It not only exceeded the ablest orations of the British leaders, but was, perhaps, the most triumphant he himself had ever delivered.

But his position soon changed.

From being the unanswerable champion of the ministerial majority in the House of Commons, he took the lead of a small opposition which resisted the Government on the Irish Bill.

Although the minister was the exponent and stern advocate of the widest liberality, in applying the reform to England, he undertook to defend, on the very opposite principle, the niggard liberty he was prepared in the same measure to extend to Ireland.

In this unnatural and unexpected turn of affairs, Mr.O'Connell took a proud and bold stand, against the Government, and for his country.