The Irish standard., 1888-01-28
WILLIAM SMITH 0'BRlEN
Graves and Monuments of IL
lustrious and Patriotic
Irishmen.
0'BRIEN WAS BORN In 1903.
His Grandfather, Sir Lucius, Was Scion
Of the Inchiquin Branch Of
the Family.
by w. +, Wakenlan. j

BY W. +, Wakenlan.
Amongst leading men OF the Younf
/ Ireland epoch, which may be said tt
have eliminated III 1913, certainly one
of the most prominent Was William
Smith O'Brien. [ do not now essay tc
write history of the political career
Of chat distinguished IrisLman, but as
since the period Of his rather premature
death considerable number Of years
have passed, the publication OF few
remarks from the pen of one who, as a
young and unpohtioal man, had the
pleasure Of meeting him in private 50.
oiely may not be uninteresting tt
the readers Of the Evening Iele.
graph
1t happened that in the eyentful yeal
l84S, and for some time previously, /
! had been attached to che staff OF the
{ College Of St. Columbia, then situated
atStackaiien House. The ancient seat OF
Lord Boyue, near Navan, county OF
Meath. O'Brien had about that date,
and for years afterwards, a son or sons
at ths College. He would come occa-
sionaily TO see his boys, and it was in
this manner that as % master in that in
sGithtion I first had the honour of being
introduced to him. To young people
persons twelve or twenty years older
than themselves. as a rule, appear
quite aged, but o Brien at the time did
not seem to me ti} be other than a man
in the prime Of life. He was over six
feet in height, we'll and strongly knit,
with a symmetrical figure suggestive at
once OF physical power, dignity, and
grace. His bearing to strangers may
be described as reserved, and in no
slight degree aristocratie; but to all
who lad the pleasure of his acqaaint-
ance he was the genial Irish gentleman:
fond of receiving Or imparting infor-
nation, especially on subjects connect
ed with the history, antiquities, or
commercial capabilities OF the co1n-
try he loved SO we'll, and fol
which he was ready to risk all
that was dear to him wealth
position, and even hosts OF friends.
WHO, though they mere than deprecated
his politics, could not bus feel warmly
attached to the man.
William Smith O:Brien WAS born in
the year 1903 at Drumulan0, the pa5er
nal residence, III the county Clare. His
grandfather, Sir Luclus, Was scion O1
the lnch1quir branch OF the family
being descended FROM the Younger SOU
OF the first Baron Who bore that title
His father, Sir, Edward, who had q
seat in the Irish Parliament, showed
himself a consistent aud uncompromis
ing anti Unionlst. Atan early age he
was sent to England for his education
From Harrow he proceeded to the Uni
yecsity OF Cambridge. OF his collegiate
career [ have hot been able to collect
any Particulars worthy of special note
AS q public man the future patriotic
leader is first heard of in 1926, when he
entered Parliament as rnemb fol
Ennis, in the Conservative interest
For thirteen years, that is from 1885 tc
1948 he represented che county OF Linn.
erick. 1t was in 1928 that he seems fo1
the first time to have ayowed Liberal
opinions. In that year we find hin
joining the Catholic Association, and
speaking in Parliament in favor OF
Emancipation. In 1874 the quondam
Tory had become member of the Re
peal Association. II find it impossi-
ble," exclaimed O'Connell, as quoted
by Alfred Webb, 'to give adequate ex-
preston to the delight with which /
hail MIR. O'Brien's presence in the AS
soclation. He now occupies his natur
al ppsltion--the position, which, cen
turtles ago, was occupied by his ances-
tor, Brian Boru." His motive in join
ing the Repeal movement has been thus
expressed by himself The feelings of
the Irish nation have been exasperated
by every means of irritation and insult;
every proposal tending to develop the
resources of our industry, to raise the
character and improve the condition of
our population, has been discounten-
anced, distorted, Or rejected. Ireland,
instead of taking its place as an inleg-
ral portionof the great empire which the
vaior of her sous has contributed to
win, has been treated as dependent
tributary province, and at this moment,
after forty-three years Of nominal
union, the affections of the two nations
are so entirely alienated from each
other that England trusts for the main
tenence OF their connection, not to the
attachment Of the Irish people, but to