no matter what that decision might
be, the trial could not be commenced until after Christmas."

After many and intricate legal questions had been disposed of, Mr. Duffy
finally escaped the meshes of the law, and resumed his avocations
as proprietor and editor of the _Nation_ newspaper, which journal he
conducted for a time with more moderation, although the government still
allowed him an extraordinary degree of license.

_Irish Agitation fob Rotatory Parliaments_.--The extinction of the Irish
insurrection did not suppress agitation. The moral-force Repealers kept
up a certain amount of clamour: said much, but not to any purpose, and
did nothing.

A considerable number of noblemen and gentlemen, more remarkable for
their high position and character than for intellectual power, formed
an association for the purpose of promoting what they called Rotatory
Parliaments, which would lead to the frequent holding of legislative
sessions in Dublin. On the 18th of December, a meeting for this purpose
was held in Dublin, at the Northumberland Buildings, Lord William
Fitzgerald in the chair. The meeting was but thinly attended, probably
on account of the extreme wet which prevailed all day. Mr. Sharman
Crawford proposed the first resolution--"That the present mode of
legislation for Ireland is at the root of all the difficulties under
which this country labours." Mr. Crawford referred all the evils under
which Ireland laboured to English misrule and Irish landlords. Dr.
Carmichael moved the next resolution:--"That amongst the many striking
instances of the neglect which Irish affairs, even of vital importance,
usually meet with in the imperial parliament, may be stated the failure
of all attempts by the Irish members to improve the laws relating to
medical charities." The next resolution was as follows:--"That the
present mode of legislation for Ireland tends to alienate the affections
of her people; to prevent their industry and self-reliance, and would be
impolitic even in a recently conquered country." The fourth resolution
stated:--"That the waste lands of Ireland offer a vast field of
remunerative employment for her unemployed population, while the many
abortive attempts that have been made to legislate on the subject in the
imperial parliament sitting at Westminster, furnishes another argument
for a meeting of the imperial parliament in Dublin." All the resolutions
were passed unanimously. Lord Massarene was then called to