I doubt not O'Connell weighs well his words before they escape him. If he is vulgar, scurrilous, or abusive, it is not owing to the excitement of the moment; it is because he has certain ends to answer, and he chooses these means for their accomplishment. He is too old, too wary, too wise to suffer himself to be borne along at the mercy of excitement he cannot control.

No, Daniel O'Connell may seem to be imprudent; and sometimes, to hear him speak, you would think him wild with passion. But I have heard him use language on a certain subject in private conversation which sounded not a little strange, and repeat it several times with great calmness! and an hour afterwards I have heard that same language break forth from his lips in a public meeting, like a spontaneous explosion. It seemed harsh, rash, and extravagant at the time; but he had arranged, and digested, and weighed every word of that speech, before he entered the assembly where it was uttered. Indeed, I have been often able to anticipate the drift of his speech, by hearing him converse a short time before it was made.

His time is so continually taken from him by visitors who call for purposes of business, friendship, or curiosity, that he is very often obliged to prepare his speeches during these conversations.

I wish to say a few things more about this singular man. I have seen much of him : heard him converse a good deal; listened to more than twenty of his public speeches; and all this has enabled me to form, I think, a correct opinion in regard to his character.

He is now, it is said, about sixty-four years old; but he certainly does not seem to be more than forty or forty-five. He is at least six feet in stature, and has a full and majestic person: he wears a handsome wig, and dresses with great simplicity. On all occasions he has entire control over himself; his manner is always perfect, because it always suits the occasion. He knows how to stir up the enthusiasm of a company of wild Irish Sans culotte peasants, as well as ever a troubadour knew how to draw music from his harp; and in doing it would most likely offend the taste of an English "exquisite." He knows full well, too, how to chain the attention of Parliament, or a

great meeting in Exeter Hall, by the deep, rich music of his voice, keen Irish wit, classic diction, and elegant address.

He likes better to make an Irish speech, I fancy, than to talk to Englishmen; for he is fond of dealing in sledge-hammer arguments, irony and sarcasm: and he plays the barbarian with no little native grace.

"Come," said Lord to John Randolph of Roanoke, "now let us go into the House and see the bear dance" (referring to O'Connell). "By all the gods on Olympus," said Randolph, as he met his lordship after adjournment at the bar of the House, 66 I never saw such dancing from bear or human kind! It's worth all the rest of the menagerie (and begging your lordship's pardon), House of Lords to boot."

O'Connell has always been regarded with some suspicion by the Whigs, and, of course, the Tory party have done all they could to blacken his name; and while it is generally acknowledged that there is no man in Great Britain who can command the same influence, yet here are many of the reformers who have not entire confidence in his integrity.

he

They say, "Let us wait-we cannot tellafter all, turn out a bad man-his race

may,

is not yet fully run."

This has been the cry from the time he first entered into public life. From all sides the clamour has been, "We shall see."

Yes! you have seen for the better part of a life-time; how much longer time do you require? He has outlived one generation an honest man, and he must be a great fool (which never has been laid to his charge) to throw off the cloak of hypocrisy thus late in life, even if he has been acting a part; and he wears it so gracefully, it seems to have been made for him or he for it; for there is certainly a wonderful fitness.

No! I fancy if O'Connell even be a hypocrite, it never will be known in this world; when this Junius is dead, not so much as one man will have the secret; it will die with the Great Orator. Oh! no; it is too late now. If ambition has ruled him in the past, even this will keep him consistent, as he must know it is his only safeguard for the future.

It is currently said, that as men grow gray

they grow wise. O'Connell is already beyond gray hairs. Ten years ago he used this language in speaking of himself, at a public dinner given to him as he was leaving Dublin to take his seat in the House of Commons for the first time. It was all prophecy then; it is all history now.

66 I go to Parliament with more of the hatred of the enemies of the people arrayed against me, than perhaps any other man who ever entered that Honourable House. I never spared the oppressors of Ireland; I never permitted them to repose upon a bed of roses, but threw in as many nettles as I could. My next qualification for Parliament is, that I enjoy the affections and confidence of a considerable portion of my countrymen; and this is an animating consideration, a spirit-stiring consolation. What is it that could induce me to tarnish the humble fame I have acquired? What earthly price could tempt me to be untrue to the people? Not all the wealth of Indus' could bribe me for one moment to desert the cause of Ireland. I am bribed already by my own strong affections and attachment to my native land; and I shall go