having left Manchester at once, and he trusted that it would at least be possible to save his clients from the death-penalty.  A Special Commission was issued, with Mr. Justice Blackburn at its head.  “They are going to send that hanging judge,” groaned Mr. Roberts when he heard it, and we felt there was small chance of escape for the prisoners.  He struggled hard to have the venue of the trial changed, protesting that in the state of excitement in which Manchester was, there was no chance of obtaining an impartial jury.  But the cry for blood and for revenge was ringing through the air, and of fairness and impartiality there was no chance.  On the 25th of October, the prisoners were actually brought up before the magistrates in irons, and Mr. Ernest Jones, the counsel briefed to defend them, after a vain protest against the monstrous outrage, threw down his brief and quitted the Court.  The trial was hurried on, and on October 29th, Allen, Larkin, Gould (O’Brien), Maguire, and Condon, stood before their judges.

We drove up to the court; the streets were barricaded; soldiers were under arms; every approach was crowded by surging throngs.  At last, our carriage was stopped in the midst of excited Irishmen, and fists were shaken in the window, curses levelled at the “d——­d English who were going to see the boys murdered”.  For a moment things were uncomfortable, for we were five women of helpless type.  Then I bethought myself that we were unknown, and, like the saucy girl I was, I leant forward and touched the nearest fist.  “Friends, these are Mr. Roberts’ wife and daughters.”  “Roberts!  Lawyer Roberts!  God bless Roberts.  Let his carriage through.”  And all the scowling faces became smile-wreathen, and cheers sounded out for curses, and a road was cleared for us to the steps.

Very sad was that trial.  On the first day Mr. Roberts got himself into trouble which threatened to be serious.  He had briefed Mr. Digby Seymour, Q.C. as leader, with Mr. Ernest Jones, for the defence, and he did not think that the jurymen proposed were challenged as they should be.  We knew that many whose names were called were men who had proclaimed their hostility to the Irish, and despite the wrath of Judge Blackburn, Mr. Roberts would jump up and challenge them.  In vain he threatened to commit the sturdy solicitor.  “These men’s lives are at stake, my lord,” he said indignantly.  At last the officers of the court were sharply told:  “Remove that man,” but as they advanced reluctantly—­for all poor men loved and honored him—­Judge Blackburn changed his mind and let him remain.  At last the jury was empanelled, containing one man who had loudly proclaimed that he “didn’t care what the evidence was, he would hang every d——­d Irishman of the lot”.  In fact, the verdict was a foregone conclusion.  The most disreputable evidence was admitted; the suppositions of women of lowest character were accepted as conclusive; the alibi