n he has done, even if he had been the bosom friend of
the liberator, as well as the ardent admirer of his career." Nor must we
fail to record the terms in which the venerable Pontiff, on this memorable
occasion, referred to Ireland. The thought of O'Connell was one with that
of his native Erin. Death, even, could not sever them. Whilst the living
image of grief and bereavement stood in his presence, the Holy Father
could not refrain from giving expression to his paternal sympathy. But, at
the same time, the country of O'Connell was not forgotten. Writes Dr.
Miley: "While he spoke of the sufferings of the Irish, of their fidelity,
of his solicitude and his hopes regarding them, it was beautiful and
impressive beyond my power to describe, to observe that countenance,
which, like a mirror, reflects the charity, the compassionate care, the
fortitude, with a hundred other sentiments divine, which are never dormant
within his breast."

Pius IX., anxious that due honor should be done to the memory of
O'Connell, gave orders for the celebration of a solemn funeral service,
and intimated his will and command that it should be celebrated in his
name. "The achievements also of his wonderful existence I desire to be
commemorated and made known to the world"--not that this is necessary,
"because," said the Pontiff with a sublime look and gesture, "his grand
career was ever in the face of heaven--he always stood up for legality--he
had nothing to hide; and it was this, with his unshaken fidelity and
reverence for religion, that secured his triumph." It is only justice to
the people of Rome to state that they vied with the Sovereign Pontiff, the
magnates of their country and the representatives of European nations at
the Holy City, in doing honor to the memory of O'Connell. "From the Campus
Martius," writes Dr. Miley, "and the Roman Forum, from both sides of the
Tiber, and from all the seven hills and their interjacent valleys, this
people, who grow up from infancy with the trophies of thirty centuries of
greatness around them on every hand, assembled with enthusiasm to
supplicate heaven for the eternal happiness of Ireland's liberator, and to
exult in the wonders he had achieved, as if he had been their own." The
greatest homage paid by Rome on this melancholy occasion, was undoubtedly,
the funeral oration, which was spoken by the Bossuet of Italy, the
celebrated preacher, Father Ventura, the friend and fellow-student of Pius
IX. This