich or poor, if in my power, for the whole estate, nor the whole world: for there's an eye above." "Cant! nonsense! Take those leases off the table; I never will sign them. Walk off, ye canting hag; it's an imposition-I will never sign them." "You will then, sir," cried Brian, growing red with indignation; "for the law shall make you, so it shall; and you'd as good have been civil to my mother, whatever you did-for I'll stand by her while I've life; and I know she has right, and shall have law. I saw the memorandum written before ever it went into your hands, sir, whatever became of it after; and will swear to it, too." "Swear away, my good friend; much your swearing will avail in your own case in a court of justice," continued old Nick. "And against a gentleman of my brother's established character and property," said St. Dennis. "What's your mother's character against a gentleman's like his?" shook so he could not form a letter. "Write the very words, and at the top" (pointing) "after warning, with malice prepense." Write, then-mother, Grace-let me," cried Brian, speaking in a smothered voice, as their hands were over his mouth. "Write then, that, if you'd either of you a character like my mother, you might defy the world; and your word would be as good as your oath." "Oath! mind that, Dennis," said Mr. Garraghty. "O sir! sir! won't you stop him?" cried Grace, turning suddenly to Lord Colambre. "O dear, dear, if you haven't lost your feeling for us," cried the widow. "Let him speak," said Lord Colambre, in a tone of authority; "let the voice of truth be heard." "Truth!" cried St. Dennis, and dropped the pen. "And who the devil are you, sir?" said old Nick. "Lord Colambre, I protest!" exclaimed a female voice; and Mrs. Raffarty at this instant appeared at the open door. "Lord Colambre!" repeated all present, in different tones. "My lord, I beg pardon," continued Mrs. Raffarty, advancing as if her legs were tied; "had I known you was down here, I would not have presumed. I'd better retire; for I see you're busy." "You'd best; for you're mad, sister," said St. Dennis, pushing her back; “and we are busy; go to your room, and keep quiet, if you "Character! take care how you go to that, can.' any way, sir," cried Brian. ,, "First, madam," said Lord Colambre, going Grace put her hand before his mouth, to between her and the door, "let me beg that stop him. "Grace, dear, I must speak, if I die for it; sure it's for my mother," said the young man, struggling forward, while his mother held him back; "I must speak." you will consider yourself as at home in this house, whilst any circumstances make it desirable to you. The hospitality you showed me you cannot think I now forget." "O my lord, you're too good-how few "Do it, sir, this minute; I have read them; I will be answerable to my father." "O, as to that, my lord, I have power to sign for your father." He signed the leases; they were duly witnessed by Lord Colambre. "I deliver this as my act and deed,” said Mr. Garraghty: "My lord," continued he, "you see, at the first word from you; and had I known sooner the interest you took in the family, there would have been no difficulty; for I'd make it a principle to oblige you, my lord." He paused, and there was a momentary disdain. silence. "There spoke the true thing! and the rael gentleman; my own heart's satisfied," said Brian, folding his arms, and standing erect. "Then so is mine," said Grace, taking breath, with a deep sigh. The widow advancing, put on her spectacles, and, looking up close at Lord Colambre's face "Then it's a wonder I didn't know the family likeness." Lord Colambre, now recollecting that he still wore the old great-coat, threw it off. "O, bless him! Then now I'd know him anywhere. I'm willing to die now, for we'll all be happy." "My lord, since it is so-my lord, may I ask you," said Mr. Garraghty, now sufficiently recovered to be able to articulate, but scarcely to express his ideas; "if what your lordship hinted just now "But when gentlemen and noblemen travel incognito, and lodge in cabins," added St. Dennis, with a satanic smile, glancing his eye on Grace, "they have good reasons, no doubt." "Do not judge my heart by your own, sir," said Lord Colambre, coolly; "no two things in nature can, I trust, be more different. My purpose in travelling incognito has been fully answered: I was determined to see and judge how my father's estates were managed; and I have seen, compared, and judged. I have seen the difference between the Clonbrony and the Colambre property; and I shall represent what I have seen to my father." "As to that, my lord, if we are to come to that-but I trust your lordship will suffer me to explain these matters. Go about your business, my good friends; you have all you want; and, my lord, after dinner, when you are cool, I hope I shall be able to make you sensible that things have been represented to your lordship in a mistaken light; and, I flatter myself, I shall convince you, I have not only always acted the part of a friend to the family, but am particularly willing to conciliate your lordship's good-will," said he, "If it did not hit you, sir, no matter at sweeping the rouleaus of gold into a bag; whom it was levelled." "I hinted nothing, sir; I spoke plainly." "I beg pardon, my lord," said old Nick;respecting vice, was levelled at me; because, if it was, my lord," trying to stand erect; "let me tell your lordship, if I could think it was "And let me ask, my lord, if I may presume, whether, in what you suggested by the word fraud, your lordship had any particular meaning?" said St. Dennis. “A very particular meaning, sir-feel in your pocket for the key of this widow's house, and deliver it to her." "O, if that's all the meaning, with all the pleasure in life. I never meant to detain it longer than till the leases were signed," said St. Dennis. "any accommodation in my power at any time." "I want no accommodation, sir—were I starving, I would accept of none from you. Never can you conciliate my good-will; for you can never deserve it." "If that be the case, my lord, I must conduct myself accordingly: but it's fair to warn you, before you make any representation to my Lord Clonbrony, that, if he should think of changing his agent, there are accounts to be settled between us-that may be a con "And I'm ready to sign the leases this sideration." minute," said the brother. "No, sir; no consideration-my father never shall be the slave of such a paltry considera- | lowing letter to his father, which, to prevent tion." "O, very well, my lord; you know best. If you choose to make an assumpsit, I'm sure I shall not object to the security. Your lordship will be of age soon, I know-I'm sure I'm satisfied-but," added he, with a malicious smile, "I rather apprehend you don't know what you undertake: I only premise that the balance of accounts between us is not what can properly be called a paltry consideration." "On that point, perhaps, sir, you and I may differ." "Very well, my lord, you will follow your own principles, if it suits your convenience." "Whether it does or not, sir, I shall abide by my principles." all possibility of accident, he determined to put with his own hand into the post-office at Clonbrony, as he passed through the town. "MY DEAR FATHER,- "I hope to be with you in a few days. Lest any thing should detain me on the road, I write this, to make an earnest request that you will not sign any papers or transact any farther business with Messrs. Nicholas or Dennis Garraghty before you see— -Your affectionate son, "COLAMBRE." The horses came out. Larry sent word he was ready, and Lord Colambre, having first eaten a slice of his own venison, ran down to "Dennis! the letters to the post-When do the carriage, followed by the thanks and blessyou go to England, my lord?" "Immediately, sir," said Lord Colambre: his lordship saw new leases from his father to Mr. Dennis Garraghty, lying on the table, unsigned. Immediately!" repeated Messrs. Nicholas and Dennis, with an air of dismay. Nicholas got up, looked out of the window, and whispered something to his brother, who instantly left the room. Lord Colambre saw the postchaise at the door, which had brought Mrs. Raffarty to the castle, and Larry standing beside it: his lordship instantly threw up the sash, and holding between his finger and thumb a six-shilling piece, cried, "Larry, my friend, let me have the horses!" "You shall have 'em-your honour," said Larry. Mr. Dennis Garraghty appeared below, speaking in a magisterial tone. "Larry, my brother must have the horses." ings of the widow, her son, and daughter, who could hardly make their way after him to the chaise-door, so great was the crowd which had gathered on the report of his lordship's arrival. "Long life to your honour! Long life to your lordship!" echoed on all sides. “Just come, and going, are you?" "Good bye to you all, good people!" "Then good bye is the only word we wouldn't wish to hear from your honour." "For the sake both of landlord and tenant, I must leave you now, my good friends; but I hope to return to you at some future time.” "God bless you! and speed ye! and a safe journey to your honour!—and a happy return to us, and soon!" cried a multitude of voices. Lord Colambre stopped at the chaise-door, and beckoned to the widow O'Neil, before whom others had pressed. An opening was made for her instantly. "There! that was the very way his father "He can't, plase your honour-they're en- stood, with his foot on the step. And Miss gaged." Nugent was in it." "Half a crown!-a crown!-half a guinea!" said Mr. Dennis Garraghty, raising his voice, as he increased his proffered bribe. To each offer Larry replied, "You can't, plase your honour, they're engaged;"-and, looking up to the window at Lord Colambre, he said, "As soon as they have ate their oats, you shall have 'em." No other horses were to be had. The agent was in consternation. Lord Colambre ordered that Larry should have some dinner, and whilst the postilion was eating, and the horses finished their oats, his lordship wrote the fol Lord Colambre forgot what he was going to say, with some difficulty recollected. "This pocket-book," said he, "which your son restored to me--I intend it for your daughter— don't keep it, as your son kept it for me, without opening it. Let what is withinside," added he, as he got into the carriage, “replace the cloak and gown, and let all things necessary for a bride be bought; 'for the bride that has all things to borrow has surely mickle to do.' Shut the door, and drive on." "Blessings be wid you," cried the widow, "and God give you grace!" DANIEL O'CONNELL. BORN 1775- DIED 1847. [Daniel O'Connell belonged to one of the most ancient and purely Celtic families in Kerry. The motto of his house was Oculus O'Connell salus Hiberniae, which was regarded as fulfilled in the person of the famous "Liberator." He was born on the 6th of August, 1775, at Carhen near Cahirciveen, and in due time was sent to be educated in France, as most Irish boys of the better class were in those days. On the breaking out of the French Revolution he was removed for safety from the seminary of St. Omer to Douay, but here too anarchy followed with all its horrors, and he was at once ordered to return home. His liberty and even life were endangered in France, and it was with some difficulty he made his escape. In 1794 he entered Lincoln's Inn as a law student. Shortly afterwards some state trials at which he was present effected a revulsion in his feelings, and from being a Whig and sympathizing with the government, he became a Liberal in his sympathy with the prosecuted. After two years he was called to the bar, but a malignant fever seized him, and so little hope had the physicians of his recovery that his father was sent for. On his arrival the crisis of the disease had been reached, and in agony at seeing his son die without a parting word, the old man exclaimed, "Dan! Dan! don't you know me?" The lad opened his eyes, fixed them on his father's face and slightly pressed the hand which held his own, then fell into a profound and tranquil sleep. This was the turning-point, and his temperate habits and splendid constitution pulled him through an illness from which few would have rallied. On his complete recovery he returned to Ireland, and after a time spent in his favourite sports of hunting and fishing at his Kerry home, he took his place at the bar in the memorable year 1798. He found himself in the midst of rebellion, but with the memory of the French revolutionary policy still before him he proved his loyalty by joining a yeomanry corps got up solely by the lawyers, and was at this time, as ever after, a decided opponent of armed rebellion. The numerous state trials of the period had no doubt a powerful influence on the mind of young O'Connell, and led him to form those opinions and adopt those measures for the re generation of the Irish people from which, during a long life, he never wavered. His policy aimed at the emancipation of the Roman Catholics in the first place; next the restoration of the Irish Parliament, or, as it was called, Repeal of the Union; and lastly, the disendowment of the Established Church in Ireland. O'Connell made his first public speech on the 13th January, 1800, under circumstances sufficient to shake the nerves of even a veteran orator, a party of military being present, under the command of Major Sirr, who was well known to be a lynx-eyed detector of treason. In this speech, modest and short, O'Connell stated his opposition to the union, and concluded by challenging every man who felt with him to proclaim "that if the alternative were offered him of union, or the re-enactment of the penal code in all its pristine horrors, he would prefer without hesitation the latter, as the lesser and more sufferable evil; that he would rather confide in the justice of his brethren the Protestants of Ireland, who had already liberated him, than lay his country at the feet of foreigners." The greatest of O'Connell's early triumphs was on the question of the veto. This was a proposal that with the grant of Catholic emancipation, the power of veto in the appointment of Roman Catholic bishops should rest with the government. O'Connell opposed this power being vested in government on any condition; and he was supported by the mass of the people, who were alarmed for the safety of their Church. It seemed, however, as if all the powers were leagued in opposition to him. The bishops themselves declared in favour of the measure. The Protestant Liberals, led by Mr. Butler, Lord Fingal, and Grattan, supported it, and, as the final make-weight, Monsignor Quarantotti, who during the captivity of Pope Pius VII. in France acted in his place, advised the bishops to accept it. But O'Connell's eloquence and persuasion soon caused the bishops to change their mind. The people were with him already, and finally the pope himself signified his disapproval of the edict issued in his name by Quarantotti. Some of the leading men who would not yield formed an opposition society, which soon, however, sunk into nonentity. By this agitation two important ends were gained by O'Connell | he found time to address meetings on the sub in the first place the clergy now took an interest in the politics of the country, and the people were aroused to action, to earnestness of thought, and to a belief in their own power. In 1802 O'Connell married Miss Mary O'Connell, a distant relative of his own. To this marriage his uncle Maurice O'Connell of Derrynane objected, and even altered the disposal of some of his property in consequence, because he had set his heart on his nephew marrying a fortune. But a good wife, such as Mrs. O'Connell proved to be, was the best fortune; and thirty-three years after his marriage her husband spoke of her as the comfort of his life, and his solace in all his troubles and trials. In one ject of Catholic emancipation, and became the acknowledged leader of the people. In 1806 the Whigs came into power, and as it was known that they looked favourably upon emancipation, a not unreasonable hope began to be entertained as to the ultimate success of the measure. From this time up to 1815 O'Connell was one of the hardest worked men in the kingdom, organizing meetings, keeping his followers within the bounds of the law, and at the same time conducting an enormous and ever-increasing practice. In 1811 he took the house in Merrion Square, Dublin, where he resided for the remainder of his life. In 1813 his greatest forensic speech was made in defence of Magee, the proprietor of the Dublin Evening Post, who was prosecuted for a libel on the Duke of Richmond. In 1815 an unfortunate circumstance occurred, which threw a cloud over O'Connell's life ever after. He had called the Dublin municipal body a "beg among the poorest of the members, at once O'Connell's success at the bar was without parallel. Mr. Lecky, in his Leaders of Public Opinion in Ireland, says: "His language was clear, nervous, and fluent, but often incorrect and scarcely ever polished. Having but little of the pride of a rhetorician he sub-garly corporation." Mr. D'Esterre, who was ordinated strictly all other considerations to the end he was seeking to achieve, and readily sacrificed every grace of style in order to procure an immediate effect. A great speech,' he used to say, 'is a very fine thing, but after all the verdict is the thing."" His professional income, which in the first year of his legal life amounted to about £58, increased rapidly year by year, till in the year after his marriage it reached £9000. Many anecdotes are related of his wonderful abilities as a pleader and of his powers in cross-examination. case, he was defending a man named James indicted for murder, and had up for examination a witness who would stop at nothing to criminate the accused. The witness swore positively that a hat found near the body belonged to the prisoner. O'Connell asked to see the hat, and proceeded to examine its outside, its top, its rim, and finally entered on a careful inspection of the inside. Turning it round slowly, and repeating the letters J-A-M-E-S, he said to the witness: "Now, do you mean to tell the court and jury that this name was in the hat when you found it?" "I do, on my oath," replied the witness. "Did you see the name there!" "I did, surely." "This is the same hat; no mistake about it?"-" Och, no mistake; it is his hat." "Now you may go down," said O'Connell, triumphantly. "My lord, there is an end of this case. There is no name whatever in the hat." While O'Connell attended to the duties of his profession in different parts of the country During the period from 1815 to 1819 the movement for Catholic emancipation became very feeble. There had been agitation, speeches, and promised aid from men in power, but with no result, and the Catholic party were almost in despair. It was entirely owing to O'Connell's |