His final escape is known to most of my readers; but as I cannot approve of the character of his defence, I prefer saying no more of it in this place.
It is here needful to refer to myself, a topic always disagreeable to others, but painfully so on this occasion to me.

The proposal to form a league with the remaining members of the Association originated with certain gentlemen, among whom the Rev.Mr.Miley held a prominent place, who personally waited on Mr.O'Brien to testify their abhorrence of the outrages offered to him in Limerick.

Some very questionable politicians, who watched with the eye of traffic the current of public opinion, and sought to make the same profit of the reflux they had formerly made of its unimpeded tide, attended on those occasions.

Others, of purer motives, and loftier patriotism, joined in these interviews, and contrived to have them repeated.

Among these were the poet, Samuel Ferguson, and Richard Ireland, two recent and brilliant converts to the cause of nationality.