FUNERAL OF MR. O'CONNELL. Dublin, Aug. 5.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 157, 1 December 1847, Page 3

FUNERAL OF MR. O'CONNELL. Dublin, Aug. 5.

To-day the mortal remains of the Great Agitator of Ireland, were consigned to the grave, and a vault in the cemetery of Glassnevin now encloses the body of the man whose political career has for so many years excited the attention of all Europe. Perhaps no funeral was ever more numerously attended, in Ireland, at least, tliau that of Mr. O'Connell was, to-day, for, at the lowest computation, not less than 50,000 persons left their homes to follow in the fune-ral-train, besides twice as many more, who thronged the windows and roofs of the houses in the route which was pursued by the procession. Some persons, and principally those who differed from the political creed of the deceased, attended from a respect (o the memory of a great and illustrious couutryman ; but amongst those of this class, there were but fe* persons of note or distinction. The remainder, who formed the great mass of the people, those whose hearts he had gained over, and by whose aid he had raised himself to power — the stepping-stones of his greatness— -these, the middle and lower classes of the Irish people, attended him to the grave with hearts overflowing, and vicing with each other in a sad spe* cies of enthusiasm in paying homage to the memory of their beloved leader. On the preceding day Dr. Miley had delivered a funeral sermon over the remains, at the Chapel, Marlborough Street, to a crowded audience. The Reverend gentleman in the course of his sermon, became so intensely affected, that the tears flowed down bis cheeks, and his auditors, influenced by his example, participated in his feelings. From an early hour this morning, numbers of persons congregated in the neighborhood of the Chapel which contained the remains, and amongst the rest, "the maim, the halt, and the blind," who cared little for the pressure and violence of the crowd, provided they could obtain the earliest glance at the coffin which enclosed the body of O'Connell. Most of them firmly persuaded that he had been sent on earth to fulfil a Divine mission, and believing that as soon as he had undergone the allotted period of purification in purgatory, he is destined to a prominent niche amongst the Saints and Martyrs of their Church, waited in confident expectation that his presence would work a miracle in their favor, and that their infirmities should be cured, their sight restored, and their limbs straightened. At twelve o'clock the procession set forth from the above Chapel, and thence proceeded through the principal streets of the city, attended by an immense concourse of people. It was about one mile and a-half in length, and was composed of the various associated trades walking on foot, followed by Mr. O'Conn ell's triumphal car, which conveyed him from the Richmond Penitentiary to his residence in Merrion Square, after hit acquittal by the House of Lords. The coffin was laid on a large, rather plain, and open hearse, and which was itself covered with rich Genoa velvet, and gilt ornaments, The members of Mr. O'Connell's own family, the Lord Mayor, Clergy, Magistracy, Gentry, and Citizens followed. Amongst those who attended were—* the most Reverend Dr. Murray, the Roman Catholic Archbishop, .and the following Roman Catholic Bishops— M'Hale, O'Connor, Cantwell, Whelan, Nicholson, O'Higgins, M'Ginn, M'Nally and Murphj; the Lord Chancellor, the Right Honorable Judge Perrin, Sir Montague Chapman, the Most Reverend Dr. Polding, Roman Catholic Bishop of Australia, the Rev. Dr. O'Connell, Thomas Steele, &c , After the procession had passed through the appointed route, and arrived at Glassnevin Cemetery, the usual service was read over the coffin, which was then consigned to. a laJag iftcent vault, especially pre-

pared for its reception, in the very centre and most elevated portion of the burial ground, by the Cemeteries' Committee, who have spared no expense to be* stow, botb on the ceremonial and on the grave, the most gorgeous appearance which the hiost liberal expenditure could present.— -Times, August 7.