ented to the Queen at Windsor,
and received from Her Majesty a cheque for 20 pounds, and a quantity of
gorgeous plaid, with which to astonish the other natives, on their
return. They afterwards exhibited themselves, danced war dances, etc.,
at the Egyptian Hall, at an admission fee of half-a-crown.

CHAPTER XXII.

A child for sale--Trial, &c, of Daniel O'Connell--General Tom Thumb--His
visit to the Queen--The Polka--How to dance it--"Jullien's Grand Polka."

The _Times_ of 19 Jan. copies the following from the _Worcester
Chronicle_: "A CHILD FOR SALE.--The following extraordinary letter was
received, a short time ago, by a gentleman in the neighbourhood of
Tewkesbury, from a person residing here. The letter is dated from a
certain court in this town, but we omit the precise locality, and the
writer's name, hoping that, without pursuing the exposure to that extent,
it will be sufficient to teach him that natural affection is not to be
made a matter of bargain and sale, and that it is the duty of a parent
himself to cherish the child which he has been the means of bringing into
the world:--'Sir,--Having heard that you expressed a wish to have a child
and did not mind giving a sum of money as an inducement i flatter myself
that I have it in my power to furnish you with one to answer your purpose
in every respect it is a boy 2 years old a good looking healthy spirited
child and sound in wind and limb and that you can rair him up to suit
your inclination you can send word by the bearer and appoint any time to
inspect the child.'"

With every wish, in this book of Gossip, to steer as clear of politics as
possible, yet it would belie its name were the famous trial of Daniel
O'Connell not to be mentioned. "Repeal of the Union" was his watchword
and perpetual cry, and with it he stirred up the Irish people to a pitch
when he found it difficult to manage and restrain them. On 16 March,
1843, was held at Trim the first of great public meetings which he
designed, but did not carry out; and on 15 Aug. was a monster meeting on
the Hill of Tara; but the one to be held at Clontarf on 8 Oct. was to
have eclipsed its predecessors. But this was forbidden by the
Government, and, a week later, warrants were issued for the arrest of
O'Connell, his son John, and his chief colleagues, on a charge of
conspiring to create discontent and disaffection among the liege subjects
of the Queen, and with contriving, "by means of intimida