Page:The life and letters of Sir John Henniker Heaton bt. (IA lifelettersofsi00port).pdf/210

 the newspaper the "Nation." With O'Connell and five others he was tried for treason and sentenced to a fine of £50 and nine months' imprisonment. After three months in prison the sentence was annulled by appeal to the House of Lords. He later represented New Ross in the House of Commons, but resigning his seat in 1855 he settled in Australia. At the banquet given m his honour at Melbourne, he made use of his oft-quoted phrase: "I am an Irish rebel to the back-bone and spinal marrow." His friends in Victoria presented him with a freehold estate in order to qualify him for a seat in the Legislative Council, and what was even more remarkable the diggers of Ballarat pledged themselves to give him an ounce of gold each.

Many anecdotes were told of his various elections, but the one he preferred was his meeting with a constituent after he had been elected by a majority of one. Grasping his hand Sir Charles said:

"Then yours was the vote that gained me the seat."

"Bedad, it was two of thim," replied his enthusiastic compatriot.

From Sir Charles, H. H. learnt much of his sympathy with and admiration for Ireland, and throughout many years Sir Charles was a valued counsellor.

After making his home in England H. H. returned to Sydney every few years, but latterly his visits were inevitably saddened by the gaps made by death among his old comrades. With the loss of Sir James Graham, Sydney could never be the same for him, though the kindness and hospitality of Sir Thomas and Lady Hughes and others made his last visit as