Page:A Memorial of John Boyle O'Reilly from the City of Boston.djvu/43

Rh Irishman. And it came to him by inheritance. But whoever had heard him on the platform knows it by experience.

That he was a statesman capable of living down, in the conservatism of after years, the enthusiasm and over-zeal of his younger career, and giving the highest and best and worthiest and most potent advice to his countrymen how Ireland could be saved, has been eloquently described by his pastor, and I need only to allude to it.

As a historian, when he chose to tell a tale upon any subject, and especially on the subject I have last mentioned, no more eloquent words, glowing with truthful fervor, can be found on any page.

Of his character as a Christian, everybody understood and knew what the reverend gentleman has told you.

Of his domestic life we know, because he was a complete man; and he had just what he had, and loved what he received,—the care and tenderness and affection of a loving, devoted wife, and the happiness, only to be known to a father, of intelligent and beautiful children.

My friend who has just addressed you, tells you that he achieved this in twenty years. Yes, that is true. And that he had worked over-hard, some people think. I don't think so, because no too hard-worked man could be as genial, as pleasant, and