the broad and imperishable basis of the voluntary and intelligent
consint of a whole people, has so upset their household gods and
desthroyed the prestige of kingcraft in their eyes, that they now
look forward to the total overthrow of monarchical institutions in
their midst, and the establishment, on their shores, of a Republic in
every particular the counterpart of that which now commands the
admiration of the world, across the lines there, and which is
gradually sappin the foundation of British rule on this side of the
lakes, as well as litherally swallowin us up unknownst to ourselves.
This is how the case stands now; so that we can aisily persave, that
England has lost the power and opportunity of conciliatin the Irish
race; bekase they have no longer a feelin or sintiment in common with
her."

These observations, which were made with a degree of ease and
eloquence regarded as totally foreign to Tom, actually electrified
his hearers, and drew a compliment from Greaves; while Barry, who
knew a good deal of him, was so astonished at his sudden and earnest
volubility, he could not resist the temptation of assuring him that
he was an honor to his country, if not to humanity at large. The
other three or four individuals present joined in the sentiment, so
that, for the time being, O'Brien was no ordinary personage in their
minds, while a quiet wink from one to the other seemed to place it
beyond a shadow of doubt, that, in their estimation, Big Tom knew
more than he ever got credit for.

When the conversation again began to flow freely, the gentleman, with
the hooked nose, turned it imperceptibly upon Fenianism, and the
rumored intention of the Organization, in the United States, to make
a descent upon Canada at no distant day. At this point, O'Brien put