Few, if any, of the Catholic gentlemen who were opposed to Mr.O'Connell, were present.

Mr.
Davis rose, and commenced by saying: "My Catholic friend, my _very_ Catholic friend." The allusion was intelligible to almost every man in the assembly, but the practised and dexterous advocate saw and seized the advantage it presented for exciting the active prejudices of the audience.

He started up and exclaimed, "I hope it is no _crime_ to be a Catholic." The whole meeting burst into a tumultuous shout which bespoke a triumph rather than admiration.

Mr.O'Connell did triumph, but not in the sense understood by his applauders.

He apprehended the effect of the honest, frank and manly exposure which, if he were not rudely interrupted, would be made by Mr.Davis, and he was too keen to allow an opportunity, so tempting to his object, to pass, though he should violate all the observances of good feeling and decorum.