But Mr.Smith O'Brien, desirous that the State prisoners of 1844 should be participators in any tribute of respect offered to him, requested that the 6th of September, the day of their release from prison, should be fixed on for a public triumph, in which all alike could share.
[Illustration: John Mitchell] Mr.O'Brien passed through the metropolis quietly on his way home; but in Limerick and Newcastle was received by hundreds of thousands with boundless joy.

When he returned to town, it was to be expelled from that body to which he, of all living men, gave most firmness, and for which he alone acquired most respect.

In the events which followed, the public dinner was forgotten.
It is now time to recur to those events, some of which at least range behind those already detailed--to which the following preliminary may be necessary.

Early in June, a meeting was held at Lord John Russell's, when the minister-expectant explained the grounds on which he claimed the support of the entire Liberal Party.

The English Liberals, generally and enthusiastically, acquiesced.