Ireland triumphed.  Her triumph was a just and a great one.

But her exultation was on a fallacious basis.  She believed Mr. O’Connell’s infallibility was re-established.  No one cared, or perhaps dared to correct the error.  In itself it seemed little worthy of notice, yet it had its share of evil influence.  First, it diverted men’s minds from the one question; secondly, it left behind it the demoralising effect inseparable from untruth.  Were it even what the public eagerness chose to shape it, its relative value, weighed against the triumph of courage and virtue, would be contemptible.

Mr. O’Connell himself did not seem to share in the nation’s pride.  His spirit was broken.  He anticipated the glad wishes of the metropolis, and walked home from the penitentiary clouded and gloomy.  It was evident something within him had died.  However, he went back the next day, and left the prison the second time in the midst of public rejoicings never surpassed on any occasion in his life.  His addresses on that day, and subsequently while in town, were not such as they were wont to be; and he soon retired to his wild mountain home to invigorate a mind and body, borne down by gigantic labours, fearful responsibilities, some alarms, and perhaps a chilling sense of defeat and weakness.  His health was soon restored, but his political vigour never.  The first time his voice was heard from that retreat, it was to recommend a compromise; and, for the first time, his advice was openly opposed.  Charles Duffy answered his letter, which recommended to fall back on Federalism—­a question in the mouths of many, but in the brain of none—­respectfully and firmly remonstrating against such a course.  In a great many circles, Mr. Duffy could not be looked at with more wonder if he had recommended to cut off Mr. O’Connell’s head.

Hitherto, this condensed retrospect has been almost exclusively confined to the name and fortunes of O’Connell.  It is time now to revert to other actors in the scene.  Even before the trial, elements of antagonism had begun to manifest themselves.  With the party since called “Young Ireland,” every consideration was subordinate to the great question of national deliverance.  They laboured incessantly to elevate the morals, the literature, the taste, passions, genius, intellect and heart of the country to the sublime eminence of a free destiny.  Far the foremost man in urging and encouraging this glorious endeavour was Thomas Davis.  From sources the most extraordinary, and the least known, there welled forth abundant and seductive inspiration.  He struck living fire from inert wayside stones.  To him the meanest rill, the rugged mountain, the barren waste, the rudest fragment of barbaric history, spoke the language of elevation, harmony and hope.  The circle, of which he was the beloved centre, was composed of men equally sincere, resolute and hopeful; there was not one of them undistinguished.  Some of them had now the