Table of Contents
INTRODUCTORY
Irish History belongs to England — How she tells it! — Another Version — Ireland finally subdued five times — The Penal Laws — Irish Industry, how fostered — Agriculture — Our Forefathers’ Famines — Berkeley — Swift’s “Proposal” for a Relief Measure — Eighteen years — Ireland unprotected and unameliorated — The Volunteers — Project of the Union — Union carried — Famines in 1817 and ’22 — The O’Connell Agitations — “Emancipation” — Extermination — Devon Commission — Campaign against the Celts — Slaughter — The Last Famine — British Law” helps the Famine — The Famine helps British Law — Utter Desolation — Project for Resistance at last — Clubs — Pikes — United Irishman — Lord Clarendon — Birch, Privy Counsellor to the Viceroy — Treason Felony — O’Brien and Meagher — Trial by one’s Country — British Providence works out His wise Dispensations [xxvii; see attached.]
CHAPTER I
Newgate — Travelling Toilet — Drive to the North Wall — “No Disturbance” — Hospitalities of the Shearwater — Capt. Hall of the Dragon — Not Basil Hall — Self-Interrogation — My Fellow-Felons — Spike Island — Edward Walsh — Order for removal to Bermuda The Scourge War Steamer — At Sea. [1 - see extracts]
CHAPTER II
Yachting in the Scourge — “Two Years before the Mast” — Review of an Edinburgh Reviewer — The Nineteenth Century — Bombarding the Moon — Macaulay on Bacon — The New Philosophy — Chasing our own Shadows — Good Night, Nineteenth Century! — Bermuda — “Ireland Island”. [19 - see extracts]
CHAPTER III
An English Steamer — The Morning Post — Edmund Burke Roche — The “Irish Felon” — Handed over to a Man in Blue — Receipt taken — Hospitalities of the Dromedary — Genesis and Growth of the Bermudas — Description of my cell — Precautions against Mutiny — Removed to an Hospital-ship for ten days — Back again — The Devil’s Acre, or Cemetery of Cut-throats — Sympathy in New York — Precautions at Bermuda against an American Squadron — Prison Biography — Suicide, pro and contra — The 42nd Highlanders — Discipline — Letter from Ireland [36]
CHAPTER IV
Precautions against my Receipt of News from Ireland — “The last Planks of the Constitution” — Contraband Intelligence — English Chartists Imprisoned — Meagher Arrested — Martin, Williams and O’Doherty committed “for Felony” — Warrant out against O’Brien — “Government” will have to pack Juries — Duties of Juries in Ireland — Method of Rigmarole — “Books” — Feeding like the Laplanders or the Ducks of Pontus — Necessity of Work — Autobiographies — Gifford, Elwood and Crichton — Gibbon, Evelyn, and Rosseau — Sulky Prisoners — Cut-throats attending Divine Service — More Contraband Intelligence — John Martin transported — Habeas Corpus Act suspended — Gaols full — Dumeis — Attempted Insurrection in Tipperary — Failure — Flight — Famine — Clonmel Juries. [55]
CHAPTER V
London paper falls from Heaven — O’Brien, Meagher, MacManus, O’Donoghue, Sentenced to Death — Kindness of the Spirit of the Age — General Estimate of the Results of this Irish Movement — O’Connell’s Son and the Catholics — Letter from New York — The French Republic and the Carthaginian Newspapers — Herr Doppelganger Expostulates with the Ego — Republicanism in the Abstract — In the Concrete — France marches in the Van — Doppelganger severely handled in Argument — Doppelganger stands out — The Credit-funds, Peace and Progress — Courage, Jacobins! — The Ego leaves Herr Doppelganger not a leg to stand upon — “Arterial Drainage” [74]
CHAPTER VI
Escape of Three Cut-throats — Hot pursuit — Capture — Solemn mang- ling of the Cut-throats — Six Months in Bermuda — Sickness — More Bad Books — Life of Walter Scott — of Cowper — Fall back on Rabelais — Shakespeare for ever! — Sir Alexander Burnes — His Journey up the Indus — Takes Soundings for British War Steamers — Surveys Hyderabad with a View to British Burglary — Examines the Capacities of Lahore for British Cotton and’ Christianity — Takes the Measure of the Koh-i-noor in the interests of Civilisation — Band of the 42nd — Captain Alexander’s Book — Sickness — Medical Superintendent tells me I am going to die soon — Note to the Governor of Bermuda [94]
CHAPTER VII
The “First Mate” — Goethe never in the Galleys — Prospect of a Ship for the Cape of Good Hope — “Trial” and Doom of O’Doherty — The Catholic Clergy — Christmas on board the Dromedary — News of Election of Louis Napoleon for President — Deadly Sickness, and Living against Time — Literary Deposit, in Six Strata — Uses of Bad Books — Metaphysics — Bermuda a School of Reformation — Irish Prisoners graduate for the Gallows — Criminal Jurisprudence — A Plea for the Drop — Prayer for the Soul of Walter Scott — Order to despatch me to the Cape — A “Spirit of Disaffection” in Ireland still — Sad!
CHAPTER VIII
Ten Months’ Bondage — Arrival of the Neptune, Bound for the Cape — Perils of British Rule in Ireland — Trial of the Editor of the Nation — Editor a Recreant — Removal to the Hospital Ship again — Reflections unusually Pious — News from Europe and Asia — Lord Gough in the Punjab — Imaginary Programme of European Movements — Preparing for Voyage to Africa — Phenomena of Memory — Innocence of Childhood — The Pen of Rigmarole — The Scourge again — British Public Opinion — Parliamentary Falsehoods by Admiral Dundas and Lord Lansdowne — At Sea once more — Bright Prospects — O’Connell, a Portrait — Conversation with “Surgeon-Superintendent”
CHAPTER IX
An American Brig — Stray copy of the Daily News — Memorial on behalf of Mr. Duffy — The Failure at Ballingarry — Arms Bills — Use of Riots — French Army besieging Rome — “Order” — Hungary holds her Ground — Review of my Shipmates — Becalmed for many Weeks — Sickness — Short of Water — The Dead to the Sharks — Tropic Seas — Danger of Mutiny — The Parson Frightened — Pernambuco — Oranges — Slaves — No “Facts” in my Journal — Humboldt’s Howling Monkeys — Cyanometer — English Papers at Pernambuco — Six Irish Rebels on their Way to Van Diemen’s Land — Two American Skippers — Prince Louis Napo- leon on this Coast — Home Secretary thinks me Dead — Brazilians “Lazy Foreign Lubbers”
CHAPTER X
Slaves and Slave-trade in Brazil — Benevolent Pirates — Elections in Brazil — Vanish South America — Ocean Visions — Lessons from Sea-Pigeons — British Convict System — The Railway Swindler — The Railway King — Habits of British Soldiers — Promotion to the Hulks — Night at Sea — The Irish Prisoners — Dismal Songs — The Cape of Good Hope — Africa, Beware! — Africa brings forth Aliquid Novi [159]
CHAPTER XI
Ferment at the Cape — British Governor under Duress — “Anti-Convict Association” — News of O’Brien and the “Traitors” — Neptune at Anchor — Simon’s Bay — Cape Heaths and Geranium — Anti-Convict Council of War — Simultaneous Meetings — Note from the Governor — Anti-Convict Pledge — Starvation — Dr. Dees falls Sick — Excitement Increases — Cape Newspapers — The Bandieten — The 18th of August in Zwartland — The Boers — Starvation — Fishing to support Existence — Non-intercourse — Steward of the Neptune — Our Skipper Ashore — People will hold no Intercourse — Indignation of the Men-of- War’s Men — Commodore rides on a Foray [175]
CHAFER XII
“Committee of Vigilance” — Business at a stand in Capetown — The Moderates and Immoderates — Dr. Dees Dead — A Rebel Bishop — Violent Ferment in the Interior — -Advantage of Inhabiting a Sphaeroid — Rage of the Colonists — Resolution to shut Shops — Mr. Ebden — Fairbairn, able Editor — Mynheer Smuts — Chances of a Revolt — Cape Wines — Traitors Excommunicated — Benjamin Norden — Captain Stanford feeds Sir Harry — The Neptune “Instructor” would a-shopping go — No Intercourse — Solemn Fast — Secretary Montague — The Coolies now Hungry — Mobs — Suggestion for Sir Harry — Wives or reputed Wives. [188]
CHAPTER XIII
News from Europe — Hungary still holds her Ground — “Opinion stronger than Arms” — Dublin Nation, New Series — Queen in Ireland — Tim O’Brien — Young Ireland nowhere — Her Majesty in a green silk visite” — Does not visit Skibbereen — Thomas Carlyle in Ireland — Despatch from England — Hungary is down — Kossuth and Bem — Hungary Immortal — England in Asia — England in Europe — The “Future of America” — Dublin Nation again — The Irishman — Government Massacre in Ireland — A Slave-ship — The Southern Hemisphere — Confusion of Feasts and Fasts — The Anti-Convict Association — Letter of W. P. Laubscher — Letter of Hendrick Morkel [201]
CHAPTER XIV
No Despatch — “Wearing the Ring of our Anchor” — An Alarm — Victor of Aliwal shall not have a Statue — Curious Law-suit — Plaintiffs and Defendants Repudiate the Judges — News of the “Felons” in Van Diemen’s Land — Despatch at Last — Conditional Pardon to all on Board — “Except Prisoner Mitchel” — Pleasing Anticipations — English Newspapers — Ireland Tranquil — Neptune gets ready for Sea — Rejoicings — Illuminations — Good-night to Africa — Van Diemen’s Land Appears — D’Entre- casteaux’ Channel — Hobart Town — Official Documents — Ticket-of-Leave — Parole — The Irish Exile, Newspaper — A Smoke with John Martin [214]
CHAPTER XV
Valley of Bothwell — The Gum-trees — Balsam in the Forest — Rendez- vous at Lake Sorel — Snow-Storm in the Woods — Lake Crescent — Cooper’s Hut — Meeting with Meagher and O’Doherty — Evil Plight of Smith O’Brien— The “Dog’s Head” —Ride to Bothwell [229]
CHAPTER XVI
Taismanian Hills — A Scottish Glen in Van Diemen’s Land — Letter from Smith O’Brien — Generosity of the “ British Public” — Colonists at Home — Irish Newspapers — Conciliation Hall — Irish Factions in New York — Rebels at Church — Rebels at the Lakes — “Reformatory Discipline” — Write for my Family — Visit from MacManus — The Lakes again — The River Shannon — A Rhapsody of Rivers — Clarence Mangan — Sample of Tasmanian Population — Hiatus in the Journal — Go to Hobart Town to receive my Wife [239]
CHAPTER XVII
Ride to Brown’s River — Gardens — Flowers of Van Diemen’s Land — Kindly Climate — Breeds of Dogs and Horses — Mea and Women — A Beauty — St. Kevin — Romantic residence for Burglars — My Wife arrives at Adelaide — Expected at Launceston — I go to Launceston — Imprisonment there for 24 hours — Mr. Gunn — Letter to the Colonial Times — Arrival of my Wife in Hobart Town — Meeting at Greenponds — Back to Bothwell [251]
CHAPTER XVIII
Nant Cottage-Ride to Avoca — Visit to Mr. O’Brien — Vigour of Sir W. Denison — “Clemency” of Government — Van Diemen’s Land Stage-coaches — Tasmania a Bastard England — Van Die- men’s Land Election — Anti-Transportation — The Australasian League — Balfe — Policy of the Gaoler Party — Valley of Avoca — Meeting with O’Brien — A Day spent with Him — The Priests of Tipperary — His Attempt to Escape from Maria Island — Return to Bothwell [260]
CHAPTER XIX
A Family of Irish Colonists — Mrs. Connell and the Bushrangers — Ride up the Mountains — Meagher and His Dog— Lake Sorel on the Mountain-top — Visit to Meagher’s Cottage— Meagher aids the “League” — Loveliness of Lake Sorel — Tricolour and Fleur-de-lis — Ride to Nant Cottage Young Kangaroo — Hiatus in the Journal — New Year’s Day, 1853 — Stupor and Torpor of our Life — No Thunder and Lightning — KdsSutii In America— Meagher in America [271]
CHAPTER XX
A Kangaroo-hunt — Dean and Dart — Incredible Sagacity— Three Kangaroos killed — Philosophic Reflections- — My Convict Hay-makers — Descent into Hell — Letter from Devin Reilly — Reilly on the Republicans — His interview with Kossuth — An Intellectual Kalmuck — The Celt Lectures the Kalmuck — Reilly and the Democratic Review — His Sorrows — His Wife — Senator Douglas, “Spicy to the Core”. [282]
CHAPTER XXI
Reilly’s Letter — Failure of The People — The Whig Review — A Gascon Irishman — A Scarlet Democrat, Piratic and Honest — Mr. Corry — Irish Affairs — The Priests and Holy Wells — Destiny of Reilly — Haymaker goes to the Diggings — A Stranger Appears amongst us — P. J. Smyth — Meeting with O’Doherty and O’Brien — Smyth in Hobart Town — We visit O’Brien at New Norfolk — Consultations about Escape — To Bothwell — Smyth Reconnoitres the Police Office — His Life in America — Daylight begins to dawn [294]
CHAPTER XXII
Smyth at Lake Sorel — Goes to Melbourne — I buy the Police Magistrate’s Horse — Letter from Nicaragua — The Waterlily — Plan of Escape — Plan Discovered — Council of War — Arrest of Nicaragua — I visit Hobart Town — Resolution taken — New Plan of Escape — We ride into Bothwell — I revoke my Parole before the Magistrate — Conversation at Police Office — Offer Myself for Arrest — Adieu to Bothwell — A Day’s Hard Riding — A Winter’s Night in the Forest — Job Sims’ Cottage — The Beard Movement — An English Guide — Meet a new Friend on the Mountains — Ride to Westbury — News of Nicaragua — The Police Force on the alert. [304]
CHAPTER XXIII
Nicaragua in Hobart Town — The Don Juan — Rendezvous at Emu Bay — Winter Floods — Emu Bay inaccessible — Express to the Don Juan — Ride to Port Sorel — Savage Country — Home of an Irish Settler — Irish Customs — A Caoine in the Bush — Crossing a Ravine — Another Night in the Woods — -The Sea at Last! — No Don Juan — At Mr. Miller’s. — -Miller an Englishman — Retreat within a Mile of a Police-Barrack — Project to Sail as Miller’s Brother — -Messengers from Launceston — Severe Riding — Boating patty proposed — Night Expedition down the Tamar. [318]
CHAPTER XXIV
Another Disappointment — Flight down the River-Barrett’s Boat — We Miss the Steamer — Back to Launceston — The Chapel House — Father Blake — Meeting with O’Doherty — Father Blake at Hobart Town — Nicaragua — Mr. Davis unhappy — To Sail by the Emma — Farewell to Van Diemen’s Land — -Sydney. [330]
CHAPTER XXV
Sydney — My Wife at Wooloomooloo — The Orkney Lass — Take Passage for Honolulu — Dangerous Delays — Sail for the Sandwich Islands — My Fellow-Voyagers — Four Actresses — Tahiti — Papeete — Actresses give a Concert — French Frigate — Le Forte — Ride up the Fowtowa River — Bass’s Pale Ale — Gala at Queen Pomare’s Palace — The Tahitian Girls — The Julia Ann appears — The Stars and Stripes — Off for San Francisco — California — Isthmus of Nicaragua — The San Juan River — Grey town [340]
CHAPTER XXVI
Greytown — The Pampero — Cuba and the Cubans — -News from Europe — The Czar is up — Refreshment for the Refugees — Kossuth — Mazzini — Ireland — Leaving Greytown — Nicaragua lectures on Central America — Arrive at Cuba — The Moro — Havana — Atares Castle — Cuba and Ireland — Captain-General’s Palace — Dublin Castle — Pass near Bermuda — Doubts — New York at last — Brooklyn. [353]
THE CONTINUATION
The New York Reception — Foundation of “The Citizen” — Mitchel and the Russian Minister — The Know-Nothing Agitation — The Release of Smith O’Brien — The Virginian Address — Irish Organisations in America — The Controversy with Archbishop Hughes — At Stonington — “Anglo-Saxonism “ in New York — New York and the Irish Political Prisoners — Retirement from “The Citizen” — Miles Byrne — Marshal MacMahon — Mitchel’s Children — Mitchel and Victor Hugo — Mitchel and Fenianism — Mitchel at the Irish College — Napoleon’s Irish Legion — Mitchel’s Final Departure from France. [367]
APPENDICES
I. The Famine Year — II. The Mitchel-Duffy Controversy — III. The Cape and Mitchel — IV. The Cuban Filibusters — V. Mitchel County, Iowa. [421]
[Indices]
Contemporaries mentioned in Jail Journal [433]
Mitchel’s Escape: Letter to Mr. “Miller” [451]
Index [455]
List of Illustrations [pp.xxv-vi]: John Mitchel [frontispiece]; John Mitchel - A sketch in May, 1848; Trial of Mitchel; The Bench at the Opening of the Commission which Convicted
Mitchel, May, 1848; Newgate Prison; Mitchel’s Dublin Residence in 1848; Fortifications and Dockyard of Ireland Island, Bermuda, in 1848; View of Ireland Island, Bermuda, 1848, showing Batteries, the
Medway, the Coromandel, the Dromedary, Victualling Stores,
Keep, and Commissioner’s House; View of Ireland Island, Bermuda, 1848, showing the Naval
Hospital, the Tenedos, the Weymouth, the Stone Quarry,
Cockburn’s Cut and Bridge; The Convict Garb at Bermuda in 1848; The Mitchel Family Residence, Dromolane House, Newry; Forging Pikes, 1848; British Military Camp at Tipperary, July, 1848; The Arrest of Smith O’Brien at Thurles Railway Station; Trial of Smith O’Brien at Clonmel, 1848; Removal of Smith O’Brien to Prison under Sentence of Death; William Smith O’Brien, 1848; John Martin, 1848; John Martin, about 1865; Father John Kenyon; Thomas Francis Meagher. A sketch in May, 1848; Brig.-Gen. Thomas Francis Meagher; John Blake Dillon; Thomas Devin Reilly; Michael Doheny; Terence Bellew MacManus; Kevin Izod O’Doherty; “Eva” of “The Nation,” Mrs. Kevin O’Doherty.