29 MAY 1847, Page 5

IRELAND.

I` The report of Mr. O'Connell's death, which gave rise to much conjec- tural speculation in London on Saturday last, was confirmed on Monday. Mr. O'Connell died at Genoa, on the night of Saturday the 15th instant. It now appears certain that he could not long have survived, in spite of the promising reports which his friends were diligent in spreading. His case seems to have been a complete breaking-up of the system. The Times publishes this account of the post »torten examination, which has every appearance of authenticity— "The body was opened in the presence of Doctors Duff Beretta, and Lacour, by Dr. Balleri, surgeon-in-chief of the Hospital for Incarables in Genoa, who had been charged with the process of embalming. the body of this great man.' Lesions were observed in several organs. The right lung presented traces of chronic catarrh. The intestinal canal showed vestiges of former inflammation. More serious alterations were, however, observed in the brain. It was found gorged with blood throughout its entire extent, and partially softened. Its mem- branes were inflamed and thickened." The newspapers teem with biographical notices; but the general outline of O'Connell's life is too well known to need recapitulation; and anything which went beyond the most meagre outline would fill whole numbers of the Spectator. A question has arisen respecting O'Connell's age. He pro- fessed to have been born in 1774, the year in which the American struggle for independence began; but the Standard avers, with some plausibility, that he was a few years older, baying been born probably in 1770. The principal curiosity just new attaches to the detailed accounts of the great Irishman's last moments; and we select such letters from persons pre- sent at the closing scene as give the completest descriptions. Though they all relate some things_in common, interesting differences will be observed. Th Triostik fiom the 'pen of Dr: lalley, Mr. O'Connell's chaplain; but the first is by Dr. Dtiff, an English physician resident at Genoa.

Dr. Duff to the Editor of Galignanis Messenger.

" Genoa, May 16.

"Some account of the closing scenes of the life of an individual who has filled so remarkable a position in the world as Daniel O'Connell, must prove interesting to the generality of your readers; and I therefore, as an English physician called in to attend him, take leave to lay before you the following statement. "On Monday, May 10, I saw Mr. O'Connell for the first time; and he was then suffering from profuse and involuntary diarrhcea, with great pain of the abdomen under pressure, strong rapid pulse, flushed face, &c. Mr. O'Connell had also chronic bronchitis of some years' standing. From the remedies employed these symptoms were mach ameliorated, and on the morrow he seemed convalescent. But, from Mr. O'Connell's great repugnance to swallow even the most simple medicine, this state of improvement could not be followed up. On the evening of Tudiday (11th) the new symptom of congestion of the brain presented itself. Active measures were immediately had recourse to, and from them there was a decided improvement. Again the aid of internal remedies was denied, Mr. O'Con- poll refusing to take any medicine. Towards the evening of Wednesday (12th) the symptoms increased. Mr. O'Connell was restless, and sometimes slightly incoherent. Our former measures were again employed, but with slight success. During Thursday all the symptoms increased, with great tendency to sleep; from which, however, he could easily be roused: the breathing was much embarrassed; circulation became difficult, and in some degree indistinct; and the mind wavered. Thursday night was passed in a state of profound heavy sleep, with increased difficulty of breathing; and in addressing those about him, he imagined himself in London, and spoke to them as if there. On Friday he was much worse; the breathing very laborious, the voice scarcely audible, and the words half formed; all the symptoms had increased. In this state he lingered on till Saturday night, seemingly conscious of the presence of those about him, but neither attempting to move nor speak. My treatment of Mr. O'Connell was always in conjunction with Dr. Beretta of this place, and a young French physician who had accompanied him from Lyons; and on the day preceding his demise, we had the advantage of consulting with Dr. Viviani, the oldest practitioner of Genoa, and of high repute. By his advice and as a last resource, a farther application of leeches to the tem- ples was advised. But all was in vain: he expired last night, at half-past nine o'clock p.m., apparently suffering little pain. During the whole period ot our at- tendance upon Mr. O'Connell, it was with the greatest difficulty he could be in- duced to take medicine or even necessary food; and he perseveringly abstained from drink for fully forty hours. Had this been otherwise, the period of death might have been procrastinated; but his failing health and spirits, with constant tendency to cerebral congestion, rendered certain his death at no very distant period." [On the authority of a private letter, written at Genoa on the 18th in- stant, the Globe states that when Mr. Daniel O'Connell junior was informed that Dr. Duff had sent this account to Paris' he wrote to the physician de- siring him to countermand its publication. The correspondent of the Globs conjectures that the reason for that request may have been, "that Dr. Duff being a rigid Protestant, it was feared that he would not do justice to the deceased."]

Private Letter published by the Times. "Genoa, May 18, 1847.

"Intent on visiting the tombs of the Apostles, and paying his homage, as a Catholic, to Pius IX., O'Connell was interrupted at this stage of his pilgrimage by fatal illness; and expired at the Hotel Feder, in this city, about an hour and a half after sunset on Saturday the 15th instant. " His lite is for history, which will take care of it; but this memorandum of what occurred since his last illness seized him will be received, perhaps, with some interest, were it only for its complete exactness. It has been read for the approval of Mr. O'Connell's friends and the physicians who attended him; they sanction it as correct. " For two days after his arrival here from Marseilles by the Lombardo steamer, the friends of the illustrious pilgrim observed with joy that the improvement in his health, which they began to date from Avignon, went on increasing ; but on Sa- turday the 8th it became necessary to have recourse to the same aperient remedies which had been for some time past adopted to relieve him, and always with com- plete success. Diarrhom, however, set in some time after the remedies applied on Saturday night had produced the desired result; and as it still continued on Monday morning, (after a partial cessation on Sunday,) it was deemed expedient to call in additional medical aid. The English physician resident here. Dr. Duff, and Dr. Beretta of this city, met in consultation with Dr. Lacoar, the physician who had accompanied °Connell from Lyons. The diarrhcea, was re- garded as rather fortunate than otherwise, as helping to relieve the head, where they were of opinion the chief danger was to be apprehended. " With this view, (which coincided exactly with that taken of O'Connell's case from first to last by the most eminent physicians of France,) their remedies were mainly directed to check the congestion, which they judged to have been gaining ground in the brain from a period considerably distant. The success with which their efforts were attended was not lasting. However, even after a fourth phy- sician, Dr. Viviani, was called in on Friday, there still were hopes. Nevertheless, it was judged prudent to be prepared for the worst; and on Friday night the last rites of the church were received by the illustrious sufferer, with a serenity and a fervour of piety which produced upon the members of the clergy and his friends who surrounded his bed the most profound and edifying impressions. " Towards three p.m. on Saturday, he called his own man, and, taking him warmly by both hands to acknowledge the rare fidelity with which he had served him, he said, As yet I am not dying ': but two hours latter, he called for the Reverend Dr. Miley, his chaplain; to whom he said, when he had bent down over him the better to hear his fast sinking voice, I am dying, my dear friend!' " The physicians were still in attendance; but from that moment the prayers and other offices of religion, which had not been interrupted from the precedingnight, were pursued with redoubled earnestness by his friends and the chief members of the clergy. At first his voice was united in the prayers and responses; but, as it became less and less distinct, his hands clasped in fervour, his eyes, his countenance, revealed how his soul responded to the litanies for the dying, which they were mingling with their tears around his bed. " Occasionally, during this his last illness, as the brain became more and more invaded, there was a momentary wandering of the mind; from which, however, the slightest word recalled him. He never murmured, though his internal suffer- ings, at times at least, mast have been great. Every one was struck With his serenity, his recollection, and fervour in receiving the last rites of religion. The adorable name of Jesus, and the prayer of St. Bernard to our Blessed Lady, mingled from time to time with verses from the Psalms, and the most earnest and contrite aspirations were almost perpetually upon his lips. Up to a few moments before he expired, he continued to reeogmze his confessor, and to respond to his suggestions. "Far from surprising him, he had been long, long familiarized with the con- templation of his last end, prepared for it perfectly, and almost eager for its ad- vent. When that spirit, so mighty, which seemed to glory in and to sway the tempests which agitate our being, took its flight, there was no more trace or sign of pain or struggle than when the babe in smiling sinks to 'slumber upon the mother's breast. "It will boa lasting though still a sorrowful consolation for his friends and family, that no resource of skill or climate calculated to_nrolong the existence of this extraordinary man has been left untried. The professional advice obtained

for him was always the best that could be procured. •

"His body is to be embalmed and conveyed to Ireland. His heart he be- queathed to Rome. The autopsy demonstrated singularly the correctness, of the view taken of his case, and how wonderfully successful had been the remedies recommended in postponing the fatal event. "His obsequies commenced from the moment of his decease,,and are still con- tinued with princely pomp in the church of our Blessed Lady delle Vigne. They are to close tomorrow with a grand requiem mass; at which his Extellenc7 the Governor-General, the Foreign Consuls, and Mr. R. Cobden, are invited to be

present." • The Reverend Dr. Miley to Mr. Morgan O'Connell.

"Genoa, Sunday, 16th May 1847. "My dear, dear Sir—May the God of mercy sustain and comfort you I the worst has befallen us! the Liberator, your illustrious father—the father of his country—the glory and the wonder of Christendom—is dead! Dead ? no; I should say rather, O'Connell is in heaven! His death was happy: he received in the most fervent sentiments the last rites, and up to the last sigh was surrounded by every consolation provided by our holy religion. Oh! would to Heaven that I could pour the balm of consolation into the wound which I open bv this heart:- breaking intelligence; but, alas! how could I?—my own heart 18 bursting, and poor Daniel is crushed with grief. Nothing that strangers could do to comfort us has been wanting—but the stroke is so tremendous! On the side of religion everything cheers us, and it is there we have sought for refuge. You are already aware, from my last letter, and that which was written by Daniel at a later hour, how matters stood up to six o'clock on last (Saturday) evening.. From that hour up to eight o'clock, he continued to sink gradually, but witnoat suffering. I knew long before this hour that he was dying; and we had recited the prayers from seven to eight o'clock, in which he joined most fervently, and with all the distinctness his fast failing powers permitted. I think his agony began at eight o'clock, or a little after: but in using this word, you are not to understand me to say that there was any painful struggle. At no stage, especially for the two last days, was there anything like pain. At this time the Vicar-General, who is a prelate, with the clergy, were round his bed. His breathing became gradually more weak; as the prayers were recited, his bands were fervently clasped upon his noble breast, his countenance perfectly serene; and as I suggested to him all that my sacred office required, and my grief permitted he responded by word and sign so as to express perfectly and fervently the glowing sentiments of his heart. Daniel and me, and his faithful Duggan, he recognized to the last. Our suppli- cations lathe sublime and consoling language of the Church, were mingled with our teals as we knelt around the bed. When at last his mighty voice was hushed, his countenance—his hands—responded to the prayers. "At thirty-seven minutes past nine, the hand of the priest of God, privileged 'to bind and loose on earth even as it is done in Heaven,' was extended over him. There was no struggle—no change visible upon his features, except that, as We gazed, it was plain that a dread mystery bad east its shadow over him. The spirit which had moved the world took its flight so peacefully, that all who were there except the angels who were in waiting for it, were in doubt if it had de- parted. He died as an infant sinks upon its mother's breast to sleep. It was by the soft and beautiful transition of the prayers that we were reminded that we had before us only the noble body of O'Connell, as if listening, hushed in atten- tion, for the summons to a glorious immortality. "We are thrown upon our own counsels, with nothing to guide us but what we inherit from his conversations and casually expressed wishes. Acting on this, we when it was not permitted him by Providence to perform in his own person that ported to Rome; as of old the heart of Robert Bruce WII8 carried to Janernd

have determined to have the heart embalmed—placed in a silver urn, satrTenms-, pilgrimage to the holy sepulchre which he had vowed, as O'Connell had vowed his pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles. His body also is to be embalmed, and deposited in the chapel of the church of our Blessed Lady delle Vigne; where it is to repose until, on our return from leaving the heart in Rome, we convey it to Ireland.

" We have thought it right that his obsequies, though to be renewed, no doubt, by the Irish nation, should be princely here. It is likely we shall proceed with our sacred charge to Rome on Thursday or Friday next, by way of Civita Vecchia; where the carriage and nearly all our luggage have been for some days.

"We shall hold it a sacred duty to guard every object, no matter how other- wise insignificant, that belonged to his pilgrimage, as well as all the documents and memorials appertaining to it, which we have collected.

"I should add, that we are satisfied with the physicians. We are certain there was no mistake about the disease; and but for the science and skill of the Conti- nental physicians, it must have had much sooner a fatal termination, or one still more afflicting. I will write to Mr. Fitzpatrick a few lines: but you will oblige me by letting him see this letter, as I am not able to write to him at length. We have had a cast taken of his bead; which has filled with wonder the physicians who have seen it. Farewell. May Heaven comfort you all. My beloved and re- vered friend, John—I could not write to him. In writing to you I write to him and to all the family. Oh! ever Blessed Mother! comfortress of the afflicted, pray for us! "Ever yours, J. MIL."

Dr. Miley to Mr. Fitzpatrick.

"Genoa, 17th May 1847.

"Oh, friend of my heart—of my heart crushed and steeped in sorrow—how shall I address you! He is dead ! The stroke has fallen upon us close upon hopes with which we had cheated ourselves, that we should see him once again almost himself, returning to cheer and console his country. I must not again attempt to rehearse the details of his last hours; I thought my heart would not have held out to the end while I wrote them yesterday to Morgan. Go to him; he will be hardly able to read what my tears and the agitation of grief permitted me to write. The dignitaries of the church of Genoa attended round his death- bed; the dirge or office of the dead was kept perpetually day and night by the Franciscans of the great church of the Annunziata; the J!suit fathers came and prayed beside his sick bed; the church-bells tolled solemnly from his hour of agony till the removal for embalmment took place. This morning the solemn votive mass was celebrated by the whole Chapter; tomorrow the same; on Wednesday the grand mass a musics, with catafalque, at the grand altar, and the chapel lighted with wax Betts, the whole church hung in black, and masses at the four- and-twenty altars; then the body, embalmed, is to be deposited temporarily in a separate chapel, till we return from leaving the heart at the tombs of the Apostles. .

"Ever yours, J. MiLny."

[A phrase with which Dr. Miley concludes another letter, to the editor of the Univers, has been the subject of remark. "The heart of O'Connell at Rome, his body in Ireland, and his soul in heaven—is not that what the justice of man and the mercy of God demand?" It has been observed that O'Connell's heart ought to have been in Ireland : according to the Standard, however, Dr. Miley is right—" O'Connell's heart always, before all things, was at Rome."] The fact of Mr. O'Connell's death became known in Dublin early on Tuesday morning. The event was announced by placards posted at Con- ciliation Hall and at some of the public offices. The "dead-hells" of the Roman Catholic chapels were tolled all the morning, and prayers were offered for the repose of the departed. The Corporation met, and adjourned for three weeks, out of respect to the memory of the deceased Alderman' • and the Repeal Association met pro forma, but immediately adjourned. According to the majority of the accounts from Dublin, the news did not produce a very lively sensation; the effect of the final announcement having been deadened by the previous rumours. The Morning Chronicle, how- ever, avers that the intelligence "produced a profound impression extend- ing through all parties."

The Repeal Association held a special meeting on Wednesday, to adopt an address to the Irish people. By arrangement, the proceedings were conducted in mournful silence. Mr. M`Loughlin, the chairman, made a brief allusion to the loss which they had sustained; and during his speech, it is said,, the great majority of the assembly were weeping. Mr. O'Hea moved the subjoined address; which wasadopted; and the meeting adjourned to next Monday week.

"The Address of the Loyal National Repeal Association to the People of Ireland.

"Fellow Countrymen—O'Connell is no more! The animating spirit of Ireland has passed sway! The light of the nations is extinguished !

"Weep, ,aid wail, and let your grief be without limit, 0 children of Ireland; for the cup of your affliction is full, and the extent of your suffering without measure. The pride of your hearts has been stricken down—the bright one of Erin is removed—the Liberator of our country has departed!

"With a season of sorrow it has pleased the Almighty to afflict us to the utter- most: pestilence and famine blight our people; in a foreign country, far away from his own loved native land, low lies the champion of Ireland's liberties.

"Oh, well may we mourn him, for the whole human race deplore his loss, and the gloom ef our bereavement afflicts the world.

"Fellow countrymen, how shall we best prove that we loved him whilst living, or mourn for him when dead? By reverencing his principles—by obeying his dictates—by pursuing the same noble objects in the peaceful steps he trod. "In one sense, in the true sense, O'Connell is not dead ! Men like unto him can never die: all that was mortal has passed away, but the immortal part remains. His spirit, fellow countrymen, abides with you. His moral teachings are spread for ever through you, and through the universe. No time can extinguish the lessons of his wisdom.

"For ourselves, associated as we were here by him, our purpose is determined to stand by his principles, and to abide by his doctrines, and by them alone. This is our fixed and unalterable resolve.

"Throughout the wide world a mighty void is felt; who shall fill it up? What nation, what people has not lost a benefactor? Our country has lost its guide and leader. Oh, let that country still be directed by his wisdom, and be mar- shalled beneath his standard !

"His paths were the paths of peace. He walked in the ways of the law and of order. Remember—still remember the motto of his association, the moral of his wisdom and experience—' The man who commits a crime gives strength to the enemy: " By his long and faithful services—by the noble example of his life—by the glory of his immortal name—we beseech, we implore you, fellow countrymen, swerve not from the principles, desert me theohjects, nor abandon the doctrines of

O'Connell. CORNELIUS MIOUGIBLIN,

"T. M. Ray, Secretary. Chairman of the meeting."

The death of Mr. O'Connell creates a vacancy in the representation of the county of Cork.

The Earl of Clarendon arrived at Dublin Castle on Wednesday, and was at once sworn in at a meeting of the Privy Council. The funeral of the Earl of Besboroagli took place on Friday. The body was removed from Dublin Castle about half past two o'clock, under a salute of sixty-six minute-guns. The streets were lined with troops; the shops were partially closed. The procession was accompanied by the bands of several regiments playing the Dead March in Saul: it comprised detach- ments of soldiers, the family carriages of the deceased Earl; those contain- ing the friends and officers of the Household, and the Lord Mayor's state carriage. The coffin was conveyed by railway to Carlow; arriving at the station a little after six. From that place the hearse proceeded to Boa- borough; followed by mourning-coaches containing various members of Lord Besborough's family, and accompanied by a guard of honour.

In Ireland there is not much stirring as yet in the way of election news. Beyond the unsupported rumour of the Government's putting forward Sir William Somerville, there is no indication of a contest for Dublin. The Repeaters talk of a candidate; but internal dissension much diminishes their chance of success.

Colonel Acton retires from the representation of the county of Wicklow, on the score of delicate health. The candidates are Mr. Charles Stanley Monck, nephew of the Earl of Rathdowne, in the Conservative interest; and on the Whig side, Lord Milton, son of Earl Fitzwilliam. The Repeal Member for Limerick, Mr. James Kelly, retires in disgust at the conduct of the British Parliament.

The sanatory condition of Ireland is alarming. The accounts mention that fever is spreadiug in all directions. Dublin, however, Continues com- paratively free from disease. The central authorities are not flagging in their labours; and as a re- sult, the Temporary Relief Act is in operation in 1,248 electoral divisions, or about two thirds of the entire number in Ireland.

Local authorities do not always show the same commendable activity. Some disclosures have just been made in the Bantry Workhouse. It ap- pears that it has been the custom there to pile coffins inside and outside the dead-houses unburied, and leave them in that condition for several weeks; that into those coffins so many as three or four corpses have been. thrust; and that corpses utterly naked have frequently been thrown' for days together, on the floor of the dead-house, until the rats had partially devoured them, and putridity had set in. This shocking state of things was partially admitted by the Master of the Workhouse; who appears to have been acting with the fall knowledge and concurrence of the Guar- dians. The whole matter has been reported to the Commissioner, and an investigation has been ordered.

The Cork patent saw-mills have had from sixteen to twenty pairs of saws incessantly going for the last six or eight months, cutting planks for coffins, planks, and scantlings for the berths of emigrant-ships, and, for the erection of fever-sheds.

A murder committed several weeks ago, at Gurtnahassy, in Tipperary, has just been discovered. Walsh, aged nearly fifty, married a girl of eighteen; and- went to reside with his father-in-law, Edward Brophy. The married couple lived unhappily; and on the night of the 3d May, Brophy murdered his son-in- law, burying the body in a garden. Another son-in-law of Brophy subsequently removed the corpse, and buried it by the side of a rivulet some distance off; the stream became flooded, the earth was washed from the body, and the foul deed came to light. The murderer and his daughter have lied to America ("spair taneous emigrants"); but Brophy's wife is in custody.

A gentleman's bailiff has been found murdered near Thurles, in Tipperary. He had been serving summonses on tenants who had unlawfully reentered tene- ments from which they had been evicted: his corpse was discovered between two of these houses with the skull broken in; bat, apparently, the murder had not been committed on the spot where the body lay.