o the Chairman of the Committee of Selection."

[Illustration: Thomas Devin Reilly]

Mr. O'Connell's letter bears date on the next day, as announced in the
correspondent's notice, because it was intended it should not be
delivered until the honourable gentleman was beyond the pale of English
jurisdiction.

"BRITISH HOTEL, JERMYN STREET,

8 a.m., _July 1st._

"Sir.--I have to acknowledge the receipt of a notification by
order of your committee, to the effect that my attendance in
Parliament will be required during the week beginning Monday,
14th July, for the purpose of serving, if chosen, on a
parliamentary committee.

"With every respect to you, Sir, and the gentlemen of your
committee, I absolutely decline attending.

"I, like some others, came to London the first time this session
about a fortnight ago to remonstrate against and endeavour to
resist the plan of infidel education which the Government are
forcing upon Ireland. We had not, nor for some years have had,
the slightest hope of obtaining any measure of good from a
foreign parliament; but we came against our better judgment,
that it might not be said we had not gone all lengths to
endeavour to deter the Government from a scheme so redolent of
political corruption, social profligacy and religious
infidelity.

"We came armed with multitudinous petitions of the people, and
the strong, unanimous and most decided protest from our revered
prelacy and clergy.

"We were of course mocked at, derided and refused; but, what is
of infinitely more consequence, the voice of our prelates and of
the faithful people of Ireland have been treated with utter
contempt--even Irish Catholics (yielding to the unwholesome
influences around them) joining in the contemptuous refusal.

"Under these circumstances, Sir, I certainly will not suffer
that portion of the people of Ireland who have entrusted their
representation to my charge to be further mocked at and insulted
in my person. I go to where I can best discharge my duty to them
and to Ireland--_in Ireland_. There struggling, with doubtless
as little ability, but with more energy and, if possible, more
whole-hearted devotion than ever, to put an end to the present
degradation of my country and obtain for her that which can
alone ensure protection to her interests, relief to he