Their new concessions hung gracefully around them, but they were like grafts on an ash stock--their growth was downward, and they wanted the stature and dignity of the native tree.

Such were the means at Mr.O'Connell's disposal.

His enemies on the other hand were false, powerful, dexterous and unscrupulous.

His efforts necessarily partook of the character both of the weapons he was obliged to wield and the foes he struck down.

As he advanced to eminence and strength, means, the most crafty and cruel, were taken to overthrow him, every one of which he foiled by a sagacity infinitely above that of his oppressors.