LIFE OF O'CONNELL BY THE REV. JOHN O'ROURKE, P.P. M.R.I.A., Author of "The History of the Great Irish Famine of 1847," JAMES DUBLIN: DUFFY AND SONS, 15, WELLINGTON-QUAY, LONDON: 1A PATERNOSTER-ROW. PETER PAUL MSWINEY. LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN. My Lord Mayor, There are many reasons why I should dedicate this volume to you. You are the Chief Magistrate of the Irish metropolis for the second time; and whilst in each term of your important and exalted office, you have realized the fondest hopes of your friends, you have also given unmixed satisfaction to the whole community. More than that-you have always been a true disciple of the Great Man whose incomparable services I have endeavoured to portray in these pages; you have laboured to push forward the completion of that glorious Monument, which the Nation has resolved to crect to him, and which circumstances have, unfortunately, prevented from being complete for our great Festival: You are the Chairman of our Centenary Committee. Were I permitted to add another and a personal reason, it would be, the long unbroken friendship with which you have so kindly honoured me. I remain, my dear Lord Mayor, With profound respect, Your Lordship's most obedient Servant, JOHN O'ROURKE. PREFACE, TIE hundredth birth-day of O'Connell is considered a fitting occasion to publish such a biography of him as would give the Irish people, at home and abroad, an adequate idea. of his life-long services. There are many amongst us yet who know these services from memory, and from the fact of their having aided him in his incessant-his herculean labours for his religion and his country. But years, and even months make such persons, alas! fewer and fewer. Besides, a generation has sprung up since he rendered up his soul to God in Genoa the Superb, far from the land of his birth-of his labours of his love: that generation ought to know the history of his life. It will fill them with gratitude towards him,-it will stimulate their patriotism,-it will inspire them to heroic deeds for their country; which claims the services of her children as a right, but deserves them on a thousand titles besides. The Author entertains the hope, that he has placed the great leading events of the Liberator's life, truly and loyally before his fellowcountrymen, in this little volume. THE CENTENARY LIFE OF O'CONNELL. CHAPTER I. The O'Connell Family-Birthplace of O'Connell---The American War-First measure of Relief granted to the Catholics-French Revolution-More Concessions to the Catholics--O'Connell's School and College Days -Called to the Bar-His First Public Speech-Major Sirr-The Union-O'Connell Marries. 1775 to 1802. "WHAT is your opinion about Clarke?" said O'Meara, one day, to Napoleon in St. Helena. He meant Henry James William Clarke, duke de Feltre. In replying to the question, the emperor, amongst other things, said: "He is infatuated with the notions of his nobility. He pretends that he is descended from the ancient kings of Scotland or Ireland, and constantly vaunts of his noble descent. I sent him to Florence as ambassador, where he employed himself in nothing but turning over the old musty records of the place, in search of proofs of the nobility of my family; for you must know that they came from Florence. He plagued me with letters upon this subject, which caused me to write to him to attend to the business for which he had been sent to Florence, and not to ! B |