all the rebellions that had taken place in Ireland since the Conquest, and was about weaving them into a voluminous narrative, when the near approach of his last hour warned him to desist, and turn his thoughts to higher speculations. His labors, however, were not vain; for his friend, Mr. Francis Plowden, who was engaged just then in preparing, at the request of Mr. Pitt, his “Historical Review of the State of Ireland," was glad to avail himself of O'Leary's notes, which were copious and authentic, and to interweave them with his ownthus producing one of the best and fullest treatises on the political history of Ireland that ever issued from the press. O'Leary did not live to enjoy the satisfaction which the publication of so important a work was calculated to give him; but it is well posterity should know how far the author was indebted to his co-operation.

CHAPTER XV.

Father O'Leary's Health declines still more-) e-He proceeds to France for Change of Air-Shocked by the Changes resulting from the Revolution, he returns-The Ship driven to Ramsgate-He proceeds to London-His Death-His Obsequies and Interment— Eulogies of him in the Press-The Author's visit to St. Pancras' Churchyard-Account of the Present State of Father O'Leary's Tomb-The "Sham Squire's" Legacy to O'Leary—O'Leary's

"Tracts"-Conclusion.

WE approach the last scene of O'Leary's busy and useful life. Disease and increasing age were beginning to produce their inevitable effect. The gloom that in former years overshadowed his mind only intermittingly, now became permanent. To most men the final hour comes darkly and excites no fears, because a failing mind cannot behold its terrors in all their formidable proportions; but O'Leary's intellect was clear and vigorous to the last, and his keen religious perceptions invested death with all its tremendous realities; not that he feared to die, through a cowardly apprehension of pain in the act or thereafter, but that he felt, as all good men will feel, that he must be pure indeed who can stand without trembling before the all-just God. Earthly considerations, too, intensified this gloom. He had had, during life, to contend with bad men,-disgusted with the perfidy of statesmen, he had, perhaps, regretted not having taken a higher standard of honor and selfrespect for his guidance in the acceptance of government liberality and royal patronage—he had witnessed the selfishness of mankind, and the instability of human friendship, and "the vain pomp and glory of the world ;" and yet, he had led a life of which any man

might be proud-on his fair name there was no blot— he was a thorough churchman, and yet a citizen of the world-he scourged vice, and exhorted to virtue-he was a patriot to the heart's core; no monarch ever had a more loyal subject, and mankind never so devoted a friend. The epitaph ambitioned by a more modern and not less patriotic Irishman, Thomas Davis, might well be inscribed on the tomb of O'Leary :

"His name was writ on his country's mind,

He loved his country, and served his kind."

Towards the close of the year 1801, his health had declined so perceptibly, that his physicians recommended him to winter in the south of France, and he proceeded to follow their instructions. Accompanied by Dr. Magrath, a medical friend, he crossed the Channel. He did not go far into France, but he went far enough to be shocked by the deplorable contrast which the country presented with its condition in the experience of his youthful years. The whole aspect of society was now changed-democracy was rampant— passion had wrought ruin, and piled monuments of the debris it had made. O'Leary was disgusted. "There is not now," he cried, "a gentleman in all France!" He could not regain his health in a country which he loved so much, and could not bear to see so sadly defaced. He returned to England, not with the ease and rapidity so agreeable to the valetudinarian of our day, but tempest-tossed and tediously. The vessel which made for Dover, was driven to Ramsgate. There he landed, and drove to London, where he arrived on the 7th of January, 1802. The extreme fatigue and sea-sickness he had endured aggravated his sufferings, and it was now manifest to his friends that the fatal hour was nigh. He died the following day, at 45, Great Portlandstreet.

His demise was almost sudden. Only that a

friend, Mr. John Murphy, of Howland-street, chanced to enter his room, he would have expired without receiving the rites of the Church. Mr. Murphy seeing his dangerous condition, procured the attendance of the Rev. Mr. Gaffy, who administered extreme unction to his dying friend, and in whose presence he breathed forth the sigh of dissolution.

From the newspapers of the day, we gather a full and accurate account of Father O'Leary's obsequies. On the evening of Wednesday, January the 13th, his remains were removed from Portland-street to St. Patrick's Chapel, the place founded by his zeal and consecrated by his talents and virtues. The chapel was hung with black, and on the pall spread over the coffin were seen the emblems of the Catholic faith, with the cap and other insignia of the order to which the deceased had belonged. High Mass was celebrated with becoming solemnity, and the "Grand Dirge" (as the chroniclers of the event call it) was performed in the most sublime style of sacred music; Mr. Webb, a very distinguished musician, presiding at the organ, accompanied by an orchestra, filled with the first vocal performers of the day in London. But, however impressive the sacred music was, and though every heart strongly vibrated to the plaintive notes, yet the triumph of eloquence came last, and forced from every eye the gushing testimony of real sorrow. The Rev. Morgan D'Arcy ascended the pulpit, and delivered a magnificent funeral oration. He enlarged on the memorable events of a life devoted to the cause of religion and humanity, to national services and private beneficence. The strong emotions of the speaker were felt by the whole audience. He alternately melted them into tears for the dead, and elevated their souls to heaven.*

* See Saunders's News-Letter of Jan. 20th, 1802.

A congregation of nearly two thousand real mourners, including a vast number of Catholic clergy, and gentry of all persuasions, concurred in this tribute of regret for the loss of so great and so good a man-the funeral was attended to the place of interment, at St. Pancras', by four mourning coaches and a vast concourse of people.

*

In the Dublin Evening Post of January the 26th, 1802, we find the following:-"The Reverend Doctor O'Leary's body, after having been interred at St. Pancras', in England, a few days ago, was taken from the grave at the desire of his particular friend, Lord Petre, who insisted that he should be interred. in his lordship's family vault, at Thornden, in Essex."

Whether this be true or not, certain it is that Father O'Leary's body lies in the Old St. Pancras' churchyard, London, where a monument was erected to his memory, by his faithful and admiring friend, Lord Moira. It is remarkable that, for many years, by some strange oversight, the words Requiescat in pace, usually inscribed on the tombs of Roman Catholics, was omitted on O'Leary's monument-it was subsequently supplied by a friend, who could scarcely find room for it, and, consequently, had it inserted in a part of the monument where it seems strangely out of place.

A monument was also erected to the memory of O'Leary in St. Patrick's Chapel, which may be seen by the visitor, inserted in the wall on the right hand side, on entering. It bears the following inscription:

*It may be here remarked that Father O'Leary was entitled "Doctor" by many who have spoken and written of him. There is no evidence to show that he had any claim to the appellation except intrinsic merit, and the courtesy of his friends.