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W.S.  O’BRIEN.

Loudly across the dark flowing tide of the Liffey, rolled the cheers of welcome and rejoicing that burst from Conciliation Hall on that memorable day in January, ’44, when William Smith O’Brien first stood beneath its roof, and presided over a meeting of Repealers.  Many a time had the walls of that historic building given back the cheers of the thousands who gathered there to revel in the promises of the Liberator; many a time had they vibrated to the enthusiasm of the Irishmen who met there to celebrate the progress of the movement which was to give freedom and prosperity to Ireland; but not even in those days of monster meetings and popular demonstrations had a warmer glow of satisfaction flushed the face of O’Connell, than when the descendant of the Munster Kings took his place amongst the Dublin Repealers.  “I find it impossible,” exclaimed the great Tribune, “to give adequate expression to the delight with which I hail Mr. O’Brien’s presence in the Association.  He now occupies his natural position—­the position which centuries ago was occupied by his ancestor, Brian Boru.  Whatever may become of me, it is a consolation to remember that Ireland will not be without a friend such as William Smith O’Brien, who combining all the modern endowments of a highly-cultured mind, with intellectual gifts of the highest order, nervous eloquence, untiring energy, fervid love of country, and every other high qualification of a popular leader, is now where his friends would ever wish to see him—­at the head of the Irish people.”  Six weeks before, a banquet had been given in Limerick to celebrate O’Brien’s adhesion to the national cause, and on this occasion, too, O’Connell bore generous testimony to the value and importance of his accession.  “His presence,” said the Emancipator, in proposing Mr. O’Brien’s health, “cannot prevent me here from expressing on behalf of the universal people of Ireland, their admiration and delight at his conversion to their cause.  Receive the benefactor of Ireland, as such a benefactor should be received.  It is certain that our country will never be deserted as long as she has William Smith O’Brien as one of her leaders.”

[Illustration:  KEVIN I. O’DOHERTY.  THOMAS F. MEAGHER.  TERENCE B. McMANUS]

There was much to account for the tumult of rejoicing which hailed Smith O’Brien’s entry within the ranks of the popular party.  His lineage, his position, his influence, his stainless character, his abilities, and his worth, combined to fit him for the place which O’Connell assigned him, and to rally round him the affection and allegiance of the Irish people.  No monarch in the world could trace his descent from a longer line of illustrious men; beside the roll of ancestry to which he could point, the oldest of European dynasties were things of a day.  When the towering Pyramids that overlook