More famous names from the toll of the dead.

Chapter XVI.

Few men were more prominent than Peter Paul MacSwiney, twice Lord Mayor of Dublin, Knight of St. Gregory the Great, and Chevalier of the Legion of Honour. He was buried at Glasnevin, on the 1st March, 1884.

A light was extinguished in the Irish Court when James Stannus Hughes died. The science of Medicine lost a gifted and devoted son by his death. He wrote ably on disease, as appears from Cameron’s “History of the College.” It is added that, “his bland manners acquired for him many friends.” James Stannus Hughes was the brother of Baron Hughes. He filled for many years the post of Surgeon to the Viceregal Household, and previously was Secretary to the College of Surgeons. His death, on June 1st, 1884, came startlingly sudden.

On October 1st following, Michael O’Shaughnessy, Q.C., County Court Judge for Clare, was buried. He was one of the first Catholics who received promotion after the Emancipation Bill of 1829. A most interesting man; his recollections of the past it was a treat to hear. He remembered boats plying between Holles Street and Leinster House, owing to the inundations of the Liffey, and would describe the emotions with which he read - posted on the gate of Trinity College - an account of the success of the allied armies at Waterloo.

Alexander Martin Sullivan, who died on October 17th, 1884, was, in many respects, a remarkable man. He succeeded Sir Gavan Duffy as editor of the *Nation, *and, like him, was subjected to more than one State prosecution. A National Testimonial was started, which he refused to accept, and though a poor man, he bestowed £300 as an initiatory subscription to the statue of Grattan by Foley, subsequently erected in front of the old House of Parliament in College Green. He contested Louth against Chichester Fortescue, who had great personal, political, and proprietorial influence in that county - and beat him. In Parliament his brilliant talents won speedy recognition. There, as elsewhere, he made many personal friends, and every friend of his he sought to make also a friend of Ireland. He got for Dublin the beautiful Museum of Science and Art. His “New Ireland” was the book of the Season; his “Story of Ireland” rivetted the attention of Englishmen by its picturesque and stirring style. He visited America and published a portion of his travels, especially in connection with Wyoming. In 1877 the Benchers of the Inner Temple conferred on him the exceptional compliment of a “Special Call to the English Bar.” To temperance he was attached with all the fervour of a belief that in it lay the secret of a social regeneration. In England, as well as Ireland, he was the premier apostle of a reform which his own life example enforced. In Octbber, 1884, the eloquent voice, which had pleaded on many remarkable occasions for Faith and Fatherland, was hushed; the busy pen that so graphically traced the joys and sorrows the triumphs and reverses of his race, fell from that guileless hand. His funeral, at Glasnevin, was attended by men who had differed widely with him on religious and political points.

“That speech recalls Grattan at his best,” said Mr. Disraeli *sotto voce, *after one of P. J. Smyth’s elaborate orations. He had formed his style on the models of 18th century eloquence, and Disraeli often came down to the House for the purpose of hearing him. “One of the best arguments against Repeal,” said Lord Beaconsfield, “is the fact that the House of Commons could not afford to lose Mr. Smyth.” His earlier education was received at Clongowes College, where he formed with T. F. Meagher an intimacy destined to be an overmastering influence on the future life of both. The youthful orator embarked in the Young Ireland movement, and gave forth that eloquence which bore favourable comparison with the best outbursts of the 18th century - tinged, no doubt, by its artifice; but also full of its fire. Smyth took the hill-side with Smith O’Brien, in Tipperary. Several Young Irelanders were sent into penal servitude, but Smyth, disguised as a drover, escaped to America. Mitchell had been for some years suffering penal exile when Smyth conceived the romantic idea of effecting his rescue. Smyth, who had inherited ample means from his father, chartered a ship to Tasmania, and discovered Mitchell, who had been allowed at large on parole. Both presented themselves, armed, at the official residence of the police magistrate; Mitchell handed in a resignation of his parole; the justice stood scared by the suddenness of the intrusion, while Smyth and Mitchell remounted their horses and, after many adventures, arrived in the United States. The enterprise was discussed by the Press with the zest of a highly-spiced romance. Opinions differed as to whether Mitchell kept within the bounds of honour; but no one could fail to recognise the devoted friendship of Smyth, and the daring and adventurous spirit which he showed.

Smyth was not the man to make a matter-of-fact marriage. He met his wife in Tasmania, and he found uninterrupted happiness in her companionship. In 1871 he was returned to Parliament for Westmeath, which he continued to represent for nine years. Meanwhile, Mitchell received permission to return, and was elected Member of Parliament for Tipperary. Among other important boons wrung by Smyth from the Legislature was the repeal of the Convention Act, and he had very nearly obtained the restoration of the Irish Volunteers. “As uncompromising opponents of his principles and party,” writes the *Daily Express, *“we watched his struggles with the more interest, because he was always an open, manly, and honourable foe; and we could not but sympathise with him in his earnest, but hopeless struggle against the tyranny and suffering which, we believe, ultimately broke his heart.” This alludes to the persistency with which he denounced the Land League. Democrats accused him of having deserted his principles; but Smyth retorted that it was the followers of the League, not he, who deserted them. His last appearance in public was at the College Philosophical Society, when he delivered a telling speech. Leaving the heated hall for the cold night air, he contracted a chill, and never left his bed alive. He died on January 12th, 1885, aged 64. The Marchioness of Queensbery, Lord Douglas, and Lady Dixie were among those who contributed to the wreaths and crosses which covered his coffin.

The funeral of Thomas, Lord O’Hagan, K.P. - the first Catholic Lord Chancellor since the Revolution - was one of the solemn incidents of 1885. The remains had arrived from England for interment in Glasnevin, and were accompanied by Lady O’Hagan, Colonel MacDonnell, and Mr. Cashel Hoey, who, soon after, passed away himself. The *cortege, *before arriving at the Cemetery, was met by the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; Mr. (now Sir) Courtney Boyle, Ross of Bladensburgh, A.D.C., and Major Byng, A.D.C., afterwards Lord Torrington. Amongst the chief mourners were Lord Abingdon, Lord Lennox, Lord Norreys, Lord E. Talbot, and Mr. Justice O’Hagan, whose own funeral followed ere long. Lord Spencer also walked with the chief mourners. The Provost of Trinity College, with a great number of bishops and judicial personages, attended. The burial took place on February 6th, 1885. Lord Chancellor O’Hagan was reputed to have been the finest orator of his day, and his orations on “Irish Music,” on “Moore,” and many other National themes, will not soon pass into oblivion. These cultured efforts have been collected and edited by Mr. George Teeling.

Within a few weeks, namely, on March 9th, 1885, another public funeral was seen traversing the route to Glasnevin. The hearse on this Occasion bore the ashes of Rev. Dr. Cahill, a distinguished scientist and pulpit orator, who had died in America 20 years before. It was drawn by six horses, escorted by outriders. The site for Dr. Cahill’s grave, in which his remains are interred, was granted free by the Committee of the Cemetery.

The name of Cardinar MacCabe, Archbishop of Dublin, occurs in the list of those who paid the last tribute of respect to the memory of Lord O’Hagan. Seven days later the Cardinal’s funeral *cortége *was seen wending its way from his late residence at Kingstown, to the Pro-Cathedral, Dublin. Here the remains lay in state. The walls were draped in black and white; the floor was covered with crimson cloth, which contrasted effectively with the funereal aspect of the church. The throne, so often occupied by the dead Cardinal, was draped with crape - the black vestments; the shrouded pulpit; the catafalque, with its burthen; suggested so much that was sad and touching, and the solemn notes of the *Requiem, *made the occasion one not soon to be forgotten. On the coffin lay the scarlet *biretta; *at its foot reposed the Cardinal’s hat. His last words were a request that he might be buried without pomp, and in “the poor ground” at Glasnevin. The procession, however, took half a day to reach the Cemetery, On 17th February, 1885, and, though the ground was covered with snow and slush, many thousands followed on foot. It so happens that what was the poor ground, soon after the Cemetery was established, faces the present new entrance, and the right of burial in graves there had not been acquired. Here it was that the site for the repose of the remains of His Eminence was selected and freely granted by the Cemeteries Committee, and over the plot a remarkable monument to the Cardinal - designed by Sir Thomas Drew, Architect, and sculptured by the chisel of Sir Thomas Farrell - arrests attention. The ground, once remote and obscurely situated, is now the reverse, and contains - as well as other striking objects - the Mortuary chapel, previously dedicated by the Cardinal himself. [This great hierarch had often visited the Cemetery, and mused among its monuments. Addressing a Member of the Board, in 1878, he wrote:- “The generation that has grown up amidst the political triumphs which this century has witnessed, can scarcely realise their full bearing. History alone, by contrasting the Ireland of O’Connell’s early years and the Ireland of today, will be able to give a picture of the triumph of his policy; triumphs achieved without a drop of blood - without a crime - for the grand maxim he inculcated was that the man who committed a crime was his country’s worst enemy. Truly, there are sermons in stones when we turn to the walls of the Catholic Cemeteries. Many were beginning to forget how intimately our great Cemetery was bound up with the stirring events of Irish history; its records revive the memories of men and times on which Catholic Ireland should love to dwell.”]

Charlotte Duchesse de Saldanha, mother-in-law of Mr. Goulbourne Walpole, was borne to Glasnevin, 27th January, 1886.

Lady Kane was buried 1st March, 1886. As Miss Kate Baily, she won distinction by her “Irish Flora,” a clever book on botany, used as a class-book in Trinity College. Her uncle, Francis Baily, was Vice-President of the Royal Society, and one of the founders of the Astronomical Society, whose “Life” has been written by Sir John Herschel. Her mother was the sister of Mathias O’Kelly, who did so much for the Cemeteries of Glasnevin and Golden Bridge. Miss Baily became the wife of Sir Robert Kane, F.R.S., and the mother of the present Judge Robert Romney Kane.

Patrick Joseph Blake, Q.C., County Court Judge for Fermanagh had made his mark at the Bar, to which he was called in 1837. He died May 23rd, 1886. Blake’s monument is in the O’Connell Circle.

The next funeral of any note was that of the Right Rev. Monsignor Farrell, in October, 1886. Genial, cultured, and hardworking - few men, clerical or lay, passed away leaving behind them brighter or happier memories. He was a valued member of the Board of the Cemetery for 21 years.

Professor Kavanagh, who made a considerable stir in his day, was buried at Glasnevin on October 2, 1886. A native of Kilkenny, he came early to Dublin, and entered the service of the National Board of Education, under which, while yet a young man, he became Head Inspector. This post he long held with distinction, and, at last, resigned it on a matter of principle. He then became Professor of Mathematics at the Catholic University, of which Cardinal Newman was Rector. Kavanagh was specially identified with Catholic Primary Education, and his “Catholic Case Stated” - forcibly appealing for religious educational equality-rivetted attention to the question. He was a journalist, too, as well as a contributor to the *Catholic Review *and the *Catholic American, *owned by his son-in-law, Commendatore Hickey. He was a frequent speaker at the Statistical and other learned Societies. The death of his son by a gun accident, and of his daughter, a nun, hastened his own end.

Three brothers named Lentaigne were, at the period of the French Revolution, firm adherents of the ill-fated King Louis XVI. Joseph and Jean, died under the guillotine. Benjamin, the youngest, escaped to England, afterwards settled as a physician in Dublin, and became father of the late Right Hon. Sir John Lentaigne, whose career in Ireland was marked by philanthropy and success. Born in 1803, during the throes of Emmet’s Rebellion, he was one of the first pupils received at Clongowes College. His father had something to do with prisons, and attended Wolfe Tone when dying in his dungeon from a self-inflicted wound. John in due time became member of the Prisons Board, and in this capacity took Dr. Madden to see the cell in which Lord Edward Fitzgerald heaved his last sigh.

Lentaigne evinced a practical interest in the Industrial Exhibitions of 1853, 1865, and 1871, not less than in Irish archaeology; was President of the Statistical and Zoological Societies; and a Commissioner of National Education; but it was as Inspector-General of Prisons and Reformatory and Industrial Schools in Ireland that Sir John Lentaigne will be best remembered.

In 1852 Lentaigne contested the representation of the County Dublin with two Tories of the old school, Taylor and Hamilton, who regarded it as an impregnable citadel. The attempt proved a forlorn hope, but was marked by gallantry and courage. [Lentaigne polled 1370 votes; Col. Taylor, 1939.] He served as High Sheriff of Monaghan, possessed great influence with successive Viceroys, and finally he was created a Privy Councillor. He wore its gorgeous dress but once; it soon gave place to the shroud, and on 15th November, 1886, Sir John Lentaigne was buried at Glasnevin.

James Burke, A.B., barrister, had the start of Lord John Russell as biographer of Moore. He had previously prepared for publication the “Life of Peter Burrowes.” Burke’s best book is a continuation of “Lingard’s History of England.” He also edited the “Speeches of Edmund Burke.” He died December 1st, 1886, aged 67.

The career of Martin Haverty was not uninteresting. Born in 1809, and aspiring to enter the priesthood, he received his education in the Irish College, Paris. But theology was soon relinquished, and thenceforth he applied himself to literary pursuits. In 1836 he joined the staff of the *Freeman’s Journal. *He is next found on the *Morning Chronicle, *an influential London journal, founded by John Black. An extended tour through Spain, Italy, and Algiers was made the subject by Haverty of graphic newspaper correspondence, in which he gave interesting accounts of his travels and experiences.

But Ireland was always before his thoughts; his day-dream was to write its history, and, with this object, constantly sought to collect new material in his wanderings. The researches of O’Donovan and O’Curry had shed a flood of light upon the subject; but the knowledge thus developed was still unavailable for general readers until Haverty, in 1860, brought out his History. Shortly before his death, on 18th January, 1887, a second edition was issued under his supervision.

He was elected by the Benchers to the post of Assistant-Librarian of the King’s Inns, Dublin, where by his urbanity and readiness to afford information he earned the respect of the Bar and law students generally. He was the brother of Joseph Haverty, the well-known artist, [Buried at Glasnevin July 30th, 1864.] whose full-length portrait of O’Connell hangs in the Reform Club. This picture, with one representing a monster Repeal meeting, has been published as an engraving, as well as several studies of peasant life, including the “Limerick Piper.”

A handsome monument, in the Garden Section, to John Nolan, who died at New York in 1887, records that he was an able colleague with Isaac Butt in founding the Home Rule Association. We also learn that the column was erected as an “Humble tribute of gratitude by one whom he helped to release from England’s prisons, and who honours the memory of a true soldier of Irish Liberty.” The name of the generous donor is Michael Davitt.

On October 6th, in the same year, was buried Professor Robert Campbell, formerly Anglican Canon of St. Ninian’s, Perth. His handsome monument, it is stated, was erected by his grateful pupils.

The death of William Bannon, on April 11th, 1887, is recorded on a prominent stone in the Dublin Section. The monument, we are told, “Is raised by the managers of the principal Dublin Hospitals in grateful remembrance of the munificent bequests of which they were the recipients.”

The post of Inspector of Anatomy, which had been created 1834, to check improper traffic in the dead, was filled for many years by Daniel F. Brady, F.R.C.S.I. He was besides an active magistrate and politician. He died on January 16th, 1888.

Lady Mary Murray, who was buried at Glasnevin Cemetery on March 5th, 1888, represented a not unimportant stock. “You ask me about my mother’s people,” writes Mrs. Fox, of Kilcoursey; “Her maiden name was Allen, but her parents died when she was very young. Her mother’s brother was the late Charles McGarel, of Belgrave Square, London, and Magheramourne, Co. Antrim, from which place Sir James McGarel Hogg (Mr. McGarel’s wife’s brother, to whom he left the place and an enormous fortune [£75,000 a year. The burial service of the Protestant Church was, of course, recited at her grave. Lady Mary, though Mrs. McGarel’s nearest relation, was not remembered in her will.]), took the title of Lord Magheramourne. My mother (his sister’s child) and I were his only blood relations at the time of his death; but in this case blood was not thicker than water.”

In the Garden Section rests the Rev. Patrick Yorke, M.R.I.A., who will be remembered for his untiring labours for the preservation of the Irish language, and some lectures and papers which aimed to throw a new light on certain curious points of Irish history. He died on March 29th, 1888, in the 23rd year of his ministry.

Few men were better known and liked than Leonard Morrogh, Master of the Ward Hounds, who died, 13th January, 1889, from an accident in the hunting field, near Sleedagh, Co. Wexford. Mr. Leonard Morrogh was laid to rest not far from the tomb of Charles Brindley, who, as the inscription states, “Was for many years the huntsman of the Ward hounds,” and died at Ashbourne in January, 1879.

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