refer to, that was not attended to, and he came afterwards to Ireland and passed as a Fenian, and the parties here, not knowing he had betrayed them, still believed in him.  But I knew very well that Corridon had betrayed that Chester affair, and so did Captain M’Afferty; and if I had met him at that time in Liverpool I don’t think it would be him I would inform of our plans.  I only want to show, my lord, how easily an informer can concoct a scene.  I never in my life attended that meeting that Corridon swore to.  All his depositions with respect to me is false.  I did meet him twice in Dublin, but not on the occasions he states.  I wish to show how an informer can concoct a story that it will be entirely out of the power of the prisoner to contradict.  With reference to the witness Curtin, whom I asked to have produced—­and the crown did produce all the witnesses I asked for—­your lordship seemed to be under the impression that I did not produce him because he might not be able to say I was not in his house that night.  Now, the fact is that, as my attorney learned the moment Mr. Curtin was brought to town, he knew nothing whatever about the circumstance, as he was not in his own tavern that night at all.  That was why I did not produce the evidence.  But I solemnly declare I never was in Curtin’s public-house in my life till last summer, when I went in with a friend on two or three occasions, and then for the first time.  That must have been in June or July, after the trials were over in Dublin.  So that everything Corridon said in connection with my being there that night was absolutely false.  I solemnly declare I was never there till some time last summer, when I went in under the circumstances I have stated.  In conclusion, my lord, though it may not be exactly in accordance with the rules of the court, I wish to return your lordship my most sincere thanks for your fair and impartial conduct during this trial.  If there was anything that was not impartial in it at all, I consider it was only in my favour, and not in favour of the crown.  This I consider is the duty of a judge, and what every judge should do—­because the prisoner is always on the weak side, and cannot say many things he would wish, while the crown, on the other hand, have all the power and influence that the law and a full exchequer can give them.  I must also return my sincere and heartfelt thanks to my able and distinguished counsel, who spoke so eloquently in my favour.  As for Mr. Collins, I feel I can never sufficiently thank him.  He served me on my trial at a great sacrifice of time and money, with noble zeal and devotion, such as might be more readily expected from a friend than a solicitor.  There are many more I would like to thank individually, but as this may not be the proper time and place to do so, I can only thank all my friends from the bottom of my heart.  I may mention the name at least of Mr. Joyce, who, in the jail, showed a great deal of kind feeling and