O’Brien returned to Ireland more endeared than ever to the hearts of his countrymen.  And now the game was fairly afoot.  Government and people viewed each other with steady and defiant glare, and girded up their loins for the struggle.  On the one side the Confederate clubs were organized with earnestness and vigour, and the spirit of the people awakened by a succession of stirring and glowing appeals.  “What if we fail?” asked the Nation; and it answered the question by declaring unsuccessful resistance under the circumstances preferable to a degrading submission.  “What if we don’t fail?” was its next inquiry, and the answer was well calculated to arouse the patriots of Ireland to action.  On the other hand the authorities were not idle.  Arm’s Bills, Coercion Acts, and prosecutions followed each other in quick succession.  Mitchel was arrested, convicted, and sent to Bermuda.  Duffy, Martin, Meagher, Doheny, O’Doherty, and M’Gee were arrested—­all of whom, except Duffy and Martin, were shortly afterwards liberated.  Duffy’s trial was fixed for August, and this was the time appointed by the Confederates for the outbreak of the insurrection.  There were some who advocated a more prompt mode of action.  At a meeting of the Confederates held on July 19th, after the greater portion of the country had been proclaimed, it was warmly debated whether an immediate appeal to arms should not be counselled.  O’Brien and Dillon advocated delay; the harvest had not yet been reaped in; the clubs were not sufficiently organized throughout the country, and the people might easily conceal their arms until the hour arrived for striking a decisive blow.  Against this policy a few of the more impetuous members protested.  “You will wait,” exclaimed Joe Brennan, “until you get arms from heaven, and angels to pull the triggers.”  But his advice was disregarded; and the meeting broke up with the understanding that with the first glance of the harvest sun, the fires of insurrection were to blaze upon the hill tops of Ireland, and that meanwhile organization and preparation were to engross the attention of the leaders.  On Friday, July 21st, a war directory—­consisting of Dillon, Reilly, O’Gorman, Meagher, and Father Kenyon was appointed; and on the following morning O’Gorman started for Limerick, Doheny for Cashel, and O’Brien for Wexford, to prepare the people for the outbreak.

It was war to the knife, and every one knew it.  The forces of the government in Ireland were hourly increased in Dublin—­every available and commanding position was occupied and fortified.  “In the Bank of Ireland,” says one who watched the progress of affairs with attentive gaze, “soldiers as well as cashiers were ready to settle up accounts.  The young artists of the Royal Hibernian Academy and Royal Dublin Society had to quit their easels to make way for the garrison.  The squares of old Trinity College resounded with the tramp of daily reviews; the Custom House at last received some