the administration of Lord Londonderry. (Loud interruption and murmurs of disapprobation, together with cries of "question question.")

"MR. HUGH O'CONNOR conceived that Mr. O'Connell was taking up the time of the meeting very unnecessarily (Several groans.)

Mr. O'Connell-Mr. O'Connor spoke of Lord Londonderry; it is strange if I must not. I have served three apprenticeships to my profession; I have been for the space of twenty-one years a barrister; it is seventeen years since I first took a part in Caholic affairs; my child was then young-he has since grown ap to be a man, and I am naturally anxious for the attainment of our object.

We are told that we should not press the discussion on our petition, at the present moment, in consequences of the disturbances in the country; and a few weeks, it is said, will put an end to those disturbances; but what has occasioned them? Is it not poverty and misery? And what is to make the wretched peasantry rich in the course of three weeks? We may expect to find them purchasing houses in Mountjoy and Merrion-squares; but how are they to acquire the means? Oh I suppose by the lottery-they have as good a chance of becoming rich that way, as any other that I know of.

The counties of Tipperary, Clare, and Limerick have been proclaimed; and it is yet supposed that all the disturbances that have lately agitated the country shall cease in the course of three weeks. They may, however, continue for seven years; and it may be urged as an argument against our claims next year, that a tithe-proctor was killed in one place, and a "notice" of Captain Rock's seen in another. If our 66 distinguished friend" did not mean an imputation, when he alluded to the disturbed state of Ireland, it would be said by our enemies that he did; and they would not be backward in saying that we understood him, and that we did not press our claims, fearing that our turbulence would be discovered. Thus would an imputation be fastened on the honour of the Catholic people.

We cannot conceive anything more foolish or disgraceful, than the scenes of blood and outrage that have taken place in the south of Ireland; it is a trial of mere brutal force against every. thing that is intellectual. Fellow-countrymen, you have in me one unpurchaseable friend-a man whom empires would not buy a man who, during his own life, had at heart only your good, and who would sacrifice a thousand lives to do you service. It

is then such a man, fellow-countrymen, who entreats of you not to participate in any treasonable project against the state. (Prodigious applause.)

Let no man say we thought Lord Londonderry was borne out in the imputation, if it was one; we challenge him to the proof, if any can be adduced ; we say the imputation is a foul, foul one, and we shake it off " as dew-drops from the lion's mane."

I can't afford to pay the compliment of my rights to the convenience of a minister; let those who enjoy their all under ministerial influence, look down from their stations, and amuse themselves with spitting upon the slaves the Irish people. They may still keep me in thraldom, but I am resolved that their slumbers shall be disturbed by the clanking of my chains Our "distinguished friends" may turn their backs on us, but when we look to the state of Europe, should six millions of people be afraid of using the language of common sense? Look to Russia sending a force of 200,000 men against Constantinople, and thus breaking up the holy alliance. Look to Greece, struggling for freedom look to Spain, look to Portugal. : In those countries

we see the inquisition and the tithe system abolished. Franco

Look to

"MR O'CONNOR-'Does Mr. O'Connell mean to occupy the time of this meeting with such ridiculous nonsense?' (Applause.)

Mr. O'Connell-Whether it be ridiculous or sensible, I am determined I will not be prevented from going on. (Loud laughing, which continued for some time.) Can they look for foreign support against our claims? What might have ensued in Ire- land if the Catholic clergy had remained neuter ?

"Mr. DEVEREUX called Mr. O'Connell to order.

Mr. O'Connell-A weekly publication in this city has already lared to cast an imputation on the Catholic clergy. Another paper, which affects to be our friend, has charged them with want of exertion. We have arrived at a time when an imputation, or what may be considered as such by others, has been thrown out in parliament against the Catholics of Ireland. Our going forward with our petition, fully and properly, meets that inputation. It has been said that we did not talk of honour in any of our former petitions; but I hold in my hand the resolutions passed at a Catholic meeting, in the year 1813. two of which I shall read. The Catholics then declared that they would not accept of any concession inconsistent with their honour. [Here Mr. O'Connell read from a printed pamphlet.]

"MR. HOWLEY repeated that the word honour had never been similarly used Mr. O'Connell-The present is a peculiarly favourable time for the discussion of our petition; now that the guilty are about to be punished, it is right that the meritorious should be rewarded. Those who govern wisely reward as well as punish. We have lived nearly seven hundred years under English government, and if this is the result, the fault is not attributable to us ; we have not governed ourselves.

"CAPTAIN FOTTRELL, amid much confusion, made some remarks on Mr. O'Connell's speech, but was forced to sit down by cries of 'question.'

66

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[Here MR. HUGH O'CONNOR, MR. HOWLEY, and others, declared they would withdraw the amendment, and permit Mr. O'Connell's resolution to pass, upon the understanding that Mr. O'Connell would not oppose it as a separate resolution. Mr. O'Connell assented.]

"MR. MAHON'S resolution (the original one) was then put and carrieļ amidst loud cries of 'no, no.'

"MR. O'CONNOR's amendment was then put as a separate resolution, and carried.

"It was then moved by JAMES EDWARD DEVEREUX, Esq., and seconded by O'CONOR DON

"That a committee of eleven he appointed to prepare a petition or address to his Majesty, from the Roman Catholics of Ireland, praying that he would be graciously pleased to recommend to parliament a Repeal of the Penal Laws still affecting that portion of his Majesty's subjects.'

"The following gentlemen were then named on the Committee:

"Sir Thomas Esmonde, Chairman; James O'Gorman, Esq., O'Conor Don, Daniel O'Con nell, Esq., Hugh O'Connor, Esq., James Edward Devereux, Esq., John Howley, Esq., Nicholas Mahon, Esq., Edward Moore, Esq., Lord Killeen, Thomas Fitzgerald, Esq.'

"After some other routine business, the meeting adjourned, sine die.

"MR. O'CONNELL'S allusion to the charge against him by Mr. Lawless prodiced a letter from that gentleman a few days after; a disclaimer of any inten-.tion to make such a charge."

NATIONAL TESTIMONIAL TO GEORGE THE FOURTH.

SUBSCRIBERS' MEETING-APRIL 25.

Mr. O'CONNELL rose and stated that he had listened with considerable attention to the observations and opinions of the several gentlemen who preceded him. Some were of opinion that a pyramid, some that an arch, some that a statue, and many that a bridge was the mot eligible mode of testifying public gratitude

VOL. II.

L

on the auspicious occasion of the king's visit. As to a pyramid, he felt that, from the specimens which had been already giver in that department of architecture, an additional obelisk would not meet with very general public satisfaction. Nelson's pillar and the Wellington Testimonial were lamentable failures; and it was deeply to be regretted that these erections had not been more worthy of the occasions which they were intended to commemorate. He believed, therefore, that a pyramid would by no means please or satisfy the public.

As to an arch at the end of Sackville-street, he regarded it as equally objectionable; it would only spoil the appearance of a beautiful street, already too much lumbered with a pile that was by no means ornamental. After a short time it would be disregarded, and become, like a market-cross, a place for sticking bills on. As to a statue, he for one, did not approve of it. There were already many statues in the city, and more were about to be erected; besides, they could not get a suitable site in which to place it. It would not be admitted into the squares; and he knew no other spot would be worthy of it. Under these circumstances, he was strongly disposed in favour of the suggestion of the bridge. It would combine utility with ornament --and be the more gratifying to his Majesty, as adopted in conformity to the expressed wish of his Majesty. Lord Manners communicated it at a general meeting; and he remembered to have heard the noble lord state that his Majesty did not mean by this suggestion to interfere with the free choice of the subscribers. The delicacy of the communication was an additional reason to recommend the preference of a bridge. Besides, it would afford an agreeable approach to the Park, and save families the necessity of passing through Barrack-street-an unpleasant, and often extremely offensive way. This would make the Park a place of general recreation to the citizens, and thus assimilate it to Hyde Park, in London. It would, besides, unite both parts of the city in some degree, and be emblematic of his Majesty's desire to unite all parties in this country. He could not but express his regret, that his Majesty's anxiety had not experienced a corresponding anxiety in some quarters. After forcibly urging other reasons, why a preference should be given to a bridge, the learned gentleman concluded by moving that the erection of a bridge over the Liffey, opposite the entrance to his Majesty's Park, the Phoenix, be strongly recommended by the subscribers, amongst the plans referred to them, as an object worthy to commemorate his Majesty's visit to this country.

NATIONAL BOARD OF EDUCATION

At a meeting which took place in the Rotunda Buildings, upon Tuesday, the 7th May, In this year, the first idea of the present National Board of Education in Ireland seems to have been shadowed out. It will be seen from Mr. O'Connell's remarks, which we give 8 we found them, in an evidently much abbreviated form, that, friendly as he was then (as ever) to the general spread of education, and anxious to put in motion all good means for that purpose, he did not contemplate any of the overweening liberality of the education morgers of our day, but an education carefully watched over, as it ought to be, by the clergy

MR. O'CONNELL proposed the fourth resolution. He spoke at some length, and with great eloquence. He declared that the Catholic clergy were most anxious for the establishment of schools in all parts of Ireland; but they wished to see them founded on one principle only-the principle of fair play-the principle of diffusing education as widely as possible, but leaving every one's conscience uninfluenced. They would teach children of all persuasions, but would not interfere with the religious tenets of any. It was upon this principle the Kildarestreet Society professed to set out. They had, however, abandoned it; and, therefore, the National Society became neces

sary.

Mr. O'Connell proceeded to show that education, without a shade of religious distinction, was afforded to the poor by the National Society, to the extent of its means, and he referred to the letters of the Catholic clergy, lately published in the

to prove,

papers,

First That the clergy were anxious to promote the educa tion of the poor.

Secondly-That the Kildare-street Society does not educate the poor.

Thirdly-That it is impossible it ever can educate the poor; for the Catholic clergy never will consent to the use of the Scriptures without note or comment, as the school-book; and without this the Kildare-street Society will not give education.

Mr. O'Connell concluded with expressing his conviction that, as the legislature certainly wished to educate the poor of Ireland, they would not refuse to grant to the National Society, which, he contended, it was now evident could alone effect that object.

Moved by Mr. O'Connell, and seconded by Doctor Blake (5)-'That the following petition be presented to parliament, and that the secretaries be directed to write to Thomas S. Rice, Esq., requesting him to present our petition to parliament, and to write to the Irish members of parliament, requesting them to support the same." "