Ireland has been exulting in a splendid show in Dublin.
Mr. O'Connell, on the anniversary of his imprisonment, has had a " levee " at the Rotunda : deputations flocked to address him from all quarters, headed by Mayors and other municipal dig- nitaries, and bearing the " regalia". of their corporations ; the
rassembled conjurators took a solemn " pledge " to pursue Repeal vs enure ovum ; and there was a monster procession, which wallied about Dublin with bands dressed like equestrian. corps at hire- and playing music enough to waken the night-owl in broad noon. The scene in the levee-room, with the help of a_platform, some benches, a grand chair for O'Connell, and some red-cloth, became a,s. " magic " in the eyes of the transported Repealers—and also, no doubt, of the untransported Repealers ; the sight of Mr. Thomas Steele, in a green uniform, and on a " charger," at the head of two hundred—dairymen, was "grand indeed " ; O'Con- nell's green cap with gold fringe was very impressive, and must go a great way towards the attainment of Repeal ; for which the green coat with gilt buttons of the Eighty-two Club is a further guarantee. We do not know, indeed, from the obvious reliance placed on the Repeal man-mercers and tailors, what effect a really regal state procession would have. The experiment might be Worth trying. Against the Repeal bands one might pit the band of one of our Household horse-regiments, which has lately assumed dresses like jockies gone a-soldiering : one of Prince Albert's hussars with his cherry-coloured legs, must strike a loyal fervour into the genuine Hibernian heart : the running footmen would go a great way : the Beefeaters would be very influential. Her Majesty should certainly proceed against O'Connell—that is, try a rival procession. It might at once rivet the Union.
The " Liberator" has read his recantation about the banking bill, which he once praised. We observe some bankers among the Repealers.
Previous page
