7 JANUARY 1966, Page 7

bC Zpectator

January 6. 1866

The Fenian trials have ended. The last ring- leader has been sentenced to five years' imprisonment, and the Government. it is said. do not intend to prosecute the remainder. They are still, however, taking extraordinary pre- cautions. accumulating troops in Dublin, and generally acting as if they either suspected danger. or were afraid lest the excessive panic should lead the menaced upper class to take matters into their own hands. The latter is the more probable solution of the mystery. An Orange conspiracy would be just as dangerous

as a Fenian one.