A FENIAN CLUB .

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 353, 17 September 1868, Page 2

A FENIAN CLUB .

Even at this season of the year, Paris iffers attractions to pleasure-seekers too numerous to count. Many, however, have probably become, sated, and sigh lespairingly for some new excitement. [ strongly recommend all such to pay a visit to the Fenian Club, which stands in close proximity to one of the most frequented of the Boulevards, and opens its portals to all comers without exception. They may there make rcquaintance with some really notal 1© men—who have made a stir iu lie world, and who are now reposing on the laurels they have gained, though at the same time keenly watching the progress of events. Stephens the penitent sheep, who has returned to the fold, and Desmond, who, if his own statement be true, fired the barrel in the lane at Clerkenwell, for doing which Michael Barrett has been hanged, will probably be found occopying the posts of honour, surrounded by other less brilliant satellites, who have at no time despaired of otheir country. Nor can any of these heroes be found fault with for reticence. With easy familiarity they discuss the several affairs which came off under their superintendence, criticise the conduct of the police, and excuse the stupidity of the jury which liberated them. Desmond, who was honorably acquitted, enters into the most minute details as to the second and successful attempt that he made to light the fuse in Clerkenwell, ridiculing the idea of supposing that a mission so important would have been intrusted to an impetuous and excitable man like Michael Barrett. Desmond admits that Barrett was present, and pronounces his alibi to have been false and untenable ; but contests that, as he was innocent of the exact crime for which he was tried and convicted, his execution is murder, and avers that it will be revenged by systematic assassinations throughout England. Fearing, possibly, that he has not been sufficiently explicit, this patriot will not hesitate to describe the ingenious and novel agencies whereby destruction is to be hurled broadcast. The greatest novelty in this line, and one in comparison with which Greek fire becomes London milk, is the " coal heaver " (burglars have their alderman and bishop.) This engine of destruction is in outward appearance an inn6cent lump of coal, which, mixed with others, can easily find its way into public establishments, private houses, or the holds of ships of every kind. In reality, it is a deadly torpedo, which, on coming in contact with fire, must explode with terrific violence. 'Another of these patriots helps to while away the hours by recounting the clever plan by which he escaped too intimate an acquaintance with Calcraft. He, too, was in the lane, and at the moment the explosion took place, passed into a house where proper disguise had been prepared. Shortly afterwards he efl*erged as if just risen from a sick-bed, night-cap on head, his swollen feet bandaged with flannel, and leaning heavily on the arm of a neighbour, who was searching for a cab to convey him to an hospital. He made his next appearance at a first-class hotel at the West end of London, ordered expensive apartments, lived luxuriously, and paid liberally ; still, his maladies affected his temper so completely that other visitors remonstrated with the proprietor of the hotel, and after one week's residence he was civilly requested to leave ; a carriage was immediately ordered, in which he was conveyed to the railway station, protesting against the indignities offered to him ; he there received scrupulous attention from the officials, and, reposing in a saloon, was brought to Dover, and carried carefully, though evidently painfully, to the French steamer, before the pitying eyes of the surrounding detectives. Much of this may be exaggerated, but it is impossible to believe that it is not in the main true. At all events, an hour's intercourse with the Fenian element which steadily percolates through the gay city of Paris may, without hurting those who venture on it, serve as a novel excitement.— Once a Week.