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IEELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 FROM THE FRENCH OF 
 
 ALFRED DUQUET 
 
 WITH A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF 
 
 MARSHAL MacMAHON, 
 
 Second President of the French Republic. 
 
 BALTIMORE : 
 
 JOHN MURPHY COMPANY. 
 
 1899. 
 

 !^»rofCo<^ 
 
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 44235 
 
 Copyright, 1899, by P. R. M. 
 
 TWO COPIES RECEIVED. 
 
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 s 
 
 
TO THE 
 
 FAST AND FIRM FRIEND AND CHAMPION OF THE 
 IRISH RACE 
 
 PATRICK FORD, Esq. 
 
 Editor Irish World, New York 
 
 THIS LITTLE VOLUME IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED BY 
 THE TRANSLATOR. 
 
CONTENTS 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 I. The Ked Cross Society — Prussians violated neu- 
 trality laws — Sympathy for France 11 
 
 II. Irish Brigade and the Ambulance Relief Corps 
 land at Havre — English Relief Corps lands also 
 at Havre 13 
 
 III. Ambulance Corps on the battlefield — The Stu- 
 
 dent and the Black Charger 17 
 
 IV. Visit to England by the French Delegation — 
 
 Another Delegation sets out for Ireland 19 
 
 V. From Paris to London 21 
 
 VI. From London to Holyhead 23 
 
 VII. Arrival at Kingstown — " Cead-mille-failthe" for 
 
 the French Delegates , 25 
 
 VIII. From Kingstown to Dublin — A grand ovation.... 27 
 
 IX. In Dublin — Breakfast at Mr. Lombard's — Grand 
 Meeting and Banquet — Franco-Irish Ambu- 
 lance — The O'Neills of Tyrone — Letters from 
 the Archbishop of Orleans and President Mac- 
 Mahon — No Home Rule for Ireland — The 
 French and Irish workingmen — The Republic 
 — Welcome for the French — Reply of Viscount 
 de Flavigney, president of the Delegation — 
 Eloquent speech of Mr. A. M. Sullivan — Reply 
 of Mr. Ferdinand de Lesseps 28 
 
 X. Address by the Municipality of Dublin to the 
 French Delegates — Sightseeing through the 
 city — Dinner at the Lord Lieutenant's 46 
 
 5 
 
b CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 XI. Excursion to the Co. Wicklow — Powerscourt 
 Waterfall — Vartry Waterworks — At Glenda- 
 lough, and the " Meeting of the Waters " — Visit 
 to Father Fox's Orphan Asylum 52 
 
 XII. Visit to Mallow and Cork — Great Demonstra- 
 tions at Marleborough, Thurles and Limerick 
 Junction — Arrival at Mallow, Blarney and 
 Cork — The Lord Mayor of Cork presents an 
 address — Count de Flavigney replies and thanks 
 all Ireland in the name of France for the assist- 
 ance given during the war — Addresses of the 
 workingmens' club, and a delegation from 
 Youghall — Speech of Mr. John Martin — Visit 
 to Queenstown — On board the man-of-war 
 Northumberland, Captain Gibbons command- 
 ing — Dinner and speechmaking at Ashgrove 
 —O'Neill of Tyrone and the Duke de Feltre 
 make speeches 57 
 
 XIII. From Cork to Glengarriffe — Arrival at Macroom 
 
 — Lunch at the beautiful lake called Gougane 
 Barra — Visit, to island ruins of St. Finbar — J. J. 
 Callanan's description of it — Bantry Bay — The 
 French invasion — The winds save England — 
 Fiat Lux 69 
 
 XIV. From Glengarriffe to Killarney — O'Sullivan's 
 
 march — Tunnel through the mountain like 
 that of St. Gervais of Chamony — Arrival at 
 Kenmare — Visit to Catholic Church and Con- 
 vent School 75 
 
 XV. At Killarney — Ovation to the French Delegates 
 — France was beaten because she was unpre- 
 pared for war — Visit to the Lakes — Mucross 
 Abbey — O'Sullivan's Cascade — Innisfallen 78 
 
 XVI. Killarney to Dublin — Orange bigotry — Viscount 
 de Flavigney, President of the French Delega- 
 
CONTENTS. 7 
 
 CHAPTER. PAGE. 
 
 tion, charmed the Irish people — The Foresters 
 — Dinner at the Mansion House — Viscount 
 O'Neill of Tyrone and the Irish Brigade 84 
 
 XVII. Mass at the Jesuits' Church — Eloquent sermon 
 by Father Bannon, on " France the Queen of 
 civilization, and the Protector of all oppressed 
 nations " — Departure of the French Delegates 
 — A grand send-off. 91 
 
 XVIII. From Dublin to London — In London — Beware 
 
 of pickpockets 94 
 
 XIX. From London to Paris — Arrival at Versailles — 
 Marshal MacMahon well pleased with our 
 reception in Ireland 96 
 
 XX. Conclusion — Thanks to Ireland 98 
 
 XXI. Treaty of Geneva 100 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 Marshal MacMahon, Second President of the 
 French Republic. 
 
 I. The grandfather of MacMahon was a native of 
 Limerick, Ireland — MacMahon was born June 13, 
 1808, at the Castle of Sully— At 17 he entered the 
 school of St. Cyr, and graduated in 1827 — Lieu- 
 tenant of the 4th Hussars in 1830 — Went to 
 Algiers in '31 — Then received the Cross of the 
 Legion of Honor — Afterwards appointed Colonel 
 of the 41st Regiment of the line 109 
 
 II. MacMahon was made General of Brigade in '48, 
 and in '52 Military Governor of Constantinople, 
 and General of division afterwards 112 
 
8 CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 III. The Crimean War— On September 8th, 1855, the 
 
 Malakoff, the key of Sebastopol was taken by 
 MacMahon, for which he was named Senator 
 of France 112 
 
 IV. War with Austria — MacMahon gains a great victory 
 
 — Created Marshal and Duke of Magenta 114 
 
 V. Franco-Prussian War — MacMahon's plans not 
 heeded — Battle of Woerth, Metz, and Sedan — 
 MacMahon wounded and taken prisoner 115 
 
 VI. MacMahon and the Commune 117 
 
 VII. MacMahon elected President of the French Kepublic 
 — He is superior to the greed of office — Ketired in 
 1879— He died in October, 1893 119 
 
PREFACE 
 
 The terrible slaughter of the Commune is at an 
 end. Our conquered army has returned home. 
 Alsace and Lorraine are now German territory. 
 In fine, the war is over, thanks be to the Lord. 
 
 Notwithstanding all our misfortunes, it is pleasant 
 to know that there was one people who did not 
 abandon us in our trials. One people who has the 
 same esteem for us now, as it had before the war ; 
 and that is the Irish people. 
 
 In this little volume, we shall briefly relate a 
 few facts about the French and Irish Red Cross 
 Societies during the late war between France and 
 Prussia. The good these societies have done for 
 the poor wounded soldiers j and also the grand 
 ovations which the Irish people gave to the French 
 delegates on their recent visit to Ireland. Let it 
 be understood that the opinions here expressed, are 
 our own personally. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Red Cross Society. 
 
 THE French Red Cross Society was formed 
 recently to relieve all sick and wounded 
 soldiers. It is one of the blessed works which do 
 honor to our common humanity. It is fraternal 
 charity carried to its utmost limit, because it makes 
 no distinction between friend and foe. The ambu- 
 lances and military hospitals were made neutral by 
 the Geneva convention, and this condition affected 
 physicians, chaplains, nurses and ambulance corps. 
 (See Treaty of Geneva, below.) 
 
 THE PRUSSIANS VIOLATED NEUTRALITY LAWS. 
 
 Being taken prisoners in September, we saw at 
 Versailles and at Rambouillet, a number of Prussian 
 soldiers wearing the Red Cross, and armed to the 
 teeth at the same time. We inquired the reason 
 why they acted so. " Oh ! " they said, " we shoot 
 first, and then we gather up the wounded." 
 
 11 
 
12 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 SYMPATHY FOR FRANCE. 
 
 The sympathy manifested for France by the Irish 
 people during the Franco-Prussian war, was very 
 deep and very emphatically pronounced indeed. 
 After the defeat of the French army at Woerth, at 
 Forback, and at Sedan, a gloom of sorrow was cast 
 over all Ireland, because her friend and ally emerged 
 from the fray non-victorious. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 The Irish Brigade and Ambulance 
 Relief Society. 
 
 AT a meeting called by the leading men of 
 Dublin, in September 1870, an ambulance 
 corps was formed, and dispatched to France imme- 
 diately with money, linen and medicine. 
 
 Mr. P. J. Smith was sent to France to com- 
 municate with the French Government. The 
 Ambulance, which consisted of 300 persons, 10 
 horses and 5 wagons, was a godsend, and was 
 received by the French with open arms. In more 
 ways than one did Ireland help France in the 
 hour of her need, and during the war the Irish 
 heart went out in sympathy to her. A brigade 
 was formed at Caen, consisting of 600 men, all 
 Irish ; this little army fought bravely on the 
 plains of Beauce and Fran che-Co rate ; and Cap- 
 tain Kirwan distinguished himself for his bravery 
 during the campaign. 
 
 LANDING OF THE IRISH AMBULANCE RELIEF 
 CORPS AT HAVRE. OCTOBER 13, 1870. 
 
 The Ambulance Relief Corps, which arrived 
 from Ireland by the steamer La Fontaine, was 
 
 13 
 
14 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 officially received this morning. From an early 
 hour the streets of the city were thronged with 
 people. Two battalions of artillery of the national 
 guard, one company of marines, three companies 
 of la garde-nationale, a detachment of troops of 
 the line, with their commanders, formed upon the 
 boulevard-de-Strasbourg. At 9.30 the order to 
 march was given. Whilst the line passed the 
 headquarters of the Ambulance Corps, there was 
 a continual cheer of "Vive PIrlande ! Vive la 
 France ! " After the arrival of the city officials, 
 Mr. Alfred Duquet stepped forward and said : — 
 " Gentlemen : Viscount de Flavigney has ap- 
 pointed me to receive you, upon the soil of our 
 dear country, in the name of the French Inter- 
 national Ambulance Relief Society. It is needless 
 to express to you, how much our unhappy country 
 is touched, with the sympathy shown us by 
 Ireland, in the moment of our affliction. 'A 
 friend in need is a friend indeed/ Gentlemen, in 
 the name of our country, you are a thousand times 
 welcome." 
 
 Mr. Sigfried spoke for the city, as follows : — 
 " Gentlemen : The city of Havre : the people of the 
 city of Havre are happy to be able to extend to you 
 a Caed-Mille-Failthe. We are delighted to be able 
 to acknowledge our gratitude for the good work 
 you have come to do amongst us. It is a hard 
 and difficult task, and the only recompense you 
 will have, is the thought of having done nobly ; 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 15 
 
 the gratitude of the wounded soldiers and the 
 heartfelt thanks of the French people: 'God save 
 Ireland/ " 
 
 Then Colonel Massu made a nice little speech, 
 in the name of the French army. Mr. McCann, 
 one of the Aldermen of Dublin, replied as follows : — 
 
 " On the part of a sister nation, a nation inti- 
 mately united with France by innumerable his- 
 torical alliances, I present to you delegates of the 
 noble French nation, this Ambulance Relief Corps. 
 If it can render you any assistance in this hour 
 of your trial, it shall have accomplished the mission 
 very dear to the Irish people." 
 
 After the applause had subsided, Mr. P. J. Smith, 
 M. P. for the Co. Dublin, spoke very eloquently and 
 with much warmth, as follows : — 
 
 " Gentlemen: Permit me to extend to you the 
 assurance of the most tender sympathies of the sons 
 and daughters of Ireland. We wish to be separated 
 from the shameful indifference of the rest of Europe. 
 We are Irishmen, and as Irishmen we declare our 
 friendship in the cause of France. Ireland is with 
 France to-day as she has always been, and if Ireland 
 could, she would send her sons to fight, and if need 
 be, to die for France." (Great applause greeted 
 every sentence). 
 
 At a given signal, the line of march was taken 
 up, and the procession continued on to the Hotel- 
 de-Ville. Every soldier wore a green ribbon, and 
 as the green flag passed along, nothing could be 
 
16 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 heard but" Vive Tlrlande! Vive l'Irlande! Vive 
 l'Irlande ! " The Ambulance Relief Corps was 
 received in the court of the Hotel-de-Ville, after 
 which a magnificent repast was served. During 
 the dinner many national airs were played. Our 
 Irish friends surely must have noticed how much 
 their services were appreciated by us. 
 
 The English sent an Ambulance Relief Corps to 
 the Prussians. They crossed the channel, and landed 
 also at Havre, some time after the Irish. At Havre, 
 the authorities and the people of that city gave the 
 English a grand reception. 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 The Ambulance Relief Corps on 
 The Battlefield. 
 
 VISCOUNT de Flavigney, minister of war, 
 gave us permission to dispose of the Irish 
 wherever we pleased, so we resolved to bring them 
 to Evreux. We arrived there towards the middle 
 of October, and three days after the battle of Pacy- 
 sur-Eure was fought, and the Irish doctors were the 
 only ones left to take care of the sick and wounded. 
 In the meantime, we returned to Tours, and left the 
 Ambulance Relief Corps in charge of Mr. Bourse. 
 We shall not mention the many services rendered 
 by the Irish Ambulance in the other towns and vil- 
 lages of Beauce and Normandy ; suffice it to say, 
 that from the time they arrived, until the end of the 
 war, they continually looked after the wants of the 
 sick and wounded ; moreover, the Ambulance cost 
 not one penny to our country, for it was supplied 
 with everything from Ireland. 
 
 THE STUDENT AND THE BLACK CHARGER. 
 
 After the battle of Buchy, Mr. Ryan, a young 
 student of eighteen, was taken prisoner by the 
 
 17 
 
18 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Prussians. He protested, and proved that he be- 
 longed to the Irish Ambulance Corps, but all to no 
 purpose; he would not be listened to at all. There 
 was a beautiful black charger standing near by, 
 which belonged to one of the Prussian officers. It 
 just took one moment, and that Irish lad was in the 
 saddle and away. Volley after volley was fired at 
 him, happily, without effect. When about a mile 
 off, to his surprise and consternation, four soldiers 
 stepped out in front of him, and called on him to 
 halt. With his revolver, he lays one soldier dead, 
 wounds another, and finally escapes from the other 
 two, and comes galloping in triumph into Honfleur, 
 carried by the magnificent black charger of the 
 Prussian officer. 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Visit to England by Messes. De Fla- 
 
 VIGNEY, SeRURIER, RlCORD 
 AND DEMARQUAY. 
 
 WE must acknowledge that the English people 
 have given us much during the late war, 
 and it is certain that a very large number of them 
 sympathized with us. It was their interest to do so. 
 It was to the advantage of England that the French 
 military power should be maintained. This was 
 seen after the war, when France having no voice, 
 Russia abrogated the treaty of Paris, notwithstand- 
 ing England's protestations. 
 
 Messrs. de Flavigney, Serurier, Ricord and De- 
 marquay, were charged with the task of thanking 
 the English people for what assistance they gave us 
 during the war. Receptions and dinners were given 
 to the delegates, officially, by the authorities. To 
 these receptions and dinners, was also invited the 
 Prussian ambassador, and M. de Flavigney in his 
 remarks, had common sense enough not to show 
 his astonishment at such lack of good taste, to say 
 the least. 
 
 We received much sympathy from many of the 
 English people, but when we come to consider the 
 
 19 
 
20 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 aid given officially by England, we must say we did 
 not admire it. How they manoeuvred in order not 
 to break the neutrality laws ! If we received an 
 orange from one, some one else would send three to 
 the Prussians. 
 
 Let us pass over and see how Ireland treated us. 
 Ireland did not bother herself about neutrality laws. 
 What did she care whether Bismarck was displeased 
 or not ? She was our true friend ; she, like France, 
 had no love for Prussia. 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 From Paris to London. August 15th. 
 
 VISCOUNT de Flavigney, Mrs. Dr. Panouse, 
 Mrs. Pitrey and her two daughters, set out 
 from Paris on the 14th. On the following day, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Ferdinand de Lesseps, Dr. Rufz and 
 daughter, and myself, said good-bye to our friends. 
 When we arrived at Calais, the boat was ready to 
 take us off, and after a few minutes we all went on 
 board. The sea is always very rough here, which 
 fact, together with the smallness of the boat, and poor 
 accommodation, makes the voyage very unenjoyable. 
 Almost every passenger was sea-sick. At last the 
 white cliffs of Dover could be seen in the distance, 
 and shortly afterwards we landed. Then it was 
 that our trouble commenced. Trunks, bags, and 
 valises were opened for inspection, and if not opened 
 immediately, locks and straps were broken and lids 
 were smashed by the officials. After all the fussing, 
 nothing of a contraband nature was found amongst 
 our effects. It was just 6 p. m. when we arrived in 
 London. We directed our steps to the House of 
 Parliament to see Mr. J. P. Smith. On entering a 
 large hall, we were directed to the House of Commons 
 by a big policeman, who told us Mr. Smith was not 
 
 21 
 
22 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 present, and another one said he was. We waited 
 and waited, but no Mr. Smith came to us. Finally, 
 a messenger approached and asked for our card. 
 Five minutes later we were introduced to Mr. Smith, 
 Secretary of the House. Not long after we had the 
 pleasure of shaking hands with the real Mr. Smith, 
 who brought us oif to have tea with him. After- 
 wards we went to the House of Commons, and there 
 listened to a very dull speech by one of the M. P.'s. 
 
CHAPTER VI. 
 
 From London to Holyhead. 
 August 16th. 
 
 THE preceding evening, the whole party decided 
 to take the 7.30 a. m. train for Holyhead. 
 One of the gentlemen left strict orders with one of 
 the waiters of the hotel to wake him up at 6 a. m. 
 He went to bed early, and slept as sound as a top, 
 until he awoke, and then reaching out for his vest, 
 he pulled out his watch and found it was 6.45 a. m. 
 It took him just three minutes to make his toilet. 
 Down to the dining room he ran, ordered a cup of 
 tea, and in the meantime he gave the waiter a good 
 sound tongue thrashing in broken English, for 
 having failed to wake him up in time. He paid his 
 bill in French gold, handing over to the proprietor 
 one hundred francs ($20 or £5), and of course 
 expected to get back English money in change. 
 But seeing his hurry to get away, the proprietor put 
 on an addition to his bill, and to all the questions 
 he asked, and signs he made to recover his money, 
 he answered not a word, neither English nor French. 
 Not having many minutes to spare, he gave up all 
 hope of getting back his change. So he jumped 
 into a cab, and off he went to the railroad station, 
 in the very worst of humor. From such hospitality 
 may the Lord deliver us. 
 
 23 
 
24 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Calling a man to take charge of his trunk, he went 
 to get his ticket. While awaiting his turn at the 
 ticket-office, the man and the trunk had disappeared, 
 and where to find them he could not tell. He 
 looked up and down, in and out, here and there, 
 but all to no purpose. Finally after getting seated 
 in the train, his lost friends made their appearance, 
 and then the train moved out. From London to 
 Chester the country is very level and uniform. On 
 our arrival at Holyhead we immediately went on 
 board the magnificent steamer which carries the 
 mail to Kingstown. To our great surprise, we found 
 Mr. E. Lesage and Mr. McCann waiting for us. 
 These gentlemen brought us to the dining-room and 
 entertained us most agreeably. We enjoyed our 
 voyage very much. The sea, which is very rough 
 at times, was as calm as a lake. To give an idea of 
 its calmness, one of the ladies inquired what time 
 the boat would leave for Kingstown, although we 
 were already twenty minutes at sea. After four 
 hours out, the mountains of Ireland became visible, 
 and not very long after Kingstown could be plainly 
 seen. Mr. Lesage pointed out the high chimney of 
 a lead manufacturing establishment, built, it would 
 seem, on the top of the mountain ; the reason of its 
 being built so high, was because formerly the arsenic 
 which came from the lead used to poison all the 
 cattle for miles around. The chimney is swept 
 every three years, and about two thousand pounds 
 worth of arsenic is gathered each time. 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Arrival at Kingstown. August 16th. 
 
 IT was said that 20,000 persons came to welcome 
 the French delegation to Kingstown. The 
 delegation was composed of the following named 
 persons : Count de Flavigney, president of the 
 society, Viscountess de la Panouse, Viscountess de 
 Pitray, Mr. de Lesseps, Dr. Rufz de Lavison, Miss 
 Rufz de Lavison, his daughter, Viscount O'Neill 
 de Tyrone, Mr. Henry O'Neill, lieutenant in the 
 army, Mr. D. Couchin, Mr. and Mrs. Galishon, 
 Captain de Cantenson, Mr. O'Scanlon, reporter 
 during the war for an Irish paper, and Mr. Alfred 
 D uquet. 
 
 It was just 5.30 p. m. when the boat touched the 
 quay at Kingstown. We were met at the landing by 
 Messrs. John Martin, M. Sullivan, T. D. Sullivan, 
 M. Lombard, M. McCabe-Fay, J. J. Kennedy, E. 
 McMahon, P. Falty, J. Twohig, Alderman McCann, 
 Dr. O'Leary and J. McMahon, from Dublin ; Mr. 
 J. O'Reilly, H. O'Rorke, J. Crostwaite, J. Sullivan, 
 S. Brasel, W. Fitzgerald, and J. O'Reilly, from 
 Kingstown. 
 
 After the usual presentations, Mr. O'Reilly read 
 the following address : — 
 
 3 25 
 
26 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 "To Count de Flavigney, president of the Society, 
 and to the distinguished personages who accompany 
 him : The geographical situation of Kingstown gives 
 to its corporation the honor of being the first to 
 extend to the illustrious sons and daughters of 
 France the cordial welcome of the Irish nation. 
 We recognize in you the indefatigable champions of 
 humanity; and, while we remember that charity 
 consecrates your visit amongst us, we cannot forget 
 that the history of France and that of Ireland are 
 intimately connected, and that they teach us lessons 
 of mutual love and veneration." 
 
 M. de Flavigney replied : — 
 
 " Gentlemen of the Committee: Allow me to thank 
 you for the manner you have received us, and for 
 the honor you have bestowed upon us, in presenting 
 us with this address in the name of your beautiful 
 city of Kingstown. Let me tell you how happy 
 we are to be amongst you. (Applause.) In placing 
 our feet on Irish soil, it seems to me that we are 
 again breathing the air of France ; that we are back 
 again amongst our friends and families. It is 
 impossible to convey to you a just idea of the senti- 
 ment's that are now uppermost in our minds. I 
 have tried to reply in your own language, and if I 
 have not been well understood, I know I can rely 
 upon your indulgence. All my words come from 
 my heart. (Renewed applause). 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 From Kingstown to Dublin. 
 August 16th. 
 
 AFTER the address, a passage was made, and 
 we were taken to open carriages which were 
 in waiting to bring us to Dublin. It was just 6 
 p. rn. when we started for Dublin. The road from 
 Kingstown was a beautiful sight. The French and 
 Irish flags were carried in procession. It was grand ! 
 Such joy ! such enthusiasm ! We never witnessed 
 anything like it before. Everywhere along the 
 whole route, men, women and children joined in the 
 same cry of, " Hurrah for the French ! " " Long 
 live MacMahon !" "God save Ireland!" "France 
 for ever!" There never was in my opinion, such 
 a reception given to any living king as we received. 
 M. de Lesseps, who travelled extensively, and saw 
 so many people, told us he was completely surprised 
 at the extraordinary ovation, the like of which he 
 never witnessed in all his life. Some of the papers 
 in speaking of the immense crowd who came to 
 Dublin that day, put the number at 600,000, 
 although that seems a little exaggerated ; yet, we 
 are certain there were not less than 400,000 who 
 came to do honor to the sons and daughters of France. 
 
 27 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Breakfast at Mr. Lombard's; Grand 
 Meeting and Banquet. August 17th. 
 
 WE were magnificently installed at the Shel- 
 bourne by the Irish Ambulance Committee, 
 the members of which bore all the expense them- 
 selves. On the morning of the 17th, at 10 a. m., 
 we had breakfast with Mr. James Lombard, presi- 
 dent of the Committee; he and his daughter, Mrs. 
 Murphy, entertained us in grand style. We must 
 mention here, that the ladies who came to represent 
 France, did it with a most charming grace. Mr. 
 de Flavigney was placed at table between the Lord 
 Mayor and his wife. We sat beside a priest who 
 spoke French well. 
 
 After breakfast, we went to the meeting in the 
 rotunda. This meeting was called by the Committee, 
 who gave in their final report and discharged the 
 Ambulance Relief Corps. The approaches to the 
 great hall were completely filled with people, and as 
 to the hall itself, it was more than filled, it was 
 packed. At 3 p. m., the Lord Mayor and Mr. de 
 Flavigney and his companions, and the Ambulance 
 Committee entered the hall amidst the cheers of the 
 populace; the Lord Mayor took the chair. Mr. 
 28 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 29 
 
 Lesage then presented to Mr. de Flavigney, an 
 address in which he expressed how Ireland regretted 
 very much her inability to give any more than a 
 poor offering to her " sister in distress." 
 
 " When you return to your country, say that you 
 have found a friend and an ally; say you have 
 found a people who are for France, and for France 
 only, because they cannot forget what France has 
 done for them 'in the days of old/ The sun of 
 victory will shine again as brightly as ever over the 
 banner of France ; and Europe will render homage 
 to her once more, as the true champion of religion, 
 of civilization and of liberty." 
 Mr. de Flavigney replied : — 
 "My Lord Mayor and Gentlemen : After the en- 
 thusiastic demonstration made yesterday in honor 
 of France, by the people of your beautiful city, we 
 are very happy to unanimously express to you our 
 profound gratitude ; you have done much to lessen 
 the misery which the late war necessarily brought 
 with it, and you have done it in a most generous 
 manner; you would have done more if the neutrality 
 laws were not opposed to your desires, but we 
 appreciate your good intentions, and our gratitude 
 is just the same. Other nations have sent us aid in 
 various ways, but Ireland alone has sent hers with 
 an affectionate peculiarity all her own, and you 
 alone have inscribed on your banner, ' Franco-Irish 
 Ambulance.' 
 
 " Certainly, it is not necessary to tell you, that 
 
30 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 your surgeons took more care of the French than 
 of the Prussian soldiers ; this again shows your 
 sympathy for France. This organized charity is 
 the most noble conquest of modern times. The Red 
 Cross, first thought of by Mr. Dunant, and sanc- 
 tioned by the convention of Geneva, has become 
 the emblem of charity in the military world. And 
 now let me say, if we have come here to thank you 
 in the name of our society, our Government, also, 
 will offer you some public testimony of its gratitude. 
 All those who have taken part in sending aid to us, 
 and in caring for our poor wounded soldiers, will very 
 soon receive the decoration of the legion of honor." 
 
 Mr. A. M. Sullivan then presented Viscount 
 O'Neill of Tyrone, with a beautifully bound volume 
 entitled, " The Destinies and Fortunes of the Chiefs 
 of Tyrone and Tirconnell." 
 
 Mr. O'Neill was visibly moved, and thanked Mr. 
 Sullivan for his beautiful gift. The family of 
 O'Neill is one of the most ancient, and one of the 
 most illustrious in all Ireland. The O'Neills have 
 reigned in Ireland without interruption for more 
 than five hundred years. 
 
 Nial of the nine hostages was the most famous of 
 pagan monarchs. All his energies appear to have 
 been devoted to his hostile expeditions against 
 Albion, Britain, and Gaul. It was probably in his 
 
IRELAND AND PRANCE. 31 
 
 last descent upon Gaul, that a little boy, named 
 Patrick, was, together with his sisters Dorerca 
 aud Lupita, first carried among other captives to 
 Ireland. Holy prize ! Thrice happy expedition ! 
 for this little boy was afterwards no other than the 
 famous St. Patrick, the great apostle of Erin. 
 
 Among the most illustrious of the O'Neills, we 
 may mention Shane O'Neill and his nephew Hugh 
 O'Neill. Shane was once offered a title by Elizabeth, 
 but he treated her with scorn and said, that as Ulster 
 had belonged to his ancestors, so it now belonged to 
 him, and having won it by the sword, by the sword 
 he was resolved to keep it. 
 
 Hugh O'Neill of Tyrone, waged war with Eliza- 
 beth for seven years, which cost her an enormous 
 amount of men and money. He was so much 
 feared by England that his name became a terror to 
 her soldiers, and at the words " Tyrone's coming," 
 they would oftentimes retreat, and wait many days 
 before giving battle. At last, poor man, he had to 
 fly from his beloved land. He went to Rome, and 
 there died in 1616. 
 
 The present Viscount O'Neill is a direct desendant 
 of Hugh O'Neill of Tyrone. 
 
 OWEN ROE O'NEILL. 
 
 On June 18, 1642, Owen Roe O'Neill, nephew of 
 Hugh O'Neill of Tyrone, came from Spain, and 
 took the field against the English. He met the foe 
 
32 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 at a place called Benburb. It was in the afternoon of 
 a fine day in June he gave the order to advance. 
 The whole Irish army rushed upon the English with 
 pike and sword and carried all before them, leaving 
 over 2000 of them dead upon the field. The Irish 
 loss was less than 100. 
 
 Owen Roe O'Neill died in 1649. He was con- 
 sidered to be one of Ireland's great commanders, and 
 his death was mourned for a long time throughout 
 the whole island. 
 
 Mr. Lesage then read the following letter from 
 Rt. Rev. Mgr. Dupanloup, Bishop of Orleans : — 
 
 "I have just received your kind invitation to be 
 present at the banquet of the Irish Ambulance 
 Committee. I am extremely thankful for this in- 
 vitation and I regret very much my inability to be 
 with you. I say I regret it very much, because 
 then I would have an opportunity not only to thank 
 you personally for your friendship, but also to thank 
 all Ireland for what it has done for us during the 
 late war. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I cannot express to you how grateful 
 I feel for your friendship, so firm and sincere. 
 Heretofore there were many ties which united France 
 with Catholic Ireland, but now, Gentlemen, they are 
 united for ever, as St. Paul says, ' ad cor vivendum 
 et comrnoriendum.' 
 
 " Gentlemen, believe me, etc., 
 
 © Felix, Bishop of Orleans, France." 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 33 
 
 A letter from Marshal MacMahon was then read 
 by Mr. J. Martin. 
 
 Versailles, France, 
 
 Headquarters of the Army, 
 August 6th, 1871. 
 
 " Gentlemen : — I feel very grateful for the com- 
 pliments you have addressed to me, and for the 
 kind invitation to be present at the banquet to be 
 given to the president of the French Ambulance 
 Society. Kindly express my thanks to all those 
 who would be pleased to see me there, for, at present, 
 I cannot leave Versailles, which I regret as much 
 as yourselves. 
 
 " Gentlemen, I have the honor, etc., 
 
 P. MacMahon." 
 
 Mr. McCabe-Fay, secretary, then read the entire 
 report of the committee. Finally, the meeting 
 adjourned sine die, with three cheers for France. 
 After the meeting, we met Dr. Baxter, head surgeon 
 of the Ambulance Corps ; we shook hands, and 
 remained together a few minutes, then bade each 
 other good-bye, the crowd still cheering for France. 
 
 THE WORKINGMEN. 
 
 If the French workingmen could only take a trip 
 over to Ireland, they would see their Irish brothers 
 listen religiously to the advice of honest men in 
 whom they have placed their confidence. They 
 
34 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 would see, also, a laudable tolerance of the opinions 
 of their opponents. Indeed, the Irish workingmen 
 ask nothing but what is just, viz : the amelioration 
 of their condition, brought about by peaceful means, 
 a political renovation approved by equity and com- 
 mon sense; whilst in France, what do many of the 
 workingmen want? It matters very little to many 
 of them what form of government exists, provided 
 they get enough to eat, and plenty of time to enjoy 
 themselves. There are men in Paris to-day, who 
 go to work Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 
 spend the rest of the week in idleness, and these men 
 earn from five and six, to ten francs a day. Their 
 poor wives and children have to be supported by 
 public charity, because the men spend their earnings 
 foolishly. It is pleasant, however, to look upon the 
 other side of the picture; to think of the many men 
 who are honest and upright, sober and industrious, 
 who, putting their trust in God, support their 
 families as best they can. 
 
 THE REPUBLIC. 
 
 Our country to-day should be ruled by an iron 
 hand. We do not mean one iron hand, for we dread 
 the singular number. Let us be conservative. Our 
 form of government now is republican, then let us 
 uphold the Republic. If those at the head of the 
 government do not please us, let us, by our votes, 
 compel them to step down and out. If, on the other 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 35 
 
 hand, we were ruled by a bad king, a revolution 
 only could remove him, and of revolutions we have 
 had enough. Those in authority should enforce the 
 laws, no matter who breaks them, otherwise our 
 Republic will be a republic in name only. 
 
 NO HOME RULE FOR IRELAND. 
 
 As to Ireland, we cannot understand how it 
 is, that England approves Home Rule for Italy, 
 Hungary, Holland, Belgium, Egypt, Greece, Canada, 
 and Australia, and yet, she will not consent to give 
 it to Ireland. 
 
 THE BANQUET. 
 
 On the evening of the 17th the banquet took 
 place. It was given in the hall of the exposition, 
 which was richly decorated with evergreens, flowers 
 and flags. At one end of the hall there was a large 
 table somewhat raised above the others, and it was 
 at this table the Lord Mayor sat. At his right was 
 seated Mrs. de la Panouse, Count de Flavigney, 
 Mr. de Lesseps, Mr. Lombard, Mrs. Petry, Mrs. 
 Galishon, Miss de Lavison, the duke of Feltre, 
 and Mr. A. M. Sullivan. On his left, the Lord 
 Mayor's wife, Viscount O'Neill, Dr. Rufz de 
 Lavison, Mr. John Martin, Mr. Maguire, Mr. D. 
 Cochin, Mr. Galishon, Mr. O'Scanlon, Mr. Henry 
 O'Neill, Mr. de Cantenson, Mr. de la Chaise, and 
 Mr. Alfred Duquet. Around the other tables were 
 seated three hundred of the most illustrious persons 
 
g 
 
 ft 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 37 
 
 in the nation. The gallery was filled with ladies 
 and gentlemen who paid to listen to the speeches. 
 Behind the table of honor, a splendid orchestra 
 played national airs. 
 
 Now the toasts commence. Listen ! The Lord 
 Mayor proposes the health of Queen Victoria. 
 Then arose the storm of hisses, about which the 
 English press talked so much. The French were 
 in no way responsible for such a demonstration. 
 The same thing would have happened if the banquet 
 were given in honor of the Great-Mogul. 
 
 The Lord Mayor then drank to the health of 
 the Lord Lieutenant, whom he regarded as the best 
 sportsman in the three kingdoms. These brilliant 
 qualities are not very much admired by the Irish, 
 and the toast was a failure. The Lord Mayor was 
 defeated twice, it is true, but the third time his 
 victory was complete. " To the Representatives 
 of France," was received with tremendous cheers, 
 with joy and enthusiasm which cannot be described. 
 Here is what he said : — 
 
 " I propose a toast to our distinguished visitors, 
 the representatives of the French nation. I feel 
 great difficulty in proposing a toast of such import- 
 ance, for when I consider the high rank, the 
 personal merit, and the charitable sentiments of 
 those men and women who have come amongst 
 us, my embarrassment increases the more. Here 
 is Count de Flavigney, president of the ambulance 
 society, separated from his family, away from home, 
 
38 IRELAND AND FRANCE, 
 
 in order to serve his country and take care of the 
 poor wounded soldiers. We have also here a man 
 with royal Irish blood in his veins, Viscount O'Neill 
 of Tyrone, the grandson of an illustrious Irishman. 
 Here also is the Duke of Feltre. He, too, is of 
 Irish origin, and there is Mr. de Lesseps, who built 
 the great canal which unites two seas." 
 
 Count de Flavigney then arose, and made a 
 speech in English, as follows : — 
 
 " My Lord, Ladies and Gentlemen: The splendid 
 reception given to us by the people of Kingstown, 
 and by the people of Dublin to-day, prove beyond 
 doubt, your love and affection for us. This recep- 
 tion has filled our hearts with joy, because we know 
 it was given, not so much for us personally, as for 
 our beloved country, France, and it will be a great 
 consolation for her to know that she has such an 
 ardent and true friend in this little green Isle of 
 yours. (Applause.) 
 
 "At the meeting this morning, the report of the 
 services of your ambulance was read ; but the great 
 services which it has rendered to the poor soldiers 
 have been but too modestly represented. 
 
 " We were shut up in Paris during the war, but 
 we have been informed about what you have done. 
 To give an example, Dr. Baxter, the head surgeon, 
 not only saved the life of the soldiers, but on one 
 occasion he saved the lives of the inhabitants of 
 a whole city. One day a Prussian soldier was 
 wounded, the general heard of it, and swore he 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 39 
 
 would destroy the city immediately. Dr. Baxter 
 obtained a delay until he extracted the ball from 
 the wound. The ball proved to be shot from a 
 Prussian gun. The general was satisfied. 
 
 " Provisions sent by Ireland came in great abun- 
 dance, and the poor as well as the rich contributed. 
 I again repeat that your ambulance did us a great 
 service. We hope you shall never want the assist- 
 ance of France. You are happy and prosperous 
 now [cries of no ! no ! no !] ; but if you ever find 
 yourselves in like circumstances, you can depend 
 upon us." (Cheers). 
 
 Viscount O'Neil of Tyrone, then proposed " Ire- 
 land" as the next toast. Mr. John Martin replied. 
 He said : — 
 
 " Ireland and France love each other, because of 
 a certain similitude in their qualities, and when I 
 say qualities, I mean faults also, because a nation 
 without faults, would be a queer and strange nation. 
 France is still the most powerful, as well as the 
 most Christian nation, notwithstanding the many 
 reverses she has suffered. Political circumstances 
 have changed the genius of Ireland, but the spirit 
 of both nations is the same, and sooner or later, 
 they will give each other a helping hand. 
 
 " The demonstration given yesterday by the Irish 
 people shows their love, their respect and their in- 
 alienable friendship for the representatives of France. 
 Our friends know well that a public demonstration 
 is not complete in which neither police nor soldiers 
 
40 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 take part, but they know also, that Ireland is not 
 her own mistress ; that she owns neither soldiers 
 nor police. There was nothing official in yesterday's 
 reception. It was the expression of heartfelt sym- 
 pathy of the Irish people." 
 
 At the conclusion of this speech, Mr. A. M. 
 Sullivan arose and proposed, " To France, our 
 Benefactor." 
 
 " My Lord Mayor, My Lords, Ladies and Gentle- 
 men: My colleagues of the committee have im- 
 posed a heavy task on me, not forgetting that night 
 and day during this week, I took my humble part 
 in the reception which was to be given to the nation 
 our benefactor. But no matter what has been my 
 labor in this work, it was only a labor of love for 
 me, and when I want to express the sentiments of 
 love and affection, which Ireland has for France, 
 it is not necessary for me to be prepared. (Ap- 
 plause.) 
 
 " My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen : He who 
 would speak of France as she deserves, should 
 retrace the history of everything that is great and 
 glorious in the civilization of the world. If you 
 take France from the map of the world, you at 
 the same time bind the human race in the chains 
 of slavery. And as sometimes you see clouds rise, 
 and after a while gradually fade away, leaving 
 behind those beautiful shades of blue, so we see 
 France at first rise from the midst of savage 
 grandeur, then by degrees traverse through the 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 41 
 
 different phases of the feudal times, of chivalry, 
 of romance and of song. 
 
 "In the time of Charlemagne, France occupied 
 the first place in Europe, teaching the nations 
 sitting at her feet the fine arts, civilization, religion 
 and liberty. (Applause.) 
 
 " Read the history of France, and see what the 
 chisel of the sculptor, the brush of the artist, and 
 the pen of the poet have done for letters and art 
 during the days such as those of the reign of 
 Louis XIV. 
 
 " Read the history of France, and you will see 
 that in the revolutionary times, when this great 
 natiou suffered under the feudal system, during the 
 hours of her sorrowful agony, she made tyrants 
 tremble on their thrones. 
 
 " Read the history of Europe, read it down to 
 our own times, and see what France has done, 
 marching at the head and realizing in our own 
 days the dream of the Pharaohs, the uniting of 
 two seas. I mean what future historians will 
 narrate as the work of five hundred years, the work 
 of Ferdinand de Lesseps. (Great applause.) 
 
 " I ask you where is the Prussian ; where is the 
 Englishman that could ever cut through an isthmus? 
 But, My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not 
 for these reasons that we propose a toast to France. 
 It is not because she is great, glorious, and free. 
 It is not because she is powerful. No ! No ! If 
 we have given her a magnificent ovation, that 
 4 
 
42 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Kings might envy, it is because France has some- 
 thing still greater, something still nobler, than her 
 power, and her glory. It is because, of all the 
 nations, she has been the only generous and dis- 
 interested one among them, and she is the only 
 nation, that has drawn the sword to redress the 
 wrongs of the oppressed. (Applause.) 
 
 " Whether it was to expel the Turk from Greece 
 or chase the Goths and Vandals from Eome and 
 protect the Vicar of Christ in the Eternal City, or 
 send aid to Ireland in her troubles, or lend a 
 helping-hand to the United States of America in 
 their struggle to be free, France has always taken 
 the leading part. 
 
 " Let me tell you, sons and daughters of France, 
 there is no place else where all this is better remem- 
 bered than in dear old Ireland. ' (Applause.) 
 
 "THE IRISH EXILES. 
 
 " My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen : There is 
 not and there never was, a spectacle so full of tragic 
 grandeur, as the exodus of the flower and nobility 
 of Ireland which gave to France the Clarks, the 
 O'Neills, and the McMahons. 
 
 " Tell me of all the national struggles you can 
 think of. Show me the monuments of victories 
 won, from Moscow to Madrid, and tell me what 
 nation can represent such a spectacle of immolation 
 and self-sacrifice, as that which was seen, when the 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 43 
 
 ancestors of the Duke of Feltre and Viscount 
 O'Neill of Tyrone departed forever from the land 
 of their birth ? Well might they lament with the 
 poet when he said : — 
 
 " Farewell, lovely Erin, the home of my childhood, 
 Thy green sunny hills I may ne'er see again ; 
 But my heart will return to the castle and wild- 
 wood, 
 And ever with Erin will fondly remain. 
 
 " No more will I roam through the green fields of 
 Ireland, 
 Or pluck the green shamrock that grows in the 
 vale; 
 But I'll hate the oppressors, who've ruined my 
 sireland, 
 And sent me an exile from dear Innisfail. 
 
 " Farewell, dearest Erin, now and forever, 
 
 The home where my comrades and true friends 
 do dwell, 
 My heart, it is breaking to think we must sever, 
 Adieu, lovely Erin, forever farewell. 
 
 " For the Earls would rather homeless roam 
 Where freedom and their God might lead, 
 Than be the sleekest slaves at home, 
 That crouches to the conqueror's heel. 
 
 (Tremendous applause.) 
 
44 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 " Dearly beloved France ! In remembrance of 
 these heroes, Ireland presses you to her bosom. To- 
 day you drink the chalice of bitterness, but have 
 faith, have courage ! If Europe has forgotten what 
 she owes you ; if the nations have turned their backs 
 on you, while the enemy was at your gates j if they 
 have placed themselves, like cowards, behind that 
 word neutrality ; no matter ! Turn your eyes to- 
 wards the west, and listen ! ? Tis the voice of Ireland, 
 as she strives to break her chains: ' God! that 
 these hands were free to help my benefactor ! ' (Tre- 
 mendous applause.) 
 
 "Animated by these sentiments, I ask of this 
 assembly of Irish ladies and gentlemen to stand up, 
 and drink the toast, ' God save France! ' " 
 
 Three ringing cheers were then given for France. 
 
 It was in the midst of the general emotion that 
 Mr. de Lesseps arose and replied to the very eloquent 
 speech of Mr. Sullivan. 
 
 11 My Lords, Ladies and Gentlemen : I remember 
 once to have read of a certain countryman of yours, 
 who, being invited to a great banquet given in his 
 honor, was, of course, expected to make a speech. 
 He spent a great part of his life striving to gain her 
 liberty, and at the same time he was loaded down 
 with honors by the king and his ministers. 
 
 Being in a very delicate position, every one was 
 anxious to hear what he had to say. At last his 
 turn came, he got up very slowly from his chair, 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 45 
 
 oowed gracefully to the audience and said, ' Thanks.' 
 Knowing that the audience was surprised and dis- 
 appointed^ he turned towards his neighbor, and 
 whispered loud enough to be heard by everyone, 
 1 Have I said too much ? ' This, of course, brought 
 down the house. 
 
 " Ladies and Gentlemen, I know you would not 
 be pleased with me, if I should follow his example. 
 Permit me to remark, I am very glad to be able to 
 say a few words in reply to the very eloquent speech 
 to which we are just after listening. 
 
 " There has always been sentiments of esteem and 
 affection existing between France and Ireland. 
 From my childhood I have been accustomed to love 
 Ireland, and the reason I loved it was, because I 
 have always heard my father and mother speak well 
 of Ireland. From time immemorial, under every 
 form of government, this love of France for Ireland 
 has existed, and has been many times expressed by 
 the French press, no matter what else were the 
 opinions of these organs. And after what we wit- 
 nessed yesterday, we can testify to the love which 
 Ireland has for France." 
 
 Many other toasts were drunk, and amongst them 
 was one I cannot pass over in silence. It was to the 
 French ladies; to which the Duke of Feltre replied 
 in a happy speech, and at midnight the banquet 
 terminated. 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 Address by the Municipality. Sight- 
 seeing THROUGH THE CITY. DlNNER 
 
 with the Lord Lieutenant. 
 August 18th. 
 
 ON the 18th at noon, the members of the muni- 
 cipality of the city of Dublin, came to present 
 an address to the French delegates. The costume 
 of the members was certainly very remarkable. 
 They put one in mind of the men of some great 
 eastern potentate, with their robes, their swords, and 
 their golden chains. Being introduced into the 
 drawing-room of the hotel, they were received by 
 Mr. Flavigney and his companions. The Lord 
 Mayor, after shaking hands with us, read the fol- 
 lowing address : — 
 
 " Count de Flavigney : We, the Lord Mayor and 
 Aldermen of the city of Dublin, wish you and your 
 honorable colleagues a cordial welcome to our city. 
 In doing so, we express the sentiments of the Irish 
 people. We feel great satisfaction to know that the 
 efforts made by Ireland in aid of the sick and 
 wounded soldiers in the late war, have been so much 
 appreciated by the French people." 
 46 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 47 
 
 This was the third address that Mr. Flavigney 
 received, and we must say they were beautiful, uot 
 only in the manner in which they were gotten up, 
 but more especially on account of the sentiments of 
 love and affection which they expressed. The presi- 
 dent of the committee brought them home to France, 
 and keeps them as precious souvenirs of our visit to 
 Ireland. 
 
 Mr. de Flavigney replied that it was a great 
 honor to receive such an address. He thanked 
 Ireland for the manner in which he and his com- 
 panions had been received. It was also his desire 
 that France would sooner or later strike a blow for 
 Ireland. He said that he was now far advanced in 
 years, and that he could not hope to be of use very 
 long, but that he had a son, now Mayor of one of 
 the cities of France, who knew of all the services 
 the Irish ambulance had rendered during the war, 
 and who would always remember the warm reception 
 given to his countrymen by the people of Dublin. 
 
 At one p. m., the members of the committee came 
 for us to go visit the principal places in the city. 
 We were first taken to the old parliament house, 
 very near which is the statue of the great O'Connell. 
 Then we were taken to the park, which contains ten 
 thousand acres of the best of land. It was here 
 that the famous meeting took place, which was dis- 
 persed by the police. Mr. P. J. Smith was address- 
 ing the people from the steps of the Wellington 
 monument, when the police, who are governed by 
 
48 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Orangemen, made an onslaught on the unoffending 
 people, who numbered fifty thousand, many of whom 
 were killed and wounded. Then we made a pilgri- 
 mage to the tomb of O'Connell ; it is a very impos- 
 ing one. A marble sarcophagus contains the casket, 
 which can be seen through a glass cover. Over the 
 door, written in gothic letters, are the last words of 
 the illustrious liberator, " I leave my body to Ireland, 
 my heart to Rome, and my soul to God." 
 
 We cannot help relating an incident which 
 happened during the same day. Two French 
 gentlemen made up their minds to do the city all 
 by themselves. One of them proposed to have 
 their pictures taken while in Dublin. In passing 
 along, they saw just what they wanted, a photog- 
 rapher's. They went in, and immediately com- 
 menced to make their business known to the 
 proprietor, but all to no purpose. They could 
 not make themselves understood. One of the 
 gentlemen thought he could speak English very 
 well, but when he strove to tell that they wanted 
 their pictures taken he failed completely. He 
 made signs, he made faces, and strove in every 
 possible way to convey his ideas to the photog- 
 rapher, but the poor man gave it up. Then calling 
 to his wife, he said in French, " Felicie, come 
 here a minute. There are two fools here, whom 
 I cannot understand. Try, and find out what 
 they want if you can." " Oh, you are French ! " 
 exclaimed our two friends. " You should have told 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 49 
 
 us that at first." The photographer was dumb- 
 founded for a moment. He then commenced to 
 excuse himself for what he had said. He told how 
 he used to trade in oil, but business being dull he 
 bought this little shop in Dublin, and came over 
 here to live. 
 
 We then paid a visit to Mr. Smith, M. P., who 
 entertained us most royally, after which we went 
 to dine with the Lord Lieutenant. It was decided 
 that we should accept the invitation, for whatever 
 might be our particular opinions, it would be an 
 insult to refuse to go. 
 
 The residence of the Lord Lieutenant is in 
 Phoenix Park, and like most English castles, is 
 not very imposing. At 8 p. m. the French dele- 
 gates went to the castle, and were received by the 
 chamberlain, the Lord Lieutenant being not at home. 
 
 Lord Spenser is very rich. He has in his pos- 
 session some of the very finest plate, which came 
 down to him from the famous Marlborough. Here 
 is the Menu : — 
 
 Vice Regal Lodge. August 18th, 1871. 
 Potage Jardiniere, a la Xavier, 
 
 Tarbots Bouillis, Sauces homard, 
 Fause Tourte, a P Anglais, 
 
 Filets de Sam on, a la Bern ice, 
 Cassolettes garnies de Moelle, a PEspagnolle, 
 Filets de Poulets, a la Royale, 
 
 Salmis de Coqs de Brugre, au Chasseur, 
 
50 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Dindonneaux, a la Macedonie, Jambons, an Madere, 
 Hauches de Venaison Roties, 
 
 Selle de Moutons Roties, 
 
 Cailles Roties Bardees Leverauts, 
 
 Petis Pois, a la Francaise, Chants aus Anglais, 
 
 Flan de Peches, a la modern, 
 
 Profitrolles au chocolat, a la Vanille, 
 
 Chrochauts glaces, a la Cylan, Gatean a PElizabeth. 
 
 Now as the menu is known, we shall give the 
 names of those who partook of it. The Lord 
 Lieutenant and his wife, the French consul and his 
 wife, Lord Kildare, Lord Meath, Lord Monck and 
 their wives, Mr. Burk, Sir Henry Havrelock and 
 his wife, Colonel Corrigan, the President of the 
 Medical Faculty, the President of the Faculty of 
 Surgeons, Count Jarnac, Lord Sandhurst and wife, 
 Captain Bing, Count de Flavigney, Mesdames de 
 a Panouse and Petry, Mr. and Mrs. de Lesseps, 
 Viscount O'Neill of Tyrone, Mr. Henry O'Neill, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Galishon, the Duke of Feltre, Mr. 
 Alfred Duquet, Mr. de Cantenson, Mr. Dennis 
 Cochin, Mr. Maguire, Mr. O'Scanlan, Mr. H. 
 Thompson, Mr. C. Boyle and Captain Briggs. 
 
 During the banquet, the band of the 70th Regi- 
 ment of Infantry played several choice pieces. 
 
 After the dessert, Lord Spenser stood up, and 
 when all the rest had followed his example, he took 
 his glass, raised it, and with deliberation said simply 
 "To the Queen." The band immediately struck up 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 51 
 
 "God save the Queen," and when the last notes had 
 died away, we all sat down again. The ladies, then 
 following the English custom, retired to the draw- 
 ing-room, leaving the gentlemen all alone. This 
 custom is said to date back far into the ages. 
 Gossip has it, that after the dessert, and when the 
 wines had been indulged in, at many of the banquets 
 given then, the male portion of the gathering gener- 
 ally used to fall off their seats and roll under the 
 table. This spectacle, of course, displeased the 
 ladies very much, so they made up their minds to 
 get out of the way before the accident occurred. 
 But why keep up the custom, since no such accidents 
 occur nowadays? At 6 p. m., we joined the ladies 
 in the drawing-room, where special artists were 
 engaged to entertain us until midnight. The Lord 
 Lieutenant did all in his power to make it pleasant 
 for us, and he succeeded admirably. 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 excuksion to the county wlcklow. 
 August 19th and 20th. 
 
 ALL the members of the French delegation set 
 out, under the direction of Mr. O'Sullivan, 
 on an excursion to the charming county Wicklow. 
 We went by rail to Bray, a beautiful summer resort. 
 After leaving Bray, we proceeded as far as the long 
 glen, through which the river Dargle flows ; the 
 length of the famous glen is about a mile, and the 
 height of some of the enclosing walls of rocks ex- 
 ceeds three hundred feet. The view of the glen 
 from above is most beautiful; here is a combination 
 of rugged rock and foliage of every tint and form, 
 with the Dargle leaping and foaming beneath. One 
 of the best places, for a good view of the glen, is at 
 the "Lover's Leap." Then we visited the water- 
 fall at Lord Powerscourt. The fall is about three 
 hundred feet, and when the volume of water is 
 large, it descends from rock to rock, with a rush 
 and a roar that is very impressive. Afterwards, we 
 proceeded to the Vartry Waterworks. It is from 
 here that Dublin is supplied with water, through a 
 very ingenious system of siphons, the like of which 
 we have never seen before. After lunch at Vartry, 
 52 
 
POWERSCOURT WATERFALL. 
 
54 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 we were driven towards Glendalough. In the vil- 
 lages, through which we passed, the French flag was 
 everywhere to be seen, and the people were assembled 
 in crowds shouting, " Hurrah for France ! God save 
 Ireland ! God save France ! " We wish we could 
 have all our countrymen see and hear the demon- 
 strations that were made in our behalf. It was really 
 touching j and notwithstanding all the fatigue which 
 we endured during our visit to Ireland, we can never 
 think of that country and its chivalrous people 
 without sentiments of emotion. 
 
 After Mass, the next morning, we continued our 
 journey on towards the Seven Churches 
 
 AT GLENDALOUGH. 
 
 Many and curious are the traditions current 
 regarding the founder of a seat of learning in 
 this lonely wilderness. The founder, St. Kevin, 
 was born in the year 498, was baptized by St. 
 Col man, was educated by Patrocus and ordained 
 by Bishop Lugid. He was contemporary with 
 St. Columkille. He led a hermit's life, in a place 
 called Luagen Duach, since called Glendalough. 
 The erection of seven churches is ascribed to St. 
 Kevin there. A city sprang up, and a seminary 
 founded, from whence was sent forth many ex- 
 emplary men, whose sanctity and learning diffused 
 around the Western world the light of the Gospel. 
 St. Kevin died in 618, after leading a holy life, 
 at the age of 120 years. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 55 
 
 From the Seven Churches, to " The Meeting of 
 the Waters," is about ten miles. The beautiful 
 vale of Avoca, in which the waters of two rivers 
 meet, is celebrated in song by one of Ireland's 
 gifted sons, Thomas Moore. 
 
 " There is not in the wide world a valley so sweet, 
 As the vale in whose bosom the bright waters meet. 
 Oh ! the last rays of feeling and life must depart, 
 Ere the bloom of that valley shall fade from my 
 heart. 
 
 Yet it was not that nature had shed o'er the scene 
 Her purest of crystal and brightest of green ; 
 ? Twas not her soft magic of streamlet or hill, 
 Oh, no ! it was something more exquisite still. 
 
 ? Twas that friends, the beloved of my bosom, were 
 
 near, 
 Who made every dear scene of enchantment more 
 
 dear, 
 And who felt how the best charms of Nature 
 
 improve, 
 When we see them reflected from looks that we 
 
 love. 
 
 Sweet vale of Avoca ! how calm could I rest 
 In thy bosom of shade with the friends I love best, 
 Where the storms that we feel in this cold world 
 
 should cease, 
 And our hearts like thy waters, be mingled in 
 
 peace." 
 
56 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Cars were in waiting to bring us up the mountain 
 side. We were met by the inhabitants of the town, 
 with bands of music. We were saluted with "Vive 
 la France ! " " Hurrah for France ! " Arriving at 
 last at the top of the mountain, we were conducted 
 to the orphan asylum, presided over by Rev. Father 
 Fox. We regret to be obliged to repeat the same 
 thing over and over again, but let us say with 
 Moliere : " Je dis toujours la meme chose, parseque 
 c'est toujours la meme chose ; si ce n'etait pas tou- 
 jours la meme chose, je ne dirais pas toujours la 
 meme chose." 
 
 The people of the surrounding country were there, 
 with music playing, banners flying, and drums beat- 
 ing, and the boys drawn up in line to receive us. 
 The Rev. Father then showed us to the dining-room, 
 where we partook of his hospitality. Mr. Smith 
 made a speech in French, to which the Director of 
 the establishment replied in eloquent words, saying 
 in part, that he was more honored that day, by our 
 visit, than if the Lord Lieutenant had come to see 
 them. Having spent some time in looking over the 
 different apartments of the establishment, we said 
 au revoir to the good Father and his companions, 
 and then returned to Dublin. That day one of our 
 party, Mr. de Lesseps, was called home to Paris on 
 urgent business. 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Our Visit to Cork and Mallow. 
 August 21st and 22nd. 
 
 PROM Dublin to Cork is 165 miles; the route 
 passes through a very pleasant stretch of 
 country. At many places good views are obtained 
 of the picturesque mountain ranges. It was on the 
 morning of the 21st we set out for Cork, with 
 Messrs. John Martin and Mr. O'Sullivan. All 
 the people were there to see us off. " Bon voyage 
 for Cork!" "Good-bye!" "Three cheers for Count 
 de Flavigney ! " " Hurrah for the French ! " were 
 some of the parting salutations. At every station 
 along the road a great number of people gathered to 
 see us. At Marlborough, where we were presented 
 with an address, there was a great demonstration. 
 The address, which was read by the Mayor, was very 
 artistically enscribed ou parchment, and tied with 
 green ribbons. M. de Flavigney responded. Oh, 
 what joy ! What enthusiasm ! 
 
 At Thurles the enthusiasm was redoubled ; but 
 it was at Limerick Junction that we got the greatest 
 reception yet. The inhabitants of Tipperary turned 
 out in their thousands. Seldom has any one seen such 
 manifestations of joy. The name of M. de Flavigney, 
 5 57 
 
58 IRELAND AND FRANCE, 
 
 O'Neill of Tyrone, the French ladies, the French 
 Republic, were cheered to the echo. The bands 
 played the Marseillaise. The Marseillaise, that 
 beautiful hymn so prostituted (by the sang-impur 
 de Belleville) that we are almost ashamed of it, yet 
 we like it very much indeed. 
 
 Very soon after passing Limerick Junction, we 
 obtained a splendid view of the famous Galtee 
 mountains in the distance. A few small stations, 
 and then we arrived at Mallow, where the crowds of 
 people were exceedingly large. The bands were 
 playing national airs, whilst the French and Irish 
 flags were flying in the breeze on all sides. We 
 were then conducted to our hotel, passing under 
 several triumphal arches on the way. The magis- 
 trate of the town was delighted to present the address, 
 to which Mr. de Flavigney immediately replied. A 
 great crowd assembled under the window of our 
 hotel and repeatedly called for the French delegation ; 
 we all went out on the veranda, where our president 
 addressed the people again. The band played once 
 more, and wondering at such manifestations of 
 friendship, each one retired to his room completely 
 tired out. The following morning we were escorted 
 from the hotel to the railroad station amidst the 
 the same manifestations of joy ; then 
 
 WE STARTED FOR BLARNEY. 
 
 The following is taken from the Cork Herald, of 
 August 23d, 1871 :— 
 
60 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 "Yesterday will be written in letters of gold in 
 the history of Cork. Never have the walls of the 
 old city resounded with such cries of joy as those 
 that were heard yesterday. It is simply impossible 
 to describe the manner in which France was com- 
 plimented, and the chivalrous reception which was 
 given to the delegation. No words can express the 
 enthusiasm which dominated the reception. 
 
 " It is only three months since the Lord Lieutenant 
 of her Majesty in Ireland made his official entry 
 into Cork, surrounded by soldiers. There was not 
 one cry of joy to salute him ; there was not one 
 establishment decorated in his honor ; there were no 
 flags displayed ; in one word there was no enthusi- 
 asm. Yesterday a simple delegation arrived to 
 thank Ireland in the name of France. What a 
 difference between this reception and that of the 
 Lord, who came with all the pomp of royalty. All 
 the millions of England could not purchase for him 
 such an ovation." 
 
 The foregoing article is here inserted to show that 
 a more than royal welcome was given to the French 
 by the inhabitants of Cork. 
 
 The Lord Mayor and the members of the city 
 government met us at the town of Blarney, five 
 miles from Cork. Here is the famous castle, built 
 by Cormac McCarthy in the fifteenth century. 
 Tradition has it, that a certain stone in the castle 
 has been endowed with the curious power of con- 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 61 
 
 ferring on those who kiss it a remarkable flow of 
 eloquence. The poet, speaking of the stone, says : — 
 
 " There is a stone there 
 That whosoever kisses, 
 Oh ! he never misses 
 To grow eloquent. 
 
 A clever spouter 
 He'll sure turn out, or 
 An out and outer, 
 To be let alone. 
 
 Don't hope to hinder him, 
 Or to bewilder him ; 
 Sure he's a pilgrim 
 From the Blarney Stone." 
 
 Our time being limited, we did not kiss the 
 Blarney Stone, so we took carriages here, and after 
 driving rapidly for some time along the " beautiful 
 banks of the Lee," we were met by hundreds of 
 people who came out of the city to get a good look 
 at the French. About a mile from Cork were 
 assembled the members of the city corporation ; 
 the societies of the different parishes with banners; 
 viz., St. Finbar, St. Mary, St. Denis, St. Louis, 
 St. Luke, St. Patrick, and many others. 
 
 After having taken our places in the different 
 barouches, the procession commenced to march, 
 whilst the crowd at the same time augmented in 
 
62 
 
 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 numbers. As was mentioned once before, we are 
 at a loss to find words to convey to our readers the 
 impressions which the demonstration produced on 
 our minds. The enthusiasm was simply indescrib- 
 able. The French and Irish flags were waving 
 from every house. The French and Irish colors 
 were worn by every man, woman and child. All, 
 or nearly all, carried green branches in their hands. 
 
 It was just 12.15 p. m. when we entered the city. 
 In front of the Queen's College (a Government 
 Institution) a tremendous ovation took place, as we 
 heard repeated, " O'Neill of Tyrone! O'Neill of 
 Tyrone !" Then came the cry, " God save France ! 
 Hurrah for the French Republic! Down with 
 Bismarck ! " etc. As the procession advanced 
 through South Main street, the enthusiasm became 
 more pronounced. We shall never forget how 
 beautiful the women looked, as they smiled and 
 bowed to us, with their rosy cheeks and laughing 
 eyes. From South Main street we turned into St. 
 Patrick street, where the statue of Father Matthew 
 stands ; from there we turned down the Grand 
 Parade, and then on to the South Mall. At last we 
 arrived at the Imperial Hotel amidst thunderous 
 applause. 
 
 The Lord Mayor met us in the drawing-room of 
 the hotel. An address was presented by one of the 
 members of the city government. Many thanks 
 were given to us for having condescended to visit 
 the capital of the South. Reminding us that the 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 63 
 
 sympathies of Ireland were with France, the address 
 terminated with these words : " We offer you the 
 hospitality of our city, and we wish that your visit 
 may be very enjoyable, and we regret exceedingly 
 that your engagement elsewhere prevents us from 
 keeping you very long amongst us." 
 
 Our President replied in excellent English : — 
 
 " My Lord, and Gentlemen of the City Corpora- 
 tion: The address which you have had the kindness 
 to present to us, expresses in eloquent terms the 
 sentiments which, from time immemorial, have 
 united Ireland and France. (Hear ! hear !) 
 
 " There is something mysterious, something very 
 sympathetic in the affection which these two nations 
 feel for each other. It is something as strong as 
 family relationship ; it is something greater than the 
 relation which exists between kings and their 
 governments. (Hear ! hear !) 
 
 "The only man capable of expressing these senti- 
 ments is Marshal MacMahon. But, unfortunately, 
 he is not here. He regrets very much that he could 
 not come with us, to thank you for what you have 
 done for his beloved country. He is not the least 
 gift which Ireland bestowed on France. In our late 
 distress, he has rendered to us untold services. He 
 has been the preserver of society, and the saviour of 
 our country. He is a great man, and we all know 
 that he is Irish. As he has not been able to accom- 
 pany us, we have brought other Frenchmen of Irish 
 origin. Here is Count O'Neill of Tyrone, who 
 
64 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 bears a great and respected name in this country. 
 Here, also, is the Duke de Feltre, whose grand- 
 father was an Irishman, and a Marshal of France. 
 
 " Gentlemen : Allow me to tell you of the great 
 services which your nation has rendered to us during 
 the late war. Excuse me, Gentlemen, but I am 
 unable to suppress the feelings of emotion which 
 arise in my breast, when I think of them. The 
 Irish soldiers, who were with our troops, conducted 
 themselves like heroes. Captain Leader, for ex- 
 ample, at the battle of Orleans, placed himself at 
 the head of his company, and fought the Prussians 
 until he had used up all his ammunition. (Applause.) 
 After which he saluted the enemy, and then the 
 French Army, and afterwards retired to the rear. 
 Many Irishmen have been decorated for their 
 bravery during the war. The city of Cork was the 
 first to send money and provisions to our society. 
 And Ireland sent to us a magnificent ambulance for 
 the wounded soldiers. Two distinguished physi- 
 cians, Drs. Baxter and Maguire, rendered great 
 services to the poor wounded men. The Ambulance 
 Corps was constantly and abundantly supplied from 
 this country. And when other nations abandoned 
 us, Ireland came to our aid in every way she could, 
 although obliged to observe the laws of neutrality. 
 
 " Gentlemen : We come here to return to you 
 and all Ireland, our heartfelt thanks for your kind- 
 ness. I must say you have received us most royally, 
 and it will be a great consolation to us, when we 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 65 
 
 return home, to be able to tell our countrymen, with 
 what sentiments of love and affection we were re- 
 ceived by the people of Ireland. 7 ' (Great applause.) 
 
 Then an address was presented by the Working- 
 men's Club : — 
 
 " To Count de Flavigney, and to the distinguished 
 persons who accompany him : Sons and daughters 
 of chivalrous France. The noble Count de Fla- 
 vigney has perfectly expressed our sentiments, rep- 
 resenting France and Ireland as two sisters. We 
 are proud to declare, that if we have acted as we 
 have done, it is with the view to bind together still 
 more firmly with the bonds of love and affection the 
 two countries, France and Ireland. Unfortunately, 
 the profound and cordial sympathy of Ireland 
 towards France, was expressed only feebly, because 
 we could do no more. Oh ! if Ireland was only 
 permitted to join your brave soldiers to hurl back 
 your enemy ! In the hope that generous France 
 will believe our good intentions, we wish long life 
 to the French Republic." 
 
 The Lord Mayor then announced that a deputation 
 from the town of Youghall, was ready to present an 
 address to our president. The address was read by 
 Mr. Ronayne, to which M. de Flavigney responded. 
 
 Mr. John Martin, being called by the people, he 
 went to one of the windows and made a speech, 
 which was interrupted several times by frequent 
 bursts of applause. He said in substance : " France 
 has always been the friend of Ireland, and the 
 
66 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 French people have a very good right to love 
 Ireland/' He then complimented the people of 
 Cork, for the admirable reception which they gave 
 to the delegation. He hoped that before very long 
 Ireland would become her own mistress, and a 
 nation once again, and then she could dispose of her 
 army and navy as she pleased. (We must mention 
 here that Mr. John Martin is a Protestant, very well 
 liked by the Catholic clergy, because of his liberal 
 views.) 
 
 At 2 p. m., we were conducted to the steamer 
 City of Cork, where we had luncheon. By that 
 time the crowds had again gathered in full force, 
 everywhere along the banks of the river. All the 
 boats were packed with human beings, who continued 
 cheering, waving their handkerchiefs, and clapping 
 their hands. We then sailed down the river, and 
 as we passed by the cruisers Lord Warden and 
 Mersy, we were saluted in grand style. It is diffi- 
 cult to overpraise the beauty of the river from 
 Cork to the Cove, now called Queenstown. 
 
 Here is a stream ever varying in its course and 
 outline, of ample breadth, yet not too broad to pre- 
 vent distinct recognition of the objects on its banks. 
 Water of a color and purity of the sea. Lofty 
 barriers on either side, covered with rich woods, 
 and intermingled with green park-like fields, and 
 shining villas. At last Queenstown came into view, 
 that famous town, from which so many of Ireland's 
 sons and daughters embark for the land of the free. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 67 
 
 The people almost went wild on our arrival, and 
 cheer after cheer was given for the French. The 
 ships in the harbor saluted as the City of Cork 
 sailed down between them. A visit was then paid 
 to the battle-ship Northumberland which is said to 
 be the largest in the world, except the Great-Eastern. 
 Captain Gibbons received us very graciously on 
 board. During our visit we noticed the band 
 played St. Patrick's Day, The Marseillaise, and 
 Gocl save Ireland. Then we were transferred to 
 our own boat which sailed over to a little creek 
 called Ashgrove, where dinner was served, after 
 which the speech-making commenced. 
 
 Mr. Murphy endeavored to respond to the toast, 
 " Her Majesty the Queen/' but failed completely. 
 His audience would not listen to him, so he was 
 obliged to sit down. The Lord Mayor, Mr. de 
 Flavigney, Mr. John Martin, and Mr. O'Sullivan 
 also made speeches. 
 
 A celebrated orator (whose name we don't re- 
 member), being pressed to say something, when his 
 turn came, refused at first, but afterwards con- 
 sented, as his name was called several times. He 
 said : — 
 
 "Ladies and Gentlemen: You appear to desire 
 very much that I should make an interesting dis- 
 course to you on this occasion. I have the same 
 desire myself. Unfortunately, we do not receive 
 French men and women, every day at our table, 
 and this, with the fact of my being able to shake 
 
68 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 hands with them to-day, has so overjoyed me, that 
 I have drank, not exactly too much, but in fact I 
 have celebrated the event in a very extraordinary 
 manner for me. I therefore ask your permission 
 to keep silent, for my tongue can utter nothing 
 at this moment, without blundering, except these 
 words, ' Hurrah for France ! Hurrah for Ireland ! 
 God save France ! God save Ireland ! ? " 
 This last speech " took down the house." 
 At 8 p. m. the boat returned to Cork, where we 
 were met by a great crowd carrying torches. They 
 conducted us to the Imperial hotel, all the streets 
 leading to it being packed with young and old, 
 cheering and asking to see us once more. We all 
 appeared at the different windows, and our presi- 
 dent again addressed the people, thanking them 
 for the grand demonstration that was made in our 
 behalf. Mr. John Martin, again made a ringing 
 speech, the last words of which were, " Long live 
 the French Republic ! God save Ireland ! " 
 
 The Duke of Feltre, and M. O'Neill of Tyrone, 
 being called, addressed a few words to the people 
 in like manner. Then Mr. O'Sullivan, having 
 thanked the inhabitants of Cork for the magnifi- 
 cent demonstration given in honor of the French 
 delegation, he recommended them to go home, and 
 very soon after, the streets were deserted. Thus 
 terminated, according to one of the evening papers, 
 the grandest ovation ever given to any one in the 
 city of Cork. 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 From Cork to Glengarriffe. 
 August 23rd. 
 
 THE morning of the 23rd we bade good-bye to 
 the people of Cork, twenty-one guns being 
 fired as we pulled out of the station. Very soon we 
 arrived at Macroom, where we were met by the 
 priest of the parish, and his flock, who gave us a 
 hearty welcome. After the indispensable address, 
 they brought us along the streets under triumphal 
 arches, to the castle, with its old square towers. 
 We had not time to go through all its apartments, 
 yet, what we saw of it, was charming. After 
 saying adieu, away we went. The usual road to 
 Glengarriffe is to proceed to Bantry by the north 
 one. In turning to the left we entered the Garra 
 valley, by the river Toon with its zig-zag courses. 
 Above the valley are rocky ledges. After passing 
 the ruined tower of Duudericke, we journeyed 
 through a succession of steep and rugged glens, 
 until we reached the little lake of Inchigeelagh. 
 Here were assembled the inhabitants of the sur- 
 rounding country, carrying green branches, cheering, 
 and clapping their hands. During the demonstra- 
 tion we have seen women cry with joy, as we 
 
 69 
 
70 irp:land and France. 
 
 passed along. Some will say, no doubt, that we 
 are exaggerating. We have not in the least exag- 
 gerated anything, for we have all been witnesses 
 to the extraordinary outbursts of popular feeling, 
 not only here, but in every town and village, 
 through which we passed. 
 
 Mr. Murphy, of Bantry, had ordered a nice lunch 
 for us, on the shore of the beautiful Gougane-Barra. 
 This mountain lake, the source of the Lee, is sur- 
 rounded on three sides by very lofty cliffs. Near 
 the centre of the lake is an island, on which lived 
 St. Finbar. Here are the ruins of the monastery, 
 the chapel, etc. There is a holy well near-by, 
 to which pilgrimages are made from many parts of 
 Ireland. 
 
 J. J. Callanan describes the island in his beautiful 
 poem, as follows : — 
 
 There is a green island in lone Gougane-Barra, 
 Whence Allu of songs rushes forth like an arrow 
 In deep-valleyed Desmond, a thousand wild foun- 
 tains 
 Come down to that lake from their home in the 
 
 mountains. 
 There grows the wild ash ; and a time-stricken 
 
 willow 
 Looks chidingly down on the mirth of the billow, 
 As, like some gay child that sad monitor scorning, 
 It lightly laughs back to the laugh of the morning. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 71 
 
 And its zone of dark hills — Oh, to see them all 
 
 brightening, 
 When the tempest flings out his red banner of 
 
 lightning, 
 And the waters come down, J mid the thunder's deep 
 
 rattle, 
 Like clans from the hills at the voice of the battle; 
 And brightly the fire-crested billows are gleaming, 
 And wildly from Malloc the eagles are screaming 
 O, where is the dwelling, in valley or highland, 
 So meet for a bard as that lone little island ? 
 
 How oft, when summer sun rested on Clara, 
 
 And lit the blue headland of sullen Ivara, 
 
 Have I sought thee, sweet spot, from my home by 
 
 the ocean, 
 And trod all thy wilds, with a minstrel's devotion. 
 And thought on the bards, who, oft gathering to- 
 gether, 
 In the cleft of thy rocks, and the depth of thy heather, 
 Dwelt far from the Saxon's dark bondage and 
 
 slaughter 
 As they raised their last song by the rush of thy 
 water. 
 
 Last bard of the free ! were it mine to inherit 
 The fire of thy harp, and the wing of thy spirit, 
 With the wrongs, which, like thee, to my own land 
 
 have bound me, 
 Did your mantle of song throw its radiance around 
 
 me. 
 
72 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Yet, yet on those bold cliffs, might Liberty rally, 
 And abroad, send her cry o'er the sleep of each valley. 
 But rouse thee, vain dreamer! no fond fancy cherish, 
 Thy vision of Freedom, in bloodshed must perish. 
 
 I soon shall be gone, though my name may be 
 
 spoken, 
 When Erin awakes, and her fetters are broken. 
 Some minstrel will come, in the summer eve's 
 
 gleaming, 
 When freedom's young light on his spirit is 
 
 beaming, 
 To bend o'er my grave with a tear of emotion, 
 Where calm Avonbuee seeks the kisses of ocean, 
 And a wild wreath to plant from the banks of that 
 
 river 
 O'er the heart and the harp that are silent forever. 
 
 At 1 p. m. we shook hands with our amiable 
 friends, and proceeded on our way towards Glenga- 
 riff. Very soon we entered the pass of Kei ma- 
 neigh, one of the grandest defiles in Ireland. 
 Precipitous walls of rock rise on both sides, clothed 
 with mosses, ferns and shrubs. And as we descend 
 by the river, Bantry Bay opens out before us. 
 
 THE FRENCH INVASION. 
 
 " Viva la, the French are coming, 
 Viva la, our friends are true. 
 Viva la, the French are coming ; 
 What will the poor yeomen do ? 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 73 
 
 It was here the French, under General Hoche, 
 intended to land in 1796, and strike a blow for 
 Ireland. France and England being at war, mes- 
 sengers were sent from Ireland to the French Direc- 
 tory, asking their assistance to cast off the hated 
 yoke of England and establish a republic in its 
 stead. About the middle of September, General 
 Hoche promised the expedition should sail for 
 Ireland. It appears that everything was ready 
 about that time, but from many difficulties made 
 by the department of the Marine, it was not until 
 the fifteenth of December that the armament sailed 
 from Brest, which consisted of seventeen sail of the 
 line, thirteen frigates, and fifteen transports, making 
 in all forty-five sail, and having on board an army 
 of eighteen thousand men. The squadron set sail 
 the fifteenth with the Commander-in-Chief of the 
 Army, and the Admiral on board the same frigate, 
 which was afterwards admitted to be a grave 
 mistake on their part. 
 
 ENGLAND IS SAVED BY THE WINDS. 
 
 The army never landed. For six days the re- 
 mains of the fleet lay tossing within sight of the 
 Irish shore, after having been four times dispersed 
 by terrible storms. Out of forty-five sail, they were 
 reduced to sixteen, with only six thousand fitting 
 men on board ; even with this number of men, had 
 a landing been hazarded, there would be every 
 chance of success, if we consider the state of the 
 6 
 
74 
 
 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 country at the time. But General Grouchy, who 
 was in command, hesitated; the flag-ship, with 
 Hoche, being blown out to sea. After a day's 
 cruising in the bay, a terrible gale set in from shore, 
 and then a landing was out of the question. Again 
 the ships were scattered over the waters. Nothing 
 was left then, but to return as best one could to 
 France. 
 
 General Hoche himself, was obliged, after a fruit- 
 less visit to Bantry Bay, to make his way back to 
 France, not having seen a single ship of his fleet 
 the whole time. Thus terminated the expedition 
 which gave such a shock to England. The memory 
 of this invasion is still kept green in the hearts of 
 the young generation of this part of Ireland. It 
 may be asked, what would have happened, if 
 Hoche had landed with his fine army at Bantry, 
 amongst those stal worth sons of the South ? 
 
 Another surprise awaited us at this famous 
 Bantry Bay. As we advanced over the mountain, 
 the day was drawing to a close. After sunset, little 
 by little night came on, and the darkness could 
 almost be felt, But lo ! as if some fairy hand had 
 wielded a magic wand, all was light. The moun- 
 tains as far as we could see, the villages all around 
 us were in a blaze. Bonfires here and there, and 
 everywhere. We could not describe the effect 
 which the sudden illumination produced on each 
 and every one of us. We shall certainly never 
 forget it. 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Feom Glengarriffe to Killarney. 
 August 24th. 
 
 A 
 
 T last we arrived at Glengarriffe hotel, where 
 Mr. John Cullinane, of Bantry, entertained us. 
 
 It was from Glengarriffe that the famous O'Sulli- 
 van marched, in December, 1602, to O'Rorke's 
 castle, in the County Leitrim, with a thousand 
 men. It was considered at the time to be one of 
 the greatest achievements of the age. He went 
 right through the heart of the country, which was 
 held by the English. The foe surrounded him on 
 all sides. He was greatly incumbered by the women 
 and children, the sick and the aged, whom he had 
 to protect. He crossed a large river in boats made 
 of horses' skins. Whenever he encountered the 
 English, he always came out victorious. In one 
 engagement he slew the commander, and marched 
 on in triumph to his friend's home in Leitrim. 
 
 " I wandered at eve by Glengarriffe's sweet water, 
 Half in the shade and half in the moon, 
 And thought of the time when the Sacsanach 
 slaughter 
 Reddened the night and darkened the noon; 
 
 75 
 
76 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Mo nuar ! mo nuar ! mo nuar ! * I said, — 
 When I think, in this valley and sky, 
 Where true lovers and poets should sigh, 
 
 Of the time when its chieftain O'Sullivan fled. 
 
 Then my mind went along with O'Sullivan 
 marching 
 
 Over Musk'ry's moors and Ormond's plain, 
 His curachs the waves of the Shannon o'erarching, 
 
 And his pathway mile-marked with the slain : 
 Mo nuar ! mo nuar ! mo nuar ! I said, — 
 
 Yet 'twas better far from you to go, 
 
 And to battle with torrent and foe, 
 Than linger as slaves where your sweet waters 
 spread. 
 
 But my fancy burst on, like a clan o'er the border, 
 To times that seemed almost at hand, 
 
 When grasping her banner old Erin's Lamh Laidir 
 Alone shall rule over the rescued land : 
 
 baotho ! baotho ! baotho ! f I said, — 
 Be our marching as steady and strong, 
 And freemen our valleys shall throng, 
 
 When the last of our foemen is vanquished and 
 fled! 
 
 Here it rained all night long, so much so that 
 the little rivulets became roaring torrents. At 6 
 a. m., all were ready to set out. As we drove along 
 the shore of Bantry Bay, the view was as beautiful, 
 
 *Alas. tO fine. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 77 
 
 if not more so, than any on the Mediterranean. As 
 we ascended the side of the mountain, the wind 
 commenced to blow a gale, and the rain came 
 down in torrents. Our umbrellas were turned 
 inside-out. Our hats would not stay on our heads. 
 Our words were cut in two, and respiration became 
 difficult. At last, we arrived near the summit, 
 where there was a little shelter. Here a tunnel is 
 cut through the mountain, somewhat like that of 
 St. Gervais at Chatnony. Arriving at the other 
 side of the mountain we had a magnificent view of 
 the valley lying before us. Our difficulties were 
 not over yet awhile, for the storm still continued. 
 Down the mountain side we go at a lively pace ; 
 the cars rock from side to side, but our steeds are 
 sure-footed, and our drivers are skillful handlers of 
 the reins. Arriving at Ken mare, the people came 
 to welcome us, headed by the town officials, one 
 of whom read a beautifully illuminated address. 
 After lunch a visit was paid to the Church and 
 convent school, which is conducted by the Sisters 
 of Mercy. In the school we were entertained by 
 the children, who sang for us the French hymn : — 
 
 "Allons enfants de la Patrie, 
 Le jour de gloire est arrived 
 Contre nous de la tyrannie 
 L/etandard sanglant est leve," etc. 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 KlLLARNEY. AUGUST 25TH. 
 
 LEAVING Kenmare behind we passed through 
 the windy Gap. A full view is here obtained 
 of Killarney's mountains : the Reeks, the Gap of 
 Dunloe, the purple mountains. Here and there are 
 craggy cliffs, projecting rocks, and desolate glens. 
 What wild grandeur of wood and water, glen and 
 mountain? By-and-by, however, the scene changes. 
 The lakes ! the lakes ! 
 
 " By Killarney's lakes and fells, 
 
 Emerald isles and winding bays, 
 Mountain paths and woodland dells 
 Memory ever fondly stays. 
 
 Beauteous nature loves all lands, 
 
 Beauty wanders everywhere, 
 Footprints leaves on many strands, 
 
 But her home is surely there. 
 
 Angels fold their wings and rest 
 
 In that Eden of the West, 
 Beauty's home, Ki Harney — 
 
 Ever fair Killarney. 
 78 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 79 
 
 Innisfallen's ruined shine 
 
 May suggest a passing sigh, 
 But man's faith can ne'er decline 
 Such God's wonders floating by 
 Castle Lough and Glena Bay, 
 Mountains Tore and Eagle's Nest. 
 
 Still at Mucross you must pray, 
 
 Tho' the monks are now at rest ; 
 Angels wonder not that man, there 
 Would fain prolong life's span, 
 Beauty's home, Killarney — 
 Ever fair Killarney." 
 
 The inhabitants of Killarney turned out to 
 welcome the delegates in true Irish style. The 
 salutations that greeted our ears were : " Long live 
 the French Republic !" " Long live MacMahon ! " 
 "Hurrah for the French." An address was pre- 
 sented by Mr. O'Donohoe, M. P., to which Mr. de 
 Flavigney replied. We were then driven to the 
 Lake Hotel, which was beautifully decorated with 
 French and Irish colors. All around the hotel 
 was lighted up with Chinese lanterns and red fire, 
 resembling very much the fairyland we read of in 
 story books; and every one, even to the servants, 
 wore the tricolor. 
 
 FRANCE WAS BEATEN BECAUSE SHE WAS 
 NOT PREPARED FOR WAR. 
 
 We were up bright and early the following 
 morning to take a look around. Just outside the 
 
80 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 hotel we met Mr. McGaven, with whom we very 
 gladly took a walk in the bright sunshine, in that 
 beautiful spot of earth. During our conversation 
 the subject of the late war was introduced. Mr. 
 McGaven wanted to know why France was beaten. 
 We replied that it was because France was unpre- 
 pared for war, while Germany was well prepared. 
 Ever since 1866 it became more and more evident 
 that France and Prussia would come to blows 
 sooner or later. 
 
 Some time ago we visited Prussia, and while 
 there several people told us that they intended to 
 annex Alsace and Lorraine; and when we told in 
 Paris what we heard, every one laughed at us. 
 The Prussians, they said, will not dare to put their 
 feet on French soil. If they do, we'll rise in our 
 thousands and wipe them off the face of the earth. 
 Every one knows how Prussia was preparing for 
 the conflict, night and day, since '66, while in 
 France every thing military was completely ignored. 
 There was a lot of speech-making in the Chamber 
 of Deputies about our commerce, our industries, 
 and our public instruction, etc., but not one word 
 was said, not one voice was raised to arouse the 
 nation to the real state of affairs. The war came 
 as predicted, and we were found unprepared for it, 
 and that is the reason why France was beaten. 
 
 On our coming back to the hotel, the barouches, 
 decorated in the national colors, were waiting to 
 bring us to the lakes. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 81 
 
 It is only by a row on the lakes, says Black, 
 that the loveliness of their scenery can be fully 
 realized. The changing contours of the mountains, 
 the luxuriant foliage clothing the winding shores 
 of the lakes and the lesser hills adjoining them, the 
 numerous islets that dot their surface, are in this 
 way seen to much better advantage than on land ; 
 and, indeed, no one can be said to have really 
 visited the Lakes of Killarney who has not enjoyed 
 the pleasure of a row over them. 
 
 Proceeding towards the lakes, in company with 
 Monsignor Moriarty, Bishop of the Diocese, and 
 Lord Castleross, we passed the castle, now in ruins 
 and clad with ivy. The Abbey of Mucross is a 
 picturesque and beautiful ruin. It was founded in 
 1340 by the Franciscans. The cloisters are in the 
 form of a piazza, surrounding a courtyard, having 
 in its centre a magnificent yew tree of very great age. 
 
 The boats were ready to take us over the lakes, 
 as we came to the shore, and now pursuing our 
 course, we passed one or two islands on our way to 
 Innisfallen. Before landing we came to O'Sulli- 
 van's Cascade, which consists of three falls : the 
 first one falls twenty feet, straight down into a 
 basin, then it rushes down into a second basin, 
 from which it rolls over into the lowest chamber 
 of the fall. Innisfallen is celebrated for its exceed- 
 ingly great beauty, but more especially for its 
 ancient abbey, whose ruins are scattered about the 
 island. The " Annals of Innisfallen" are considered 
 
82 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 very valuable at the present time; the original copy 
 being written over six hundred years ago in this 
 old abbey. The "Annals" contains parts of the 
 Old Testament, and a universal history, down to 
 St. Patrick, and the history of Ireland, to the end 
 of the 13th century. The island is about twenty 
 acres in all, and from it can be had the most lovely 
 views. Speaking of it, Moore says : — 
 
 " Sweet Innisfallen, fare thee well, 
 
 May calm and sunshine long be thine, 
 How fair thou art, let others tell, 
 While but to feel how fair, be mine. 
 
 Sweet Innisfallen, long shall dwell 
 In Memory's dream that sunny smile, 
 
 Which o'er thee on that evening fell 
 When first I saw thy fairy isle." 
 
 The Upper Lake is about two and one-half miles 
 long, and though it is the smallest of the three, it 
 is the most beautiful of them all. No doubt, this 
 is owing to its nearness to the mountains, which 
 rise abruptly from the water's edge. The wild 
 grandeur of this lake, he writes, strikes the observer, 
 on first beholding it, with feelings of awe and 
 admiration. 
 
 The Eagle's Nest rears its head 1,700 feet. It 
 is a rugged mass of rock, and the grey eagles still 
 have their eyries here. The echo from this and the 
 surrounding rocks is remarkable, especially in calm 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 83 
 
 weather. A bugle call we may hear repeated nearly 
 a dozen times, and answered from mountain to 
 mountain, sometimes loud and without interval, 
 and then fainter and fainter, and after a sudden 
 pause, again arising as if from some distant glen, 
 then insensibly dying away. The Middle Lake 
 contains about 680 acres, and the Lower Lake has 
 about 5,000 acres, or five miles long and three 
 miles broad, and there are about thirty islands in it. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 KlLLAKNEY TO DUBLIN. AUGUST 26TH. 
 
 THE following day we took our departure 
 from this charming town, after bidding 
 adieu to its good people, who showered on us many 
 acts of kindness. Before we boarded the train, 
 some one decorated our trunks with the tricolor, 
 which was appreciated by us very much, as then 
 they were easily distinguished from the other pieces 
 of luggage. All our effects were looked after by 
 Antonio, the servant of the Duke de Feltre, so 
 nothing went astray. 
 
 At every station along the way, from Killarney 
 to Dublin, large crowds were waiting to meet us. 
 A beautiful address was presented to us at Kildare, 
 and at 5 p. m. our train pulled into the Broadstone 
 Station, Dublin. 
 
 ORANGE BIGOTRY. 
 
 Whilst the Irish papers rejoiced every day, at 
 the grand demonstrations made in our behalf, the 
 Orange sheets showed their spleen by headings, such 
 as: "The Queen Insulted," "The Laws Broken," 
 "Shall the Police let the Ignorant People break 
 the Sabbath, by these Demonstrations on Sunday?" 
 84 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 85 
 
 " The Scandal of it all," " It cannot be Allowed." 
 We noticed, also, some of the English papers, viz. : 
 The Times, the Pall-Mall Gazette, and the Daily 
 News, making the same lamentations and shedding 
 the same crocodile tears. It appears that C Opinion 
 Nationale, which did so much towards uniting 
 Italy with Germany, cannot see the use of an Irish 
 nation, yet Ireland was our ally, whilst Italy and 
 Germany were our enemies. 
 
 THE PRESIDENT CHARMED THE PEOPLE. 
 
 Count de Flavigney, President of the French 
 delegation, fulfilled his mission splendidly. A man 
 of much experience, calm, serious, and full of 
 reserve, who spoke the English language fluently, 
 and while he charmed the Irish people, he never 
 said a word which could give offense to the English 
 government. 
 
 THE FORESTERS. 
 
 We almost forgot to mention that the Foresters, 
 a benevolent society, presented an address to us. 
 The delegates came, in their green regalia, to the 
 Shelbourn, and expressed their loyalty and attach- 
 ment to the great French nation, in very eloquent 
 words. 
 
 DINNER AT THE MANSION HOUSE. 
 
 The Lord Mayor gave a dinner at the Mansion 
 House, on the 26th inst. Mrs. Lavison and Mrs. 
 de la Panouse being indisposed, could not attend. 
 
SQ IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Mrs. Pitray had to bear all the honors, and she did 
 so with admirable grace. The Lord Mayor sat at 
 the head of the table, with Mrs. Pitray to his right, 
 also Mr. John Grey, M. P., and Mr. Lavison ; and 
 on his left were Miss Smollen, Count O'Neill of 
 Tyrone, and Mrs. Murphy, etc. My next neighbor 
 was Miss Campbell, eldest daughter of the Lord 
 Mayor; then came Count de Flavigney, and the 
 wife of the Lord Mayor, and the Duke de Feltre. 
 
 When dinner was nearly over, the Lord Mayor 
 proposed the health of the Queen ; then an old 
 gentleman, who looked like a judge, sang " God 
 save the Queen ; " every one standing during the 
 singing of the royal hymn. Then he drank to the 
 health of Mr. de Flavigney, and again the old 
 gentleman commenced to sing the Marseillaise. 
 Our President replied in part as follows : — 
 
 "My Lord Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen: In 
 proposing my health, at so distinguished a reunion, 
 and in terms so flattering, you confer on me a great 
 favor. 
 
 " I am very happy to be able to profit of this 
 last occasion, to thank Ireland once again for the 
 magnificent reception which she has given to her 
 French guests. From the time of our arrival, the 
 officials, who represent the sovereign, have honored 
 us in every possible way which lay in their power. 
 My Lord Mayor, you yourself, and all the members 
 of your corporation, have each and every one shown 
 us the kindest attention. The cities, towns and 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 87 
 
 villages, through which we passed, have received 
 us in a manner that kings might envy. The out- 
 burst of affection, from young and old of this land, 
 for my beloved country, was indeed very touching. 
 It is very consoling for France to be thus assured, 
 in the midst of her trials, that here, at least, she 
 has a people who sympathize with her. My Lord, 
 believe me, we shall never forget the happy days 
 that we passed amongst you. That France, also, 
 will always remember what Ireland has done for 
 her. We came here to pay a debt of gratitude, but 
 instead of that, we have contracted a new one, 
 which, please God, we may one day be able to pay 
 back a hundred-fold." (Applause.) 
 
 Count O'Neill of Tyrone, on the invitation of the 
 Lord Mayor, read the following poem in French, 
 which he had translated from Davis. 
 
 LA BRIGADE IRLANDAISE. 
 
 La Veille de la Battaille. 
 
 " Reunis sous la tente, ils boivent. . . . Cependant 
 Le comte de Thomond, de leur mess president, 
 Se l&ve, verre en main et droit comme une lance : 
 ' Camarades, dit-il, buvons au roi de France ! ' 
 Rasades et vivats respondent a ce cri, 
 
 Car aux Anglais n'en deplaise, 
 
 Le roi Louis est cheri 
 
 De la brigade irlandaise. 
 
88 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 Buvods a Jaques deux ! On boit avec fracas. 
 A Georges Pelecteur ! Et l'on rit aux eclats, 
 Bonne chance aux beaut^s que nous avons aimees 
 Dans le pays des lacs aux rives erabaumees ! 
 Que Dieu garde PIrlande ! lis palissent ; au coeur 
 
 Sans doute un chagrin leur pese : 
 
 On ne tremble pas de peur 
 
 Dans la brigade irlandaise. 
 
 Comme il fait claire ! La lanipe est 6teinte pourtant ; 
 Quel tapage! Sont-ils tous ivres dans le camp? . . . 
 Aux armes ! Du combat c'est Paube matinale ; 
 Cent tambours a la fois battent la generale. 
 Aussit6t de la tente ils se rendent tout droit 
 
 A Pavant-garde francaise ; 
 
 C ? est la sa place de droit 
 
 A la brigade irlandaise. 
 
 De ces preux, francs-buveurs, pas un n ? a survecu, 
 Tous ont ete tues ; qu ? importe ! Ils ont vaincu. 
 D'autres ont, apr^s eux, combattu pour la France, 
 Jamais ils n'ont revu leur terre d'esperance. 
 De Dunkerque a Belgrade, en tous lieux de 
 combats 
 
 II n'est plaine ni falaise 
 
 OtL ne gisent des soldats 
 
 De la brigade irlandaise." 
 
 (Great applause.) 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 89 
 
 THE IRISH BRIGADE. 
 
 The Eve of the Battle. 
 
 " The mess-tent is full, and the glasses are set, 
 And the gallant Count Thomond is president yet; 
 The vet'ran arose, like an uplifted lance, 
 Crying — ' Comrades, a health to the monarch of 
 
 France ! ' 
 With bumpers and cheers, they have done as he bade, 
 For King Louis is loved by the Irish Brigade. 
 
 A health to King James, and they bent as they 
 
 quaffed, 
 Here's to George the Elector, and fiercely they 
 
 laughed, 
 Good luck to the girls, we wooed long ago, 
 Where Shannon, and Barrow, and Blackwater flow; 
 'God prosper Old Ireland' — you'd think them afraid, 
 So pale grew the chiefs of the Irish Brigade. 
 
 But, surely, that light cannot come from our lamp ? 
 And that noise — ' are they all getting drunk in the 
 
 camp ? ' 
 Hurrah ! boys, the morning of battle is come, 
 And the generale's beating on many a drum. 
 So they rush from the revel to join the parade ; 
 For the van is the right of the Irish Brigade. 
 
 They fought as they revelled, fast, fiery, and true, 
 And, though victors, they left on the field not a few ; 
 
 7 
 
90 IRELAND AND FRANCE, 
 
 And they, who survived, fought and drank as of 
 
 yore, 
 But the land of their heart's hope they never saw 
 
 more, 
 For in far foreign fields, from Dunkirk to Belgrade, 
 Lie the soldiers and chiefs of the Irish Brigade." 
 
 Then Mr. John Grey delivered a very stirring 
 address, and at midnight we bade good-bye to the 
 Lord Mayor, thanking him very much for his kind 
 hospitality. 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Mass at the Jesuits' Church. Depar- 
 ture of the French Delegates. 
 August 27th. 
 
 ON the morning of Sunday, August 27th, the 
 French delegation, with a number of dis- 
 tinguished people of the city, took their places in 
 covered carriages, and were driven to the Church of 
 St. Francis Xavier, to hear Mass. The church 
 belongs to the Jesuits. An immense crowd almost 
 blocked the way. The church was packed. About 
 fifty young men, decorated with French and Irish 
 colors, acted as ushers in, and outside of the church. 
 The music was fine, and the sermon, preached by 
 Rev. Father Bannon, S. J., was a masterpiece of elo- 
 quence. The subject was, " France, the queen of 
 civilization, will now become once more the sister, 
 the protector of all oppressed nations ; " and many 
 of the congregation were moved to tears during its 
 delivery. 
 
 THE DEPARTURE. 
 
 For several days beforehand, great preparations 
 were made for our departure for home. The rail- 
 roads made reduction in the price of tickets, and 
 from all parts of the country, great crowds poured 
 
 91 
 
92 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 into the city. It was said that more than two 
 thousand francs worth of ribbons were sold during 
 that day. We could not believe that the joyous 
 scenes, on our arrival at Dublin and Cork, could 
 be surpassed, but such was the case, for the mani- 
 festations were almost indescribable. The people 
 went wild, in fact. It was very remarkable that 
 there was not a policeman to be seen the whole 
 day. The government, no doubt, decided to keep 
 them in-doors, fearing that there might be a con- 
 flict between them and the people. 
 
 From 2 p. m., the societies, with bands playing 
 and flags flying, bearing the mottos, "God save 
 France ! " and " Erin go Bragh ! " moved pass the 
 hotel. There were about fifty bands of music. 
 Every one, men, women and children, wore French 
 and Irish colors. Every house was decorated with 
 the French flag. From Dublin to Kingstown was 
 one mass of humanity. And the cry heard, above all 
 others, was "Hurrah for the French," and "Vive 
 la France ! " When we arrived at Kingstown, it 
 was 6.45 p. m., and so great was the crowd here 
 that we could not advance, but only very slowly, 
 and on that account we were too late for the boat 
 going to England. We then decided to stop at the 
 hotel, and wait until the following morning. Many 
 of the people thought we had left on the boat, 
 and retired very soon after to their homes. 
 
 During all the excitement, not an accident occur- 
 red, and not a policeman put in an appearance, yet 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 93 
 
 every thing went off in perfect order. And we 
 must say, that whilst we were in Ireland, we have 
 not seen a person under the influence of liquor, 
 something we canDot say of England. 
 
 We almost forgot to mention, that when the 
 carriage, in which Messrs. de Flavigney, Feltre, 
 Lombard and Duquet, came under one of the 
 triumphal arches, a beautifully ornamented cage 
 was dropped into it. On close examination we 
 found the cage contained a dove, which Mrs. de la 
 Panouse carried home to France. 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 From Dublin to London. 
 August 28th. 
 
 aEVERAL members of the delegation desired 
 very much to spend another day in Dublin. 
 Messrs. de Lesseps, Henry O'Neill, Chaise, Galishon 
 and Cochin had already departed from Ireland, and 
 on the 28th, Messrs. Lavison, Rufz and Duquet set 
 out for home. At 7 p. m. we took the train for 
 Kingstown, and a few minutes after, we were on 
 board the boat for Holyhead. It was a beautiful 
 morning — the sun was shining brightly, and the 
 sea was as calm as a lake. We admired the beauti- 
 ful town of Kingstown, and taking a look at the 
 mountains, far away in the distance, we sailed away. 
 But behold you, all of a sudden, everything was 
 shut out from view. It was impossible to see 
 twenty feet ahead, the fog was so thick. All was 
 bustle, then, on the boat — every one was on the 
 qui vive. The fog-horn sounded every minute, 
 the watches were doubled, and every precaution 
 taken to prevent accident. After an hour, the fog 
 lifted as quickly as it came, and we were all happy 
 once more. It takes about five hours to cross the 
 Irish Sea, and the shortest passage is via Holyhead. 
 94 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 95 
 
 By this route London can be reached in about 
 eleven hours from Dublin. When our boat landed 
 at Holyhead, we shook hands with the Captain, 
 boarded the train immediately, and away we started 
 for London. Arriving at Euston station at 7 p. m., 
 we had just two hours to wait before setting out 
 for Paris. Lunch over, we ordered a cab, and 
 drove to Charing Cross, from which we took our 
 departure. At this station there was one thing 
 which attracted our attention, and which made 
 every one anxious to find out if his pocket-book 
 was still in his possession. In large print was 
 written : 
 
 NOTICE. 
 
 The public are warned to be aware 
 of pickpockets, who are generally very 
 well dressed. Women, especially, should 
 not be trusted. 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 From London to Paris. 
 August 28th, 29th. 
 
 IT took the train just two hours to go from 
 London to Dover, and at 11.30 we went on 
 board the steamer, bound for Calais. The moon 
 shone out brightly, and we could see the white cliffs 
 of Dover disappear, little by little, as we sailed 
 away. Very soon Calais was seen in the distance, 
 and we all rejoiced to know that we would be home 
 again, in a very short time. On landing we were 
 prepared to open our trunks and show our pass- 
 ports, but the commissioner, finding out who we 
 were, let us pass without any bother. 
 
 The journey from Calais to Paris made very 
 little impression on some of us, for we went to bed 
 in the former, and awoke in the latter city, the 
 following morning, just twenty-four hours since we 
 set out from Dublin. 
 
 At 11 a. m. we were at Versailles, with Marshal 
 MacMahon, telling him about the ovation we re- 
 ceived, and the enthusiasm with which his name 
 was received in Ireland. We made a little speech, 
 something in this fashion : — 
 96 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 97 
 
 "Marshal, you have had very good reason not 
 to pay a visit to the land of your forefathers, for, 
 judging from the enthusiasm of the people, at the 
 bare mention of your name, we could not tell what 
 might have happened if you had been there your- 
 self. The Irish people would have been trans- 
 ported by an outburst of joy, affection and admira- 
 tion for you. There would have been a revolution 
 surely. The people would have simply gone wild 
 over you ; and you would have been proclaimed 
 king. Marshal, our advice to you is, when you go 
 to Ireland, go at the head of 100,000 men, as the 
 successor of General Hoche." 
 
 The Marshal laughed heartily, and seemed to 
 be very well pleased at the reception we got in 
 Ireland, the home of his ancestors. 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Conclusion. 
 
 WHAT conclusion must we draw from the 
 splendid reception which rejoiced the 
 hearts of the members of the French delegation ? 
 In the first place, it must be borne in mind, that it 
 was France the Irish people intended to honor in 
 our persons. Ireland worships us and, right or 
 wrong, puts her trust in us, hoping that, through 
 us, her deliverance will come some day. She sang 
 once, and who knows but she may sing again, — 
 
 " Viva la, the French are coming, 
 Viva la, our friends are true, 
 Viva la, the French are coming ; 
 What will the poor yeomen do ? " 
 
 THANKS TO IRELAND. 
 
 We should be very thankful to Ireland for all 
 the marks of esteem and affection shown to us dur- 
 ing the late war. She was the only nation who 
 came to our relief at the time, and we are certain, 
 that if she had Home Rule, the Irish Parliament 
 would have spent the last penny in our behalf, and 
 98 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 99 
 
 would have sent us, not an Irish Brigade, but an 
 Irish army. 
 
 Until our dying day we shall always remember 
 the names of Messrs. P. J. Smith, O'Sullivan, 
 Lombard, E. Lesage, McCann, McCabe-Fay, and 
 the members for the county Dublin, and in think- 
 ing of them, how can we forget Ireland, and the 
 whole Irish people? 
 
 THE END. 
 
 Paris, France, 
 
 Sept. Uth, 1871. 
 
CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 The International Committee for 
 
 the Relief of the Sick and 
 
 Wounded in War. 
 
 treaty of geneva for the amelioration of 
 the condition of the wounded on the 
 Field of Battle, August 22nd, 1864. 
 
 THE Governments of Belgium, Baden, Den- 
 mark, France, Holland, Portugal, Prussia, 
 Saxony, Spain, Wurtemburg, and also the Federal 
 Council of Switzerland, desiring to mitigate as much 
 as possible the terrible evils of war, by giving relief 
 to the wounded soldiers on the battlefield, have con- 
 cluded a treaty for this purpose, the articles of which 
 are as follows : — 
 
 Article 1. Ambulances and military hospitals 
 shall be acknowledged to be neutral, and as such 
 shall be protected and respected by belligerents, so 
 long as any sick or wounded may be therein. Such 
 neutrality shall cease, if the ambulance or hospitals 
 should be held by military force. 
 
 Article 2. Persons employed in hospitals and 
 ambulances, comprising the staff for superintend- 
 100 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 101 
 
 ence, medical service, administration, transport of 
 wounded, as well as chaplains, shall participate in 
 the benefit of neutrality while so employed. 
 
 Article 3. The persons mentioned in Article 2 
 may, even after occupation of the enemy, continue 
 to do their duties in the hospital or ambulance, 
 which they may have, or they may return to the 
 corps to which they belong. When these persons 
 shall cease from their labors, they shall be given up 
 by the occupying army to the enemy. And they 
 shall have the right to send a representative to the 
 commander-in-chief of their own armies. 
 
 Article 4. As military hospitals are subject to 
 the laws of war, persons on withdrawing from them 
 must take only what is their own private property. 
 On the contrary, ambulances shall retain all their 
 equipments on going away. 
 
 Article 5. The inhabitants of the country, who 
 may bring help to the wounded, shall be respected 
 and shall remain free. The generals of the bel- 
 ligerent powers shall inform the inhabitants of the 
 appeal addressed to their humanity. Every house, 
 in which a wounded soldier is, shall be protected. 
 Every one who entertains a wounded soldier in his 
 house shall be exempted from the quartering of 
 troops, and from the payment of any war tax which 
 may be imposed. 
 
 Article 6. Sick and wounded soldiers shall be 
 taken care of, no matter to what nation they may 
 belong. Commanders-in-chief shall have the power 
 
102 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 to deliver immediately to the enemy soldiers who 
 have been wounded in battle. Those who have 
 recovered from their wounds shall be sent back to 
 their own country. Prisoners also may be sent 
 back on condition that they will not bear arms 
 during the war. Evacuations shall be protected by 
 neutrality laws. 
 
 Article 7. A distinctive and uniform flag shall 
 be adopted for hospitals, ambulances and evacua- 
 tions, and on every occasion be accompanied by the 
 national flag. An arm badge shall also be allowed 
 for neutral persons, but the delivery of these badges 
 shall be left to the military authorities. The arm 
 badge and the flag shall bear a red cross, on a 
 white ground. 
 
 Article 8. The details of execution of the present 
 convention shall be regulated by the commanders- 
 in-chief of contending armies, according to the 
 instructions of their home governments, and in 
 conformity with the general principles laid down 
 in this convention. 
 
 Article 9. The contracting powers have agreed to 
 communicate the doings of the present convention 
 to those governments which have not found it con- 
 venient to send plenipotentiaries to the International 
 Convention at Geneva, with an invitation to accede 
 thereto ; the protocol is, for that purpose, left open. 
 
 Article 10. The present convention shall be 
 ratified, and the ratification shall be exchanged at 
 Berne, in four months, or sooner, if possible. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 103 
 
 In witness thereof, the plenipotentiaries have 
 signed the same and have affixed thereto the seal 
 of their arms. 
 
 Done at Geneva, the 23rd day of August, 1864. 
 
 List of Governments which Adopted the Treaty. 
 
 The governments which signed the articles of 
 the convention of Geneva, are as follows : — 
 
 1864. Baden, Belgium, Denmark, France, Italy, 
 Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Norway. 
 
 1865. England, Greece, Mecklenburg, Prussia and 
 
 Turkev. 
 
 ■f 
 
 1866. Austria, Bavaria, Hesse Darmstadt, Portu- 
 
 gal, Saxony and Wurtemburg. 
 
 1867. Russia. 
 
 1868. Pontifical States. 
 
 1874. Persia, Rournania and San Salvador. 
 
 1875. Montenegro. 
 
 1876. Servia. 
 
 1879. Argentine Republic, Chili and Bolivia. 
 
 1880. Peru. 
 
 1882. United States of America. 
 
 1884. Bulgaria. 
 
 1886. Japan. 
 
 1888. Congo Free States, Hungary and Luxem- 
 burg. 
 
 1894. Venezuela. 
 
 1895. Siam. 
 
 1896. South African Republic. 
 
 1898. Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico and Brazil. 
 
104 ireland and france. 
 
 The Navy. 
 
 Articles signed by the Great Powers in 1868, 
 Concerning the Armies on the Sea. 
 
 Article 1. The persons mentioned in Article 2 
 of the convention shall continue to do their duties 
 to the sick and wounded, after the occupation by 
 the enemy. When those persons wish to go away, 
 the commander shall fix the time of their departure. 
 He may delay it for a very short time in case of 
 necessity. 
 
 Article 2. Neutralized persons captured by the 
 army of the enemy may have their salaries paid as 
 heretofore by applying to the contending powers. 
 
 Article 3. In Articles 1 and 2 of the convention, 
 the name " ambulance " applies to field hospitals 
 and other temporary establishments which follow 
 the troops on the field of battle to receive the sick 
 and wounded. 
 
 Article 4. According to the meaning of Article 
 
 5 of the convention, about the quartering of troops 
 and the war tax, account only shall be taken of the 
 charity shown by the inhabitants, their zeal and 
 good-will, in taking care of the wounded soldiers. 
 
 Article 5. It is agreed, in addition with Article 
 
 6 of the convention, that (officers excepted) the 
 wounded captured by the enemy shall be sent back 
 to their own country, after they are cured, on con- 
 dition of not bearing arms during the war. 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 105 
 
 Article 6. During and after a battle at sea, all 
 boats which, at their own peril, pick up the ship- 
 wrecked sailors, shall be considered neutral until 
 they have reached the hospital ship, or some other 
 neutral ship. The wrecked and wounded thus 
 saved must not bear arms again during the war. 
 
 Article 7. The religious, medical and hospital 
 staff of any captured ship are hereby declared 
 neutral, and on leaving the ship may take away 
 all their private property. 
 
 Article 8. The aforesaid staff must fulfill their 
 duties in the captured ship, assisting the wounded, 
 etc. ; then they may return to their own country. 
 
 Article 9. The hospital ships are under martial 
 law as to their stores. The hospital ships belong 
 to the captor, but must not be used for any other 
 purpose during the war. Vessels intended for 
 hospital ships, and which are not armed, shall 
 enjoy the laws of neutrality, both with regard to 
 their stores and staffs. 
 
 Article 10. Merchant ships charged with the 
 removal of the sick and wounded are to be con- 
 sidered neutral. The fact of their being visited by 
 the enemy's ships renders the sick and wounded 
 incapable of bearing arms during the war. If a 
 merchant vessel carries a cargo which is not con- 
 traband, she is protected by neutrality. The bel- 
 ligerents retain the right to interdict neutralized 
 vessels from all communication, and from any 
 course which they may deem prejudicial to the 
 8 
 
106 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 secrecy of their operations. Commanders-in-chief 
 may neutralize for a time vessels intended for the 
 removal of the sick and wounded. 
 
 Article 11. Sick and wounded soldiers and sailors 
 shall be protected and taken care of by their captors, 
 no matter to what country they may belong. Their 
 return to their own country is subject to the pro- 
 vision of Article 6 of the convention, and of the 
 additional Article 5. 
 
 Article 1 2. The flag to be used with the national 
 flag is to be white, with a red cross in the centre. 
 Boats or ships displaying the white flag may claim 
 the benefits of neutrality. The belligerents may 
 exercise any mode of verification which they may 
 deem necessary. Hospital ships shall be distin- 
 guished by being painted white outside, with green 
 strake. 
 
 Article 13. The hospital ships, which are equip- 
 ped at the expense of the aid societies, recognized 
 by the governments signing this convention, and 
 which are furnished with a commission from the 
 sovereign, who shall have given express authority 
 for their being fitted out, and with a certificate 
 from the proper naval authority, that they have 
 been placed under his control during their fitting 
 out, and on their final departure, and that they 
 were then appropriated solely to the purpose of 
 their mission, shall be considered neutral, as well 
 as the whole of their staff. They shall be recog- 
 nized and protected by the belligerents. They shall 
 
IRELAND AND FRANCE. 107 
 
 make themselves known by hoisting, with their 
 national flag, the white flag with a red cross. The 
 distinctive mark of their staff, while performing 
 their duties, shall be an arm badge of the same color. 
 
 The outside painting of these hospital ships shall 
 be white with a red strake. These ships shall bear 
 aid to the wounded and wrecked belligerents with- 
 out distinction of nationality. They must not 
 interfere in any way with the movements of the 
 combatants. During and after the battle they must 
 do their duty at their own risk and peril. 
 
 The combatants shall have the right of control- 
 ling them and of visiting them ; and they will be 
 at liberty to refuse their assistance, or order them 
 to depart, and to detain them if necessary. 
 
 The wrecked sailors and soldiers, picked up by 
 these ships, cannot be claimed by either combatant, 
 but they must not fight any more during the con- 
 tinuance of the war. 
 
 Article 14. If either of the combatants takes 
 advantage of the benefits of neutrality, in naval 
 battles, with any other view than the interest of 
 the sick and wounded, the other belligerent has the 
 right to suspend the convention treaty. If it be 
 certain that such is the case, notice may be given to 
 said belligerent that the convention is suspended 
 with regard to him during the whole war. 
 
 Article 15. The present act shall be drawn up 
 in a single, original copy, which shall be deposited 
 in the archives of the Swiss confederation. 
 
108 IRELAND AND FRANCE. 
 
 An authentic copy of this act shall be delivered, 
 with an invitation to adhere to it, to each of the 
 signatory powers of the convention of the 22nd of 
 August, 1864, as well as those who have acceded 
 to it. 
 
 In faith whereof, the commissioners have drawn 
 up the present additional articles, and have affixed 
 thereto the seals of their arms. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 MARSHAL MacMAHON, 
 
 President of the French Republic, 1873. 
 
 I. — Parentage. 
 
 PATRICK MAURICE, Count de MacMahon, 
 and Duke of Magenta, who was born on 
 June 13th, 1808, at the Castle of Sully, in France, 
 belonged to the Clare MacMahons, one of the most 
 ancient families in Ireland ; their ancestors having 
 been the O'Briens, kings of Munster, of the race 
 of Heber. 
 
 The Marshal's grandfather, John-Baptist Mac- 
 Mahon, was a native of Limerick, where he was 
 born in 1715. He went to France to seek the 
 education denied him at home. Having heard that 
 an Irishman of his name had acquired fame as the 
 principal doctor of the Paris Military School, he 
 embraced that profession. Having been admitted to 
 the profession in 1739, he lived until the year 1775, 
 leaving two sons. The eldest, Charles Laurence, 
 fought with Lafayette for American freedom, became 
 a marquis and a chevalier of St. Louis, received 
 on the first restoration, in 1814, the rank of field- 
 
 109 
 
110 MAKSHAL MACMAHOtf. 
 
 marshal, and was named a peer of France in 1827. 
 He died in 1830. 
 
 Count de MacMahon, the younger son of John- 
 Baptist MacMahon, and father of the Marshal, 
 became a colonel in the famous regiment of the 
 Hussars of the Guard in 1789. He was among 
 the royalist exiles of the revolution, and afterwards 
 became the intimate friend of Charles X. Though 
 the traditions of the family were royalist, the 
 mother of MacMahon, a great-granddaughter of 
 the famous engineer, Riquet, befriended more than 
 one of the republican exiles in the days of their 
 adversity. When Courtois, of the Legislative 
 Assembly, had to fly, his orphaned daughter found 
 in the Countess de MacMahon a mother and pro- 
 tector. The Count had seventeen children, nine 
 of whom survived. There were four sons. The 
 third, who was destined for such a famous part in 
 the history of France, was born at the Castle of 
 Sully, on the 13th of June, 1808. 
 
 At the age of 17 the future Marshal entered 
 the military school of St. Cyr, from which he 
 graduated with high honors in October, 1827. In 
 January, 1830, he was made lieutenant of the 
 Fourth Hussars, and in the following April he 
 went with the Twentieth Regiment to Algiers, with 
 which country France was then at war. For his 
 brilliant conduct in the war he was made a lieu- 
 tenant in April, 1831, and in the September follow- 
 ing, received the cross of Knight of the Legion of 
 
112 MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 Honor, a rare honor then for so young a soldier. 
 The young MacMahon returned to France, and in 
 1833 was made adjutant first, and captain after- 
 wards, of the Eighth Cuirassiers. He returned to 
 Algiers in 1836, but was back in Paris in 1838, 
 when he received the unusual honor of promotion 
 in the Order of the Legion of Honor to the class 
 of officer. From 1840 to 1855 young MacMahon 
 served constantly in Algiers. As lieutenant-colonel 
 of the Foreign Legion he was engaged in all the 
 affairs against the Kabyles, from 1842 to 1844, 
 when he was appointed full colonel of the Forty-first 
 Regiment of the line, in the Province of Oran. 
 
 II. — General of Brigade. 
 
 In 1848 MacMahon was made General of Brig- 
 ade and obtained command of the Province of 
 Oran. In 1852 he was appointed to the military 
 government of Constantinople, and was promoted to 
 the rank of General of Division. When the Crimean 
 war broke out General MacMahon was at first 
 appointed to the First Corps of the Army of the 
 North. 
 
 III. — The Crimean War. 
 
 The plan of campaign being changed, however, 
 the General was sent to the Crimea in the middle 
 of 1855. MacMahon arrived just in time for glory. 
 General Pelissier was preparing for the final assault. 
 He gave the most difficult task — the storming, 
 
MARSHAL MACMAHON. 113 
 
 capture and retention of the Malakoff — to the fresh 
 troops which MacMahon brought. " Count upon 
 us, General," said the latter and his officers, when 
 the plan was unfolded to them. When the moment 
 came (September 8th, 1855) the key of Sebastopol 
 fell to their irresistible rush, and was preserved to 
 them by the cool resource of MacMahon, for the 
 first assault was but the beginning of the fight. 
 The assailants had no sooner become possessed of 
 the position than they had to arrange for its defense. 
 Again and again the Russians returned to regain, 
 if they could, the lost ground. But it was due to 
 the admirable disposition of his forces, made on the 
 spot and under fire by MacMahon, that the prize 
 was saved. His arrangements were so complete 
 that he had settled with his second in command 
 what was to be done in case MacMahon and his 
 Second Brigade were blown up. The possibility 
 was not remote — 40,000 kilogrammes of powder 
 had been placed in position and electric connec- 
 tions established. MacMahon's engineer lost not a 
 moment in discovering the latter and cutting them. 
 MacMahon had gripped the Malakoff, and would 
 not loose his hold. The capture made the defense 
 of Sebastopol impossible, and though the English 
 had failed to establish themselves under the terrible 
 fire that swept the Redan, the Russians fired the 
 town when night had fallen, and left the ruins to 
 their foes. MacMahon received for his exploit the 
 Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor, was named 
 
114 MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 Senator of France, and appointed to the command 
 of the reserves. 
 
 IV. — MacMahon Created Marshal and 
 Duke of Magenta. 
 
 In September, 1858, MacMahon was appointed 
 commander-in-chief of all the land and sea forces in 
 Algeria. Shortly after this the war with Austria 
 broke out. Early in 1859 MacMahon went to 
 Italy. On June 3rd, commanding the Second 
 Corps of the French army, he routed an Austrian 
 corps at Roechetta, and on the following day won 
 the famous battle of Magenta, which gave the Irish 
 hero his dukedom. The Emperor Napoleon III. 
 and the King of Sardinia, with 55,000 men, were 
 stoutly opposed by 75,000 Austrians, and but for the 
 timely arrival on the field of General MacMahon, 
 the allies would have been disastrously defeated. 
 For this splendid victory MacMahon was made 
 marshal. Twenty days after the battle of Magenta 
 the French and Sardinians gained another signal 
 victory over the Austrians, which was achieved 
 mainly by the skill and bravery of MacMahon, 
 and another gallant Irish general, Neill. This 
 ended the war. When peace was proclaimed 
 Marshal MacMahon returned to Paris and was 
 appointed to the command of the Lille Military 
 District. 
 
MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 115 
 
 V.— Franco-Prussian War. MacMahon's 
 Plans not Heeded. 
 
 When the Franco-Prussian war broke out in 
 the Summer of 1870, Marshal MacMahon was 
 intrusted with the command of the Second Division 
 of the grand army organized by the Emperor. 
 Marshal Bazaine had control of the other. The 
 Emperor was nominally commander-in-chief, but 
 his presence, instead of inspiring confidence, had 
 only the effect of paralyzing the action of the 
 real chiefs. On August 2nd, the headquarters of 
 the French army being then at Metz, Marshal 
 MacMahon received orders to move in an easterly 
 direction and feel the strength of the enemy. He 
 advanced as far as Woerth with 40,000 men, 
 when he found himself suddenly overwhelmed by 
 160,000 Prussians, under the Crown Prince of 
 Prussia. MacMahon's corps was separated from 
 the main army, and the Prussians pressed him 
 hard on all sides. The peril to the French was 
 great, and nothing but the most desperate fighting 
 could save them from being utterly crushed by 
 sheer brute force. MacMahon himself was to be 
 seen, when the smoke would partly clear away, 
 in the midst of showers of bullets, fighting like 
 an enraged lion. Once or twice his assaults were 
 so terrible against the Prussian line, that the 
 Crown Prince was obliged to give ground to the 
 French. For 26 hours he kept the saddle ; his 
 
116 MAESHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 horse was killed under him, and his chief of staff 
 was shot at his side. 
 
 MacMahon finally succeeded in retreating in 
 good order. His design was to fall back on Paris, 
 where, with the aid of the force already gathered 
 there, and under the control of Trochu, he felt 
 his ability to cope with the invaders. Bazaine, 
 in the meantime, was strong enough to hold Metz, 
 while the provinces could be organizing fresh 
 armies to march to the aid of MacMahon, who, 
 when he felt himself sufficiently strong, was to 
 have marched to the relief of Bazaine. This was 
 MacMahon's plan, but the stupid officials in Paris 
 ordered him to move at once to Bazaine. The 
 Emperor, whose short-sightedness and truculence 
 brought about the unnecessary and awful war, did 
 not interfere one way or the other after the Woerth 
 disaster. MacMahon, in trying to carry out his 
 superiors' orders, was driven towards Sedan, the 
 trap set for the French by Von Moltke, which 
 MacMahon himself had feared, and into which he 
 was urged by the War Directory at Paris. At 
 Sedan, MacMahon again fought with superhuman 
 energy. " To relate what MacMahon did," said a 
 French officer who was present at the battle, " is 
 impossible. Steel, fire, melted metal, explosive 
 balls, and I don't know what other infernal 
 mixtures the Prussians there made use of for the 
 first time, appeared to stream off or rebound 
 from him like hail from a roof. He went to the 
 
MARSHAL MACMAHON. 117 
 
 front seeking death. i Leave me, my friends/ he 
 said to us all, who sought to prevent him from 
 going forward, ' let me show those kings, those 
 princes, who hide behind masses of men, that a 
 Marshal of France knows how to fight, and 
 when beaten, how to die/ And he smiled upon 
 us a sad smile which made us weep and redoubled 
 our rage. Ah, miserable ! We kill, we massacre, 
 and the living appear to spring up from the dead, 
 which we heap around us. We climbed a little 
 mountain of dead bodies that we might reckon 
 how long the butchery would last. My sabre, 
 broken and reeking, fell from my hands when I 
 saw what masses we had still to deal with." 
 MacMahon was frightfully wounded, and the 
 entire French army was compelled to surrender. 
 When MacMahon had sufficiently recovered from 
 his wounds, he was confined a prisoner of war 
 at Wiesbaden, where he remained until peace had 
 been signed. 
 
 VI. — MacMahon and the Commune. 
 
 MacMahon returned to France on the 15th of 
 March, 1871, just in time to take up the most 
 painful duty that ever fell to his lot. The invader 
 had but retired when civil war blazed forth in 
 Paris, and to MacMahon was given the command 
 of the Army of Versailles, hastily assembled 
 together to recapture the capital from the Com- 
 
118 MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 munists. It was a laborious and a desperate task. 
 The army was established only on the 6th of 
 April. It began operations five days later, and 
 day by day, and night by night it moved on 
 from position to position, fighting incessantly 
 until the 29th of May. Every suburb, every 
 fort, almost every street in Paris had to be 
 recaptured, and ere the work was done, over 
 7,000 of MacMahon's army had fallen. Before 
 they were finally beaten, the Communists had 
 become incendiaries, and the devastation of Paris 
 was witnessed with exasperation by the leaders 
 of France. 
 
 " Soldiers" wrote MacMahon, when the Vendome 
 Monument had been destroyed, " the column of the 
 Vendome has just fallen. The stranger respected 
 it. The Commune of Paris has overthrown it. 
 Men who style themselves Frenchmen have dared 
 to destroy, under the eyes of the Germans who 
 watch us, that witness of the victories of your 
 fathers against combined Europe. Do they hope, 
 these unworthy assailants of the national glory, to 
 blot out the memory of those soldierly virtues of 
 which that monument was the glorious symbol? 
 Soldiers ! if the memories which that column re- 
 called to us are no longer graven upon iron, they 
 are still at least living in our hearts, and drawing 
 inspiration from them, we shall be able to give 
 France a new pledge of bravery, devotion and 
 patriotism," 
 
MARSHAL MACMAHON. 119 
 
 VII. — MacMahon Elected President of 
 the French Republic. 
 
 The work of establishing order being accom- 
 plished, MacMahon resumed his military duties. 
 The various Royalist parties hoped that he might 
 bring back the lilies of France and the White 
 flag. " Desiring to serve France alone," said 
 MacMahon, " I have loyally served every govern- 
 ment that has ruled there." He refused a nomina- 
 tion to the Senate, and devoted himself simply to 
 the work of his office as Commander-in-Chief. But 
 two years later he was compelled, by his sense of 
 duty to France, to accept the office of President 
 of the Republic. Civil war threatened within, and 
 Bismark was meditating an attack from without 
 upon the nation whose recuperative energy had 
 completely upset the calculations of the authors 
 of the brutal peace of Versailles.* He did not 
 accept it without misgiving. 
 
 " Gentlemen," said he to the delegates of the 
 National Assembly, who came to offer him the 
 Presidency, " I am not a politician ; lama soldier, 
 and the title you offer me might it not be used 
 profitably to satisfy certain diplomatic suscepti- 
 bilities? You have among you men of high merit 
 who could much better fill so delicate a position. 
 
 * Note.— France was obliged to pay Prussia $1,500,000,000 
 and also to cede Alsace and Lorraine. 
 
120 MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 I can promise to whoever would accept the func- 
 tions of chief Executive my most absolute devotion, 
 and 1 will glve my services to him without reserve 
 1 think I can be more useful to the country at the 
 head of the army." 
 
 He spoke like the loyal soldier of France that 
 he was; and it was just a loyal soldier that France 
 needed then, to rally all parties to the cause of 
 national strength and national unity. The delegates 
 of the Assembly prevailed, and in their message to 
 the Assembly they told how "it was only with 
 great difficulty that we could overcome the resistance 
 of the Marshal; but we appealed to his sense of 
 duty to the sacrifices that he had ever shown 
 himself ready to make for his country; and in 
 accepting, he has given once more proof of the 
 ardent patriotism that makes him so dear to the 
 fatherland." 
 
 "It is a heavy responsibility," declared Mac- 
 Mahon in his message of acceptance, « but with 
 the help of God, the devotion of our army, which 
 will ever be the army of the law, the support of 
 all good men, we will combine together for the 
 liberation of the territory and the re-establishment 
 of moral order in our country. We will maintain 
 internal peace and the principles upon which society 
 rests I give you the word of an honest man and 
 a soldier." 
 
 MacMahon's accession to the Presidency syn- 
 chronized with the union of the Eoyalist parties 
 
MAKSHAL MACMAHON. 121 
 
 and the coming together of the Comte de Ohambord 
 and the Comte de Paris. Some among them 
 counted upon MacMahon to restore monarchy by 
 a coup-d'etat. But MacMahon's word was the 
 word of an honest man and a soldier, and when 
 he said that the army should ever be the "army 
 of the law" he meant what he said. Having 
 accepted office from the hands of the National 
 Assembly he would be loyal to the National 
 Assembly and execute what it might decree. If 
 the National Assembly called Henry V. to the 
 throne, MacMahon would have submitted and 
 retired. But he would enter into no conspiracy, 
 and he told the friends of the Comte de Chambord 
 that, friend that he was to the House of Bourbon, 
 "were the white flag substituted for the tricolor 
 in the army the ' Chassepots ? would go off of 
 themselves." 
 
 MacMahon had resisted the invasion of the 
 constitution by Napoleon. If the Bourbons were 
 to come back it should only be through the 
 portals of the constitution. MacMahon was elected 
 for seven years, and he discharged his duties 
 faithfully. And when he quit the Presidency, it 
 was because he refused to dismiss his companions 
 in arms, in 1879, at the orders of a political party. 
 He stepped down, and out without a murmur, 
 still loyal to the voice of France. He retired to 
 the woods at La Forest a poorer man than when 
 he entered the Elysee. He had refused the 
 9 
 
122 MARSHAL MACMAHON. 
 
 125,000 francs a year, that had been voted him 
 for his traveling expenses. Learning that Presi- 
 dent Grevy was a poor man, and could not provide 
 the Elysee with the necessary services of plate, 
 he offered his own to his successor. They were 
 accepted, and still remain in the Presidential 
 residence as a proof that the second President of 
 the Republic was superior to the greed of office. 
 
 From his retirement from the Presidency, in 
 1879, until his death in October, 1893, MacMahon 
 lived a quiet, peaceful life, undisturbed by the 
 cares of public office. The valiants of the future 
 were his thoughts when other cares had gone. He 
 was offered some dignified office of state, but he 
 declined it, saying : " When a man has been first 
 in his country, he can become nothing less, except 
 it be a soldier on the frontier, facing the enemy." 
 
 The End. 
 
 Note. — The translator is indebted to the courtesy of the 
 Editor Irish World, N. Y., for permission to include in this 
 volume, the foregoing sketch of Marshal MacMahon, second 
 President of the French Eepublic.