The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-01
ENGLAND.

Fsnlanism I'm England-A Meeting of the
BrOthcrhO0d-Sccrecy Of the Pr0ceedings-
Precautions Against DisclOsure-C1ass Of
Men Belonging TO the Ordcr-I.eagues
Formed with Continental Revolutionary
Socieries-Aims and Oblects-Biding tue
Time.
LONDON, July IA, 1869.
Before proceeding with my illustrations respecting
the weakness OF English ports wish to recount
discovery although hardly know whether that
Is the right world have made within the last few
hours In common with 300 people out OF every
1000 in England had long ago come to the concu-
sion that Feniansm was dead in the land, and that
the few active agents it possessed were by this time
all upon your shores OF the Atlantic. have lately
been undeceived, and-alihough obliged 70 be In
vague and general terms-i will proceed TO tell you
how.
had, In various conversations with Irish
friend, expressed my conviction that no matter
what might take place In Ireland, In England we had
nothing whatever to fear from the working OF Fee
nanism, that, in fact, it was conspiracy that had
worked Itself up and could not be considered Of any
account, even among the many rocks and sand
banks upon which the old ship called the British
Constitution u now diving Ny friend had often
but somewhat yagueiy-t0ld Inc Vas wrong udt
one day, when challenged him 10 prove what he
said, he told me he would endeayor to enligbten me.
About week later he came to see me aud said that
would give him my solemn promise never TO
divuge the should hear of, or the locality IN
which should hear them, he would. take me TO a
meeting of some Fenian leaders, which wonid
convince me how wrong I was ia the sup
position that the conspiracy was dead, or
even dying ! made the required promise but
asked my friend whether might make use OF what
heard and saw. In WI itng, for Ar 4rlcan paper
He asked me what paper wrote fol-, ,and replied
the NEW YORK HERALD. He sal IL WAS tue best
friend The of liberty In irnd had and shat So
long as did not give any .6he to the whereabouts
OF the meeting, or TO 20 names OF those who com
posed 1t, might write fun account OF ii to youI
paper
An EVENING ITas named ana at the appointed time
my friend ,1led for me. II was already dark, and
aItel 1siing cab, my friend whispered some direc
hor To tue driver, and OIL we started. IL had beer
~ II ! now was induced to betray the meeting
10 which | was taken l could hardly do
don better. was completely confused by the turn
ings and twistIngs and turnlngs again that WI
took. AT one time thought we must be goiD!
TO the northwest ana thought recognized some o
the streets about Haverstock Hill. few minutes
later | Was convinced that we had, without NY
the small streets about Lambeth. l suppose must
have betrayed some curiosity for my friend asked
me II would object 10 be bnndf0ided, AS IL WON'T
be so much more satisfactory to him, would prevent
anything like suspicion on the part OF the members
OF the meeting aud that would only last about
quarter OF an hour. Ii lasted more. however FOL
from the time ne tied my handkerchief over M
eyes until the cab stopped period OF not less thai
i've and twenty minutes elapsed. The only clue
had as TO where we were going was the fact tina
after time perceived that the cab was no longe
on the stones, and could feel fresner air than
procurabIe Ia the streets OF London blowing On In
lace through the open window.
When the cab stopped my friend made ME TAXI
the handkerchief OF my eyes, aud we got out OF tn
vehicle | could then see that we were In the out
skirts Of London, and In one OF those p0or-lookin
streeLs OF shabby houses that FORM TO speak, To
fringe OF this great metropolis on every SIDE Blu
where we were, or In what direction we had com,
knew no more than IF had been set down ha
way to California on your Paclnc Railway. On
thing now perceived very plainly, which was tina
the cabman who had brought us there was not on
picked up hap hazard. The moment We got out
his conveyance he drove on, without waiting eve
for his fare, and upon my expressing TO nay CON
paa'on my SURPRISE ct this, he SAID It was "a
rightn
After leaving the cab we walked on for about
hundred yards and then turned into what SCENE
10 be building OF woodward. 1t was now pa,
ten +. M. and very dark, so that could hardly te
where was going. Suddenly we turned to tn
right, ana came upon door which seemed 10 be tbs
OF poor, single story house, standing In row
buildings Ike Itself. MY companion did N,
knock, out tapped at the window on the proun
door, upon which the house door was opened an
we passed through the passage TO the garden an
through the garden to the back door OF house b
yond. Here we knocked-or rather my cOmpanio
Had any one offered me million OF dollars to fin
my way from where was 70 any given point
London could not have done 30.
In minute was ushercd by my companion int
alarge room, or rather into two rooms made int
one by the folding doors between the two being lie
vida spen. Here were seated some eiGht or pE