the people to do so with “all possible affection.”  The Irish clergy could have no doubt that the Holy See would sanction a national effort for national liberty.  The Archbishop of Armagh, therefore, convened a provincial synod, which was held at Kells, on the 22nd of March, 1641, which pronounced the war undertaken by the Catholics of Ireland lawful and pious, but denounced murders and usurpations, and took steps for assembling a national synod at Kilkenny during the following year.

The Catholic cause, meanwhile, was not advancing through the country.  The Irish were defeated in nearly every engagement with the English troops.  The want of a competent leader and of unanimity of purpose was felt again, as it had so often been felt before; but the Church attempted to supply the deficiency, and, if it did not altogether succeed, it was at least a national credit to have done something in the cause of freedom.

The synod met at Kilkenny, on the 10th of May, 1642.  It was attended by the Archbishops of Armagh, Cashel, and Tuam, and the Bishops of Ossory, Elphin, Waterford and Lismore, Kildare Clonfert, and Down and Connor.  Proctors attended for the Archbishop of Dublin, and for the Bishops of Limerick, Emly, and Killaloe.  There were present, also, sixteen other dignitaries and heads of religious orders.  They issued a manifesto explaining their conduct and, forming a Provisional Government, concluded their labours, after three days spent in careful deliberation.

Owen Roe O’Neill and Colonel Preston arrived in Ireland in July, 1642, accompanied by a hundred officers, and well supplied with arms and ammunition.  Sir Phelim O’Neill went at once to meet O’Neill, and resigned the command of the army; and all promised fairly for the national cause.  The Scots, who had kept up a war of their own for some time, against both the King and the Catholics, were wasting Down and Antrim; and O’Neill was likely to need all his military skill and all his political wisdom in the position in which he was placed.

Preston had landed in Wexford, and brought a still larger force; while all the brave expatriated Irishmen in foreign service, hastened home the moment there appeared a hope that they could strike a blow with some effect for the freedom of their native land.

The General Assembly projected by the national synod in Kilkenny, held its first meeting on October 14, 1642,—­eleven spiritual and fourteen temporal peers, with 226 commoners, representing the Catholic population of Ireland.  It was, in truth, a proud and glorious day for the nation.  For once, at least, she could speak through channels chosen by her own free will; and for once there dawned a hope of legislative freedom of action for the long-enslaved people.  The old house is still shown where that Assembly deliberated—­a Parliament all but in name.  The table then used, and the chair occupied by the Speaker, are still preserved, as sad mementos of freedom’s blighted cause.[478] The house used was in the market-place, The peers and commoners sat together; but a private room was allotted for the lords to consult in.  Dr. Patrick Darcy, an eminent lawyer, represented the Chancellor and the judges.  Mr. Nicholas Plunket was chosen as Speaker; the Rev. Thomas O’Quirk, a learned Dominican friar, was appointed Chaplain to both houses.