CHAPTER XVII.

THE REIGN OF VICTORIA (_continued_).

The Repeal Agitation--Debate in the Dublin Corporation--The Monster Meetings--O'Connell's Speech at Tara--The Arms Bill--Dismissal of the Repeal Magistrates--Speeches of the Duke of Wellington--The Arms Bill becomes Law--Proclamation of the Clontarf Meeting--O'Connell's Counter-Proclamation--Arrest and Trial of O'Connell--The Sentence--It is reversed by the House of Lords--Rejoicings on O'Connell's Liberation--The Excitement at Cork--Decline of O'Connell--His Breach with the Young Ireland Party--Irish Debates in Parliament--Approach of the Irish Famine--The Devon Commission--Its Report--Arrival of the Potato Disease--The Famine--The Relief Committee of the Society of Friends--The Famine in Ulster--A Description of Cork and Skibbereen--Demoralisation of the Population--Policy of the Whig Cabinet--Lord George Bentinck's Railway Plan--Failure of the new Poor Law and of the Public Works--The Temporary Relief Act--Father Mathew--Private Benevolence--Munificence of the United States 525