The Round Room was thronged to excess, but preconcerted arrangements had provided for the convenience of its favoured visitors, while the public streets, abandoned to chance, presented an immovable mass of human beings, swaying to and fro, but governed by a single and omnipotent impulse, which steeled them to the pressure and broil as if they felt themselves in presence of a speedy deliverance and free destiny.
[Illustration: Richard O'Gorman, Jun.

(1848)] [Illustration: Patrick O'Donohoe (1848)] The preparations engaged the vigilant activity of a large committee for two entire days and nights.

Yet these preparations bore an infinite disproportion to the display of wealth of mind, of energy of thought, and national pomp, which ushered in the glorious morning.

Those who scoffed at the project when it was first announced came to mock the scene but went away admiring.

The spirit of the hour infused itself into the public heart, which appeared to throb but to one impulse and one aim: at all events no one was, no one could be, found obdurate enough to question the significance or importance of the proceeding.
Mr.O'Connell's fellow-prisoners shared his state and the homage which was paid to him.