the
language of the repealers grew bolder and bolder. At length government
was roused to action. A great meeting was announced for the 8th of
October, to be held at Clontarf, the scene of an Irish victory over
the Danes; and the programme of the proceedings to take place on this
occasion, and the regulations to be observed by those who should attend
it, had been announced with more than common ostentation and solemnity.
Against this meeting government issued a proclamation; and as soon as
the issue of it was known, Mr. O'Connell called a special meeting of the
repeal association, at which, speaking with marked calmness, he said, in
consequence of the step taken by government, there would be no meeting
on the next day at Clontarf. A counter-proclamation was adopted by this
meeting, in which the abandonment of the intended assembling at Clontarf
was announced, and the people were exhorted not to assemble. As,
however, the proclamation and the counter-proclamation were issued only
the day before the intended meeting was to take place, thousands knew
nothing of their promulgation, and consequently repaired to Clontarf, in
the expectation of meeting their leaders. Instead of Mr. O'Connell
and his associates, they met with troops; and thus disappointed, they
returned home. Happily the day passed off with tranquillity; for,
notwithstanding the vast concourse who thronged to the scene throughout
the day, no disturbance took place. But the operations of government
against the repealers did not stop here. A few days afterwards the
public were startled by the announcement of the arrest of Mr. O'Connell
and his coadjutors, on charges of conspiracy, sedition, and unlawful
assembling. Mr. O'Connell entered into recognisances, himself in L1000,
with two sureties of L500 each, to abide his trial on the charges
preferred against him. Both Mr. O'Connell and his coadjutors were
bound to appear on the first day of Michaelmas term, at the court of
Queen's-Bench at Dublin; and on their appearance the grand jury brought
in the indictment, "a true bill;" but the proceedings of the trial were
so much hindered by the various pretexts of the prisoners' counsel,
that it was finally agreed that it should be deferred till the 15th of
January, 1844.

One of the most remarkable events which occurred in the course of this
year, was the secession of a considerable number of the ministers
and laity of the established church of Scotland from that body. Th