The government officials were jubilant.  Mr. Pigott was next arraigned, and after an exceedingly able defence by Mr. Heron, was likewise convicted.

It was now very generally concluded that the government would be satisfied with these convictions, and would not proceed with the funeral procession cases.  At all events, it was universally regarded as certain that Mr. Sullivan would not be arraigned on the second or funeral procession indictment, as he now stood convicted on the other—­the press charge.  But it was not to be so.  Elate with their success, the crown officials thought they might even discard their doubts of a city jury; and on Thursday morning, 20th February, 1868, John Martin, Alexander M. Sullivan, Thomas Bracken, and J.J.  Lalor,[A] were formally arraigned in the city venue. [Footnote A:  Dr. Waters, in the interval since his committal on this charge, had been arrested, and was now imprisoned, under the Suspension of the Habeas Corpus Act.  He was not brought to trial on the procession charge.]

It was a scene to be long remembered, that which was presented in the Green-street court-house on that Thursday morning.  The dogged vindictiveness of the crown officials, in persisting with this second prosecution, seemed to have excited intense feeling throughout the city, and long before the proceedings opened the court was crowded in every part with anxious spectators.  When Mr. Martin entered, accompanied by his brother-in-law, Dr. Simpson, and Mr. Ross Todd, and took his seat at the travelers’ bar, a low murmur of respectful sympathy, amounting to applause, ran through the building.  And surely it was a sight to move the heart to see this patriot—­this man of pure and stainless life, this man of exalted character, of noble soul, and glorious principles—­standing once more in that spot where twenty years before he stood confronting the same foe in the same righteous and holy cause—­standing once more at that bar whence, twenty years before, he was led off manacled to a felon’s doom for the crime of loving Ireland!  Many changes had taken place in the interval, but over the stern integrity of his soul time had wrought no change.  He himself seemed to recall at this moment his last “trial” scene on this spot, and, as he cast his gaze around, one could detect on his calm thoughtful face something of sadness, yet of pride, as memory doubtless pictured the spectacle of twenty years ago.

Mr. Sullivan, Mr. Bracken, and Mr. Lalor, arrived soon after, and immediately the judges appeared on the bench the proceedings began.

   On their lordships, Mr. Justice Fitzgerald and Mr. Baron Deasy,
   taking their seats upon the bench,

   Mr. Smartt (deputy clerk of the crown) called upon John Martin,
   Alexander M. Sullivan, John J. Lalor, and Thomas Bracken, to come and
   appear as they were bound to do in discharge of their recognizances.

   All the traversers answered.