contempt the appellation of conspirator. I
have acted boldly, in the open day, in the presence of the magistracy:
there lias been nothing secret or concealed. I have struggled for
the restoration of the parliament of my native country. Others have
succeeded before me; but, succeed or fail, it is a struggle to make the
fairest land in the world possess those benefits which nature intended
she should enjoy." On the next day some evidence was gone into on behalf
of the defendants, in the course of which it was proved that on the 16th
of July, when an arch was erected bearing the inscription, "Ireland,
her parliament, or the world in a blaze," Mr. O'Connell expressed
disapprobation of it, and Mr. Steele stood by to see that it was taken
down before the people were fully assembled. The next two days were
chiefly occupied by the solicitor-general's reply, which recapitulated
the principal points of the evidence, and stated its bearings upon the
different charges laid in the indictment. After he had concluded,
the lord-chief-justice commenced the charge: in doing which he first
explained the nature of the indictment, and of the single offence with
which the traversers were charged, "conspiracy;" then explained the law
of public discussion and public meeting; next proceeded to consider
the evidence that had been given; then commented on the large funds
collected in Ireland, England, Scotland, and America, towards the
"exchequer" of the association; and finally, alluding to the scheme
for bringing into disrepute the courts of justice as established by law
through the arbitration courts, showed in what maimer the conspiracy
was to be inferred. He asked:--"Have you or have you not Dr. Gray coming
forward and telling the assembled multitude that the time was coming
when they would be taken out of the hands of those petty tyrants who at
present preside in their courts of justice? Have you or have you not Mr.
O'Coimell himself adverting to the same system at the Clifden and other
subsequent meetings; recommending the appointment of arbitration courts,
and the placing thereon the magistrates who had been dismissed? And have
you or have you not Mr. John O'Coimell making a speech recommending the
same systems, and appearing himself to act under the appointment of the
repeal association, in presiding over an arbitration court established
in Blackrock?" The jury retired about half-past seven o'clock, and the
judges withdrew. Later in the e