Thus for many weary months, with his energies, as it were, chained down to a cold stone, toiled and strove Thomas Davis.

His influence first began to be felt as chairman of a sub-committee on the registers.

This position afforded him an opportunity of entering into correspondence with the leading politicians of the party, and whenever he saw in any man's replies evidence of depth, capacity or earnestness, he at once entered into friendly and unreserved communication, exhorting him in language full of passionate entreaty.

In these, his early efforts, John Dillon shared his labours, his ambition and his heart.
[Illustration: Truly yours, Thomas Davis.] About this time Mr.Stanton, proprietor of the _Morning Register_, committed to the two young graduates the writing of his journal.

His preference was not so much owing to their character as politicians as it was to their pre-eminence in literary attainments.