Lord Mayor dies in office, Surgeon O'Reilly,  Fr. Doran drowned.

Chapter XII.

Denis Phelan, M.D., Assistant Poor Law Commissioner, who was buried at Glasnevin on May 23rd, 1871, is described by Sir John Gray, M.D., as “a thoroughly good man - may we not say a great man, if to have worked through a long life with an unparalleled success for the benefit of the poor, gives a right to the name. He was the Irish Howard, devoting himself incessantly not alone to poor prisoners merely, but to the whole mass of our countless destitute. In early life an unknown practitioner in a small provincial town, Dr. Phelan, feeling acutely the deficiencies of the dispensaries of that day, took upon himself with a generous courage, the arduous task of making, at his own cost and peril, a general inspection of the dispensaries in every county of Ireland. The result was a remarkable work, ‘The Medical Charities of Ireland’ in which one is at a loss whether to admire most its painstaking accuracy, or its honest, uncompromising truthfulness. It is mainly owing to this book, and to Dr. Phelan’s subsequent and unremitting labours in the same field, that our Irish dispensary system has attained its present high repute, far above that of either of our more favoured sisters, Scotland or England To Dr. Phelan the country is further mainly indebted for that most valuable boon, the workhouse fever hospital, which supplied a crying want, and gives most opportune relief to thousands, not of the extremely destitute only, but of the whole humbler classes in the rural districts, whose only resource in fever cases had been the far-off county infirmary. Upon our lying-in hospitals, too, he has left his mark, the benevolent mark of the kindly reformer, and recent strictures of his on that matter will probably have the effect of saving many valuable lives. As a Poor-law official it would be hard to appreciate duly, impossible to commend too highly, Dr. Phelan’s untiring industry, his minute carefulness, his zealous and anxious devotion to duty. As an Irishman, he was a genuine patriot an ardent lover of his country, and always took, as long as the field was open to him, an active and influential part in tine performance of every civic duty. And so, in the fullness of time (he had completed his 86th year), going to meet the great reward of a well-spent life, he passed on painlessly to the spiritual world, it being exactly true that he gently and almost imperceptibly ’ slept in the Lord’ - obdormivit in Domino,”

Sir John Gray, no doubt, derived his information from Dr. Phelan’s son-in-law, John Edward Pigot, who, a few weeks later, followed him to the tomb. Pigot was the eldest son of Chief Baron Pigot, and adopted the law as a profession. But, with a brilliant career before him, he preferred to give his sympathies and talents to politics, and - partly influenced by Meagher, of whom be continued the trusted friend to the end - joined the party of Young Ireland. He had acquirements to be exercised only among highly-educated minds, and he was prodigal in help to toilers in the scantily cultivated field of Irish literature. [Eugene O’Curry in the preface to his Lectures on the “Manuscript Materials for Ancient Irish History,” after acknowledging his valuable assistance in their plan and original preparation, declares (p. xii.) that in addition he owes Mr. Pigot “the untiring devotion of the vast amount of time and trouble involved in the task his friendship undertook for me, of correcting the text, and preparing for, and passing through the press the whole of this volume.”] His own contributions to the *Nation *- under the signature of “Fermoy” - were of a high order. He came to know Denis Florence M’Carthy, by whom he was consulted as to the title of a popular serial he projected. “Call it Pigot’s Penny Pike,” replied the irrepressible humourist. By desire of his father, Pigot proceeded to India, where he obtained a large bar practice; but ill-health compelled his return, and after a short residence in Dublin, he passed away. He died on July 1st, 1871, aged 49.

Glasnevin Cemetery, on June 16th, 1871, was the scene of an unusual and somewhat touching spectacle. The first Lord Mayor who had died in office during the century, was laid to rest. In the full plenitude of mental and physical powers, Patrick Bulfin passed out of life almost at his entrance on a public career, which promised to be one of rare value to his fellow citizens. The coffin had been removed from the church of St. Andrew, covered with a black pall, and bearing the fur-trimmed red robe, wand, and other insignia of his office. “The black with which the church was draped,” observes the Rev. George Wheeler, Rector of Ballysax, who at that time wrote for a leading journal, “the mournful requiems which were chanted, the solemn processions and noble impressive ritual in which a vast body of clergy took part, with a Cardinal presiding, gave fit and adequate expression to the public sense of the loss sustained by Dublin in the premature death of its upright and munificent Chief Magistrate. The vast area of the church was crowded by citizens of all ranks, anxious to testify their respect for the dead, and reverentially assisting at those solemn and touching services of which Rome so eminently possesses the secret.”

The tomb of James Duffy, the publisher, is found on the main walk of the Dublin Section. The inscription will derive its chief interest from the fact that it was penned by a highly distinguished writer, the Rev. C. P. Meehan:- “Beneath lies all that was mortal of James Duffy, J.P., who passed out of this life, July 4th, 1871, aged 62 years. Pray for him, O reader, for he deserved well of religion and country - his devotional publications have instructed many unto salvation, and the historic works he published have exalted the character of his native land, and saved its saints and heroes from oblivion. A benefactor to the altar, and a true man to Ireland he merits your prayers.”

The Hon. Martin Ffrench, aged 78 years, of Ballinamore Park, Ballinaslee, Deputy Lieutenant and J.P., Co. Galway, was buried 30th November, 1871. He had ably worked with O’Connell in the struggle for Emancipation. One of the finest architectural ornaments which in recent years have adorned Dublin, is the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. It had been barely finished under the auspices of John Bourke, F.R.I.A., when death took him away. His heart was in the good work, and he bequeathed his money to carry it to completion. Bourke was buried at Glasnevin, November 14th, 1871.

He had been preceded to the tomb by a man of great energy and intelligence, who had often been associated with his architectural works: On March 29th, 1871, Patrick J. Murphy who had beautifully carried out the restoration of the crumbling old cathedral of St. Patrick, in Dublin - was laid to rest.

The enemies of Mr. Justice Keogh declared that he had little heart; but they knew not the man. They remembered only a volcanic utterance at Galway, which all but sent an earthquake through the land. One day, at Glasnevin, a new and fair feature in his character was revealed -“I do not remember to have witnessed anything more painful than the emotions by which that man was torn when the corpse of his daughter was consigned to the vault,” said Father Tom Burke. “His paroxysms of grief could hardly be realised by anyone who had previously known him, and never had I a more difficult task to discharge than in trying to bring him away. There were circumstances, of which the world knew nothing, which lent to her early departure a special sadness. A son of Sir Robert Kane, who had just won a brilliant reputation in Naval science, was betrothed to Miss Keogh. When leaving a heated ball-room she caught cold, and on August 17th, 1871, rapidly succumbed to congestion of the lungs. On a marble tablet, over vault 26 in the O’Connell Circle, is inscribed:- “To our beloved Jessie. - Her father and mother, William and Kate Keogh.” Judge Keogh was a man of large mind, with a Demosthenic eloquence united to social gifts of a high order.

Mr. Justice Lynch, whose funeral arrived from 27 Merrion Square, South, on the 21st December, 1872, was the son of David Lynch, a Dublin merchant, well-known for his advanced liberal views, and one of the most prominent supporters of Daniel O’Connell. The future judge became Chairman of Louth in 1857; Bankruptcy Judge in 1859; and Judge of the Landed Estates Court in 1867. At the Bar an able and strenuous advocate, he proved on the bench a most painstaking judge.

The career of Patrick Joseph Murray, B.L., editor of the *Irish Quarterly Review, *biographer of John Banim, and finally Director of Convict prisons, came to a premature end on February 8th, 1873. He was a man of sound critical *acumen *and great energy of character. He had as his colleague in the serial first mentioned, J. T. Gilbert, LL.D., whose *début *as an historic writer of great research and charm, was made in its pages. Many of Murray’s writings were given to the subject of reformatory and prison discipline, on which he was recognised as an authority. His life of Banim is inscribed to Sergeant Armstrong, Q.C. Murray had not attained the age of fifty.

His *collaborateur *in literature, Michael Merriman, B.L., preceded him by a few weeks, and his handsome tomb, inscribed, 30th December, 1872. *Aetat *41,” will be found in the old Chapel Circle.

“A pleasanter book I have not read for many a day.” So wrote W. M. Thackeray of “The Legends of Mount Leinster,” by Patrick Kennedy. Many other volumes followed in the wake of its success - notably, “Fictions of the Irish Colts,” “Evenings in the Duffry,” and “Banks of the Boro.” Some of these have been lately reprinted by Macmillan. As a graphic delineator of Irish rural life, Patrick Kennedy has seldom been surpassed. Originality, a quaint, sly humour and raciness, combined with a simple philosophy, characterise his style. Mr. Routledge, recognising these qualifications, engaged him to edit “The Book of Modern Irish Anecdotes.” “English and Scotch Awa’” followed: and Kennedy expressed a hope that they would all contribute in drawing the social bonds which unite the three peoples still closer. When James Sheridan LeFanu, author of “Uncle Silas,” became owner of the *University Magazine, *he was proud to hail Kennedy as one of his best hands. It may be added that he reviewed books for the *Mail; *but always in a genial and indulgent spirit. Kennedy had been one of Murray’s staff on the *Irish Quarterly: *and it is rather a coincidence that he should so promptly have followed his leader to Glasnevin; but, unlike Murray, Kennedy had reached four score and ten. His last moments are not likely to have been racked by remorse for, as Alfred Webb casually remarks: “His works are singularly pure;” adding, “he was widely known and respected by the literary world of Dublin.” He died, March 28th, 1873.

From the date of Sir James Murray’s appointment, in 1834, as first Inspector of Anatomy, under a new Act regulating the practice of that science, a complete stop was put to the desecration of the dead by “Resurrectionists,” instances of which have been already detailed. It was not until the 8th of Decemher, 1871, that this able physician closed a career of great usefulness. Born at Derry, in 1788, one of his earliest discoveries in the field of chemistry, was in connection with fluid magnesia, from which scores of pharmacopolists have since made fortunes. Lord Anglesey, an old Waterloo hero, of whom it was literally true that he had one leg in the grave - filled the post of Irish Viceroy in 1831: and having consulted Dr. Murray, received so much relief from his treatment, that he remained his medical adviser for some years. In 1835 he was gazetted for the same post under Lord Normanby, and in 1839 to Viscount Ebrington, both Lords Lieutenant of Ireland. Sir James Murray wrote several books on Medical science, and was Physician to the Anglesey and Netterville hospitals.

Philip Lawless, B.L., was a popular man in clubland and elsewhere; but probably the chief interest awakened at his funeral on July 5th, 1872, centered in the fact that he was the nephew and representative of “Honest Jack Lawless,” the hero of Ballybay; an intrepid colleague of O’Connell in the struggle for Emancipation.

At a public dinner in Dublin, December 26th, 1833, O’Connell said, in proposing the health of Mr. W. J. Battersby, that “he had published one of the most eminently useful books that had ever appeared on the subject of the Legislative Union; and which should not be out of the hands of any English or Scotch man.” This book, called ” ‘the Rise and Fall of Ireland,” evinced a sound spirit of nationality, combined with an extensive range of statistical and political knowledge. From Battersby’s research, many recent leaflets on Home Rule seem to have been compiled. His book “The Church,” and another called “‘the Priesthood Vindicated,” are also marked by industry and *acumen. *His “History of the Irish Jesuits” contains a mass of biographic detail, highly useful for reference: and the same remark applies to his “History of all the Abbeys, Convents, Churches, and Religious Houses of the Augustinian Order in Ireland.” Battersby was buried at Glasnevin on February 6th, 1873. His reminiscences of men he had known promised to be an amusing book, judging by a *resumé *of its contents, which appeared shortly before his death.

Surgeon O’Reilly, a very successful professional man, who amassed a large fortune by his profession, died at this time.

A monument in the Dublin Section, bearing date, A.D. 1874, and erected by Sir Robert Gerard, Bart. (subsequently Lord Gerard), commemorates some members of his sept, including Mr. and Mrs. Walmsly, who have been laid beneath it.

William Justin O’Driscoll, stored with traditions of Plunket, Curran, Burrowes, O’Grady, and the Pennefathers, claimed to know the secret story of cases heretofore veiled, and was “up” in curious precedents. Three years before his death he came forward in a new character. He wrote the life of Daniel Maclise, R.A. ‘this book was offered with diffidence to the public. “Engaged in a laborious profession, and long unaccustomed to literary work, I should have shrunk from the task,” - he writes “But as one of the very few persons, now living, whose familiar friendship with Maclise commenced in boyhood, and continued uninterrupted to his death, I thought it not impossible that my recollections of his earlier years might enable me to impart some interest to a record of his life.” Maclise’s family had given O’Driscoll access to a large mass of his correspondence, where all his thoughts and feelings lay mirrored. A large number of letters addressed by Dickens to Maclise were, however, omitted, partly on the ground that Dickens had himself destroyed what, in his letter to O’Driscoll, he describes as “an immense correspondence,” “because,” adds Dickens, “I considered it had been held with me, and not with the public, and also, because I could not answer for its privacy being respected when I should be dead.” This letter is dated May 18th, 1870. Ten days later Dickens lay dead at Gad’s Hill. It may not be too much to say, that had O’Driscoll’s book contained this suppressed correspondence, the work, instead of enjoying ephemeral popularity, would have lived for all time. O’Driscoll’s death, not very long after, came upon his friends as a surprise. He was buried at Glasnevin, May 6th, 1874.

The funeral, at this time, of the Rev. Francis Doran, Pastor of St. Agatha’s, Dublin, was very touching. He had accompanied some friends on a pleasure trip in Dublin Bay, and was drowned. Four plots will be found to the west of the Mortuary chapel, given by the Committee to the Magdalen Asylum for Female Penitents, Lower Gloucester Street; to the Confraternity of Our Blessed Lady of Mount Carmel, Clarendon Street; and to the respective female orphanages of St. Joseph, and of St. Vincent de Paul, North William Street. Father Doran had often expressed a wish to be buried amongst the orphans, whom he loved and shielded; and here his grave may be seen.

A more material mark of honour distinguishes the grave of a man with kindred instincts. A marble statue, by Cahill, of Father Fay, founder of a large orphanage in St. Catherine S Parish, Dublin, represents him pleading for two scantily clad children. The graves of both tend to recall the lines:-

His bones, when they have run their course and sleep in blessings,

Shall have a tomb of orphans’ tears shed over them.”

“It will be noticed in very many other instances,” writes Mr. Mark O’Shaughnessy, B.L., “how the Irish people’s constant, undying affection for the ‘Soggarth aroon’ finds expression even when his devotion to them in their sickness as in their health, in their poverty and trouble as in their times of prosperity and happiness, can be experienced no more. To perpetuate his memory, to express their love, the humble give their pennies the better circumstanced their pounds.”

A career of much usefulness was cut short on April 4th, 1875, by the death of Laurence Waldron. A member of the Bar; a Commissioner of National Education; in Parliament representing the county of Tipperary; holding, at different periods, the office of High Sheriff; a Magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant, Mr. Waldron brought no ordinary experience of affairs, as well as no common abilities, to the service of the Catholic Cemeteries Board of which he was a member.

Another public man disappeared from our midst within the next few days. Sir John Gray, M.P., whose statue, in Sackville Street, is a triumph of Farrell’s chisel, was an earnest, untiring worker for the moral, political, material and social advancement of his country. The earliest sketch of Gray appears in Grant’s “Ireland and the Irish,” published in 1843, and Sir Gavan Duffy’s “Four Years of Irish History” completes the portrait. He died at Bath, April 9th, 1875, and was buried at Glasnevin.

“Since the funeral of O’Connell,” records the *Mail, *“never has there been so large a concourse to honour the memory of a public man.” The impressive burial service of the Protestant Church was read by the Rev. W. G. Carroll, Rector of St. Bride’s. In Parliament Sir John Gray took an active part in helping to make the Church and Land Bills pass. As a journalist he laboured unceasingly to promote the material welfare of Ireland, not less than the cause of sanitary reform and the general improvement of Dublin. The governing body of the Cemetery, in appreciation of his public services, made a grant of a £200 vault in perpetuity. His widow placed above it a fine monument of Sicilian marble, inscribed: “He is not dead but sleepeth.” It consists of a sculptured shaft crowned with a massive bust of Gray. The likeness not alone preserves the lineaments but conveys somewhat of the thought, purpose and character of the man. The faces of the shaft beneath are carved with four figures, each typifying some of the great purposes to which Sir John Gray gave up his life. Foremost appears the beautiful spirit of the Vartry, bestowing her rich tide on the city. At one side is the figure of enfranchised Religion, trampling her fetters under foot; at the other a lovely Irish maiden gleaning the fruits of a land blessed with security and peace; and the remaining panel is sculptured with the image of Education, spreading her teaching abroad out of an open book, while her finger points heavenwards to the greater lesson to be learned above. Gray’s waterworks for Dublin was the pioneer of great sanitary improvement of the same class that has since taken place throughout England and Ireland. The *Athenaeum, *which usually confines its leaders to men of letters, paid Gray the compliment of an extended notice. It recognised ” his versatility and readiness of expression. He was a remarkable, and in many respects, a singular man. Without the rigidity or sectarianism of Ulster Anglo-Saxonism, he possessed in an eminent degree the logical and self-reliant characteristics of the race. Ardently attached to scientific enquiry, many of his leisure hours were devoted to chemical and mechanical pursuits, and his rare versatility in arithmetical calculation gave him great advantages in council and debate. His decease at the comparatively early age of 60 years is ascribed in a great degree to his unresting love of work, and the earnestness with which he entered into all he put his hand to do.”

The well-known Catholic accoucheur, Dr. Thos. McKeever, died, aged 84, May 31st, 1875. He lived in Cavendish Row opposite the Rotunda Hospital, in which he had once presided and lectured. He possessed a fine literary taste as his Commonplace Book shews.

Another man of much activity, though his work lay in a different walk, was the Rev. James Gaffney, M.R.I.A., whose grave is marked by a handsome Celtic cross, erected by admirers of his life and worth. At the conclusion of his theological course in Maynooth, he was elected to the Dunboyne Establishment, and whilst there it became his duty to lecture, in place of the professors, to more than one class of students, and in more than one branch of the College curriculum. His first mission was at Lusk, where his love of archaeology had ample food. From thence he was transferred to Swords and Malahide. Here he revelled in historic memories and legends, as he scaled the battlements of the first, or roamed along the sea-girt strand of “Gay Malahide.” Among his lectures was one on Edmund Burke. On being transferred to a wider sphere of duty - namely, Clontarf, Raheny, and Coolock - his death occurred, January 4th, 1876, aged 53. He was killed by being thrown out of his trap after his horse had bolted. At the time he met his fate, he was engaged in the preparation of a lecture on some Irish hagiological explorations, which he had made at Ratisbonne.

The Centenary of O’Connell was celebrated on August 6th, 1875, by a procession to Glasnevin, thoroughly national in the fullness of its representation and ardour. But it was more than national in its constituent character, for troops of foreigners assisted in the tribute rendered to him whose labours were cosmopolitan in their scope, and had for their end the good of all mankind. Celt, Scot, and Saxon, the old world and the new, the antipodes, the free sons of the United States, the children of Canada fraternised. All hereditary jealousies of race were forgotten in this Fete of Freedom. Pilgrims from afar knelt in thanksgiving at the Tribune’s shrine, or entered practical protest against some iron-arm injustice which still weighed them down. Never were posthumous honours paid in a worthier way, for heart as well as form were features in the celebration. Those who remember the monster gatherings at Tara and Mullaghmast, declared that in splendour and vastness both were eclipsed that day. The then recently missed figure of Gray, who had been the fellow-worker as well as the fellow-prisoner of O’Connell, suggested very natural emotions.

Matthew O’Donnell, Q.C., was a man to whose legal lore and industry lawyers are largely indebted. He was equally at home in Equity and Common Law. In 1840 he published an analytical digest of all the Irish equity cases, &c., &c., and six years later two volumes of “Addenda” appeared. In 1844 he compiled a treatise on the law of all actions and suits within the jurisdiction of the Civil Bill Court, and the principles, pleading, and evidence relating thereto (pp. 872). This was followed in 1851 by a second book on County Court practice, under the then new Act, 14 and 15 Victoria. He presided for many years as Chairman of Westmeath, and died January 20th, 1876, aged 62.

A week or two after came David Fitzgerald, a distinguished member of another branch of the legal profession. Few men were better known or more highly regarded: his brother, later on, occupied a seat in the House of Lords. A tomb in the chapel circle is inscribed: “Pray for the soul of David Fitzgerald, who was born, 2nd August, 1812, died February 6th, 1876.” On the same monument we read: “To the memory of David Fitzgerald, of Fleet Street, merchant, who died the 22nd July, 1843, aged 56 years. We learn from Madden’s “Lives of the United Irishmen” that he was in the confidence of Robert Emmet, and in November of 1803 was committed to the Tower on a charge of high treason. But, like Emmet, he was a mere stripling, and on the humane intervention of Judge Daly, with his Attorney-General, O’Grady, afterwards Lord Guillamore, he regained his liberty.

O’Connell was arrested at his house in Merrion Square, at ten o’clock on the morning of January 19, 1831. An Act had been recently passed by which a power was vested in the Viceroy to prohibit by proclamation any meeting which he should deem dangerous to the public peace. It was a time of great excitement. Revolutions swept all over Europe; thrones rocked, kings were abdicating. The Government sought to grapple with O’Connell. Informations having been sworn before Major Sirr, O’Connell was, as he said, dragged like a common felon to the Police Court. The proceedings are given at much length in the various lives of O’Connell. Finally, he was required to give bail; one of his securities was William Fitzpatrick of Dame Street, a popular public man. An immense crowd had assembled, through which the Liberator, finding it hopeless to struggle, took refuge in Fitzpatrick’s house, and from the dining-room window addressed the surging Crowd. Fitzpatrick continued active throughout a long life. His tomb records his name, but no date. From the Register it appears that he died at the age of 103, on November 28th, 1877. He was a type of the respectable middle class, who gave a steady, practical support and strength to O’Connell’s great political engine-moral force.

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