evin, multitudes were assembled in the
streets and windows, and even upon the house-tops. Persons came from
very great distances in the country to be present at the interment,
or take some part in the ceremonial. At the cemetery the services
appropriate to the Roman Catholic religion were conducted, and the
coffin was consigned to a vault prepared for its reception. The site
selected for the place of sepulture was the best which the cemetery
afforded, and the whole scene was solemn and impressive. It was a public
funeral, worthy of a great man, by a people whom he had zealously,
faithfully, and disinterestedly served. It was computed that one hundred
thousand persons were present. There was a deep gloom upon the people
when the ceremony was over. The religious ceremonies prescribed by the
Roman Catholic Church for eminent persons deceased, were continued for a
considerable time.

Thus passed away a man whose name will long remain upon the pages of his
country's history, and whose influence upon the whole empire of Great
Britain was greater than was publicly recognised at the time, and than
historians have since recorded.

The fate of the reform bill very much depended upon the support accorded
to it by Daniel O'Connell. It is probable that the bill would have been
lost without the support of the Irish liberals, led by the agitator. To
the repeal of the corn laws he also rendered effective aid, although his
oratory in favour of that measure appeared to be less hearty than that
on behalf of the reform bill. The impression prevailed very extensively
among the great body of the free-traders that, while O'Connell agreed
with their theory, and deemed it politic to co-operate with them, he
did not regard it as immediately beneficial to Ireland, and did not
feel personally cordial to the movement. On many local church questions,
also, and to a very great extent, on colonial matters, the influence of
the Irish leader was felt in parliament by the parties most interested,
and by the governments. For a time the scale of office was held in his
hand; he made and unmade ministers. He was not corrupt, or place, power,
and pension might have been obtained by him and his. After his death
some members of his family did receive government situations, and even
before his death connexions of his obtained such advantages; but they
were in all cases fit for the posts to which they were appointed, and
filled them with honour--nor was the emol