Datasets:

NicholasSynovic
/

Modified-VEAA

Dataset card Data Studio Files Files and versions Community

Split (2)

train · 42.9k rows

text stringlengths 1.96k 5.76k	author int64 1 50
now entertained that the indians who had visited them the preceding night might be drowned as they had freely of wine and their small was easy to be there was a silence however and an air of desertion about the whole neighbourhood extremely suspicious on their preceding voyage the harbour had been a scene of continual animation gliding over the clear waters indians in groups ou the shores or under the trees or swimming ofi to the now not a was to be seen not an indian hailed them from the land nor was there any smoke rising from among the groves to give a sign of habitation after waiting for a long time in vain sent a boat to the shore to on landing the crew hastened to the place where the fortress had been erected they found it a burnt ruin the beaten down and the whole presenting the appearance of having been and destroyed here and there were broken spoiled provisions and the ragged remains of european garments which gave dismal indications of the fate of their companions not an indian approached them they caught sight of two or three lurking at a distance among the trees and apparently watching them but they vanished into the woods on finding themselves observed meeting no one from whom they could obtain an explanation of the melancholy scene before them they returned with dejected hearts to the ships and related to the admiral what they had seen was greatly troubled in mind at this intelligence and the fleet having now in the harbour he went himself to shore on the following morning to the ruins of the fortress he found every thing described and searched in vain among the ruins foi tne remains of dead bodies no traces of the garrison were to be seen but the broken and torn scattered here and there among the grass there were many sur and conjectures if the fortress had been some of the garrison might yet survive and might either have fled from the neighbourhood or been carried into cannon and were discharged in hopes that if any of the were hid among rocks or of the vicinity they might hear them and come forth but no one made his appearance a mournful and lifeless silence reigned over the place the suspicion of treachery on the life and ow part of was again but was unwilling to indulge it on looking the village of that was found a mere heap of burnt ruins which showed that he had been involved in the same disaster with the garrison had left orders with and tlie other officers to bury all the treasure they might procure or in case of sudden danger to throw it into the well of the fortress he ordered to be made therefore among the ruins and the well to be cleared out while this search was making he proceeded with the boats to explore the neighbourhood partly in hopes of intelligence of any scattered of the garrison and partly to look out for a better situation for a fortress after proceeding about a league he came to a hamlet the inhabitants of which had fled taking with them whatever they could carry and hiding the rest in the grass in the houses were found european articles which evidently had not been procured by such as stockings pieces of cloth an anchor ef the which had been wrecked and a beautiful robe which remained folded in the form in which it had been brought from spain having pa some time in contemplating these scattered documents of a disastrous story returned to the ruins of the fortress the and the search in the well had proved fruitless no treasure was to be found not far from the fort however they had discovered the bodies of eleven men buried in different places and which were known by their clothing to be they had evidently been for some time in the ground the grass having grown upon their graves letter of dr de los c in the of the day a number of the indians began to make their appearance hovering timidly at a distance and showing great distrust their apprehensions were gradually conquered by signs and trifling presents until at length they became perfectly some of them could speak a few words of spanish and knew the names of all the men who had remained with by this means and by the aid of the the story of the garrison was in some measure ascertained it is curious to note this first foot print of in the new world those whom had left behind says with the exception of the commander don de and one or two others were but httle calculated to follow the of so prudent a person or to discharge the critical duties upon them they were men of the lowest order or who knew not how to conduct themselves with restraint and on shore no sooner had the departing sail of the admiral from their sight than all his counsels and commands died away from their minds thou a mere handful of men surrounded by savage tribes and dependent upon their own prudence and good conduct and upon the good will of die natives for very existence yet they soon began to indulge in the most wanton wrongs and some were by others by gross they sought to private of gold nor were they content with their success among the indian women though at least two or three wives had been granted to each of them by they possessed themselves by all kinds of means of the ornaments and other property of the natives and from them their wives and ind l c life and voyages of fierce incessantly occurred among themselves about their ill gotten spoils or the of the indian beauties and the simple natives beheld astonishment the beings whom they had worshipped as descended from	48
the skies abandoned to the of earthly passions and raging against each other with worse than brutal ferocity still these were not so dangerous as long as they observed one of the grand of and kept together in the fortress maintaining military vigilance all precaution of the kind was soon forgotten in vain did don de his authority in vain did every present which could bind man and man together in a foreign land ah order all all was at an end many of them abandoned the fortress and lived carelessly and at random about the neighbourhood every one was for himself or associated with some little knot of to injure and the rest thus broke out among them until ambition arose to complete the destruction of this empire the two persons and de whom had left as to the commander to succeed to him in case of accident now took advantage of these and to an equal share in the authority if not to the supreme control violent succeeded in which a by the name of was killed having failed in their object and withdrew from the fortress with nine of their and a number of their women and still bent on command now turned their thoughts on distant having heard marvellous accounts of the mines of led l c w i and the golden sands of its mountain rivers they set off for that district flashed with the thoughts of immense treasure thus they disregarded another strong in of which was to keep within the friendly of the region to which they repaired was in the interior of the island within the province of ruled by the famous called by the the lord of the golden house this renowned was a by birth possessing the and the of his nation he had come an adventurer to the island and had acquired such over these simple and people by his courage and address that he had made himself the most potent of their his warlike exploits were renowned throughout the island and the inhabitants universally stood in awe of him for his origin had for some time maintained importance in the island the hero of this savage world when the ships of the white men suddenly appeared upon its shores the wonderful accounts of their power and had reached him among his mountains and he had the to perceive that his own consequence must decline before such formidable the departure o had revived his hopes that their intrusion would be but temporary the and of those who remained while they moved his inspired him with increasing confidence no sooner therefore did and with companions take refuge in his than he considered himself secure of a triumph over these detested strangers he seized upon the and put them instantly to death he then assembled his subjects privately and his plans with the of whose those of v of on the he to make a attack upon the emerging from among the and great tracts of forest with profound secrecy he arrived with his army in the vicinity of the village without being discovered confiding in the gentle and pacific nature of the indians the had neglected all precautions and lived in the most careless security but ten men remained in the fortress m t and these do not appear to have maintained any guard the rest were in houses in the neighbourhood in the dead of the night when all were in repose and his warriors burst upon the places ith frightful got possession of the fortress before the inmates could put themselves upon their defence and surrounded and set fire to the houses in which the rest of the white men were sleeping the were completely taken by surprise eight of them fled to the pursued by the savages and rushing into the waves for safety were drowned the rest were and his subjects fought faithfully in defence of their guests but not being of a warlike character they were easily was wounded in the combat by the hand of and his village was burnt to the ground such was the history of the first european establishment in the new world it presents in a compass an of the gross vices which civilization and the grand political errors which sometimes the all law and order relaxed by corruption ind c letter of dr peter martyr c de los c ms n l and public good was sacrificed to private interest and passion the community was by divers and until the whole was shaken asunder by two ambitious of the com of a petty fortress in a wilderness and the supreme of eight and thirty men vol b life and voyages of chapter v transactions with the natives suspicious con of the story of the fortress as gathered the indians at the harbour received confirmation from another quarter one of the captains was along the coast to the east in his to look out for some more favourable situation for a settlement he had scarcely proceeded three when a came off from the shore in which were two indians one of them the brother of entreated him in the name of the to come to land and visit him at the village where he lay ill immediately went to shore with two or three of his companions th found confined by to his surrounded by seven of his wives the expressed great regret at not being able to visit the admiral whom he was extremely desirous to see he related various particulars concerning the of the garrison and the part which he and his subjects had taken in its defence showing his leg bound up from a wound which he had received his story agreed with that already related after treating the with his accustomed respect and hospitality he gave each of them at parting a present of some golden ornament j i on tke	48
and of building houses in the vicinity the expressed much satisfaction at the idea but observed that the situation of the place was which was indeed the case notwithstanding every demonstration of friendship however the was evidently ill at ease the charm of mutual confidence was broken it was evident that the gross of the garrison had greatly the veneration of the indians for their heaven born even the reverence for the of the christian faith which endeavoured to as a grand means of was completely the of its though fond of ornaments it was with the greatest the could be prevailed upon by the admiral to an image of the virgin about his neck when he understood it to be an object of christian adoration the suspicions of the s guilt continued to gain ground with many of the father boil in particular regarded him with a eye and privately advised the admiral now that he had him securely on board of his ship to detain him prisoner but rejected the counsel of the as contrary to sound policy and honourable faith it is difficult however to conceal lurking ill mil die heart will speak in the countenance even though the tongue be mute the accustomed in his former intercourse with the to meet on every side with faces beaming with gratitude and could not but perceive the altered looks of cold suspicion and secret hostility notwithstanding the frank and cordial of the admiral therefore he soon begged to return to morning there was an appearance of mysterious movement and agitation among the natives on shore of this the could not comprehend the cause as there was no longer that easy and between them which formerly a messenger firom the inquired of the admiral how long he intended to re main at the harbour and was informed that he should sail on the following day in the evening the brother of cap t peter martyr life and voyages ol came on board under pretext of a of gold he was observed to converse in private with the indian women and particularly with the one whose distinguished appearance had attracted th attention of after remaining some time on board he returned to the shore it would seem from subsequent events that the warm heart of the had been touched by the situation of this indian beau and by her charms and that with a kind of native gallantry he had undertaken to deliver her from bondage at midnight when the crew were buried in their first sleep the awakened her companions and proposed a bold attempt to regain their liberty the ship was full three miles from the shore and the sea was rough but these island women were accustomed to with the waves and to consider the water almost as their natural element letting themselves down from the side of the vessel with great caution and silence they committed themselves to the vigour of their arms and swam bravely for the shore with all their precautions they were overheard by die watch the alarm was given the boats were and gave chase in the direction of a light blazing on the shore an evident for the notwithstanding all be exertions of the oar such was the vigour of these sea that they reached the land in safety four were on the beach but the heroic with the rest of her companions made good their escape into the forest when the day dawned sent to to demand the or if they were not in his possession that he would have search made for them the residence of the however was silent and deserted not an indian was to be seen either conscious of the s of the and of their hostility or desirous to enjoy his prize the had removed with all his effects his and his followers and had ti en refuge with his island beauty in the interior this sudden and mysterious desertion gave force to the doubts heretofore entertained and was generally as a traitor to the white men and the of the garrison peter letter rf dr cap h life and voyages of i chapter vi of the city of of the the misfortunes which had befallen the both by sea and land in the vicinity of this had thrown a gloom round the neighbourhood the ruins of the fortress and the graves of their murdered countrymen were continually before their eyes and the forests no longer looked beautiful while there was an idea that treachery might be lurking in their shades the silence and also caused by the desertion of the natives gave a sinister appearance to the place it began to be considered by the as under some influence or malignant star these were sufficient objections to the of a settlement in that superstitious age but there were others of a more solid nature the land in the vicinity was low moist and and there was no stone for building determined therefore to abandon the place and found his projected colony in some more favourable situation no time was to be lost the animals on board of the ships were suffering from long confinement and needed the range and the fresh of the pasture and the multitude of persons to the sea and pent up in the fleet for the refreshment of the land were therefore in the lighter t which the id each direction entering the rivers and in search of an site for a colony they were also to make after ni of whom notwithstanding every i still retained a favourable opinion the returned after a considerable extent of coast without success there were fine rivers and secure but the coast was low and and deficient in stone the was generally deserted or if they saw any of the natives they fled immediately to the woods had proceeded to the eastward until be came to the i	48
a different who at first issued forth at the head of his warriors with menacing aspect and a show of hostility but was readily soothed into the most from him he learnt that had retired from the plain to the party discovered an indian concealed near a hamlet having been by a received firom a lance when l against his account of the of the fortress agreed with that of the indians at the harbour and to tbe firom the f thus tbe minds of the ml ot doubt and as to the real i and dismal tragedy being convinced ere was no place in this part of the island for a ent weighed cm the th of december the intention of seeking tbe of la in consequence of adverse weather he was obliged to put into a harbour about ten east on considering the place was with its advantages tbe harbour was spacious and commanded by a point of land protected oo one side by a natural c rocks life and voyages op and on another by an a position for a fortress there were rivers one large and the other small watering a green and plain and offering advantageous situations tor mills a bow shot from the sea on the banks of one of the rivers was an indian village the soil appeared to be fertile ike waters to abound in excellent fish and the climate to be temperate and genial for the trees were in leaf the in flower and the birds in song though it was the middle of december they had not yet become with the temperature of this favoured where the of winter are unknown where there is a perpetual and even of fruit and flower and where a throughout the year another grand to form their settlement in this place was information received from the indians of the adjacent village that the mountains of where the gold mines were situated lay at no great distance and almost parallel to the harbour it was determined therefore that there could not be a situation more favourable for their colony an interesting and animated scene now commenced the troops and various persons belonging to the land service and the various and to be employed in building were the provisions articles of guns and for defence and implements of every kind were brought to shore as were also the cattle and live stock which had suffered excessively from long confinement especially the horses there was a general joy at escaping from the prison of the ships and once more treading tlie firm green earth and breathing the sweetness of the fields an was formed on the of the plain around a basin or sheet of water and in a little while the whole place was in activity thus was founded the first christian city of the new world to which gave the name of in honour of his royal a plan was formed and streets and squares projected according to which the place was to be built the greatest diligence was then exerted in a church a public and a residence for the admiral these were built of stone the private houses were constructed of wood plaster or such materials as the of the ease permitted and for a short time every one exerted himself with the utmost zeal this animated scene was soon by which broke out among the many were to the sea and had suffered greatly from the confinement of the ships and the sickness incident to voyages their had likewise been by for a length of time on salt provisions much of which was in an slate and which was and decayed tbey bad been subject to great on the land also before houses could be built for their reception for the of a hot and moist climate and a new rank soil the from the rivers and the air of close forests tender the luxuriant wilderness a place of severe trial to accustomed to old and highly cultivated countries the labour so of building the city clearing fields setting out and planting gardens having all to be done with great haste bore hard upon men who after tossing so long upon the ocean stood in need of and repose the of the mind also mingled with those of the body many as has been shown bad embarked in the the most and romantic expectations life and v ta e of some had anticipated the golden regions and where they were to toil or trouble others a re on of wonders and delights and others a splendid and open ca for gallant adventure and enterprise what then was their disappointment to find themselves confined to the margin of an bland by impenetrable forests doomed to with the of a wilderness to toil for mere and to attain every comfort by the exertion as to g ld it was brought to them firom various quarters but in small quantities and it was evidently to be procured only by patient and labour all these sank deep into their hearts their spirits as their golden dreams melted away and the gloom of despondency aided the of disease himself did not escape the the nature of his enterprise the responsibility under which he found himself not merely to his followers or to his sovereigns but to the world at large had kept his mind in continual agitation the cares of so large a the incessant vigilance required not only against the lurking dangers of these unknown seas but against the passions and follies of his followers prone to forth into in adventurous of the kind the distress he had from the fate of his murdered garrison and his uncertainty as to the conduct of the barbarous tribes by which he was surrounded all these had harassed his mind and broken his rest while on board of his ship since landing new cares and had crowded	48
in the most sanguine terms of and which last returned to spain in the fleet he repeated his confident of soon being able to make of gold of precious and being prevented at present in the search for them by the sickness of himself and people and the cares and labours required in building the infant city he described the beauty and of the island its of noble mountains its wide abundant plains watered by beautiful rivers the quick of the soil evinced in the luxuriant growth of the sugar cane of various and vegetables brought from europe cap life and voyages of as it would take some time however to obtain from their fields and gardens and the produce of their live stock adequate to the of the colony which consisted of about a thousand souls an as they could not ac themselves to the diet of the natives requested present supplies from spain their ere already growing scanty much of their wine had been lost from the of the and in the state of the they suffered from the want of their accustomed nourishment there was an immediate necessity of clothing and arms horses required likewise for the public t and for military service being found of great effect in the natives who had the utmost dread of these animals he prayed also for an additional number of workmen and and men skilled in and in and ore he recommended various persons to the notice and favour of the sovereigns among whom was an of the order of st who had a wife and children to be provided for and who for his good services begged might be appointed to a command in the order to which he belonged in like manner he entreated patronage for who was about to return in the fleet making particular mention of his merits both of these men he was destined to experience the most signal ingratitude in these ships he sent also the men women and children taken in the islands that they should be carefully instructed in the spanish language and the christian faith from the and adventurous nature of these people and their general acquaintance with the various languages of this great he thought that when the of religion and the lights of had their savage manners and they might be rendered eminently serviceable as and as means of the doctrines of christianity among the many sound and suggestions in this letter there is one of a most tendency written in that mistaken view of natural rights at the day but fruitful of so much wrong and misery in the world considering that the greater the number of these transferred to the catholic soil of spain the greater would be the number of their souls put in the way of salvation he proposed to establish an exchange of them as slaves against live stock to be furnished by merchants to the colony the ships to bring such stock were to land no where but at the harbour of where the would be ready for delivery a duty was to be on for the benefit of the royal in this way the colony would be furnished with all kinds of live stock free of expense the peaceful would be from warlike and neighbours the royal treasury would be greatly enriched and a vast number of souls would be snatched from and as it were by main force to heaven such is the strange by which upright men may sometimes deceive themselves feared the disappointment of the sovereigns in respect to the product of his and was anxious to devise some mode of their expenses until he could open some ample source of profit the of by fair means or foul by persuasion or force was one of the popular of the day and in the of the thought that he was obeying the of his conscience when he was in reality listening to the of his interest it is but just to add that s life and voyages of the sovereigns did not accord his ideas but ordered that the be converted like the of the a command which from the heart of who ever manifested herself the of the indians the fleet put to sea on the d of february it brought back no wealth to spain yet expectation alive by the sanguine letter of and the specimens of gold which he his favourable accounts were by letters from boil dr and other persons of and by the personal reports of the sordid calculations of petty spirits were as yet by the enthusiasm of generous minds by the lofty nature of these there was something wonderfully grand in the idea of thus introducing new races of animals and plants of cities extending colonies and the seeds of civilization and of enlightened empire in this beautiful but savage world it struck the minds of learned and classical men with admiration filling them with pleasing dreams and and seeming to realize the poetical pictures of the time says old peter martyr has begun to build a city as he has lately written to me and to sow our seeds and our animals who of us shall now speak with wonder of and travelling about the earth to spread new inventions among mankind or of the who built and or of the themselves whose desires led them to into foreign lands to build new cities and establish new such were the speculations of enlightened and benevolent men who hailed with enthusiasm the discovery of the new letter to world not for the wealth it would bring to europe but for the field it would open for glorious and benevolent and the blessings and improvements of civilized life which it would widely dispense through barbarous and un cultivated regions life and voyages op chapter at op de the city of was rapidly assuming a form a dry stone wall surrounded it	48
to protect it from any sudden attack of the natives although the most friendly disposition was evinced by the indians of the vicinity who brought supplies of their simple articles of food and gave them in exchange for european trifles on the day of the th of february the church being sufficiently completed high mass was celebrated with great pomp and ceremony by boil and the twelve the affairs of tl e settlement being thus apparently in a regular train though still confined by began to make arrangements for his contemplated expedition to the mountains of when an unexpected disturbance in his little community for a time engrossed his attention the sailing of the fleet for spain had been a melancholy sight to many whose terms of compelled them to remain on the island disappointed in their expectations of immediate wealth disgusted with the labours imposed on them and appalled by the throughout the community they began to look with horror upon the surrounding wilderness as destined to be the grave of their hopes and of themselves when the last sail disappeared which was bearing their companions back to spain they felt as if completely severed from their country and be tender of home which b d been checked for a time by he novelty and bustle them rushed with sudden their minds to to spain became their ruling idea and the same want of reflection which had hurried them into the without inquiring into its real nature now prompted them to themselves from it by any means however desperate where popular prevail there is seldom wanting some daring spirit to give them a dangerous direction one de a man of some standing who had held a civil office about the court had come out with the expedition as he seems to have presumed upon his official powers and to have had early differences with the admiral disgusted with bis employment in the colony he soon made a among the discontented and proposed that they should take advantage of the of to upon some or all of the five ships io the harbour nd return in them to spain it would be easy to their return by preferring a complaint the admiral representing the of his and him of gross and in his accounts of the countries be had discovered it is probable that some of these people really considered him of the charges thus against him for on the disappointment of their hopes they the real value of those fertile islands which were to nations by the produce of their soil every country was and in their eyes did not immediately with gold though proofs vol sa life and of in the brought by the natives to tbe or furnished to and thi the aad mountains in the interior with yet daily proofs were in their eyes one a wrong headed and obstinate man who bad come ont as and of had the tame prejudice against the expedition he insisted that there was no gold in the island or at least that it was found in such quantities as not to repay the search he declared that the large of virgin ore brought by the natives had been melted that they had been the slow of many years having remained a long time in the families of the indians and been down from generation to generation other specimens of a very large size he pronounced of a very inferior quality and that they had been with brass by the natives thus the words of this man the evidence of facts and many joined him in the belief that the island was really destitute of gold it was not until some time afterwards that the real character of was ascertained and the discover made that his ignorance was at least equal to his obstinacy and his presumption qualities which are apt to enter largely into the compound of a and mischievous man encouraged by such substantial co operation a number of the hot heads of the colony to carry the plan into immediate and to take possession of the ships and make sail for europe the influence of de at court would obtain for them a favourable hearing and they trusted to their unanimous representations to pre los cap ms ia the of the ever in its and to suddenly and tbe it has most this was discovered before it proceeded to immediately ordered to be on a memorial of himself full of and was found concealed in the of one of tbe ships it was in the of the admiral conducted himself with great moderation out of respect to the rank and station of he to inflict any punishment on him hut confined him on board of one of the ships to be sent to trial together with tbe process or of hu and the memorial which had been discovered several of the inferior were punished according the degree of their but not with the severity which their offence deserved to against any of a attempt ordered that all the guns and naval should be taken out of four of the vessels and put into tbe principal ship which was given in charge to persons in whom be could place confidence this was the first time that exercised he right of in his new government and it immediately awakened the most violent his measures though necessary for the general safety and by the greatest were as arbitrary and already he disadvantage of being a foreigner the people he was to govern was clearly manifested he had national prejudices to encounter of all ind i l cap c m life and voyages op others the most general he md no natural to rally round him whereas the had in spain friends in the colony and met with sympathy in every discontented mind an early was thus against which continued to increase throughout his life and the seeds were sown	48
merely with respect to articles of food for we are told that the indians were not careless in sup l c their notions of property and die crime of was one of the few which were punished among them with great severity is generally open to free in savage life and is rarely made an object of until habits of trade have been introduced by the white men the savage in almost every part of the world to make a traffic of hospitality after a march of five across this plain they arrived at the banks of a large and beautiful stream called by the natives the but to which the admiral gave the name of the river of he was not aware that it was the same stream which after winding through the falls into the sea near and which in his first voyage he had named the river of gold on its green banks the army for the night animated and delighted with the beautiful scenes through which they had passed they bathed and in the waters of the enjoying the of the surrounding landscape and the delightful airs which prevail in that genial season for though there is but little from one time to another in all the year in this island and in most parts of these yet in the months from september to may it is like living in paradise on the following morning they crossed this stream by the aid of and swimming the horses over for two days they continued their march through the same kind of rich level country by noble forests and watered by abundant streams several of which descended fi om the mountains of and were said to bring down gold dust mingled with their sands to one of these the waters of which ran over a bed of smooth round pebbles ind l c ms vol i life and voyages of gave the name of or from the and of its banks in the of this they passed where they experienced generally the same reception the simple inhabitants fled at their putting np their of but as before were won to and their means to entertain the strangers thus penetrating into the midst of this great island where eveiy scene presented the wild of but nature they arrived on the evening of the second day to a chain of lofty and rugged which formed a kind of barrier to the these was told were the golden mountains of whose region commenced at their rocky the country now began to grow rough and difficult and the people being they for the night at the foot of a steep which led up into the mountains and were sent in advance to open a road for the army from this place they sent back for a supply of bread and wine their provisions beginning to grow scanty for they had not as yet accustomed themselves to the food of the natives which was found to be very and well suited to the climate on the next morning they resumed their march up a narrow and steep winding among rocks where they were obliged to lead the horses arrived at the summit they once more enjoyed a prospect of the delicious here presented a still appearance stretching far and wide on either hand like a vast lake this noble plain according to is eighty in th and from twenty to thirty in breadth and of ble beauty they now entered the famous region of gold which as if nature delighted in displayed a like poverty of exterior in proportion to its hidden treasures instead of the soft luxuriant landscape of the they beheld chains of rocky and mountains clothed with lofty pines the trees in the valleys also instead of possessing the rich foliage common to other parts of the island were meagre and excepting such as grew on the banks of streams the very name of the country the nature of the soil in the language of the natives a stone still however there were deep and shady the mountains by of the most water where the green and the of were the more delightful to the eye from the neighbouring but what consoled the for the of the soil was to observe of gold glittering among the sands of these crystal streams which though scanty in quantity they regarded as of the wealth locked up within the mountains the natives having been previously visited by the exploring party under came forth to meet them with great alacrity bringing them articles of food but above all and of gold which they had collected in the and torrents seeing how eagerly that metal was by the from the quantities of gold dust in every stream was convinced that must be several mines in the vicinity he had met with specimens of and though in very small quantities and thought that he had discovered a mine of copper he was now about eighteen from the settlement the rugged nature of the mountains made a communication even from this distance laborious he gave up the idea therefore of r called the as if an f rs large masses of from the foot graceful and p which was an ou this eminence c wood and plaster to be any attack of the native the side here the river t gave the name of st tj f though pious and his doubting ad ye hat the island pr with heir eyes and the natives having he r v came to obtain european tha any thing would be gi this some of them and its considerable p bell on remarking that the admiral was struck with the size of these specimens he affected to treat them witli contempt as insignificant by signs that in his country which lay within half a day s journey they sometimes	48
of the these were placed in every part of their houses or carved on their furniture some had them of a small size and bound them about their when they went to battle they believed their to be with all their powers and often stole them from each other when the came among them they often hid their lest they should be taken away they believed that these presided over every object in nature each having a particular charge or government they influenced the seasons and the elements causing or abundant years stirring up and and of rain and thunder or sending sweet and temperate airs and showers they governed the seas and forests the springs and fountains like the the and the of antiquity they gave success in hunting and fishing they de fr roman vol i life and voyages of guided the of the into safe channels and led them down to wander throng the plains in gentle and peaceful rivers or if they caused then to burst forth into rushing torrents and overwhelming floods and laying waste the valleys the natives had their or priests who pretended to hold with these they practised ous and and the powder or drank the of a certain which produced a temporary or delirium in the course of this process they professed to have and visions and that the r to them coming events or instructed them in the treatment of they were in general great and well acquainted with the properties of trees and vegetables they cured diseases through their knowledge of but always with many mysterious rites and ceremonies and supposed charms and burning a light in the chamber of the patient and pretending to the malady to it from the mansion and to send it to the sea or to the mountain their bodies were painted or with figures of the which were regarded with horror by the as so many representations of the devil and the esteemed as a kind of saints by the natives were by the former as these often assisted the in upon their subjects speaking through the by means of hollow the indians to battle by success or dealing forth such promises or as might suit the purposes of the l c r there is but one of their solemn religious ceremonies of any exists the proclaimed a day when a kind of festival was to be held in honour of his his subjects assembled from all parts and formed a solemn procession the married men and women decorated with their t precious the young females entirely naked the or the principal personage marched at the head beating a kind of drum in this way they proceeded to the consecrated house or temple in which were set np the images of the arrived at the door die seated himself on the outside continuing to beat his drum while the procession entered the females carrying baskets of cakes with flowers and singing as they advanced these were received by the priests with loud cries or rather they broke die cakes after they had been the and dis the to the heads of families who preserved them the year as of all adverse accidents this done at a signal the females danced singing songs in honour of the or in of the heroic actions of their ancient the whole ceremony by the to watch over and protect the nation the each had three or which were stones but which were held in great reverence by themselves and their one they posed had the power to produce abundant another to remove all pain from women in and the third to can forth rain or sunshine when either was required three of were sent home by to the st l p t cap i life and voyages of the ideas of the natives with respect to creation were vague and they gave their own bland of of existence over all others and believed that the and moon originally issued oat of n in the island to give light to the world this still exists ab ut seven or eight from cape it is about one hundred and fifty feet in depth and nearly the same in height but very narrow it receives no light bu the entrance and from a round hole in the roof fi om whence it was said the sun and moon issued forth to take their places in the sky the vault was so fair and regular that it appeared a work of art rather than of nature in the time of the figures of various were still to be seen cut in the rocks and there were the remains of as if to receive statues this was held in great veneration it was painted and adorned with green branches and other simple there were in it images or when there was a want of rain the natives made and to it with songs and dances bearing of fruits and flowers they believed that mankind issued from r the large men from a great the small men from a little they were for a long time destitute of women but wandering on one occasion near a small lake they saw certain animals among the branches of the trees which proved to be women on attempting to catch them however they were found to be as slippery as so that it was impossible to hold them at length they employed certain men whose hands were rendered rough by a kind of these succeeded in securing four of these slippery females from whom the world was peopled st l p while the men inhabited this they dared only ven forth at night for the sight of the sun was fatal to them turning them into trees and stones there was a named who one of his men forth ave to fish who lingering at his sport until the san had risen was turned into	48
a bird of melodious note the same that for the they added that yearly about the time when he had suffered this he comes in the night with a song bis misfortune which is the cause why that bird always sings in die ni t season like most savage nations they bad also a tradition the universal equally fanciful with most of the preceding for it is singular how the human mind in its state is apt to account hy trivial and familiar causes for great events they said that there once lived in the island a mighty whose only son against him be him he afterwards collected and cleaned bis bones and preserved them in a as was the custom of uie natives with the of their friends on a subsequent day the and his wife opened the to contemplate the bones of their son when to their astonishment several fish great and small leaped out upon this the closed the and placed it on the top of bis house that he had the sea shut up within it and could have fish whenever he pleased four brothers however horn at the same birth and curious hearing of this came during the absence of the to peep into it in their carelessness they suffered it to fall npon the ground when it was dashed to pieces and there roman peter martyr and voyages of forth a mighty flood with and and great tumbling and the water it the and formed the ocean leaving only die ie mountains uncovered which are the present islands they had singular modes of treating the dying and die when the life of a was of him out of a principle of respect rather than him to die like the vulgar common people were extended in their bread and water placed at their head and were then abandoned to die in they were carried to the and if he gave his or consent they were after death the body of a was opened dried at a fire and preserved of others the head only was up as a memorial or occasionally a limb sometimes the whole body was in a cave with a of water and a loaf of bread sometimes it was consumed with fire in the house of the deceased they had confused and uncertain notions of the existence of the soul when separated from the body they believed in the of the departed at night or by daylight in solitary places to lonely individuals sometimes advancing as if to attack them but upon the traveller s striking at them they vanished and he struck merely against trees or rocks sometimes they mingled among the living and were only to be known by having no the indians of meeting with these disliked to go about alone and in the dark they had an idea of a place of reward to which the of good men repaired after death where they were re united to the spirits of those they had most loved during life and to de roman all their here tbey enjoyed and in perfection those pleasures which constituted their felicity on earth they lived in shady and blooming beautiful women and on delicious paradise of these happy spirits was placed almost every tribe some favourite spot in their native province however in describing this region as being near a lake in the western part of the island in the beautiful of here there were delightful valleys covered with a delicate fruit called the the of an they imagined that the souls of die deceased remained concealed among the airy and inaccessible of the mountains during the day but descended at into these happy valleys to on this consecrated fruit the living were therefore in eating of it lest the souls of their friends should suffer for want of favourite nourishment the dances to which the natives seemed so and which had been at first considered by the mere idle were found to be often of a serious and mystic character they form indeed a singular and important feature throughout the customs of the of the new world in these are by signs well understood by the and as it were by action their historic events their projected their their and battles in some respects the dances of ae speaking of the oi these dan among the natives of peter martyr that tbey performed them to the chant of and c peter martyr st t life and voyages of lads handed down from generation to generation in were the deeds of their ancestors these or he adds they call are and as oar are accustomed to sing to the harp or so do they in like manner sing these songs and dance to the same on made of shells of certain fishes these they call they have also songs and of love and others of or mourning some also to encourage them to the wars with every oi them tunes agreeable to the matter it was for these dances as has been already ed that they were so eager to procure bells them about their persons and keeping time with their sound to the of the singers this mode of dancing to a ballad has been compared to the dances of the in during the summer and to those throughout spain to the sound of the and to the wild popular said to be derived from the but which in fact existed before their invasion among the who the the earliest history of almost all nations has generally existed in rude heroic and and in the lays of the and such was the case with the of the indians when a died says they sang in his life and actions and all the good that he had done came to memory thus they formed the or which remained for some of these were of a sacred character containing their notions of and	48
the and which their religious creed none were permitted to l c t do l c sing these but the sons of who were instructed in them by their or priests they were before the people on solemn like those already described accompanied by the sound of a kind of drum made from a hollow tree such are a few of the characteristics remaining upon record of these simple people who perished from the face of the earth before their customs and were thought of sufficient importance to be the present work does not profess to enter into detailed accounts of the countries and people discovered by otherwise than as they may be useful for the illustration of his history and perhaps the foregoing are carried to an unnecessary length but they may serve to ve greater interest to the subsequent transactions of the island many of these particulars as has been observed were gathered by the admiral and his officers during their excursion among die mountains and their in the plain the natives appeared to them a singularly idle and race indifferent to most of the objects of human and toil they were impatient of all kinds of labour scarcely giving themselves the trouble to cultivate the root the and the which formed main articles of for the rest their streams with fish they caught the or the and various birds and they had a perpetual banquet from the fruits produced by their groves though the air was sometimes cold among the mountains yet they preferred submit roman c p martyr d l g ind i l c l c vol i j life and voyages of ting to a little temporary suffering rather than take the trouble to garments from tlie which in their forests in general an easy a careless repose of body and mind prevailed among them they away existence in vacant under the shade of their trees or amusing themselves occasionally with various games and in fact they were destitute of all powerful motives to toil being free from most of those wants which doom mankind in civilized life or in less genial to incessant labour they had no winter to provide against particularly in the valleys and the plains where according to peter martyr the island enjoyed perpetual spring time and was fortunate with continual summer and harvest the trees flourished throughout the year and the meadows continued always green there is no province nor any region he again which is not notable for majesty of mountains the of the of hills and of plains with abundance of fair rivers running them there never was any animal found in it nor yet any beast no lion nor bear no fierce nor nor devouring wolves but all things blessed and fortunate in the soft regions of the the seasons brought each its store of fruits and while some were gathered in full maturity others were on the boughs and and blossoms gave promise of still future abundance what need was there of up and anxiously providing for coming days to men who lived in a perpetual p martyr l english translation by r london what need too of or at the loom where a genial temperature throughout the year and neither nature nor custom prescribed the necessity of clothing the hospitality which men in a simple and easy mode of existence was evinced towards and his followers during their in the wherever tliey went it was a continual scene of and rejoicing the natives hastened from all parts bearing them presents and laying the treasures of their groves and streams and mountains at the feet of beings whom they still considered as descended from the skies to bring blessings to their island having accomplished the purposes of his in the at the end of a few days took leave of its hospitable inhabitants and resumed his march for the harbour returning with his little army the and ru mountains called the of the as we accompany him in imagination over the rocky height whence the first broke upon eye of the we cannot help pausing to cast i a look of mingled pity and admiration over beautiful but devoted region the dream of natural liberty of ignorant content and idleness was as yet unbroken but the had gone forth the white man had penetrated into the land and pride and ambition and care and sordid labour were soon to follow and the indolent paradise of the indian to disappear for ever life a d voyages oc chapter xi r arrival of at or the colony it was on the th of march that arrived at highly satisfied with his expedition into the the appearance of every thing in the vicinity of the harbour was calculated to increase his of future prosperity the plants and fruits of the old worlds which he was endeavouring to introduce into the island gave promise of rapid increase the fields and gardens were in a great state of the stones of various fruits had produced young plants the sugar cane had taken wonderfully to the soil a native vine trimmed and dressed with care had yielded grapes of tolerable and from european vines already began to form their clusters on the th of m a brought to ears of wheat which had been sown in the latter part of january the smaller kind of garden came to maturity in sixteen days and the larger kind such as and were fit for the table within a month after the seed had been put into the ground the soil by and rivers and showers and stimulated by an ardent sun possessed those principles of which surprise the stranger accustomed to less vigorous by the and of vegetation the admiral had scarcely returned to when a messenger arrived from the commander at fort st thomas informing him that the indians of the vicinity had manifested feelings their villages and all	48
the day that they ever left their country the venerable and after him records with much solemnity a popular belief current in the island at the time of his residence there and connected with the fate of these in after years when the seat of the colony was removed from on account of its situation the city to ruin add was abandoned like all decayed and deserted places it soon became an object of awe and superstition to the common people and no one ventured to enter its gates who passed near it or the wild swine which in the neighbourhood declared that they heard appalling voices issue from within its walls by night and day the became fearful therefore to cultivate the fields adjacent the story went adds that two happened one day to wander among the ruined of the place on entering one of the solitary streets they beheld two rows of men evidently fi om their stately of noble blood and of the court they were richly attired in the old mode with by their sides and broad travelling hats such as were worn at the time the two men astonished to behold persons of their rank and appearance that desolate place unknown to the people of the island they them and inquired when and whence they had arrived the maintained a gloomy silence but courteously returned the salutation by raising their hands to their or hats in taking ofi which their heads came ofi also and their j stood the whole phantom assemblage then vanished so great was the astonishment and horror of the that they had nearly fallen de and remained for several days the foregoing legend is curious as the superstitious character of the age and especially of the people with whom had to act it shows also the deep and gloomy impression made upon the minds of the pi lad l c ms ind l c vol i c man by the death of which ed i the of a it was s y do h presented that had been from i hy hit and sacrificed tp his j i m k chapter distribution of the spanish forces in the preparations for a voyage to the increasing of the population of and the rapid consumption o the scanty stores which remained were causes of great anxiety to co he was desirous of proceeding on another voyage of discovery but it was indispensable before sailing to place the affairs of the island in such a state as to secure tranquillity he determined therefore to send all the men that could be spared from into the interior with orders to visit the of the different and to explore the island by this means they would be roused and animated they would become accustomed to the climate and to the diet of the natives and such a force would be played as to the of or any other hostile in of this plan every healthy person not absolutely necessary to the concerns of the city or the care of the sick was put under arms and m little army consisting of two hundred and fifty men one hundred and ten sixteen and twenty officers the general command of the forces was to in whom had great confidence as a noble and a of the order of de was td t life and voyages of f conduct the army to the fortress of st thomas where he was to in die and the latter was to proceed with the main body of the on a tour in which he was particularly to explore the province of and subsequently the other parts of the island wrote a long and earnest letter of instructions to by which to govern himself in a sen ice requiring such great he charged him above all things to observe the greatest justice and discretion in respect to the indians protecting them from all wrong and insult and treating them in such a manner as to secure their confidence and friendship at tlie same time they were to be made to respect the property of the white men and all were to be severely punished whatever provisions were required from them for the of the army were to be fairly purchased by persons whom the admiral appointed for that purpose the purchases were to be made in the presence of the agent of the if the indians refused to sell the necessary provisions was to interfere and compel them to do so acting how ever with all possible gentleness and soothing them by kindness and caresses no traffic was to be allowed between individuals and the natives being to the sovereigns and injurious to the service and it was always to be kept in mind that their were more desirous of tlie of the natives than of any riches to be derived from them a strict discipline was to be maintained in the army all breach of orders to be severely punished the men to be kept together and not suffered to wander from the main body either singly or in small parties so as to expose themselves to be cut oflf by the natives for he observed though these yet there were no people so j apt to be aiid as seldom the life of an enemy when in their power these if followed might have preserved an intercourse with the natives are more especially deserving of notice because dis regarded them ah and by his brought trouble on the colony on the nation destruction on the indians and censure on in addition to the foregoing orders there were particular directions for the surprising and securing of the persons of and his brothers the warlike character of that his artful policy extensive power and rendered him a dangerous enemy the measures proposed were not the most open and but thought himself in	48
among the dark clouds that rolled over its summit for no other purpose than to stand upon its brow and look down on the red torrent dashing with from to whilst the winds roared and the clouds flew in dark columns around us giving to the natural of the place an air of desolation beyond this the mountains stretched away for eight or ten miles in swelling masses between which lay many extensive sweeps well sheltered and abundantly with game particularly with and m s house stood as i said at the foot of this mountain just where the yellow surface of the plain began to into the deeper hues of the heath to the left lay a considerable tract of stony land in a state of cultivation and beyond the river exactly opposite the house rose a long line of hills studded with houses and in summer with pasture and corn fields e of which was heightened by the columns of smoke that across the hills as the breeze carried them through the haze of the atmosphere m s family consisted of himself his wife two daughters and two sons one of these was a young man to drink idle ill tempered and seldom taking a part in the labours of the family but altogether devoted to field sports and dances in many parts of ireland it is usual to play at cards for mutton fowls or and he was seldom absent from such gambling parties if held within a reasonable distance often had the other members of the family remonstrated with him on his idle and courses but their only excited his bad passions and produced on his part angry and language or open to abandon the family altogether and for some years he went on in this way a hardened the voice of reproof and of conscience and insensible to the entreaties of domestic affection or the commands a of parental authority such was his state of mind and mode of life when our story opens at the time in which the incidents contained in this sketch took place the of ireland being less with heavy rents and more in spirits than the decay of national prosperity has of late permitted them to be indulged more frequently and to a greater stretch in those rural sports and so suitable to their natural love of humour and amusement dances wakes and were then held according to the most extravagant forms of ancient usage the people were easier in their circumstances and consequently indulged in them with lighter hearts and a stronger relish for enjoyment when any of the great of their religion approached the popular mind by poverty and national gradually elevated itself to a species of wild and reckless mirth productive of incidents ludicrous and remarkably characteristic of irish manners it is not however to be expected that a people whose love of fighting is so innate a principle in their disposition should these seasons without an occasional crime which threw its deep shadow over the character of their customs many such occurred but they were looked upon then with a degree of horror and of which we can form but a very inadequate idea at present it was upon the advent of one of those christmas that the family of m like every other family in the neighbourhood were making preparations to it with the usual they cleared out their barn in order to have a dance on christmas eve and for this purpose the two sons and the servant man wrought with that kind of industry produced by the cheerful prospect of some happy event for a week or fortnight before the evening on which the dance was appointed to be held due notice of it had been given to the neighbours and of course there was no doubt but that it would be attended christmas eve as the whole day preceding christmas is called has been always a day of great and bustle the whole week previous to it is also remarkable as exhibiting the importance attached by the people to those occasions on which they can give a loose to their love of fun and the farm house a thorough father and sons are or rather used to be all engaged in the out houses them with where it was wanted mending stable floors fixing cow making removing and streets on the other hand the mother daughters and maids were also engaged in their several the latter the furniture with sand the mother making preparations bread killing fowls or meat whilst the daughters were unusually intent upon the of their own dress and the making up of the family linen all however was performed with an air of gaiety and pleasure the ivy and were disposed about the and collar beams with glee the chimneys were swept amidst songs and laughter many bad voices and some good ones were put in whilst several who had never been known to chant a alarmed the listeners by the grotesque and incomprehensible nature of their melody those who were inclined to devotion and there is no of it in ireland took to and hymns which they sang for want of better airs to tunes highly comic we have ourselves often heard the sung in irish verse to the air of o and other hymns to the tune of peas upon a and lawn sometimes on the contrary many of them from the very the rope with which a cow is tied in the cow of would become pathetic and indulge in those touching old airs of their country which may t e truly called songs of sorrow from the exquisite and pathos with which they abound this though it nay seem is but natural for there is nothing so apt to recall to the heart those friends whether absent or dead with whom it has been con as a	50
stated festival affection is then awakened and calls to the hearth where it those on whose faces it loves to look if they be living it places them in the circle of happiness which it and if they be removed for ever from such scenes their memory which amidst the din of ordinary life has almost passed away is now restored and their loss felt as if it had been only just then sustained for this reason at such times it is not at all unusual to see the elders of irish families touched by pathos as well as humour the irish are a people whose affections are as strong as their arc vivid and in illustration of this we may add that many a have we seen them raised to mirth and melted into tears almost at the same time by a song of the most comic character the mirth however was for the song and the sorrow for the memory of some beloved relation who had been remarkable for singing it or with whom it had been a favourite we do not that in the family of the m there were upon the occasion which we are describing any tears shed the of the season and the of the expected dance both combined to give them a more than usual degree of mirth and at an early hour all that was necessary for the due of that night and the succeeding day had been arranged and completed the had been in the christmas candles bought the barn cleared out the seats laid in short everything in its place and a place for everything about one o clock however the young members of the fa began to betray some symptoms of uneasiness k v nor was m himself though the or man of the house altogether so from what they felt as might if the cause of it were known to our readers be expected from a man of his years and o from time to time one of the girls tripped out as far as the before the door where she stood looking in a particular direction until her sight was strained her mother exclaimed during her absence but that s sick about but it would be the beautiful joke all out if he d disappoint the whole of it wouldn t be unlike the same man to go to wherever he can make most money and sure small blame to him for that what s one place to him more than another hut m replied rising however to so out himself the s a of an where s yourself out to rejoined his wife with a wink of shrewd humour at the rest i say frank are you goin to look for him too but that s why thin you ould rogue is that the way you i have often hard it said that one fool makes many but sure enough an ould fool s worse nor any come in here this minute i say walk back you to have your horn up indeed why i am only goin to get the small boiled for the pigs poor for their christmas dinner sure we t to neglect no more nor ourselves the that can t their wants except by saints above the lord forgive me for down their names upon a christmas eve but its beside himself the man is an him knows that the a laughing stock v i m i ties boiled an made up in halls for them this in the mean time the wife good natured attack upon her husband produced considerable mirth in the family in consequence of what she said be hesitated but ultimately was proceeding towards the door when the daughter returned her brow flushed and her eye lit up with mirth and delight ha said the father with a smile all s right you seen him a the music s in your eye a an the feet of you can t keep themselves off o the ground an all you seen the fields his head up an his skirt out behind him s i the father had properly for the joy which animated the countenance could not he i misunderstood i s she exclaimed clapping her hands with great glee an our frank him they re at the river and frank has him on his back and his arm come out come out you ll die for good at them i knew he d come i knew it god be m good to that christmas it s a brave r time in a moment the inmates were before the door all anxious to catch a glimpse of and ay sure enough doubt of it i d never might be heard in distinct exclamations from each faith he s a said the an must get of the best we have come in child her an red the for him christmas comes but a year an christmas comes but a year his fiddle ii an the a mouth shall be while i have ale or beer christmas comes but a year an christmas comes but a year han in han an can to can then hi for the ale an beer christmas comes but a year an christmas comes but a year then the high an the low shall shake their toe when d ale an beer for all that the fig i care for either ale or beer in regard of mere give me the eh alley we have a any how why thin replied the wife the be from me the about us for him but youve a greater than some of your i suppose it s your frank has in him will you behave yourself you ould behave i say an let me go will you help	50
me to this man out o the place look at him here an his fingers afore me an me out to dance alive exclaimed the good man out of breath i seen the day any way an maybe could show a step or two yet if i was well vexed you can t forget ould times alley eh you thief have man alive replied the wife in a tone of placid gravity which only betrayed the pleasure she herself felt in his happiness have an the strange man in an don t let him see you in the observation of the good woman produced a loud laugh them what are at she ii inquired why mother one of her daughters how could a mind man see any alley herself laughed at her blunder but replied faith maybe he can often see as through his ear you can do eyes open sure they say he can hear the for that observed the joining in the joke he can see as far as any of us while we re asleep the conversation was then proceeding when bar ny and young frank m entered the kitchen in a moment all hands were extended to mi ha h did you come at last you re welcome my how is every cart load of you how is why thin holy music did you never see afore clear off from about me or by the sweets of v play the an things you re welcome an how are you ban ny why thin o moses don t i know i m welcome an you must be me what every body knows but sure i have great news for you all what is that well but can keep a can girls can we well so can i ha ha ha now are come let me to the here i ll lead you no i have him come i ll lead you here this is the spot that s it why said the arch girl as she placed him in the comer one o the but knows you it never ha ba ha b that tongue o yours will some one afore long if it has nt done so already but how is poor is it faith times is hard her often says i to her what do you say we re to go to two or three places today do you say do you lead an i ll follow your is my pleasure an where are we to says enough why says i to an s to s to jack s an at the heel o the hunt to frank m s of the mountain bar by my song says she i ou may go where you for me i m off to frank m s one of the men in europe an his wife the same a toe i ll set a in any other place this night says she for tis there we re both well the best the house can afford so says she in the name of all that s musical you re welcome to the an any where else for me i m off to frank s an faith sure enough she took to her an it was only over the hill there that young frank an i her a lie in it id fact besides being a was a sha of the first water could tell a story or trace a as well as any man living and draw the long bow in either capacity much better than he could in the practice of his more legitimate profession well here she is to the fore said the arch girl an now give us a tune what replied the is it either or why the s beside herself alley get him the linen an a sup to his elbow the good woman instantly went to provide for the come girls said will get me a or a a or a what to do why to my nails be sure replied with a loud laugh but stay come back here i ll make shift to do with a pair of this bout the finds his sons the them the makes his nails the them i i wherever came there was mirth and a disposition to be pleased so that his jokes always told the you said one of the girls but there s no bein up to you good or bad the me is it you ll soon be yourself some one do you know a young man a on him to a point like the pin of a sun dial his knees the king s pace one another ever since he was able to walk an that was about four years he could say his father an faith whatever you may think there s no them except by between them the wrong side of his too is foremost an though the one half of his two feet is all heels he keeps the same heels for set days an nights an walks on his his leg too is stuck in the middle of his foot like a in a an along all here your hand at this said the good woman who had not heard his ludicrous description of her son in law bee ate bread an be strong i ll warrant when you begin to play they ll give you little time to do anything but scrape away taste the first any way in the name o god and she filled him a glass faith you re the moral of a woman are you there m here s a sudden iii t i i i f tion to your family may they be all speed the girls to all o the parish na ha ha well that t vex them any how	50
an next here s a merry christmas to us an many o them an age oh by that fa that s frank run my breath i ve run you tory ob by that s stuff as s so it i what well do you that from for faith be mighty convenient to live near it in a hard frost was now silent for some time which silence was produced by the industry he displayed in the substantial before him when he had concluded his he once more tasted the liquor after which he got and continued playing their favourite tunes and amusing them anecdotes true and false until the h hour drew nigh when his services were expected by the young men and maidens who had assembled to dance in the barn occasionally however they took a preliminary step in which they were joined by a few of their neighbours old frank himself felt his spirits elevated by contemplating the happiness of his children and their young associates frank said he to the youngest of his sons go down to s and tell him an his family to come up to the dance early in the s a pleasant man he added and a good neighbour but a small thought too strict in his duties tell him to come up frank i say he ll have time enough to go to the midnight mass the of and the an maybe he can t do both in style ay said frank in his manner he carries a handy heel at the and a tongue at the but let him alone for the bottom of his glass and his acquainted but if he d pray less ji go along a an bring him up replied the father you to talk about them that ud catch you at a prayer ought to be showed for the world to at a man two heads an him would be a fool to him go along i say and do what you re bid goin said frank vm off but if he doesn t come i ll then have my journey for an it s good payment for any journey ever you ll make it s to the gallows replied the father nearly provoked at his reluctance in obeying him won t you have enough in the o the night for not go to the midnight mass and why don t you be off you at frank shrugged his shoulders two or three times being loth to leave the music and dancing but on seeing his father about to address him in language he went out with a frown on his brows and a bursting from his lips he had not proceeded more than a few yards from the door when he met his father s servant on his way to the kitchen said he isn t this a business my father to send me down to s when by the o my oath i d as soon go half way into hell as to any place where his son ud be how will i manage why replied as to take my advice and avoid him and what is more i d give up for good isn t it a mane thing for you frank to be after a girl that s of another than she is of yourself by this and by that i d no more do it catch me at it i d have in me frank s brow darkened as spoke instead of instantly replying e was silent and appeared to be you vol i t some point in his own mind on which he had not come to a determination my father did nt hear of the fight between and me said he do you think he did not to my knowledge replied the servant if he did he would nt surely send t ou down but talking of the fight you are known to be a stout boy no doubt of that still i say you had no right to provoke as you did who it s well known could any two men in the parish and so sign you got yourself about a girl that doesn t love a bone in your skin he disgraced me observed frank i can t rise my head and you know i was thought by all the parish as good a man as him no i wouldn t this blessed eve above us for all that ever my name was worth be disgraced by him as i am but man have patience and frank that s what t ou never had said and as to bein disgraced you disgraced yourself what right had you to challenge the boy to fight and to strike him into the bargain danced and wouldn t go out you death alive sure that wasn t his fault every word of reproof which proceeded from s lips but strengthened frank s rage and added to his t sense of shame he looked first in the direction of s house and towards the little village in which lived said he him fiercely on the shoulder go in i ve i ve made up my mind upon what do go in and get your dinner but don t be out of the way when i come back and what have you made up your mind to inquired why be the sacred mother o to to be friends ay there s and in that replied and if you d take my advice you d give up too i ll see you when i come back don t be from about the place and as he spoke a single spring brought him over the at which they held the foregoing conversation on advancing he found himself in one of his	50
father s fields under the shelter of an elder hedge here he paused and seemed still somewhat uncertain as to the direction in which he should proceed at length he decided the way towards s was that which he took and as he walked rapidly he soon found himself at the village in which she lived it was now a little after twilight the night was clear the moon being in her first quarter and the clouds through which she appeared to struggle were light and but rather cold looking such in ta would seem to promise a sudden fall of snow frank had passed the two first of the village and was in the act of the attacks of some cur that assailed him when he received a slap on the back accompanied by a a co a a who s thin exclaimed frank eh why more you thief o the world is this ay indeed an you re goin down to s said the other pointing significantly towards s house well man what s the harm she may get worse that is still that you ll mend your manners a but isn t your nose out o joint there frank no thing at all replied frank down his indignation which rose afresh on hear god save you frank where are you goin now you black k if ing that the terms on which he stood with were so notorious but it is said an to tell the blessed vm not that it s out o joint for when i you to lave the case in mt hands along a small trifle that didn t signify much to you not at all you d rather play it at cards or it or it no good out o joint if ever a man s nose was to be pitied and yours is why didn t put it out o joint first in regard to and secondly by the he gave you an it it s well known replied frank that twas by a chance blow he did it and you know a chance blow might kill the but there was no danger of s the chance blow observed the sarcastic for such he was maybe it s afore him replied his companion we tl have another for it any how but where are you goin is it to the dance me is it a man five holy an him no no i might go up maybe as far as your father s merely to see the family only for the night that s in it but i m goin to another s place to an over an above i must go to the midnight mass frank change your an mend your life an don t be the talk o the parish me to the family an say i ll see them soon how long will you stop in the neighbourhood inquired frank why replied the softening his language might be to see you some o these days said frank indeed it s not unlikely so don t go any how me all said had you taken a fool s advice but it can t be helped the harm s done i doubt how an ever for the o that maybe i have as good as in my eye for you by the same token as the night s could warm your tooth there s nor this in sup of it ever i keep for my own use at all when i take a touch o in my or maybe when vm too long at my prayers for god help me sure i m but to work out my salvation as well as i can your health any how an a merry to you not myself he added putting to his lips a large cow s horn which he kept beneath his arm like the of a only that this was generally concealed by an outside coat no two inches of which were of the same materials or colour having taken a tolerably large draught from this which by the way held near two he handed it with a and a shrug to frank who immediately gave it a wipe with the skirt of his coat and pledged his companion i ll be observed frank to see you in the faith that stuff s to be yet so don t go till we have a dish o about i ll to you as for i m done her she may marry ould nick for me or you for ould nick said the which f would be nearly the same thing but go an an never heed me sure i must have my doesn t every body know more i ve else to say added frank and ou have my authority to spread it as far as you m done her so good night an good to your horn you damn ould villain he in a low voice when had got out of his hearing surely it s not in yourself but in the blessed words and things you have about you that there is any good good night frank replied th good may what s in it never fail other ao the sweep y for a that s a curse to the country and has me out o more than any i ev cr met by your in evil between an when they d be ready for the priest to say the words over them good won t come of you you the last words were scarcely uttered by the sturdy when he turned round to observe whether or not frank would stop at s the father of the girl to whom he had hitherto fully his attachment i d on him said he in a as soon as on ice of an hour s growth an whether	50
or not sure as i m on my way to s the father of the boy that he s to t i as well watch his motions ay way he accordingly proceeded along the shadowy of the street in order to avoid frank s eye should he chance to look back and quietly on until be fairly saw him enter the house having satisfied himself that the object of frank s visit to the village was in some shape connected with the immediately his steps and at a pace more rapid than usual on to s whither he arrived just in time to secure an excellent christmas eve dinner in ireland that description of which so strikingly from the common crowd of beggars as to constitute a distinct species within itself as an of fun devotion external and private love of superstition and of good as might naturally be supposed without any great stretch of to belong to men thrown among a people ip whom so many extremes of character and morals meet the known beggar who goes his own rounds and has his own walk always his character to a of his benefactor whose ai d of temper he studies with industry ai s by this means joined to a dexterity in tracing out the private history of and he is enabled to ur to manage the and to touch with a the prejudices and particular opinions of his and this he to do with address and tact such was the character of more whose naturally large was increased to an the number of coats and bags with he was a large belt round his body contained within its much more of money meal and than ever met the eye bis hat was exceedingly low in the crown his legs wore in at least three pairs of stockings and in his ba nd he carried a long at the end with he himself over small rivers and and kept dogs at bay was a too notwithstanding the horn under his arm at tended wakes and rubbed for the rose and king s evil for the insisted that he was a seventh son cured tooth y and head by charms but made most by a which he possessed of into the naked breast the representation of christ upon the cross this was a secret of considerable value for many of the superstitious people believed that by having this stain ed in upon them they would escape unnatural deaths and be almost sure of heaven when approached s house he was considering the propriety of to his th fact of his having left his rival with he ultimately determined that it would be proper tp do so for be was shrewd enough to suspect that u f h frank had expressed of seeing bin before lie left the country was a to purchase his a f a swelling touching bis appearance in the village in this however he was mistaken god save the house exclaimed on entering god save the house an all that s in it god save it to the north and he formed the sign of the cross in that direction god save it to the south to the and to the t save it upwards save it downwards save it backwards and save it forwards save it right and save it left save it by night save it by day save it here save it there save it this way an save it that way save it an save it an now that i ve blessed the place in the name of the nine how are all man woman an child an a merry christmas to says more in the usual spirit of irish hospitality received a sincere welcome was placed up near the fire a plate filled with the best food on the table laid before him and requested to want nothing for the asking why said we expected you long ago why didn t you come sooner the lord s will be done for ev ry man has his replied himself in the corner like an an why should a sinner like me or the likes o me be twas a i had last night that me they say indeed that go by but not always to my own knowledge an what was the about inquired s wife why ma am about some that i see on this hearth well an in good health may they long live to be so blessed sure it would be bad that s to happen would it keep yourself on that head i have my own the power of it come out for good i know the prayer for it tt god be praised for that sure it would be a terrible business all out if anything was to happen here s that was born on monday of all days in the year an you know they say any child born on that day is to die an we named after st michael that he might him make yourself i say don t i tell you i have the prayer to keep it back why there a bit stuck in my some way what s this maybe you could give me a up o or anything to the morsel i m ma am dear make haste iv goin the breath me oh the taste o said sure this is christmas eve you know so you see for ould acquaintance sake an that you may put up an odd prayer now an thin for us foe this honoured the gift by immediate acceptance well said he u make m take more o this stuff nor any man i know and by th it bein given a to the an an holy charms i don t think it so good indeed as father when the wind by long gets	50
into my as was the ease to ay vm often god help me a in an thin it s good for me a little of it this would make a brave more observed one of s sons if it wasn t so big what do you keep in it why a ind d but a sup o s holy that t say by am it him trouble to produce by that he must fa a long time and pray by the day afore he gets himself holy enough to it i it smells like said the boy without any intention however of offending him i smells very like your tongue said the elder what ud make the honest man have in it didn t he tell you what s in it the s right enough replied i got the horn from a couple o days twas he had in it an it smells of it sure enough an will indeed for some tin e longer the heavens be praised i ve made a good dinner may they never know want that gave it to me this said offering him another an i will thin for i find myself a great the of the one i well here s health an happiness to us an wa in heaven hand me that horn till din t o the barn in to do for my the holy s a good thing to have about one but the inquired mrs won t you tell it to us let follow me to the barn he replied an i ll tell him as much of it as he ought to hear an now let all of prepare for the midnight mass go there proper an not to be or by the way we re all any way an t to neglect our he immediately with the horn under his arm towards the barn where he knelt and began his in a tone sufficiently loud to be heard in the kitchen when he was gone mrs who with the curiosity natural to her sex and the superstition to her station in life felt anxious to hear s dream urged to follow him forthwith k hat he might prevail on him to detail it at who knew not exactly what the dream ought to be replied to s inquiries vaguely said he the proper time comes i tell it but listen take my advice an slip down to s by and by i have strong suspicions if my is that frank m hat a design upon her people may be abroad this night bein noticed by o the midnight mass frank has friends in up behind the mountains an the might tempt him to bring her there keep your eye an him or rather an if my s true he was there this night i thought i gave him enough on her account said the poor girl a day s pace in regard of him but goodness v soon put an end to it for marry her the days go an let me finish my i have to get through it before the midnight mass comes slip down and find out what he was and when you come back let me know perfectly aware of young m s character immediately went towards for so the village where lived was called he felt the danger to be apprehended from the interference of his rival the more inasmuch as he was not ignorant of the and quarrels which the former had frequently produced between friends and neighbours by the subtle poison of his which both wanton and malicious he therefore advanced at an unusually brisk pace and had nearly reached the village when he perceived in the distance a person resembling frank approaching him at a pace nearly as rapid as his own if it is frank m thought he he must pass me for this is his straight line home it appeared however that he had been mistaken for he whom he had supposed to be the object of his crossed the field by a different path and seemed to be utterly ignorant of the person whom be was about to meet so far at least as a quick free step could intimate his acquaintance with him the fact however was that had the person whom he met approached him more nearly have found his first suspicions correct frank was then on his return from s and no sooner perceived whom he immediately by his great height than he took another in order to avoid him the enmity between these rivals was deep and on the one hand by a sense of injury and on the other by personal defeat and the bitterest jealousy for this reason neither of them wished to meet frank m who not only hated but feared his enemy having succeeded in avoiding the latter soon reached home but here he found the door closed and the family without a single exception in the barn which was now nearly crowded with the of both sexes from the surrounding villages frank s arrival amongst them gave a fresh to their mirth and enjoyment his manners were highly agreeable and his spirits almost to le notwithstanding the of his character in the of the sober steady and respectable inhabitants of the parish yet he was a favourite with the and thoughtless and with many who had not an opportunity of seeing him except in his most favourable aspect whether he entertained on occasion any latent design that might have him to assume a frankness of manner and an appearance of good humour which he did not feel it is difficult to determine be this as it may he made himself generally agreeable saw that every one was comfortable suggested an ua in the arrange i if ment of the seats broke several on and which however were returned with interest	50
and in fact himself so that his father whispered with a sigh to his mother alley would nt we be the happy family if that boy of ours was to be always the thing he appears to be god help him the if he had and the fear o before he d not be a piece of to strangers ana a s limb ourselves but he s young an may see his evil in time the help o god may god grant it exclaimed his mother a fine slip he is if his heart ud only turn to the right thoughts one can t help feeling pride out o him when they see him any kind p the irish dance like every other assembly composed of and presents the spectator with those traits which enter into our conception of fun and broad humour the very arrangements are and when joined to the eccentric strains of some blind like to the grotesque and faces of the men and the modes but evidently arch and countenances of the females they cannot fail to impress an observing mind with the obvious truth that a nation of people so and easily directed from the serious and useful pursuits of life to such scenes can seldom be industrious and wealthy nor despite their mirth and humour a happy people the barn in which they danced on this occasion was a lai e one around the walls were placed as many seats as could be spared from the neighbours houses these were out by of corn laid logs of round timber old iron pots with their turned up and some of them in their usual position on these were the seated many of the boys with their on their knees the arms of the fair ones lovingly around vol i ia as their necks and on the contrary many of the young women with their on their their own necks also gallantly encircled by the arms of their admirers up in a corner sat surrounded by the of the village the fiddle with vigour and leading the conversation with equal spirit indeed his laugh was the and his j ke the best whilst ever and anon his music became perfectly furious that is to ay when he the fiddle with a desperate effort to overtake the dancers from whom in the heat of the conversation he had behind dancing in ireland like everything else connected with the amusement of the people is frequently productive of it is not unusual for from opposite or from distant parts of the same parish to meet and dance against each other for victory but as the judges in those cases consist of the respective friends or of the their mode of decision may readily be many a battle is fought in consequence of such the result usually being that not he who has the heel but the hardest head g comes off the conqueror while the usual variety of irish dances the fling three part four part country dance or cut along as the call it and and were going forward in due our readers may be assured that those who were seated around the walls did not permit the time to pass without improving it many an attachment is formed at such amusements and many a bitter jealousy is excited the and the and rustic stand out here as to the eye of him who is acquainted with human nature as they do in similar among the great perhaps more so as there is less art and a more limited knowledge of to conceal their natural character the dance in ireland usually with those who sit next the door from whence it goes round with the sun in this manner it two or three times after which the order is generally departed from and they dance according as they can this neglect of the established rule is also a fertile source of discord for when two persons rise at the same time if there be not room for both the matter is often decided by blows at the dance we are describing however there was no every heart appeared to be not only elated with mirth but also free from resentment and jealousy the din produced by the of vigorous feet upon the floor the noise of the fiddle the chat between and the little sober knot about him together with the brisk murmur of the general and the expression of delight which sat on every had something in them to the spirits who knew the voices and even the mode of dancing peculiar to almost every one in the barn had some joke for each when a young man brings out his sweetheart which he frequently does in a manner irresistibly ludicrous sometimes giving a spring from the earth his set with a knowing air on one side of his head advancing at a trot on tip toe catching her by the ear leading her out to her position which is to face the then ending by a snap of the fingers and another spring in which he brings his heel backwards in contact with his ham we say when a young man brings out his sweetheart and places her facing the he asks her what she will dance to which if she has no favourite tune she uniformly replies your will is my pleasure this usually made groan aloud what you oh thin alive how little s in this world your will s my pleasure but if things goes an it won t be long so why the young man would exclaim ia the fit over you n in jim but if home am do you go an but you have v but oil your wrist a or will lave us both out o in no time success clear the well done that s the go when the had	50
danced for some time the fathers and mothers of the village were called upon to step out this was generally the most amusing scene in the dance no excuse is ever taken on such occasions for when they refuse about a dozen young fellows place them will they they upright upon the floor from whence neither themselves nor their wives are permitted to move until they dance no sooner do they commence than they are against each other by two sham parties one encouraging the wife the other cheering on the good man whilst the falling in with the plays in his most furious style the simplicity of character and perhaps the lurking vanity of those who are the of the mirth on this occasion frequently the jest why thin is it to me you are you never seen that day any way the ld woman would exclaim all her vigour did nt i ml sober you before i lave the for all that her husband would reply an do you forget she would that the is in me ay an it s to the good still and the old dame would accompany the boast with a fresh attempt at to which would respond by cutting the and snapping his fingers whilst fifty voices amidst of laughter were loud in encouraging each handle your feet the s him off the or i do you that s it kick off the other an don t spare the a thousand guineas an for ever alive the s not by you lay an it man that s it our side europe success why you could dance the dusty miller upon a paved drawn you re so for ever the blood s in you you ll win the day a ban choir more power to you i ll a on heel an toe you sinner right an left an his breath s goin right an wrong you the s an you man alive do it an don t let me lose the in this manner would they some old man and perhaps his older wife to prolonged exertion and keep them and about amidst of laughter until the worthy couple could dance no during stated periods of the night those who took the most prominent part in the dance got a plate and hat with which they went round the to make for the reserved his best and most sarcastic jokes for these occasions for so correct was his ear that he felt little in those whose to him were such as he did not relish the of the irish for enjoying humorous decent woman i v s images was well displayed by one or two circumstances which occurred on this night a few of both who had come rather could get no other seats than the pots to we have alluded the young women were dressed in white and their companions who were also their admirers exhibited in proud display each a new suit consisting of broad cloth coat yellow and with a bunch of broad silk ribbons standing out at each knee they were the sons and daughters of respectable farmers but as all distinctions here entirely ceased they were fain to rest contented with such seats as they could get which on this occasion consisted of the pots no sooner however had they risen to dance than the house was with laughter heightened by the sturdy vigour with which unconscious of their appearance they continued to dance that part of the white female dresses which had come in contact with the pots exhibited a circle like the full moon and was black as pitch nor were their partners more lucky those who sat on the mouths of the pots had the back part of their dresses with dark circles equally ludicrous the mad mirth with which they danced in spite of their grotesque appearance was irresistible this and other incidents quite as pleasant such as the case of a wag who purposely sank himself into one of the pots until it stuck to him through half tlie dance increased the laughter and disposed them to peace and cordiality no man took a more active part in these than young frank m it is true a keen eye might have noticed under his gaiety something of a moody and dissatisfied air as he moved about from time to time he whispered something to above a dozen persons who were well known in the country as his intimate companions young fellows whose disposition and character were bad when he communicated the whisper a nod of assent was given by his m l a after which it might be remarked that they moved round to the door with a caution that betrayed a fear of observation and quietly out of the bam though frank himself did not immediately follow them in about a quarter of an hour afterwards came in gave him a signal and sat down frank then followed his companions and after a few minutes also disappeared this was about ten o clock and the dance was proceeding with great gaiety and animation frank s dread of openly offending his parents prevented him from his associates in the dwelling h the only convenient place of therefore of which they could avail themselves was the stable here they met and frank after a bottle of addressed them to the following effect boys there s great excuse for me in regard of my fight that you ll all allow come boys your i can tell you ll find this good the a doubt of it be the same token that stole it from my father s christmas but no for that hope we ll never do worse so as i was you must bear me out as well as you can when i m brought before the to morrow for and a brother but i think you ll stand	50
by me boys by the o war frank myself will fight to the knees for you faith you may depend on frank or we re not to the fore i know it boys and now for a piece of fun for this night you see come an man alive you see regard to eh what the hell is that a cough those connected with are sworn to have no private or personal quarrels nor to strike nor provoke each to fi t he and were members of such societies f one o the horses man go an did more go into the barn you came out of it more not be if he did a seen surely why thin kiss the book i seen him goin to wards the barn as i was into the stable he s a made boy that an if i don t mistake he s in i s you know devil a can escape him hut the ould was on his way to the midnight mass he slow and of has to set out early besides you know he has cards and and the likes to sell at the chapel for you why i thought he might take it into his head to watch my motions in regard that as i said i think him in s nonsense man what the md bring him into the stable why you re beside be i so but no boys i want to stand to me to night given to know for a that and will be to t the now i wish to get the girl myself for if i get her may i be ground to if he will well but how will you manage for she s j him u why tell you that i was over there this evening and i understood that all the family is goin to the midnight mass herself you see while they re all gone to the office we ll slip down a o on our and walk off her to the mountains to an uncle s o mine an that let any man n her who chooses to run the risk be the o the book if you don t knock your head the wall you i mass i it why be all beautiful a good stick to you like be the o my you t to be in it or why here s another bottle an maybe there s more where that was well let us finish what we have or be the five til give up the whole business why thin here s success to us any way an high to that ud you in your this blessed an holy night that s in it this was re echoed by his friends who pledged themselves by the most solemn oaths not to abandon him in the of the outrage which they had the other bottle was immediately opened and while it lasted the details of the plan were explained at full length this over they entered the barn one by one except frank and who as they were determined to steal another bottle from the father s stock did not appear among the dancers until this was accomplished the re appearance of these and reckless young fellows in the dance was hailed by all present for their outrageous mirth was in character with the genius of the place the dance went on with spirit dancers were called upon to exhibit in and for this purpose a table was brought in from frank s kitchen on which they performed in succession each applauded by his respective party as the best in the barn in the mean time the night had advanced the hour might be about half past ten o clock all were in the of enjoyment when old frank m addressed them as follows neighbours the o one o me would like to break up the sport an in harmless and sport it is but you all know that this is christmas night and that it ft our duty to the midnight mass any body that likes to hear it may go for it s near time to be home an prepare for it but the u me wants to take any of from your sport if you prefer it all i say is that i must lave you so god be till we meet this short speech produced a general bustle in the barn many of the elderly neighbours left it and several of the young persons also it was christmas eve and the midnight mass had from time so strong a hold upon their prejudices and affections that the temptation must indeed have been great which would have prevented them from attending it when old frank went out about one third of those who were present left the dance along with him and as the hour for mass was approaching they lost no time in preparing for it the midnight mass is no doubt a phrase familiar to our irish readers but we doubt whether those in the sister who may honour our book with a pe would without a more particular description clearly understand it this ceremony was performed as a not only of the night but of the hour in which christ was born to connect it either with or the abuse of religion would be so we overlook that and describe it as it existed within our own memory remarking by the way that though now go j it is in some parts of ireland observed or has been till within a few years ago the parish in which the scene of this story is j was large consequently the attendance of the people was great on christmas day a catholic priest has or is said to have the privilege of saying three masses though on	50
every other day in the year he can but two each priest then said one at midnight and two on the following day accordingly about twenty or thirty years ago the performance of the midnight mass was looked upon as an highly important and interesting the preparations for it were general and fervent so much so that not a roman catholic family slept till they heard it it is true it only occurred once a year but had any person who saw it once been called upon to describe it he would say that religion could scarcely present a scene so wild and striking the night in question was very dark for the moon had long disappeared and as the inhabitants of the whole parish were to meet in one spot it may be supposed that the difficulty was very great of in the darkness of midnight the space between their respective and the place appointed by the priest for the of mass this difficulty they contrived to from about eleven at night till twelve or one o clock the parish presented a scene singularly picturesque and to a person with its causes altogether mysterious over the sur face of the surrounding country were scattered of blazing all to one point whilst at a distance in the central part of the parish which lay in a valley might be seen a broad of red light quite stationary with which one or more of the that moved across the fields mingled every moment these were of fir dried and split for the occasion all persons were accordingly furnished with them and by their blaze contrived to make way across the country with comparative ease mass having been especially associated with and enjoyment was always attended by such excessive numbers that the ceremony was in most celebrated in the open air if the weather were at all favourable altogether as we have said the appearance of the country at this dead hour of the night as wild and impressive being christmas every heart was up and every pocket with money if it could at all be procured this general elevation of spirits was nowhere more remarkable than in contemplating the thousands of both sexes old and young each furnished as before said with a blazing of fir all streaming down the mountain sides along the roads or across the fields and settling at last into one broad sheet of fire many a loud laugh might then be heard ringing the night echo into was the in hard irish and now and then a song from some one whose had been rather copious would rise on the night breeze to which a was by a dozen voices from the neighbouring groups on passing the and public houses the din of mingled voices that issued from them was highly amusing made up as it was of songs loud talk ing and laughter with an occasional sound of weeping from some one who had become penitent in his drink in the larger public houses for in ireland there usually are one or two of these in the immediate vicinity of each chapel family parties were assembled who set in to both before and after mass those however who had any love on hands generally selected the house as being private and less calculated to expose them to general observation as a of course these jovial frequently produced disastrous both to human life and female reputation the between the sexes the quarrels and violent deaths from them ultimately occasioned the of a ceremony which was only productive of evil to this day it is an opinion among the in many parts of ireland that there is something unfortunate connected with all drinking held upon christmas eve such a prejudice naturally arises from a recollection of the which so frequently many individuals while midnight masses were in the habit of being celebrated none of frank m s family attended mass but himself and his wife his children having been bound by all the rules of courtesy to do the honours of the could not absent themselves from it nor indeed were they disposed to do so frank however his good woman carried their and the crowds which to this scene of fun and devotion when they had arrived at the cross roads beside which the chapel was situated the first object that presented itself so as to attract observation was more dressed out in all his of blanket and horn in addition to which he held in his hand an immense torch formed into the figure of a cross he was seated upon a stone surrounded by a ring of old men and women to whom he sang and sold a of christmas many of them rare in their way inasmuch as they were h own composition a little beyond them stood n and towards both of whom he cast from time to time a glance of latent humour and triumph he did not simply confine himself to singing his but during the pauses of the melody addressed the wondering and attentive crowd as follows good christians this is the day it s night now glory be to god that the angel appeared to an to bed in the village of near he heavens be praised for it twas a blessed an holy night an remains so from that to well the one of him but appeared to at the hour o midnight but they were p at the time you see and did nt him so that he pulled out a horn like mine an by that same token it s lucky to wear horns about one from that day to this an he put it to his lips an a good i mane gave a good blast that soon roused them are asleep says he when they awoke why then age says he isn t it a	50
shame for able stout fellows like to be asleep at the hour o night of all hours o the night an age says he get up you dirty i there s vol i p st in the pope s his to ireland to bless it in regard that neither corn nor nor will grow an the land in of a set of that it up an there s not a glass of to be had in ireland for love or money says get up says he an go in an get his sure there s not a catholic in the but s in the town by this says he ay an many of the themselves and the black mouths an blue are gone in to get a share of it and now says he you so i it from this out that the present night is to be in the church all over the world an must be holy an no catholic ever will miss from this an opportunity ot bein awake at midnight says he glory be to god an now good christians you have an account o th blessed i was for they re but a piece an any body that has the grace to keep one o these about them will never meet sudden deaths or accidents as or or bein taken suddenly a inwardly i knew a holy man that had a about a friend of his it was will any of take one thank you a my the o the pilgrim be an you god bless you an i m proud that he put it into your heart to buy one for the you know an now that father s any of that ill want them ill find me here when mass is over the priest at this time made his appearance and those who had been assembled on the cross roads joined the crowd at the chapel no sooner was it among them that their had arrived than the noise singing and laughing were immediately hushed the and public houses were left and all to the green where mass was to be said as the crowd was too large to be contained within the small chapel and were among the last who sought the green as lovers they probably preferred walking apart to the inconvenience of being by the multitude as they sauntered on slowly after the rest felt himself touched on the shoulder and on turning round found more beside him it s painful to my observed the to have to say this blessed night that your father s son should act so shabby an saints above how why don t ou know that only for me for what i heard an wm i you you d not have the girl here at your elbow wasn t it as i his to come an whip up the to while the family ud be at mass sure only for this i say you an that made you bring her to mass where ud the be why half way to an the girl disgraced for ever for you i grant it what do you want me to do for that at all only i suppose that when your tailor made the clothes an you he put no pockets to them oh i see where you are well here s a crown for you an when an i s made man an wife you ll get another i see you are your s son still now listen to me first you needn t fear sudden death while you keep that blessed about you next get your friends together goin home for frank might take the liberty about a score of his boys to lift her from you even thin do the thing i don t thrust him an moreover watch in her father s house to your friends make it up frank there s an oath upon you both yon make it up him if he you don t have a broken oath upon you for if you refuse he ll g t you put out o an that ud him to the back bone felt the truth and of this advice and determined to follow it both young men had been members of an society and in yielding to their passions so far as to assault each other had been guilty of the following christmas day had been appointed by their parish take the quarrel into consideration and the best means of escaping censure was certainly to express regret for what had occurred and to the hostility by an of their they had now reached the chapel green where the scene that presented itself was so striking and strange that we will give the reader an imperfect sketch of its appearance he who stood at midnight upon a little mount which rose behind the chapel might see between five and six thousand all blazing together and forming a level mass of red dusky light burning against the dark horizon these were so close to each other that their light seemed to as if they had constituted one wide surface of flame and nothing could be more looking than the striking and countenances of those who were assembled at their midnight worship when observed beneath this of fire the mass was performed under the open sky upon a table covered with the linen and other apparatus for the ceremony the priest stood in white with two large on each side of his book the prayers in a low rapid voice his hands raised whilst the congregation were hushed and bent forward in the silence of devotion their faces touched by the strong blaze of the into an expression of deep solemnity the scenery about the secret party place was wild and striking and the stars scattered over the heavens with a faint religious light that blended	50
well with the solemnity of this extraordinary worship and rendered the rugged nature of the abrupt cliffs and together with the still outline of the stern mountains sufficiently visible to add to the and of the ceremony in fact there was an character about it and the like appearance of the white priest as he mattered his prayer to the midnight air would almost impress a man with the belief that it was a meeting of the dead and that the priest was repeating like the grey his mass of the days that were gone on the ceremony being concluded the scene however was instantly changed the lights were waved and scattered among each other giving an idea of confusion and hurry that was strongly contrasted with the death like stillness that prevailed a few minutes before the and laugh were again heard loud and hearty and the public and houses once more became crowded many of the young people made on these occasions what is called a and other took for which the were either read out rom the altar or sent probably to st s at to do penance those who did not choose to stop in the houses now hurried home with all speed to take some sleep before early mass which was to be performed the next about day break the same number of lights might therefore be seen streaming in different ways over the parish the married men holding the and leading their wives their and not their rustic r that the dependence of the females upon their care and protection might more lovingly call forth their gallantry when considered with due attention the hint which more had given him touching the necessity of collecting his friends as an escort for he had strong reasons to admit its and propriety after mass he spoke to about two dozen young fellows who joined him and under their protection now returned safely to lier father s house frank m and his wife reached home about two o clock the dance was comparatively thin though still kept up with considerable spirit having himself by the grace of so sacred a frank thought proper to close the amusement and recommend those whom he found in the barn to return to their respective dwellings you have had a merry night said he but too much o one thing s good for so don t make a toil of a but go all home an in the name o god this advice was accordingly followed the separated and m joined his family to have a sup along them an in honour of what they had hard it was upon this occasion he missed his son frank whose absence from the dance he had not noticed since his return till then where s frank he inquired pi warrant him away his upon no good god look down upon him many a black heart has that boy left us if it s not the will o heaven i fear he ll come to no good is he long gone from the dance frank the noise an an me bein dark replied i can t take an me to say for all you him the one of him but s a spirited boy as there is a great ways of him here s all your health s girls you ll all sleep sound to night well said mrs m the knowledge of that more is here s a i bought from him an if you but to hear the explanations he put to it why father could hardly him in the five can dance him for all that said many a time an i played it for him an you d know the tune upon his feet he a power o an prayers an has charms an holy for all kind of no doubt these men you see observed mrs m in the true spirit of and superstition may do many things that the likes of us t to do by of their great an prayer for you alley replied her husband but come let us have a sup more in comfort the sleep s gone a an us this night any way so give us a song an that we ll have a taste o prayers to close the night but you don t think of the long journey i ve before me replied if you pro i to send some one home me we ll have the song i wouldn t care but the night bein dark you see i ll want somebody to guide me faith an it s but an you must get home you i suppose he s asleep in his bed by this but we ll rouse him replied with a loud laugh for this was one of his standing well frank said he i never thought you war so soft an me can pick my steps the same at night as in daylight sure that s the way i done them to night when one o s strings broke sweets o says i a candle bring me a candle immediately an down came in all haste a candle six eggs to you says myself an half a dozen o them but you re a bright boy to bring a lit i i t h candle to a blind man and then he stood a to the whole house ha ha ha who was not the man to rise first from the commenced the relation of his anecdotes old frank and the family being now in a truly mood entered into the spirit of his so that chat songs and the hour had now advanced to four o clock the was another song when the door opened and frank presented himself nearly bat not altogether in a state of his face was with blood and his whole appearance that of a man under the	50
influence of strong passion such as would seem to be produced by disappointment and defeat what said the father is it frank your clothes are covered snow lord guard us exclaimed the mother is that blood upon your face frank it and it is blood that s upon my face answered frank do you want to know more news why ay indeed replied his mother we want to hear how you came to be cut you won t hear it thin he replied the mother was silent for she knew the terrible fits of passion to which he was subject the father groaned deeply and exclaimed frank frank god help you an show you the sins you re an the heart you re both your mother an me what fresh bad you that you re in that state spare yourself the of he replied all i can say he continued starting up into sudden fury all i can say an i say it i swear it where s the prayer book and he ran to a shelf beside the on which the prayer book lay ay by him that made me i ll it by this sacred book while live the husband you ll never be if i should swing for it now you all seen i kissed the book as he spoke he tossed it back upon the shelf the mirth that had prevailed in the family was immediately hushed and a dead silence ensued frank sat down but instantly rose again and flung the chair from him with such violence that it was to pieces he muttered oaths and curses ground his teeth and betrayed all the symptoms of jealousy hatred and disappointment frank said to address him in a tone frank man alive your tongue i say you blind or by the night above us break your fiddle over your skull if you to say another word what i swore i ll do an let no one me he was a powerful young man and such was his temper and so well was it understood that not one of the family venture a word of remonstrance the father rose went to the door and returned said he you must yourself where you are for this night it s heavily so you had sleep i see a light in the barn i suppose he s after in his bed an it i ll do anything replied the poor now apprehensive of violence from the outrageous temper of young frank well thin added the good man let us all go to bed in the name of god bring to the barn and see that he s comfortable this was complied with and the family quietly and timidly retired to rest leaving the violent young man and his passion behind them mass on christmas morning was then as now performed at day break and again the roman catholic inhabitants of the parish were up to attend it frank m s family were assembled notwithstanding their short sleep at an early breakfast but their meal in consequence of the unpleasant sensation f i n r produced by the outrage of their son was less cheerful than it would otherwise have been perhaps too the gloom which hung over them was increased by the that had fallen the night before and by the character of the day which was such as to mar much of their expected enjoyment there was no made to their son s violence over night neither did he himself appear to be in any degree affected by it when breakfast was over they prepared to attend mass and what was unusual young frank was the first to set out for the chapel maybe said the father after he was gone that fool of a boy is for his behaviour many a day since i knew him to mass of his own accord it s a good sign any way inquired his mother what could happen him an that civil boy the one o me knows replied his father an now that i think of it sure enough there was none o them at the dance last night although i sent himself down for them he added addressing the other son will you put an your big coat slip down ts s an bring me word what came at all an tell himself the that this boy s our hearts by his who although he knew the cause of the enmity between these rivals was ignorant of that which occasioned his brother s rash oath also felt anxious to ascertain the circumstances of the last for this purpose as well as in obedience to his father s wishes he proceeded to s and arrived just as more and young had set out for mass what said the can be down i about that slip o grace his brother i suppose so said an i wish the same was as an as he is i don t know a boy i d go farther for nor the same mi he s a credit to the family as much as the other s a stain upon them well any how you war frank s match an more last night how he was on when he an his set waited till they seen the country clear an thought the family asleep had you for man ay about that an we sat so snug in s that you d hear a pin a hard too there was in the but they found that we had a strong back they made away an we gave them from about the house you may thank me any how for having her to the good but i knew by my the help o that there was to happen by the same a token that your mother s an the high horse about that i m to	50
tell it to her the of it in the evening when the day s past an all of us in comfort what was it sure you may let me hear it maybe i will in the it was about you an the but how will you manage in regard of the oath an a i brother why that i couldn t get over it he me first sure he s worse off i ll lave it the an whatever judgment they give out i ll take it well observed it made him do one good turn any way what was that for good turns are scarce him why it made it him hear mass to day replied the an that s what he hadn t the grace to do this many a year it s away in the mountains his gun he d be an a fine day it is for it only this business him now observed as we re out upon the i v i fall back an do you go an i have part of my to say before i get to the chapel a an we had as good not be seen together the as he spoke pulled out a long pair of beads on which he commenced his prayers occasionally an acquaintance with a and sometimes taking a part in the conversation for a minute or two after which he resumed the prayers as before the day was now brightening up although the earlier part of the morning had threatened severe weather multitudes were to the chapel the men well secured in great coats in addition to which many of them had their legs bound with straw ropes and others with made of old hats cut up for the purpose the women were secured with the of which were tied with of some colour over their or their caps which together with their elbows projecting behind for the purpose of preventing their dress from being in the snow gave them a marked and most picturesque appearance and m reached the chapel a considerable time before the arrival of the priest and as a kind of committee was to sit for the purpose of their conduct in holding out so dangerous an example as they did by striking each other contrary to oaths as brothers under the same system they accordingly were occupied each in collecting his friends and those whom they supposed to be hostile to them on the opposite party it had been previously arranged that this committee should hold a court of inquiry and that provided they could not agree the matter was to be referred to two hedge who should act as but if it happened that the latter could not god save you decide it there was no other appointed to which a final appeal could be made according to these a court was opened in a house that stood somewhat distant from the road twelve young fellows seated on each side of a deal table with one of the at each end of it and a bottle of in the middle in a higher sphere of life it is usual to refer such questionable conduct as occurs in to the of those who are known to be qualified by experience in the on this occasion the practice was not departed from those who had been thus selected as the committee the most boys in the whole parish now boys said one of the let us proceed to operations proper spirit and he filled a glass of as he spoke here s all your and next pace and to us call in the both were accordingly admitted and the first speaker resumed now in the second place i ll read that part o the oath which us all under the obligation of not one another hem hem brother is to strike another knowing him to be he s to strike him hem neither in fair nor market f at home nor abroad neither in public nor in private neither on sunday nor week day present or absent nor i that observed the other master i it as bein too in principle an containing a besides it s bad grammar you re rather in the market your bad grammar replied the other i ll grant you the but i ll stand up for the grammar of it while i m able to stand up for anything faith an if you rise to stand up for that replied his friend and doesn t choose to sit down till you prove it to be good grammar you ll be a all your life vol i ii i it s conspicuous in the parish that i have often in our about grammar left you a leg to stand upon at all replied the other this sally was well received but his opponent was determined to push home the argument at i would be glad to know he inquired by what beautiful a man could contrive to strike another in his absence have you good grammar for that and did you never hear of replied his opponent that is a man who s in the habit of of his friends their backs are turned that is to say they are absent now sure if a man s absent his back s turned t any man whose back s turned be said to be absent to strike a man behind his back is to strike him he s absent does that confound you where s your logic and grammar to meet proper like t what i m displaying faith replied the other you may have had logic and grammar but i ll take my oath it was in your younger years for both have been absent ever since i knew you they turned their backs upon you man alive for they didn t	50
like you see to be bad company ha ha ha why you poor said his if i choose to let myself out i d make a hare of you in no time entirely and an ass of yourself retorted the other but you may save yourself the in regard of the last for your know you to be an ass ever since they you you have them here man alive the and he pointed to his ears hut get out you you poor headed you sure you never had more nor a full o on any subject faith an the that measured yours was a tailor s without a bottom in it an good measure you got you miserable what are you but a a fit o the s a compared to your the boys were delighted at this encounter and utterly forgetful of the pacific occasion on which they had assembled began to them against each other with great glee that s a hard hit but you won t let it pass any how the an you are ould acquaintances retorted whenever a takes place you i e sure to a visit from it why i m not such a as yourself replied his rival nor such a great hand at the absent ha ha ha that s a come if you don t answer that you re by this and by that man alive if you don t mend your manners maybe i d make it for you to be absent you ll only put me to the of them for you mend my manners exclaimed his opponent with a bitter sneer you to mend them out you and hammer then you re the very of good for one you d mend you d spoil twenty able to hammer you at all or for that any one of your sure it s well known that you t the there if you exclaimed one of his opponent s relations don t in his family that s known to be somewhat afore your own i there s no among them keep at home if you at home that s more than some o your own have been able to do rejoined alluding to one of the young fellow s acquaintances who had been transported do you mane to put an upon me v said the other since the fits you wear it replied cost n very right make him a present of it exclaimed one of s distant relations he that an more if he d get it do i said the other an what have you to say on the head of it why not much answered only that you ought to ve left it them an that back any rascal that ud say ther was ever a of his blood in an s veins i say it for one replied the other and i for another said an f worse i ll a that if he was searched this minute you d find a to in his pocket although he throws in my teeth the never goes one sure he s not ble to set a copy or head line or to make a hook nor a nor a down stroke and was a poor scholar too i ll give you a down stroke in the mane time you us said the throwing himself to the end of the table at which his enemy sat and laying him along the floor by a single blow he was attacked by the friend of the prostrate who was in his turn attacked by the friend of the of the respective teachers were immediately to a general engagement when the door opened and more made his appearance stop back ye disgraceful exclaimed the in a thunder distant relations f cap ing voice be i say saints in glory is this the way you re the dispute between the two men that s sorry both o them go for what they done sit down every one o or by the blessed i wear about me report to father an have read out from the or to sit down i say as he spoke he extended his huge cant between hostile parties and thrust them one by one to their seats with such muscular energy that he had them sit ting before another blow could be given saints in glory he exclaimed isn t this blessed an the sacred day that s in it that a poor helpless ould man like me can t come to get to take away this touch o that i m afflicted in weather that i can t take a little sup of the only thing that me your and battles you came here to make pace between two men s an you re as bad if not yourselves oh what s this i m in a downright agony oh has none o a hand to if there s e er a of relief in that bottle or am to die all out in the face o the world for want of a sup o to warm me the horn said m here said one of them this off an my life for yours it ll warm you to mar row but i wanted it badly replied it at once it s the only does me good when this way am in i think said m that what s in the horn s far afore it oh thin you thoughtless if you knew i hard about you awhile ago you d think god be praised t otherwise but indeed it s for you i m sure i d be to compare what s in tv to anything o the kind i i m now a great nor i was will you take another sup inquired the young fellow in whose hands the bottle	50
was now nearly empty there s about another glass indeed an will a an sure you ll have my for it an the priest s own you couldn t have a more one blessed be god for it sure well known in they never came to ill that had it an never did good that got my curse do you hear how that rises the wind off o my stomach for that how did you lam all the prayers an charms you have inquired the bottle it would take me too long to tell you that a but now that you re all together make it up r ne another aren t you all an brothers sworn brothers an why would you be among other give me your hand sure i heard a o what you were while i was my at the fire come here now before the saints in glory i lay my curse an him that refuses to shake hands his there now i m to see it come here frank f walk over here my bitter heart s curse upon both of if you don t make up all quarrels are you i have no objection in life replied if he ll say that won t be put to any more through his there s my hand said frank that i forget an forgive all that s past an in regard o my sweet an epithet of f come hither why as she s so dark me lave her to you for good well see what it is to have the good to be pace an that s all i think about an gives me greater saints o glory what s this oh that thief of a that touch o back oh thin but it s hard to get it oh i m for it replied he who held the now empty bottle for the s out an i m myself for else does me good an father says can keep it down the sup o it s best burnt a little bit o an it but i can t get that always it me so suddenly glory be to god well said m as an myself was the of us together why if he me we ll have another bottle an it s fair an an he must do it by the same a token that i ll not lave the house till it s for there s no together you re so hot headed an ready to rise the hand said m and having been reconcile appeared in a short time warmer friends thai ver while the last bottle went round those who m before been on the point of engaging in u p r u gi conflict now laughed at their own the kindness and good will which they other at heart now said the go all of you to mass an as soon as you can to for it s not good to have the broken oath an the sin of it over one it an have your light sure it s a happiness that you can have the guilt taken ofi o in au together t for you they replied an we ll be of your advice ay do an there s father down the road so in the name o goodness we haven t a to lose they all left the house us he spoke except frank and himself who remained until they had gone out of hearing said he i want you to come up to our house in the morning an bring along you the things that stamp the upon the skin i m goin to get the put upon me but on the o your life don t a word of it to god enable you it s a good i will indeed be up you too a it is that indeed a good sure enough the parish chapel was about one hundred from the house in which the boys had assembled the latter were proceeding there in a body when frank overtook them said he aside to we ll have time enough walk back a bit i ll tell you what i m you never seen in your life a finer day for what ud you say if we give the boys the slip never heed mass an set off to the mountains o t we have time enough mass said why man sure you did hear mass once to day weren t yea at it last night no indeed we won t be time enough it for this bein day we must be home at dinner time you know it s not lucky to be from the family upon set days hang come we ll have fine sport i have cock sticks enough the best part of the day be gone if we wait for mass come and let us start a cock stick was so called from being used on cock monday to throw at a cock tied to a stake it was about the length of a common stick but much heavier and thicker at one end i well well replied the hair i care so let us go i d like myself to have a rap at the in the hills sure enough but as it ud be remarkable for us to be seen mass why let us the field here an get upon the road above the bridge j to this his on assented and they both proceeded at a brisk pace each apparently anxious for the sport and resolved to exhibit such a frank cordiality of manner as might convince the other that all their past enmity was forgotten and forgiven their direct path to the mountains lay by m s house where it	50
was necessary they should call in order to furnish themselves with cock sticks and to bring dogs which young frank kept for the purpose the inmates of the family were at mass with the exception of frank s mother and the servant man whom they found sitting on his own bed in the barn engaged at cards the right hand against the left weu said frank who s the left entirely replied his companion the v y the right s whatever s the of it an i m always up black i hope none of my or acquaintances will die soon throw them aside quit of them said frank give them to me i ll put them past an do you bring us out the gun i ve the an shot here we may as well bring her an have a slap at one o the officers in the of keeps me in an shot besides me an odd crown an i keep him in game why then boys observed what s the o this two o the biggest in europe f last night an this an now as great as two thieves how that come very replied we made up the quarrel hands an s good as ever that cock fighting said as he went to bring in the gun in the time frank with the cards in his band went to the eve of the barn thrust them up under the and took out of the same nook a of a we ll want this said he putting it to his lips and ff p s down a portion come be an put this pocket followed his example and was the k when returned with the gun she s charged said frank but we d put in fresh for of her fire he then the un and handed it to do you keep the gun he added an i ll keep the cock sticks i ll bet you a i kill more the cock stick nor he will the gun will you take me up know a safer replied you re a dead aim the sure enough an a the gun too catch me at it you show some for a observed frank as he and his companion left the barn and j turned towards the mountains which rose the house stood looking after them until they wound up slowly out of sight among the hills he then shook his head two or three times and exclaimed by i there s in this if one could make out what it is i know frank christmas day passed among the as it usually passes in ireland friends met before dinner in their own in their neighbours in or in public houses where they drank sang or fought according to their natural dispositions or the quantity of liquor they had taken the of the day might be known by the unusual of smoke that danced from each chimney by the number of persons who crowded the roads by their new dresses for if a young man or country girl can afford a dress at all t they provide it for arid by the striking i l appearance of those who having drunk a little too much were staggering home in the purest singing stopping their friends shaking hands with them or kissing them without any regard to sex many a time might be seen two who had got drunk together a fair or market their arms about each s neck from whence they only removed them to kiss and one another the more lovingly notwithstanding this there is nothing more probable than that these identical two will enjoy the luxury of a mutual battle by way of episode again proceed on their way kissing and as if nothing had happened to interrupt their friendship all the usual effects of and violence fun and fighting love and liquor were of course to be seen felt heard and understood on this day in a manner much more remarkable than on common occasions for it may be observed that the national of the irish bring out their strongest points of character with peculiar distinctness the family of frank m were sitting down to their christmas dinner the good man had a blessing upon the comfortable and abundant fare of which they were about to partake and nothing was amiss save the absence of their younger son where on earth can this boy be said the father i m sure this above all days in the year is one he t to be from home an the mother was about to inform him of the son s having gone to the mountains when the latter re turned breathless pale and horror struck eyed him keenly and laid down the bit he was conveying to his mouth heavens above u exclaimed hat you he only replied by dashing his hat upon the ground and exclaiming up up quit your dinners oh what ll be done down to s go way go down an tell oh but this was the unfortunate day to us all is shot my gun she went off in his hand goin over a snow wreath an he s dead in the mountains the screams and wailing which immediately rose in the family were dreadful m almost fainted and the father after struggles to maintain his firmness burst into the bitter tears of and affliction was calmer but turned his eyes from one to another with a look of deep compassion and again eyed frank keenly and suspiciously frank s eye caught his and the glance which had surveyed him with such scrutiny did not escape his observation said he do you go an it to the s you re the best to do it when we were out you saw that he carried the gun	50
an not ne for you said i saw that frank and can swear to it but that s all i did see i know nothing of what happened in the mountains what do you mane you villain exclaimed frank seizing the and attempting to strike him do you to suspect that i had any hand in it frank screamed the sisters are you goin to he shouted in a of fury why the curse o god upon you all what puts into your heads is it my own family that s the first to charge me it why there s no one you it not one whatever makes you think so what did you look at m thin the way you did did you look at me for i say is it any replied the servant coolly when you had a dreadful story to tell eternal on you f sweet virgin h go off replied frank now hoarse with passion go off an tell the what happened but by all the books that ever was opened or shut if you breathe a word about about if you do you villain be the death o you when was gone on this melancholy errand old m first put the and everything he feared might be used as a weapon by his frantic son out of his reach he then took down the book on which he had the night before sworn so rash and mysterious an oath and desired the son to look upon it k said he solemnly you swore on that blessed book last night that never would be the husband of ht s a corpse to day yes he continued the good the honest the boy is his sobs became so and thick that he appeared almost oh said he may god pity us as i hope to meet my blessed who was born on this day i would rather you the corpse an not i don t doubt that said the son fiercely you never showed me much sure enough did you ever it replied the father heaven above me knows it was too much kindness was showed you when you ought to have been well corrected you got your will an your way an now see the well said the son mt s the last day ever i ll stay in the family me as bad as you i ll take the king s money an list if i live to see tomorrow oh thin in the name o goodness do so said the father an so far from you we ll bless you when you re gone for goin frank said mrs m who was now recovered maybe all it was only an accident sure we often of things don t vol i r jou squire s son that shot himself y accident out frank can you clear yourself afore us ah alley exclaimed the father wiping away bis tears don t you his last night what oath inquired the son with an air of surprise what oath last night i know i was last night but i nothing about an oath you deny it you hardened boy i deny it an not a hardened boy what do you all mane do want to me mad i know about any oath last night replied the son in a loud voice the grief of the mother and daughters was loud during the pauses of the conversation the eldest son sat beside his father in tears frank said he many an advice i gave you between ourselves and you know how you them when you d stale the an the meal and the an hay at night to have money for your cards an i kept it back an said about it i wish i had nt done so for it wasn t for your good but it was my desire to have as much pace and as possible frank said the father him solemnly it s possible that you do forget the oath you made last night for you war in liquor i would give the wide world that can you now in the presence of god clear yourself of act or part in the death of what ud ail me said the son if i liked will you do it now for our satisfaction an lake a load of misery off of our hearts it s the you may do if you can do it in the presence of the great god will you clear yourself now i suppose said i ll clear myself to morrow an there s no use in my it more than when the time comes i ll do it u the father put his hands on his eyes and groaned aloud so deep was his affliction that the tears through his fingers during this fresh burst of sorrow the son s refusal to satisfy them renewed the grief of all as well as of the father it rose again louder than before whilst young frank sat opposite the door silent and sullen it was now dark but the night was calm and agreeable m s family felt the keen affliction which we have endeavoured to describe the dinner was put hastily aside and the spirit peculiar to this night became changed into one of gloom and sorrow in this state they sat when the voice of grief was heard loud in the distance the strong cry of men broken and abrupt mingled with the shrieking wail of female the m started and rank s countenance assumed an which it would be difficult to there was joined to his extreme a restless apprehensive and determined look each trait apparently struggling for the in his character and attempting to st his countenance with his own expression do you hear said his father oh father of heaven look down an support that family this night	50
frank if you take my advice you ll lave their sight for surely if they you on the spot who could blame them why ought i lave their sight replied frank i tell you all that i had no hand in his death the gun went off by accident as he was a wreath o snow i was afore him and when i heard the re port an turned round there he lay shot an thought it t signify but on looking at him closely i found him quite dead i then ran home never the gun at all till his family an neighbours ud see him surely it s no i d be distracted in my mind but that s no you should all open upon me as if had the boy well said the i m glad to hear you say u even that much i hope it may be better you than we all think an oh grant it sweet mother o heaven this day now carry yourself quietly afore the people if they abuse you don t fly into a passion but make allowance for their grief and misery in the meantime the tumult was deepening as it approached m s house the report had almost instantly spread through the village in which lived and the loud cries of his father and brothers who in the of their despair continually called upon his name had been heard at the houses which lay scattered over the neighbourhood their inmates on listening to such unusual sounds sought the direction from which they proceeded for it was quite evident some terrible calamity had befallen the in consequence of the son s name being borne on the blast of night with such loud and overwhelming tones of grief and anguish the assembly on reaching m s might therefore be numbered at thirty including the females of s immediate family who had been strung by the energy of despair to a of bearing any fatigue or rather to an utter of all bodily suffering we must leave the scene which ensued to the reader s imagination merely observing that as neither the oath which young frank had taken the preceding night nor indeed the peculiar bitterness of his enmity towards the deceased was known by the they did not therefore the account of his death which they had heard their grief was and full of horror f consisting of prolonged shrieks on the part of the women and frantic on that of the men the only words they uttered were his name with and oh a a a oh michael the beloved michael the beloved fair boy of our heart are you dead are you dead from m s the crowd at the head of which was more proceeded towards the mountains many of bearing such as had been used on their way to the midnight mass the moon had disappeared the darkness was deepening and the sky was with black heavy clouds that gave a stormy character to scenery in itself remarkably wild and gloomy young m and the pilgrim led them to the dreary waste in which the corpse lay it was certainly an awful spectacle to behold these unhappy people toiling up the mountain solitude at such an hour their faces thrown into striking relief by the light of the and their cries rising in wild irregular upon the blast which swept over them with a dismal howl in perfect character with their affliction and the circumstances which produced it on arriving within view of the corpse there was a slight pause for notwithstanding the dreadful of their grief there was something still more startling and terrible in contemplating the body thus stretched out in the stillness of death on the lonely mountain the impression it produced was peculiarly solemn the grief was hushed for a moment but only for a moment it rose again than before and in a few minutes the friends of were about to throw themselves upon the body under the strong impulse of sorrow and affection the however stepped forward back said he it s hard to ax to do it but still you must let the neighbours about us here examine the body in to see whether it be possible that the boy came by his death from somebody else s hand than his own the lights said he till we see how he a an how the gun s said young frank i can t but be to you for that you re the last man ought to what you said you us both forget an forgive this day i call upon you now to say whether you didn t see him an me hands an all bad between us i ll to you now replied the see here neighbours this the boy was shot in the breast an here s not a snow wreath but a that a child ud step across an accident i tell all that i suspect foul play in this h s fire exclaimed the brother of the deceased s that you say what can it be can it can it that you him you villain that s known to be but a villain bu i ll do for you he snatched at the gun as he spoke and would probably have taken ample and fearful vengeance upon frank had not the and others prevented him have said thi is not the way to behave man lave the gun where she is till we see more about us stand back there an let me look at these marks ay about five yards there s the track of feet about five yards before him here they turn about an go back here o the world see here the mark an clear of the butt o the gun now if that boy stretched afore us	50
had the gun in his hand the time she went could the mark of it be here bring me down the gun an the curse o god upon her for an unlucky thief whoever had her it s it s too he continued the man that had the gun stood on this spot it s a said frank it s a i call upon you to for me didn t you see when we went to the hills that it was carried the gun an not me i did replied i can swear to that ay exclaimed frank with triumph an you yourself saw us as i said up little differences there was us i did replied the but i heard you say no longer ago than last night ten a why you it man alive that if t ou wouldn t have he never should in your own stable i heard it an i was the of you an your gang when you thought to take away the girl by force you re well known too often to carry a fair face when the heart under it is black you all i can say is observed young that if it comes out you that you played him foul all the earth won t save your life i ll have your heart s blood if i should hang for it a thousand times this dialogue was frequently interrupted by the of the women and the detached conversation of some of the men who were communicating to each other their respective opinions upon the melancholy event which had happened more now brought s father aside and thus addressed him g t n ao to tell god s i ve suspicions that your son was this sacred thing that i put the upon people s breasts people from m an unnatural death frank spoke to me last night no longer ago to come up an mark it an aim to morrow my opinion is that he to him at that time an wanted to have a protection what might happen to him in regard o the deed can we prove it him inquired the father i know it ll be hard as there was no one present but themselves an if he did it surely he ll not confess it we may make him do it maybe said the the villain s frightened an fond o charms an an holy things for all his wickedness don t say a word we ll take him by surprise i ll call upon him to touch the corpse make them women an it s hard to superstitious and it make them stop their hands an an let there be a dead silence if you can during this and some other observations made by frank got the gun in his possession and whilst seeming to be engaged in looking at it and examining the lock he actually contrived to it without having been observed now neighbours said your tongues for a start till i ax frank m a or two frank m as you hope to meet god at judgment did you take his life that s a corpse before us i did not replied m i could clear myself on all the books in europe that he met his death as i an more nor that he added dropping upon his knees and his head may i die priest or prayer help hope or happiness upon the spot where he s now stretched or shot i say to that replied so far that s right if the blood of him s not an you but there s one thing more to be done will you walk over under the eye of god an touch the corpse back neighbours an let him come over alone i an will stand here the lights to see if the corpse give me too a light said m s father my son must get fair play any way must be a witness myself to it an will too it s but said come over beside an myself i m that your son should stand or fall hy what ll happen s father with a in his hand immediately went with a pale face and trembling steps to the place appointed for him beside the corpse where he took his stand when young m heard s last question he seemed as if seized by an inward the start hich he gave and his for breath were visible to all present had he seen the spirit of the k j man before him his horror could not have been greater for this ceremony had been considered a most decisive test in cases of suspicion of murder an ordeal indeed to which few wished to submit themselves in addition to this we may observe that s knowledge of the young man s character was correct with all his crimes he was weak minded and superstitious he stood silent for some time after the ordeal had been proposed to him his hair became literally with the dread of this formidable scrutiny his cheeks turned white and the cold perspiration fell from him in large drops all his strength appeared to have departed from him he stood as if hesitating and even the energy necessary to stand seemed to be the result of an remember said pulling out the large which was attached to his beads that the eye of god is upon you if you ve committed the if not frank you ve little to fear in the corpse frank had not yet uttered a word but leaning himself on the gun he looked wildly around him cast his eyes up to the stormy sky then turned them with a dead glare upon the corpse and the do you the said rejoined frank no i confess no you	50
villain do you want to make me guilty do you want to make me guilty you deep it seemed as if the current of his thoughts and feelings had taken a new direction though it is probable that the excitement which appeared to be rising within him was only the courage of fear you all wish to find me guilty he added but i ll show that i m not guilty he immediately walked towards the corpse and stooping down touched the body with one hand holding the gun in the other the interest of that moment was intense and ill eyes were strained towards the spot behind the corpse at each shoulder for the lay against a small snow wreath in a position stood the father of the deceased and the father of the accused each wound up by feelings of a directly opposite character to a pitch of dreadful excitement over them in his fantastic dress and white beard stood the tall who held up his to frank with an awful menace upon his strongly marked countenance at a little distance to the left of the body stood the other men who were assembled having their held aloft in their hands and their forms bent towards the corpse their faces indicating expectation dread and horror the female relations of the deceased stood nearest his remains their extended in the same direction their exhibiting the passions of despair and grief in their wildest characters but as if arrested by some supernatural object immediately before their eyes that produced a new and more awful feeling thin grief when the body was touched frank stood as if himself bound by a spell to the spot at length he turned his eyes to the who stood silent and motionless with the still extended in his hand are you satisfied now said he that s said the pilgrim you re to touch it three times frank hesitated a moment but immediately stooped again and touched it twice in succession but it remained still and unchanged as before his father broke the silence by a fervent of to god for the of his son s character which he had just witnessed now exclaimed m in aloud tone you all see that i did not him you did said a voice which was immediately recognized to be that of the deceased m shrieked aloud and immediately fled with his gun towards the mountains pursued by s other son the crowd rushed in towards the i j body whilst sorrow a fright exultation and wonder marked the extraordinary scene which ensued queen o heaven old m who would believe this only they hard it the he shrieked out mrs the lie the blood o my son spoke it his blood spoke it or god or his angel spoke it for him it s anything ever known some exclaimed to come back an tell the deed upon his god preserve us an save us this night i wish we at home out o this wild place others said they had heard such things but this having happened before their own eyes surpassed anything that could be conceived the now advanced and once more j held up his keep silence said he in a solemn voice keep silence i say and kneel down all o before what i ve in my hand if you want to know who or what the voice came from i can tell it was the that spoke this communication was received with a feeling of devotion too deep for words his was instantly complied with they knelt and bent down in worship before it in the mountain ay said he little know the virtues of that it was consecrated by a so holy that it was well known there was but the shadow of him upon the earth the other part of him bein night an day in heaven among the it shows the power of this any way an you may tell your friends that i ll sell touched it to the faithful at sixpence a piece they can be put an your as a let us now bear the corpse home until it s dressed an laid out as it ought to be the body was then placed on an easy litter formed of great coats together and supported by the l h strongest men present who held it one or two at each corner in this manner they advanced at a slow pace until they reached s house where they found several of the country people assembled waiting for their return it was not until the body had been placed in an inner room where none were admitted until it should be laid out that the members of the family first noticed the prolonged absence of s other son the moment it had been alluded to they were seized with new alarm and consternation an said bitterly in irish but i doubt the red handed villain has cut short the lives of my two brave sons i only hope he may stop in the i m not an followers that ud think it no sin in a just cause to pay him in his own coin an to take from him an his a pound o blood for of ours they shed a number of his friends instantly volunteered to their way to the mountains and search for the other son there s little danger of his life said a relation it s a short time frank ud stand him particularly as the gun wasn t charged we ll go at any rate for he might lose himself in the mountains or walk into some o the on his way home we u had as good bring some us for he may v i want it badly while they had been speaking however the snow began to fall	50
and the wind to blow in a manner that promised a heavy and violent storm they proceeded notwithstanding on their search and on whistling for the dog discovered that he was not to be found he went us to the mountains i know said the former speaker an i think it likely he ll be found wherever he is come boys step out it s a dismal night any way the lord knows and with sorrowful but vigorous steps they went in quest of the missing brother nothing but the character of the words which were so mysteriously pronounced immediately j before s pursuit of m could have prevented circumstance together with the flight of the latter from exciting greater attention among the crowd his absence however now that they had time to reflect on it produced unusual alarm not only on account of m s bad character hut from the apprehension of being lost in the mountains the determination of revenge with which an any person who either directly or indirectly takes the life of a near relation or the peace of his domestic affections was strongly illustrated by the nature of s pursuit after m considering the appalling circumstances under which he undertook it it is certainly more than probable that m instead of flying would have defended himself with the loaded gun had not his superstitious fears been excited by the words which so mysteriously charged him with the murder the direction he accidentally took led both himself and his into the wildest recesses of the mountains he chase was close and desperate and certainly might have been fatal to had m thought of using the gun his terror however exhausted him and overcame his presence of mind to such a degree that so far from using the weapon in his defence he threw it aside in order to gain upon his this he did but slowly and the pursuit was as set uncertain at length found the distance himself and his brother s murderer increasing the night was dark and he himself feeble and breathless he therefore over all hope of securing him and returned to follow those who had accompanied him to the spot where his brother s body lay it was when his path that the nature of his situation occurred to him the snow had not begun to fall but the appearance of the sky was strongly calculated to him very person knows with what remarkable suddenness snow storms descend he had scarcely advanced more than twenty minutes when the grey i tempest spread its dusky over the and a darker shade rapidly settled upon the white hills now becoming indistinct in the gloom of the ur which was all in commotion and groaned aloud with the noise of the advancing storm when he saw the deep gloom and felt the coldness pierce his flesh so bitterly he turned himself in the direction which led by the shortest possible cut towards his father s house he was at this time nearly three miles from any human habitation and as he looked into the darkness his heart began to with an alarm almost on his dog which had up till this change gone on before him now partook in his master s apprehensions and trotted anxiously a his in the mean time the winds howled in a melancholy manner along the mountains and carried with them from the upper clouds the rapidly descending the storm current too was against him and as the air began to work in dark confusion he felt for the first time how utterly helpless a thing he was under the fierce tempest in this dreadful at length the rushing sound which he first heard in the distance approached him in all its terrors and in a short time he was staggering like a drunken man under the incessant which swept over him and about him exceed the horrors of the atmosphere at this moment from the surface of the earth the swept immense clouds that rose up and shot off along the brows and of the solitary wild sometimes descending into the valleys and again rushing up the almost perpendicular sides of the mountains with a speed strength and noise that at everything possessing life whilst in the air the tumult and the darkness continued to de en in the most awful manner the winds seemed to meet from every point of the compass and the falling flew backward and forwards in every ii the cold became intense and s advance were beginning to fail he was driven about like an autumn le and his dog which kept close to him had nearly equal difficulty in proceeding no sound but that of the tempest could now be heard except the screaming of the birds as they were tossed on through the commotion which prevailed in this manner was whirled about till he lost all knowledge of his local situation being ignorant whether he advanced towards home or otherwise his mouth and eyes were almost filled with driving sometimes a cloud of light drift would almost bury him as it crossed or followed or opposed his path sometimes he would sink to the middle in a snow wreath from which he himself with great difficulty and among the many terrors by which he was beset that of walking into a lake or over a precipice was not the least was a young man of great personal strength and activity for the possession of which next to his brother he had been distinguished among his companions but he now became totally exhausted the chase after m his former exertion his struggles his repeated falls his powerful attempts to get into the vicinity of life the desperate strength he put forth in breaking through the of the all had left him faint and completely at the mercy of the elements the cold scales were now to	50
ice on his cheeks his clothes were completely with the hard snow which had been beaten into them by the strength of the blast and his joints were getting stiff and the tumult of the tempest the whirling of the snow clouds and the thick snow now falling and again tossed upwards by sudden to the clouds deprived him of all power of reflection and rendered him though not altogether blind or deaf yet incapable of forming any distinct opinion upon what he saw or heard still by the principle of self preservation he oo cold feeble and breathless now driven back like a reed by the strong rush of the storm or al je most to under the that started up like savage creatures of life about him during all this time his faithful dog never abandoned him but his wild only heightened the horrors of his situation when he fell the affectionate creature would catch the of his coat or his arm in his teeth and attempt to raise him and as long as bis master had of mind with the certainty of instinct he would turn him when taking a wrong direction into that which led was not however reduced to this state without sensations of which no language could convey adequate notions at first he struggled with the storm but when utter darkness threw its shades over the desolation around him and the fury of the elements grew so tremendous all the strong to life became roused the of a young heart on the steep of death threw a wild and corresponding energy into his vigorous frame and occasioned him to cling to existence with a rendered still stronger by the terrible consciousness of his unprepared state and the horror of being plunged into eternity by the rites of his church whilst the crime of attempting to take away human life lay on his soul those domestic affections top which in are so strong lt became excited bis home his fireside the faces of already impressed with affliction for the death of one brother and the mild countenance of the fair girl to whom he was about to be united were up in the powerful of natural feeling the fountains of which were opened in his heart and his cry for life rose wildly from the mountain desert upon the voice of the tempest then indeed when the gulf of a two fold death yawned before him did the struggling spirit send up its shrieking prayer to heaven with desperate impulse these struggles however as well as those of the body became gradually weaker as the storm tossed him about and with the chill of its breath withered him into total p helplessness he on stiff and insensible without knowing he went falling with every blast and possessing scarcely any faculty of life except mere animation after about an hour however the storm subsided and the clouds broke away into light columns before the wind the air too became less cold and the face of nature more visible the driving and hard snow now ceased to fall but were sue d by large that descended slowly upon the still air had this trying scene lasted much longer must soon have been a the child like strength which just enabled him to bear up without sinking in despair to die now supported him when there was less demanded for energy the dog loo by rubbing itself against him and his face enabled mm by a last effort to recollect himself so as to have a glimmering perception of his situation his confidence returned and with it a greater degree of strength he shook as well as he could the snow from his clothes where it had accumulated heavily and felt himself able to proceed slowly it is true towards his father s house which he had nearly reached when he met his friends who were once more hurrying out to the mountains in quest of him having been compelled to return in consequence of the storm when they had first set out the their companionship and their assistance soon revived him one or two were despatched home before them to the afflicted family of his safety and the ence was hailed with melancholy joy by the a faint light played for a moment over the which had settled among them but it was brief or on the safety of their second son their grief rushed back with renewed violence and nothing c be heard but the voice of sorrow and affliction more who had assumed the control of the family did everything in his power to console them his efforts however were viewed with a feeling short of said the afflicted mother you have god in some my fair son s death to account for you had a but you wouldn t tell it to us if you had my boy might be this day for it would be for him to be an his guard poor woman replied sure you don t know you afflicted what you re about tell ray why thin it s myself it to him from beginning to ind and that we goin to mass this day itself desired him on the of his life not to go out a or the mountains good or bad you said you had a prayer that ud keep it back observed the mother an why didn t you say it i did say it replied an that afore a bit my this but you se he broke his promise of not goin to the mountains an that was what made the come well well i beg your pardon an god s pardon for you in the wrong oh my son is it there you re us and she again renewed her grief oh thin i m sure i forgive you said but keep	50
your grief in for a start till i says the l e over him for the pace and repose of his f kneel down all he repeated his prayer in language which it would require one of edward s in the unknown to interpret when he had about the half of it and those who had gone to seek him entered the house and after the example of the others reverently knelt down until he finished it s appearance once more renewed their grief the body of his brother had been removed to a be beyond the fire in the kitchen and when looked upon the features of his beloved companion he approached and stooped down to kiss his lips he was i f still too feeble however to bend by his own strength and it is also probable that the warm air of the house relaxed him be this however as it may he fell forward but supported himself by his hands which were placed upon the body a deep groan was heard and the apparently dead man opened his eyes and feebly exclaimed a a more had on concluding the seated himself beside the bed on which lay but on hearing the groan and the call for drink he leaped rapidly to his legs and exclaimed my to hell an the but your son s alive off two or three of as hard as the can for the priest an off ye damned lazy aren t ye near there by this give us my cant are gone oh by this an by that hell eh aren t gone but ere he could finish the sentence they had set out now he exclaimed in a voice whose tremendous tones were strongly at with his own tions now neighbours d n keep silence mrs get a bottle of an a o an don t be all night the poor mother however could not stir the unexpected of feeling which she had so suddenly experienced was more than she could sustain a long fainting fit was the consequence and s commands were obeyed by the wife of a friendly neighbour the immediately s lips and poured some spirits with water down his throat after which he held the bottle like a between himself and the light i hope said he this is the ra al he put the bottle to his mouth as he spoke and on it a second time before his eye he shook his complacently ay said he if anything could bring the dead back to this world my to glory but that would oh thin it would give the hi t dead life sure enough he put it once more to his lips from which it was not separated without a considerable portion of its contents z he exclaimed find myself the better o that sup in regard that it s good for this touch o that inwardly these words he spoke in a low placid voice lest the wounded man might be by his observations the rapidity with which the account of s restoration to life spread among the neighbours was surprising those who had gone for the priest and doctor communicated it to all they met and these again to others so that in a short time the house was surrounded by great numbers of their acquaintances all anxious to hear the particulars more who never omitted an opportunity of the people with a belief in his own and in that of his out among them and answered their inquiries by a solemn shake of his head and a mysterious indication of his finger to t ie but said nothing more this was enough the murmur of reverence and wonder spread among them and ere long there were few present who did not believe that had been restored to life by a touch of s an opinion which is not wholly exploded until this day who fortunately had not heard the report of her lover d death until it was contradicted by the account of his revival now entered and by her pale countenance betrayed strong symptoms of tion and sympathy she sat by his side gazing mournfully on his features and with difficulty suppressed her tears for some time before her arrival the mother and sisters of had been removed to another room lest the tumultuous expression of their mingled joy an sorrow might disturb him the fair girl although satisfied that he still lived entertained no hopes of his recovery but she ventured in a low trembling ct l v ib j voice to inquire from some particulars of the melancholy transaction which was likely to deprive her of her husband where did the shot him through the body a where captain was shot at the battle o s hill where he lay as good as dead for twelve hours an was near bein a an him alive all the time only that as they were him off o the cart he a shout an thin a they began to think he might be still sure enough he was too an lived successfully till he died brandy as a cure for the the lord be praised where s the villain he s in the mountains no doubt where he had to fight that s a match for him god an the storm that fell a while they ll pay him never fear for his to the noble boy that him for your sake a was your hand a an was your affectionate heart an well you loved the fair girl that s beside you my heart s black about the young man still life s in him an while there s life there s hope glory be to god the of the pilgrim who was in truth much attached to moved the heart of the girl whose love and sympathy	50
ever take by way of cure for it s the only thing does me good when i am several persons in the neighbourhood were in the mean time to s house a worthy man accompanied by his wife entered as the pilgrim had concluded the woman in accordance with the custom of the country raised the irish cry in a loud melancholy wail that might be heard at a great distance who himself on maintaining silence not preserve the of his character upon this occasion any more than on that of s recent symptoms of life your to the you he exclaimed what do you mane the whip the tongue out of you are you goin to come here only to the boy that s not dead yet get out o this or be your or by the that died for us only you re a woman tumble you a o my cant keep you an the boy not dead yet hell you what do you mane not dead exclaimed the woman with her body bent in the proper attitude her hands extended and the crying face turned with amazement to not dead man alive isn t he hell the for that replied i tell you lie s an will live i hope your the life that s in him out of him go into the room there to the women an make yourself scarce out o this or by the about me i ll you we can t be angry the woman observed old in regard that she came to show her friendship and respect i d be angry st said an ud not scruple to give him a o my c lord us what was i goin to say why i believe the little wits i had are all gone a i must fast a friday or two for the same words st hope is strong in love and in life now that grief had her heart of its load of accumulated sorrow began to reflect upon s anecdote of captain which she related to those about her they all rejoiced to hear that it was possible to be wounded so severely and live they also consoled and supported each other and expressed their trust that might also recover the opinion of the doctor was waited for with such anxiety as a feels when the of the jury hands down the verdict which him to life or death whether s was the result of chance or sagacity we know not we are bound however to declare that s strength was in some degree restored although the pain he suffered amounted to torture the surgeon who was also a vol i physician and moreover supplied his own and the priest as they lived in the same town both arrived together the latter administered the rights of his church to him and the former who was a skilful man left nothing undone to accomplish his restoration to health he had been shot through the body with a bullet a circumstance which was not known until the arrival of the surgeon this gentleman expressed much astonishment at his the wound but said that circumstances of a similar nature had occurred particularly on the field of battle although he admitted that they were few however who resolved to have something like a decided opinion from him without at all considering whether such a thing was possible pressed him strongly upon the point an say one thing or other is he to live or die plain talk is all we want an no the bullet i am inclined to think replied the doctor must either not have touched a vital part or touched it only slightly i have known cases similar it is true but it is impossible for me to pronounce a decisive opinion upon him just now the the ever i ll gather for you so long as my name s more except you say either life or death said who forgot his character of altogether said mrs don t the an him to do his best here bring some till the his hands replied the doctor to whom he was well known you are a good but even although you should not serve me as usual in that capacity yet i cannot say exactly either life or death the case is too critical a one but i do not despair if that will satisfy you nonsense f more power to you hell an age where s that bottle bring it here thank you here you all happiness an may you set on his legs more see see man alive look at this girl here her wet cheeks give her some hope if you can keep the s spirits up an i ll furnish you every in europe from the to the rose don t despair my good girl said the doctor addressing i hope i trust that he may recover but he must be kept easy and quiet may the blessing of god sir light down on you for the same words replied in a voice tremulous with gratitude and joy are you done him said old at present replied the doctor i can do nothing more for him but i shall see him early to morrow morning sir continued the worthy man here s more who s afflicted a or some thing inwardly an if you could him sir i d pay the whatever they might be the doctor smiled slightly s complaint said he is beyond my practice there is but one cure for it and that is if i have any skill a little of what s in the bottle here taken as our sometimes say when the patient is inclined for it by my sou said you re a man o skill any how an that s well known sir as father says but the	50
feet to a pair of sheep s gray stockings for her husband it was one of those serene evenings in the month of june when the decline of day a calmness and repose resembling what we might suppose to ha x when our first parents sat in it before their fall the beams of the sun shone through the windows in clear shafts of light exhibiting millions of those which float to the naked eye within its mild radiance the dog lay barking in his dream at her feet and the grey cat sat placidly upon his back from which even his occasional agitation did not her mrs was the wife of a wealthy farmer and niece to the rev o her kitchen was consequently large comfortable and warm over where she sat out the brace well lined with bacon to the right hung a well salt box and to the left was the with its little window to admit the light within it hung several ash for a dozen of and several of horse skin as for them the was a white and well furnished with the usual over the door and on the were nailed for luck two horse shoes that had been found by hole in the wall beneath the salt i va bottle of holy water to keep the place against the cope stone of the on c grew a large lump of house as a v of sore eyes ii e corner of the garden were a few of to kill the worms in the the together with a little solomon s seal and each for some purpose the lime mrs could make herself and the for the link or heart burn grew in their own meadow drain so that in fact she had within her reach a very decent s as harmless as that of the profession itself i on the top of the salt box was a bunch of fairy and in the folds of her own was the dust of what had once been a an invaluable specific for the good people if they happened to come within the bounds of vision over the door in over the and over the cattle in the out houses were placed branches of withered palm that had been d by the priest on palm sunday and when the cows to this good woman tied with her own hands a thread about their tails to prevent them from being overlooked by evil eyes or shot by the who seem to possess a peculiar power over females of every species during the season of it is unnecessary to mention the variety of charms which she possessed for that malady the for tooth head or for removing and taking out of the eyes let it suffice to inform our readers that she was well with them and that in addition to this she together with her husband drank a made up and administered by an doctor for preventing for ever the slightest misunderstanding or quarrel between man and wife whether it produced this desirable object or not our readers may conjecture when we add that the doctor after having taken a very s liberal advantage of their generosity was immediately compelled to disappear from the neighbourhood in order to avoid meeting with had a sharp look out for him not exactly on his own account but in regard he said that it had no effect upon mary j at all at all whilst mary on the other hand admitted its upon herself but maintained that was worse nor ever it such was mary as she sat at her own hearth quite alone engaged as we have represented her what she may have been meditating on we cannot pretend to ascertain but after some time she looked sharply into the or with an air of anxiety and alarm by and by she suspended her knitting and listened with much earnestness leaning her right ear over to the from whence the sounds to which she paid such deep attention proceeded at length she crossed herself devoutly and exclaimed queen of saints about us is it back are well sure there s no use in they say you know what s said of you or to you an we may as well fair hem are welcome back i hope that not like the last visit ye us are for luck now died any way soon your other ye ye here s the bread an the salt an the male for an we wish well eh saints above if it isn t they are like a but are the wise an the all out she then shook a little holy water over the and muttered to herself an irish charm or prayer against the evils which are often supposed by the to bring with them and requested still in the words of the charm that their presence might on that occasion rather be a of good fortune to man and beast belonging to her there now ye ye sure ye can t say a cow without horns f short visit that ye re ill here anyhow or ever was or made game of in the same family you have got f your an full an plenty of it at i same time that you ll have no in life to cut our best clothes from sure an i didn t to have my brave long body cut an the way it was the last time here an only little that has but the of a in a joke to pack off yourselves some where else never heed what the likes of him t says sure he s but a that doesn t mane ill only the bit o she then resumed her knitting occasionally stopping as she changed her needles to listen with her ear set as if she wished to from the nature	50
of their whether they came for good or evil this however seemed to be beyond her faculty of i their language for after shaking her head two or three times she knit more busily than before at this moment the shadow of a person passing the house darkened the window opposite which she sat and immediately a tall female of a wild dress and entered the kitchen a ban the sin o goodness upon you woman said mrs addressing her in those kindly phrases so peculiar to the irish language instead of making her any reply however the woman whose eye with a wild depth of meaning exclaimed in low tones apparently of much anguish i say let me alone i will do it will you i will i say i will there now that s it be quiet an i will do it be quiet and as she thus spoke she turned her face back over her left shoulder as if some invisible being dogged her steps and stood bending over her a little a the o god on you honest woman i say a in said mrs repeating that sacred form of salutation with which the address each other tis a fine honest woman glory be to him that sent the same and if it was i d be you to draw your chair in to the fire but any way won t you sit down as she ceased speaking the piercing eye of the strange woman became on her with a glare which whilst it startled mrs seemed full of an agony that almost abstracted her from external life it was not however so wholly absorbing as to prevent it from expressing a marked interest whether for good or evil in the woman who addressed her so now she said as if aside won t you sure i may speak the thing to her you said it there now and then her dark eyes on mrs she smiled bitterly and mysteriously i knew you well she said without however returning the blessing contained in the usual reply to mrs s salutation i know you well now yes i know you well and the power of all that you carry about you but you d be than you arc an that s well enough now if you had sense enough to know ah ah ah what s this she exclaimed abruptly with three distinct shrieks that seemed to be produced by sensations of sharp and piercing agony in the name of goodness what s over you honest woman inquired mrs as she started from her chair and ran to her in a state of alarm on error is it sick you are the woman s face had got haggard and its features distorted but in a few minutes they resumed their peculiar expression of settled and mystery sick she replied her lips look look and she pointed with a shudder that almost her whole frame to a lump that rose on her shoulders this be it what it might was covered with a red cloak closely pinned and tied with great caution about her body tis here i have it blessed mother exclaimed mrs tottering over to her chair as finished a picture of horror as the eye could witness this day s friday the saints stand me an all harm oh holy mary protect me an air c and she forthwith proceeded to bless herself which she did thirteen times in honour of the blessed virgin and the twelve ay it s as you see replied the stranger bitterly it is here now i say i will say the thing to her t i ay indeed mary lis with me always always well well no i won t i won t easy oh holy saints easy and i won t in the mean time mrs had her bottle of holy water and herself with it as a against this mysterious woman and her dreadful secret blessed mother above she ejaculated the and as she spoke with the holy water in the palm of her hand she advanced cautiously and with great terror to throw it upon the stranger and the thing she bore don t attempt it shouted the other in tones of mingled and terror do you want to give me pain without keeping yourself anything at all safer don t ou know it doesn t care about your holy water but i d for it an perhaps so would jou mrs terrified by the agitated looks the woman drew back with and threw the holy water with which she intended to the other on her own person why thin you lost who or what are you at all don t don t for the sake of all the saints and i angels of heaven come next or near me keep your distance but what are you or how did you come to get that good thing you carry about you v ay indeed replied the woman bitterly as if i would or could tell you that i say you woman youve doing what s not right in asking me a question you ought not to let cross your lips look to yourself and what s over you the simple woman thinking her meaning literal almost leaped off her seat with terror and turned up her eyes to ascertain whether or not any dreadful appearance had approached her or hung over her where she sat woman said she i spoke you kind an fair an i wish you well but but what replied the other and her eyes kindled into deep and profound excitement apparently upon very slight grounds why hem at all	50
sure only only what asked the stranger with a face of anguish that seemed to torture every feature out of its proper woman said mrs whilst the hair began to stand with terror upon her head sure it s no in life that i m in a perplexity a is under the one roof me t that i want to know anything at all about it the dear forbid i should but i never hard of a person bein tormented it as you are i always used to hear the people say that it its friends well said the woman looking wildly over her shoulder i ll not tell it s on myself i ll leave the blame why will you never pity me am i to be night and day tormented oh you re wicked and cruel for no reason said mrs an bless yourself call on god ah shouted the other are you going to get me and as she uttered the words a vol ij no die working which must have occasioned great pain even to torture became audible in her throat her bosom heaved up and down and her head was bent repeatedly on her breast as if by force don t mention that name said she in my presence except you mean to drive me to utter distraction i mean she continued after considerable effort to recover her former tone and manner hear me with attention i mean woman you mary that if you mention that holy name you might as well keep plunging sharp knives into my heart peace to me for one minute spare me something i m in your power will you ate anything said mrs poor you look like hunger and distress there s enough in the house blessed be them that sent it an you had an take some nourishment any way and she raised her eyes in a silent prayer of relief and ease for the unhappy woman whose association had in her opinion sealed her doom will i will i oh she replied may you never know misery for offering it oh bring me something some refreshment some food for i m dying with hunger mrs who with all her superstition was remarkable for charity and benevolence immediately placed food and drink before her which the stranger absolutely devoured taking care occasionally to under the which appeared behind her neck a portion of what she eat this however she did not by but openly merely taking means to prevent the concealed thing from being by any possible accident discovered when the craving of hunger was satisfied she appeared to suffer less from the persecution of her than before whether it was as mrs thought that the food with which she plied it in some degree its or lessened that of the stranger it was difficult to say at all ill she became more composed her eyes resumed somewhat of a natural expression each sharp ferocious glare which shot from them with such intense and rapid flashes partially disappeared her knit brows dilated and part of a forehead which had once been and handsome lost the which it by deep wrinkles altogether the change was evident and very much relieved mrs who could not avoid observing it it s not that i care much about it if you d think it not right o me but it s odd enough for you to keep the lower part of your face muffled up in that black cloth an then your forehead too is covered down on your face a bit if they re part of the and she shuddered at the thought between you an anything that s not good hem i think you d do well to throw off o you an turn to that can protect you from everything that s bad now a would keep all the in hell from one an if you d on looking at the stranger she hesitated for the wild expression of tier eyes began to return don t begin my punishment again replied the woman make no don t make mention in my of anything that s good it s easy now easy no said she i came to tell you that only for my breaking a vow i made to this thing upon me i d be happy instead of miserable with it i say it s a good thing to have if the person will use this bottle she added producing one as i will direct them i wouldn t wish for my part replied mrs to have anything to do it neither act nor part and she crossed herself devoutly on contemplating such an alliance as that at which her companion hinted mary replied the other can put good fortune and happiness in the way of you and yours it is for you the good is intended if you don t get both no other can and her eyes kindled as she spoke like those of the in the moment of inspiration mrs looked at her with awe fear and a strong mixture of curiosity she had often heard that the had through means of the person to whom it was bound conferred wealth upon several although it could never render this important to those who exercised direct authority over it she therefore experienced something like a conflict between her fears and a love of that wealth the possession of which was so plainly intimated to her the money said she would be one thing but to have the planted over a body s the saints preserve us no not for of hard would i have it in my company one but in regard to the money hem why if it could be managed act or part that thing people would do anything	50
in an you have this day been kind to me replied the woman and that s what i can t say of many dear help me every door is shut in my face does not every cheek get pale when i am seen if i meet a fellow creature on the road they turn into the field to avoid me if t ask for food it s to a deaf ear i if i am thirsty they send me to the river what house would shelter me in cold in hunger in in storm and in tempest i am alone and hated feared an avoided starving in the winter s cold and burning in the summer s heat all this is my fate here and oh oh oh have mercy have mercy i will not lift my thoughts there i ll keep the but spare me she turned round as she spoke seeming to follow an invisible object or perhaps attempting to get a more complete view of the mysterious being which exercised such a terrible and painful influence ever her mrs also kept her eye fixed upon the lump and actually believed that she saw it move fear of the displeasure of what it contained and a v superstitious reluctance harshly to thrust a person from her door who had eaten of her food prevented her from desiring the woman to depart in the name of goodness she replied i will have nothing to do your gift providence blessed be his name has done well for me an mine an it t be right to go what it has pleased him to give me a rational sentiment i mean there s good sense in what you say answered the stranger but you need not be afraid and she accompanied the expression by holding up the bottle and kneeling now she added listen to me and judge for yourself if what i say when i swear it can be a lie she then proceeded to utter oaths of the most solemn nature the purport of which was to assure mrs that drinking of the bottle would be attended with no danger you see this little bottle drink it oh for my sake and your own drink it it will give wealth without end to you and to all belonging to you take one half of it before sunrise and the other half when he goes down you must stand while drinking it with your face to the east in the morning and at night to the west will you promise to do this how would the bottle get me money inquired mrs who certainly felt a strong tendency of heart to the wealth that i can t tell now nor would you understand it even if i could but you will know all when what i say is complied with keep your bottle woman i wash my hands out of it the saints above guard me from the i m sure it s not right for as i m a sinner tis stronger every minute me keep it i m loth to bid any one that o my bread to go from my hearth but if you go til make it worth your while saints above what s over me in my whole life i never had such a money well well but it s entirely will you drink it asked her companion if it does hurt or harm to you or yours or anything but good may what is over me be fulfilled and she extended a thin but considering her years not arm in the act of holding out the bottle to her kind for the sake of all that s good and gracious take it without scruple it is not a child might drink every drop that s in it oh for the sake of all you love and of all that love you take it and as she urged her the tears streamed down her cheeks no no replied mrs it ll never cross my lips not if it made me as rich as ould that airs his guineas in the sun for they d get light by past i entreat you to take it said the strange woman never never once for all i say i won t so spare your breath the firmness of the good was not in fact to be shaken so after all the motives and arguments with which she could urge the accomplishment of her design the strange woman having again put the bottle into her bosom prepared to depart she had now once more become calm and resumed her seat with the languid air of one who has suffered much exhaustion and excitement she put her hand upon her forehead for a few moments as if collecting her faculties or endeavouring to remember the purport of their previous conversation a slight moisture had broken through her skin and altogether notwithstanding her in entering into an bond she appeared an object of deep compassion in a moment her manner changed again and her eyes blazed out once more as she asked her alarmed hostess again mary will you take the gift that i have it in my power to give you ay or no speak poor mortal if you know what is for your own good mrs s fears however had overcome her love of money particularly as she thought that wealth obtained in such a manner could not prosper her only objection being to the means of acquiring it oh said the stranger am i doomed never to meet with any one who will take the promise off me by drinking of this bottle oh but i am unhappy what it is to fear ah ah and keep his had done so in my youthful time i wouldn t now ah merciful mother	50
it would be difficult to say every one told it exactly as he heard it from another but indeed it is not improbable that those through whom it passed were unconscious of the additions it had received at their hands it is not unreasonable to suppose that imagination in such cases often colours highly without a design of falsehood fear and dread however accompanied its progress such families as had neglected to keep in their houses borrowed some from neighbours every old prayer which had become rusty from was brightened up charms were hung about the necks of cattle and about those of children crosses were placed over the doors and windows no water was thrown out before sunrise or after dusk e en those prayed now who never prayed before and those who always prayed still prayed the more the inscrutable woman who caused such general dismay in the parish was an object of much pity avoided feared and detested she could find no rest for her weary feet nor any shelter for her head if she was seen approaching a house the door and windows were immediately closed against her if met on the way she was avoided as a how she lived no one could tell for none would permit themselves to know it was asserted that she existed without meat or drink and that she was doomed to remain possessed of life the prey of hunger and thirst until she could get some one weak enough to break the spell by drinking her draught to taste which they said would be to change places with herself and assume her despair and misery there had lived in the country about six months before her appearance in it a man named he was unmarried and the last of his family this person led a solitary and secluded life and exhibited during the last years of his existence of which for some months his death assumed a character of he was found one morning hanging by a in his own stable where he had under the influence of his malady committed suicide at this time the public press had not as now the minds of the people to that dreadful crime and it was consequently looked upon then with an intensity of horror of which we can scarcely entertain any adequate notion his farm remained for while an of land could be obtained in any other quarter no man would enter upon such premises the house was locked up and it was reported that and the devil each night repeated the hanging scene in the stable and that when the former was committing the hopeless sin the slipped several times from the beam of the stable when satan came in the shape of a dark man with a hollow voice and secured the rope until s end was accomplished in this stable did the wanderer take up her residence at night and when we consider the belief of the people in the night scenes which took place in it we need not be surprised at the new feature of horror which this circumstance to her character her presence and appearance in the parish were dreadful a public was soon raised against her which were it not from fear of her power over their lives and cattle would have ended in her death none however had courage to with her or to attempt her by violence lest a signal vengeance might be taken on any one who dared to injure a woman that could call in the terrible aid of the in this state of feeling they applied to the parish priest who on hearing the marvellous stories related concerning her and on questioning each man closely upon h authority could perceive that like most other reports were to be principally to the fears of the people he ascertained enough from to justify a belief that there was uncommon about the woman and being of a cold dis with some humour he desired them to go ome if they were wise he shook his head as he spoke and do the woman no injury i if they didn t wish and with this abrupt hint he sent them about their business this however did not them in the same parish d a suspended priest called father philip f o who supported himself as most of them do by certain diseases of the people he had no other means of nor i indeed did he seem strongly devoted to life or to the f pleasures it afforded he was not to those habits which blessed priests in general spirits he never tasted nor any food that could be termed a luxury or even a comfort his communion with the people was brief and marked by a tone of severe contemptuous he seldom stirred abroad except during morning or in the evening twilight when he might be seen gliding amidst the coming darkness like a dissatisfied spirit his life was an austere one and his were said to be of the most character such a man in fact was calculated to hold a powerful sway over the prejudices and of the people this was true his power was considered almost unlimited and his life one that would not disgrace the highest saint in the there were not wanting v some persons in the parish who hinted that father o the parish priest was himself rather reluctant to the displeasure or challenge the power of the by driving its victim out of the parish the opinion of these persons was in its distinct reality that father absolutely showed the white feather on this critical occasion that he became shy and begged leave to decline being introduced to this seeming to intimate that he did not at all adding them to the stock of his acquaintances father philip they considered as a decided contrast	50
to him on this point his stern and severe manner rugged and when occasion demanded daring they believed suitable to the qualities requisite for the trial of such an interview they accordingly v on him and after and his friends had given as faithful a report of the circumstances as considering all things could be expected he told he would hear u om mrs s own lips the narrative this was quite satisfactory and what was expected from him as for himself he appeared to take no particular interest in the matter farther than that of the and alarm which had spread through the parish your reverence said she came in to mary and she alone in the house and for the o that i believe she laid hands upon her and tossed and tumbled the and she but a sickly woman through the four corners of the house not that mary lets an so much but i know from her way when she speaks about her that it s your but didn t the said one of them put a sharp pointed knife to her breast a of her give the best of an the house afforded she got the to a replied and overlooked my woman for her pains for she s not the picture of herself since vol i i s v every one now told some and terrible circumstance the formidable power of the when they had finished the sarcastic lip of the priest curled into an expression of irony and contempt his brow which was naturally black and heavy darkened and a keen but rather eye shot forth a glance which while it intimated for those to whom it was directed spoke i p of a dark and troubled spirit in himself the man seemed to brook with scorn the degrading situation of a religious to which some destiny had doomed him i shall see your wife to morrow said he to and after hearing the plain account of what happened i will consider what is best to be done with this dark perhaps unhappy perhaps guilty character but whether dark or unhappy or guilty i for one should not and will not avoid her go and bring me word to morrow evening when i can see her on the following day when they withdrew father philip paced his room for some time in silence and anxiety ay said he wretches sunk in the superstition and ignorance yet perhaps happier in your degradation than those who in the pride of knowledge can only look back upon a life of crime and misery what is a what is an men who when they will not submit to moral restraint themselves into and until in the headlong career of guilt that which was first adopted to lull the of conscience is supported by the pretended pride of principle principle in a hollow and devilish lie would have plunged into had i not first the moral of religion never i became an because i first became a villain under a load of guilt that which i wished might be true i soon forced myself to think true and now he here clenched his hands and groaned now ay now and hereafter oh that hereafter why can i not shake the thoughts of it from my conscience religion christianity with all the hardness of an s heart i feel your truth because if every man were the villain that would make him then indeed might every man curse god for the existence bestowed upon as i would but dare not do yet why can i not believe alas why should god accept an heart i not a mocking him by a guilty to his power and leading the dark into thicker darkness then these hands blood broken vows ha ha ha well go let misery have its laugh like the light that breaks from the thunder cloud prefer vou to christ sow the wind and reap the as i have done ha ha ha swim world swim about me have lost the ways of providence and am dark she me but i broke the chain that us yet it still still v the unhappy man threw himself into a chair in a of agony for more than an hour he sat in the same posture until he became gradually hardened into a and to feeling reason or religion an awful transition from a of conscience so terrible as that which he had just at length he arose and by walking about into his usual gloomy and restless character when went home he communicated to his wife father philip s intention of calling on the following day to hear a correct account of the why thin said she i m glad of it for i myself to go to him any way to get my new consecrated how an ever as he s to come get a set of for the boys an girls an he can all when his hand s in they say that man s so holy that he can do anything ay melt a body ofi the face o the earth like snow o f a ditch dear me but the power they have is strange all out there s no use in him anything to ate or replied he would nt take a glass o once in seven years myself thinks he sa little too sure he might be holy enough an yet take a sup of an odd time there s father an though we all know he s far from bein so blessed a man as him yet he has friendship and in him an never refuses a s in but do you know what i was about father philip i ll tell you that i hear it mary my woman you	50
won t expect me to tell what i don t know ha ha ha behave an quit your now at all keep it till we re of else an don t let us be sin maybe while we re of what we re about but they say it s as as the sun to the dial the afore last itself it was he never tasted mate or the whole seven weeks oh you needn t stare it s well known by that has as much as you no not so much as you d carry on the point o this needle well sure the housekeeper an the two servants they couldn t do less an took it into their heads to watch him closely an what do you think blessed be all the saints above what do you think they the goodness above knows for me i don t why thin he was asleep they seen a small silk thread in his mouth that came down through the rom heaven an he it just as a child would his mother s breast the ud be asleep so that was the way he was supported by the angels an i myself though he s a dark spare yellow man at all times yet he never looked half so fat an rosy as he did the same glory be to heaven well well it is the power they have as for him i d as lee meet i st or st himself as him for one can t but fear him somehow fear him it ud be the pity o that ud do anything to vex or anger that man why his very look ud till there would nt be the o them on the earth an as for his curse why it ud to ashes as it was generally known that father philip was to visit mrs on the next day in order to hear an account of the mystery which filled the parish with such fear a very great number of the were assembled in and about s long before he appearance at length he was seen walking slowly down the road with an open book in his hand on the pages of which he looked from time to time when he approached the house those who were standing about it assembled in a body and with one consent uncovered their heads and asked his blessing his appearance a mind ill at ease his face was haggard and his eyes on seeing the people kneel he smiled with his usual bitterness and shaking his hand with an air of impatience over them muttered some words rather in mockery of the ceremony than otherwise they then rose and blessing themselves put on their hats rubbed the dust oflf their knees and appeared to think themselves by a peculiar accession of grace on entering the house the same form was repeated and when it was over the best chair was placed for him by mary s own hands and the fire stirred up and a line of respect drawn within which none was to intrude lest he might be in any degree my good neighbour said he to mrs what strange woman is this who has thrown the parish into such a told she paid you a visit pray sit down i humbly thank your reverence said mary lowly but rather not sit sir if you track foot mark put for life i hope i know what respect your reverence thank you to stand up if you an his reverence to the fore i ax your reverence s pardon an yours too mrs sure we mane the any how sir your reverence about this woman and the said the priest without noticing s apology pray what do you precisely understand by a why sir replied mary some from the good people or that sticks to some persons there s a bargain sir your reverence made an the sir that is the ould boy the saints about us has a hand in it the your reverence is never seen only by it keeps but hem it always the help of the ould boy sir to make the person the agreement an thin it has in its power but if they don t the agreement thin it s in their power if they can get any body to put in their place they may get out o the bargain for they can of a give o money to people but can t take any themselves your reverence but sure where s the use o me to be your reverence what you know better nor myself an why shouldn t you or any one that has the power you have he smiled again at this in his own peculiar manner and was proceeding to inquire more particularly into the nature of the interview between them when the noise of feet and sounds of general alarm accompanied by a rush of people into the house arrested his attention and he hastily inquired into the cause of the commotion before he could receive a reply however the house was almost crowded and it was not without considerable that by the exertions of mrs and sufficient order and quiet were obtained to hear distinctly what was said your reverence said several voices at once they re hot foot into the very house to us was ever the likes seen an they must know right well sir that you re in it who are he inquired why the woman sir an h t good pet j the your reverence well said he but why should you all appear so with terror let her come in and we shall see how far she is capable of her some he muttered in a low whom the of the world has driven into some victim to	50
been upon me for years such i am and such i say have you made me as for you kind hearted woman there was nothing in this bottle but pure water the interval of reason returned this day and having remembered glimpses of our conversation i came to to you and to explain the nature of my unhappy and to beg a little bread which i have not tasted for two days i at times conceive myself attended by an evil spirit shaped out by a guilty conscience and this is the only familiar which me and by it i have been dogged into madness through every turning of life whilst it lasts i am subject to and starts which are exceedingly painful the lump on my back is the robe i wore when innocent in my peaceful the intensity of general interest was now transferred to father philip every face was turned towards him but he cared not a solemn stillness yet prevailed among all present from the moment she spoke her eye drew his with the power of a his pale face became like marble not a muscle moved and when she ceased speaking his blood shot eyes were still fixed upon her countenance with a gloomy calmness like that which a tempest they stood before each other dreadful in guilt for truly his spirit was as dark as hers at length he glanced angrily around him well said he what is it now ye wretches to trust in the of man learn from me to place the same confidence in god which you place in his guilty and you will not lean on a broken reed father o you too witness my disgrace but not my punishment it is pleasant no doubt to have a topic for conversation at your enjoy it as for you margaret if society lessen misery we may be less miserable the band of your order and the remembrance of your vow is on your forehead like the mark of tear it off and let it not blast a man who is the victim of prejudice still nay of superstition as well as of guilt tear it from my sight his eyes kindled fearfully as he attempted to pull it away by force she calmly took it off and he immediately tore it into pieces and stamped upon the fragments as he flung them on the ground come said the despairing man come there is shelter for you but no peace food and drink and but no peace no peace as he uttered these words in a voice that rose rapidly to its highest pitch he took her hand and they both departed to his own residence the amazement and horror of those who were assembled in s house cannot be described our readers may be assured that they deepened in character as they spread through the parish an fear of this mysterious pair seized upon the people for their images were associated in their minds with darkness and crime and supernatural communion the departing words of father philip rang in their ears they trembled and devoutly crossed themselves as fancy again repeated the awful exclamation of the priest no peace no peace when father philip and his unhappy associate went home he instantly made her a surrender of his small property but with difficulty did he command sufficient calmness to accomplish even this he was distracted his blood seemed to have been turned to fire he clenched his hands and he his teeth and exhibited the wildest symptoms of madness about ten o clock he desired fuel for a large fire to be brought into the kitchen and got a strong cord which he i i i i t f and threw carelessly on the table the family were then ordered to bed about eleven they were all asleep and at the solemn hour of twelve he heaped fuel upon the living turf until the blaze shone with light through the kitchen dark and was the tempest within him as he paced with agitated steps before the fire she is risen he exclaimed the of all my crimes is risen to haunt me through i am a murderer yet she lives and my guilt not the less the stamp of eternal is upon me the finger of scorn will mark me out the tongue of reproach will sting me like that of the serpent the deadly touch of shame will cover me like a the laws of society will crush the murderer not the less that his wickedness in blood has after that comes the black and terrible of the almighty s vengeance of his fiery indignation hush what sounds are those they they is it thunder it cannot be the of the blaze it is thunder but it speaks only to my ear hush great god there is a change in my voice it is hollow and supernatural could a change have come over me am i living could i have could i have departed and am i now at length given over to the worm that never dies if it be at my heart i may feel it god i am damned here is a about my limbs trying to dart its into my heart there are feet pacing in the room too and i hear voices i am surrounded by evil spirits who s there what are you speak they are silent there is no answer again comes the thunder but perchance this is not my place of punishment and i will try to leave these horrible spirits he opened the door and passed out into a small green field that lay behind the house the night was calm and the silence profound as death not a cloud obscured the heavens the light of the moon fell	50
it might perhaps be attributed the high and integrity for which they were remarkable this severity however was no proof that they wanted feeling or were insensible to the misery and sorrows of others in all the little cares and that the peaceful neighbourhood in which they lived they were ever the first to console or if necessary to support a distressed neighbour with the means which god had placed in their possession for being industrious they were seldom poor their words were few but sincere and generally promised less than the honest hearts that dictated them intended to perform there is in some persons a hereditary feeling of just principle the result neither of education nor of a clear moral sense but rather a kind of instinctive honesty which like a constitutional bias from father to son every member of the family it is difficult to define this or to its due position in the scale of human virtues it exists in the midst of the ignorance and influences the character in the absence of better principles such was the impress which marked so strongly the family of which i speak no one would ever think of a act to the nor would any person acquainted with them hesitate for a moment to consider their word as good as the bond of another i do not mean to say however that their motives of action were not higher than this instinctive honesty far from it but i say that they possessed it in addition to a strong feeling of family pride and a correct knowledge of their moral duties i can only take up at that part of the past to which my memory extends he was then a tall fine looking young man silent but kind one of the earliest events within my recollection is his wedding after that the glimpse of his state and are but as i grew up they became more connected and i am able to remember him the father of four children an industrious small farmer beloved respected and honoured no man could rise be it ever so early who would not find up before him no man could anticipate him in an early crop and if a widow or a sick acquaintance were unable to set in their harvest was certain to collect the neighbours to assist them to be the first there himself with quiet benevolence encouraging them to a zealous performance of the friendly task in which they were engaged it was i believe soon after his marriage that the lease of the farm held by him expired until that time he had been able to live with perfect independence but even the enormous rise of one pound per acre though it deprived him in a great degree of his usual comforts did not sink him below the bare necessaries of life for some years alter that he could still serve a deserving neighbour and never was the hand of held back from the wants and of those whom he knew to be honest i once an occasion upon which a widow applied to him for a loan of five pounds to prevent her two cows from being for half a year s rent of which she only wanted that sum sat at dinner with his family when she entered the house in tears and as well as her agitation of mind permitted gave him a detailed account of her embarrassment the o god be upon all here said she on entering the double o that to you replied s wife won t you sit in an be here s a beside come over only nodded to her and continued to eat his dinner as if he felt no interest in her distress sat down at a distance and with the corner of a red handkerchief to her eyes shed tears in that bitterness of feeling which marks the helplessness of honest industry under the pressure of calamity in the name o goodness said mrs what you sure god spare him to you be dead glory be to god i no but it ud be the black sight an the black day that ud see my brave boy the staff of our support an the bread of our mouth taken away from us no no dear it s not that bad me yet i hope we ll never live to see his manly bead laid down before us twas his own indeed brought it an him the sack when he was home our last from the mill for you see he should do it the to show his an the sack when he got it an was too heavy for him an y the small of his back for his bones you see are young an hadn t time to fill up yet no glory be to god he s me and the poor creature s eyes with delight through her tears and the darkness of her without saying a word when she finished the on her son rose and taking her forcibly by the shoulder set her down at the table on which a large pot full of potatoes had been spread out with a circle in the middle for a dish of and eggs into which dish every right hand of those about it was thrust with a quickness that clearly illustrated the principle of competition as a to action spare your breath said placing her rather roughly upon seat an take share of what s when all s cleared off we ll hear you but the word till then said the poor woman you re the same man still sure we all know your ways i ll strive to ate i ll strive to you an the lord bless you an yours an may you never be as i an my are this sorrowful day and	50
she accompanied her words by a flood of tears k without the slightest sympathy withdrew himself from the table not a muscle of his face was moved but as the cat came about his feet at the time he put his foot under her and flung her as easily as possible to the lower end of the what harm did the do asked his wife that you d kick her for that way an why but you ate out your dinner i m done he replied rather but that s do that an you an boys that has the work afore them shouldn t finish your male s mate poor thought that by his withdrawing he had perceived the object of her visit and of course concluded that her chance of succeeding was very the wife who guessed what she wanted as well as the nature of her suspicion being herself as affectionate and obliging as to the subject in order to give her an opportunity of proceeding an out o the common is a to you said she or you wouldn t be in the state you re in the look down on you this day you poor the father of your to stand up for you an your only other laid on the broad of his back all as one as a but no trust to him that can b a husband to you an a father to your trust to him an his blessed mother in this day an never fear but they ll rise up a for you ate your dinner as you ought to do your how can you take a in your hand upon that morsel finish your own said her husband an never heed me let me alone you see that if i wanted it i d ate it an what more would you have about it well it s your own loss sure of a an whisper what can or i do for you it would be a bad day we d see you at a for a friend for you never else nor a civil neighbour yourself an him that s gone before the lord make his bed in heaven this day was as good a warrant as ever broke bread to a friend if it was at the hour of midnight ah when i had a m exclaimed the distracted widow i never had occasion to friend or neighbour but he s gone an now its otherwise me glory be to god for all his a why thin since i must an has no other to go to but somehow i doubt looks dark upon me sure i d put my hand to a stamp if my word wouldn t do for it an the blessed that saved us for the payment of it or i d give it to in for i hear you want some it is an a or grain never went a indeed it s it that s the beauty all out if it s good seed you want what is it for woman alive inquired as he kicked a three legged stool out of his way what is it for is it sure my two brave cows is me the driver is over me an has them ready to set off i reared them both the two of them my own hands that knows my voice an would come to me from the corner o the field if goin an will we have will my poor sick boy but the black or the dry salt besides the of them bein lost to us for the rent or a small taste of it of an odd time for poor next to god i have no friend to upon but yourself me said as if astonished that s enough now do you think hut hut woman alive come boys you re all done out to your an finish that before night me hut tut i have it all but five pounds an for the v z sake ok him s in his grave an that maybe able to put up his prayer for you an what would you want to do for you to sit down an finish your dinner when it s before you i m goin to get an ould glove that s somewhere about this for i must weed out that bit of before night a and as he spoke he passed into another room as if he had altogether forgotten her and in a few minutes returned an the of the be upon you sure an many a one o them you have any how well well it s low days me to be upon the little that reared me ever thought it ud come to this you know i m a father s child an i have stooped to you what i d scorn to do to any other but yourself poor an as i stand before you let them take the cows thin from my but the father of the will support an me but it s well for the o that their landlord lives at home among themselves for may the heavens look down on me i would nt know where to find mine if one sight of him ud save me and my from the grave the agent even he lives in an how could i lave my sick boy an small by themselves to go a miles an maybe not see him all little hopes i d have from him even if i did he s paid for gathering in his rents but it s well known he wants the touch of for the of the poor an of them that s honest in their i ll go over you if that will be of any use replied come	50
i ll go an to dirty in hand old gloves are used to prevent the hands from being injured by tlie us i him r iii l f it d r who o w willow it of die in eldest lo his by a r tl in h back a u i ami hai hi rather in li u i tlie wall his i o the h l i in c him was a tub h i ones car at i i l the v ill he i it lie lor it wait hut ihe n m h nt as to if a l o more h d iii ii l lu v lu t out ma i tin mm jn pulling down himself or arid hard which r his ally were by of long end sticks whose were lo into th mi ht t blind or liim in manner out to fill ho and on with v c in he hia little distorted by glee and wildly mixed oi i is oh ha ha ha don t come in yet come in till an an the gets the we ll soon have the full but and jack have the eyes out of him an s the hook from behind the to get it about his neck and the widow entered with all haste precisely at the moment when s head was dipped for the first time into the vessel is it goin to him are said as he seized with a grasp that transferred him to the opposite end of the house back ye pack of young devils an let the man up what did he come to do but his duty i tell you if you at yourself an in full that you d have the man s blood on you where you stand and would suffer as you ought to do for it there let me replied the lad his eyes glowing and his veins swollen with passion i don t care if i did it would be no sin an po disgrace to hang for the like of him to do that than stale a of turf or a of straw in the mean time the had raised his head out of the water and presented a which it was impossible to view with gravity the widow s anxiety prevented her from seeing it in a ludicrous light but s severe face assumed a grave smile as the man shook himself and attempted to comprehend the na of his situation the young who had fallen back at the appearance of and the widow now burst into a peal of mirth in which however whose passions had been roused did not join said the widow i take the mother of heaven to witness that it my heart to see you get such in my place an i would nt for the best cow in my that a a tub happened n but make you suffer for down this upon my head and me had enough over it afore i care replied whoever comes to take our property from us an us to work will suffer for it do you think see at their an our cows in a pound for no no high to me but i ll split to the the first man that takes them an all i m sorry for is that it not the landlord himself that s near me that s our thanks for him many a good pound in honesty and to him an his us to a agent an not even to that same but to his that s us on both sides between them may hard fortune him for a landlord you may tell him this that his wisest plan is to keep clear of the sure it s a he is they say an we must be banished an to support his but wait a bit maybe there s a good time when we ll pay our money to that won t be too proud to hear our complaints their own ears an who won t turn us over to a s limb of an agent he had need any how to get his coffin sooner nor he thinks what in a good cause said he as the tears of keen indignation burst from his glowing eyes it sa death an a happy death when it s for the right he added for his mind was evidently fixed the contemplation of those means of which the habits of the country and the prejudices of the people present to them in the first moments of passion it s well that s one of ourselves replied coolly otherwise you said words that would lay you by the heels as for you you must look over this the boy s the son of poor parents an it s a new thing for him to see the cows front the place the poor by my soul and body low s vexed too that he has been so long laid up a sore back an so you see one thing or another has put him through other is warm hearted all an will be sorry for it when he an that you only join your duty but what am i to do about the cows sure i can t go back either or the said with a look of fear and trembling at the cows said another of the widow s sons who then came in you dirty of a you may whistle on the wrong side o your mouth for them i them off of the estate an now take them if you it s to law said the an if you d touch them i d make my you a or a flashes this was a triumph to the who began to shake	50
their little fists at him and to exclaim in a chorus ha you dirty wait till we get you out o the house an if we don t put you from ever i why but you work like another ha you ll get it i and every little fist was shook in vengeance at him f said to the little let him alone he got enough there s the cows for you an keen may the curse o the widow an light upon you an upon them that sent you from first to last an that s the best we wish you said to the is there any one in the town below that will take the an give a for it do you think man that the neighbours of an honest industrious woman ud see the cattle taken out of her for a hut tut no man alive no thing there s not a man in the parish to do it would see them taken away to be at only about a fourth part of their value hut no as the sterling fellow spoke the cheeks of the widow were with tears and her son s hollow eyes once more kindled but a far different expression from that which but a few minutes before flashed from them said he and utterance nearly failed him if was well it wouldn t be as it is us but no indeed it would not but may god bless you for this never fear but you ll be paid may god bless you as he spoke the hand of his humble benefactor was warmly grasped in his a tear fell upon it for with one of those quick and of feeling so peculiar to the people he now felt a strong generous emotion of gratitude mingled perhaps with a sense of wounded pride on finding the poverty of their little family so openly exposed hut tut said who understood his feelings man alive hut hem why sure it s at all at all any body would do it only a bare five an twenty it was five pounds any neighbour jack or m would do it come step out the money s to the fore put your about you and let us go down to the or clerk or he is sure that makes no any how i suppose he has power to give a go to bed again youve pale poor and ye ye the cows won t be taken from this bout come in the name of god let us go and see everything at once hut tut come many similar details of s useful life could be given in which he bore an equally benevolent and christian part poor fellow he was ere long brought low but to the credit of our much as is said about their he was treated when helpless with gratitude pity and kindness until the peace of s regular and industry enabled him to struggle successfully against a rent and sudden depression in the price of agricultural produce that is he was able by the toil of a man remarkable alike for an spirit and a vigorous frame of body to pay his rent with tolerable regularity it is true a change began to be visible in his personal appearance in his farm in the dress of his children and in the economy of his household improvements which adequate capital would have enabled him to effect were left either altogether or in an imperfect state resembling neglect though in reality the result of poverty his dress at mass and in and had by degrees lost that air of comfort and warmth which the independent farmer the evidences of embarrassment began to disclose themselves in many small points it is true but not the less significant his house in the progress of declining circumstances ceased to be ornamented by a new coat of it soon assumed a faded and hue and sparkled not in the setting sun the days of s prosperity it had in fact a wasted look like its master the became black and rotten upon its roof the chimneys to opposite points the windows were less neat and ultimately when broken were patched with a couple of leaves from the children s blotted copy books his out houses also began to fail the neatness of his little farm and the cleanliness which marked so the space his dwelling house disappeared in the course of time began to where no had been his garden was not now planted so early nor with such taste and neatness as before his crops were later and less abundant his neither so full nor so trim as they were wont to be nor his and kept in such good repair his cars and other farming implements instead of being put under cover were left exposed to the influence of wind and weather where they soon became crazy and useless such were only the symptoms of his struggle against the general embarrassment into which the agricultural interests were year after year so unhappily sinking had the tendency to general distress among the class to which he belong become stationary would have continued by toil and incessant exertion to maintain his ground but unfortunately there was no point at which the national depression could then stop year after year produced deeper more extensive and more complicated misery and when he hoped that every succeeding season would bring an improvement in the market he was destined to experience not merely a fresh disappointment but an unexpected in the price of his corn butter and other when a nation is reduced to such a state no eye but that of god himself can see the appalling wretchedness to which a year of disease and strikes down the poor and working classes after a long and noble contest	50
for nearly three years sank at length under the united of disease and the father of the family was laid low upon the bed of sickness and those of his little ones who escaped it were almost consumed by famine this two fold shock sealed his ruin honest heart was crushed his hardy frame of its strength and he to whom every neighbour fled as to a friend now required friendship at a moment when the wide spread poverty of the country rendered its assistance hopeless on rising from his bed of sickness the prospect before him required his utmost fortitude to bear he was now wasted in energy both of mind and body reduced to utter poverty with a large family of children too young to assist him without means of his circumstance his wife and himself gaunt his farm neglected his house wrecked and his offices falling to ruin yet every day bringing the s term nearer oh ye who riot on the miseries of such men ye who roll the easy circle of fashionable life think upon this picture ye vile and heartless who see not hear not know not those to whose heart toil ye owe the only merit ye possess that of rank in society come and contemplate virtuous man as and by those who are bound by a strong moral duty to protect and aid him he looks shuddering into the dark cheerless future is it to be wondered at that he and such as he should in the misery of his despair join the nightly meetings be to associate himself with the or to grasp in the stupid of wretchedness the weapon of the murderer b y the people by them with merciless of the means of life by them on under a cruel system of rack ye become not their natural but curses and nearly as much in reality as ye are in their opinion when rose he was driven by hunger direct and immediate to sell his best cow and having purchased some at an enormous price from a well known in the parish who up this for a dear summer he laid his plans for the future with as much judgment as any man could display one morning after breakfast he addressed his wife as follows i want to consult you about what we ought to do things are low us and except our heavenly father puts it into the heart of them vm goin to mention i don t know what we ll do nor what ill become of these poor that s naked and hungry about us god pity them they don t know and maybe that same s some comfort the hardships that s before them poor see how quiet and sorrowfully they sit about their little play the time for themselves as well as they can alley come over to me your hair is bright and fair alley and curls that the finest lady in the land might envy it but your colour s gone your little hands are wasted away too that sickness was hard and sore upon you a and he that ud spend his heart s blood for you can do nothing to help you he looked at the child as he spoke and a slight motion in the muscles of his face was barely perceptible but it passed away and after kissing her he proceeded ay ye you and i could earn our bread for ourselves yet but these do it this last stroke has laid us at the door of both poverty and sickness but blessed be the mother of heaven for it they re all left us and sure that s a we ve to be thankful for glory be to god ay poor things it s well to have them spared dear sure i d rather a thousand times beg from door to door and have my to look at than be in comfort them beg that ud go hard me i d work i d live on next to nothing all the year round but to see the that bred up brought to that i couldn t bear it break the heart in me poor as they are they have the blood of kings in their veins and besides to see a his bread in the where his name was once great the more that was their title no i love them as i do the blood in my own veins but i d rather see them in the arms of god in heaven laid down their little sorrowful faces washed and their little bodies stretched out before my eyes i would in the grave yard there where all belonging to me lie than have it cast up to them or have it said that ever a was seen on the highway but can you strike out no plan for us that ud put us in the way of round these poor ones if we could hold out for two or three year would soon be able to help us they would they would i m this day or two of a plan but i m doubtful whether it ud come to any thing what is it a sure we can t be worse nor we are any way i m goin to go to i m that the landlord s come home from france and that he s there now and if didn t see him sure i could see the agent now my ud be to lay our case before the head landlord himself in hopes he might d back his hand and spare us for awhile if i had a line from the agent or a scrape of a pen that i could show at home to some of the who knows but	50
i what ud see us up i think many of them ud be sorry to see me turned out eh the irish are an imaginative people indeed too much so for either their individual or national happiness and it is this and superstition which also depends much upon imagination that makes them so easily influenced by those extravagant dreams that are held out to them by persons who understand their character when heard the plan on which founded his expectations of assistance her dark melancholy eye flashed with a portion of its former fire a transient vivacity lit up her sickly features and she turned a smile of hope and affection upon her children then upon thin who knows indeed who knows but he might do something for us and maybe we might be as well as ever yet may the lord put it into his heart this day i declare ay maybe it was god put it into your heart i ll set oflf replied her husband who was a man of decision i ll set off on other morrow and as nobody knows anything about it so let there not be a word said upon the subject good or bad if i have success well and good but if not why nobody need be the wiser the heart broken wife evinced for the remainder of the day a lightness of spirits which she had not felt for many a month before even was less depressed than usual and employed himself in making such arrangements as he knew would occasion his family to el the inconvenience of his absence less but as the hour of his departure drew nigh a sorrowful feeling of rising into greater strength and tenderness threw a melancholy gloom around his hearth according to their simple view of distance a journey to was a serious undertaking and to them it was such was in weak health just risen out of illness and what was more trying than any other consideration was that since their marriage they had never been separated before on the morning of his departure he was up before day break and so were his wife and children for the latter had heard the conversation already detailed between them and with their simple minded parents enjoyed the gleam of hope which it presented but this soon changed when he was preparing to go an indefinite sense of fear and a more vivid clinging of affection marked their feelings he himself partook of this and was silent depressed and less ardent than when the speculation first presented itself to his mind his resolution however was taken and should he fail no blame at a future time could be attached to himself it was the last effort and to neglect it he thought would have been to neglect his duty when breakfast was ready they all sat down in silence the hour was yet early and a rush light was placed in a wooden that stood beside them to afford light there was something solemn and touching in the group as they sat in dim relief every face marked by the traces of sickness want sorrow and affection the father attempted to eat but he could not sat at the meal but could taste nothing the children ate for hunger at the moment was over every other sensation at length it was over and rose to depart he stood for a minute on the floor and seemed to take a survey of his cold cheerless house and then of his family he cleared his throat several times but did not speak said he at length in the name of god i ll go and may his be about you no more t he m i t ji nail iii the h in loud family o which in r the tn ii n genuine ij i ir ia an fl is iv i lt in v iii su nail ll had i ol ii it u ii re for n re or d the we d be so you lie will da hi lo li ii and id lips a of life can t n he in ii so l b sure ir your yellow hair h t in yo ir eyes don t lo l isn t it your laugh you in lid not bond of can t indeed can t bear to of what of l ere now when in nature bill a e hi to w you i hurt lo te jo you nd sorrowful r out of the k le jou ru i li i mj the children about them and joined their entreaties to those of their mother father lave we ll be e if you go and if my mother ud get who d be to take care of her father don t lave your own a pet name he had for them maybe the meal ud be eat out before you d come back or maybe something ud happen you in that strange place indeed there s truth in what they say said the wife do be said by your own for this time and don t take a long journey upon you maybe you wouldn t see sure the will help us if you could only humble yourself to ax them said when this is past you ll be glad i went indeed you will sure it s only the of our hearts who knows what the landlord may do when i see himself and show him these every penny paid him by our ow n family let me go it does cut me to the heart to lave the way are in even for awhile but it s far worse to see your poor wasted faces it in my power to do	50
anything for he then kissed them again one by one and pressing the partner of his sorrows to his breaking heart he bade god them and set out in the twilight of a bitter march morning he had not gone many yards the door when little alley ran after him in tears he felt her hand upon th skirts of his coat which he a of that neither tears nor repress father kiss me he stooped down and kissed her tenderly th then ascended a green ditch and a he looked back saw her upon it her fair were tossed by the blast about her face as with straining eyes she watched him receding from her view and the other children stood at the door and also with deep sorrow watched his form until the angle of the bridle road rendered him no vol i longer visible after which they returned slowly to the fire and wept bitterly we believe no men are capable of bearing greater toil or than the irish s was only two or three cakes tied in a little handkerchief and a few shillings in silver to pay for his bed with this small stock of food and money an stick in his hand and his wife s tied about his waist he undertook a journey of one hundred and eighty miles in quest of a landlord who so far from being acquainted with the of his scarcely knew even their names and not one of them in person our scene now changes to the metropolis one evening about half past six o clock a toil worn man turned his steps to a splendid mansion in his appearance was drooping fatigued and feeble as he went along he examined the numbers on the respective doors until he reached one before which he stopped for a moment he then stepped out upon the street and looked the windows as if willing to ascertain whether there was any chance f his object being attained whilst in this situation a carriage rolled rapidly up and stopped with a sudden check that nearly threw the horses on their in an instant the thundering knock of the servant intimated the arrival of some person of rank the hall door was opened and himself of that opportunity entered the hall such a visitor however was too remarkable to escape notice hand of the was rudely placed st his breast and as the usual impertinent were put to him the kept pushing him back until the afflicted man stood upon the upper step leading to the door for the sake of god and let me but two words to him i m his tenant and i know he s too of a to turn away a man that has lived upon his honor s estate father and son for upwards of two years my name s j you can t see him my good fellow at this hour go to mr m his agent we have company to dinner he never speaks to a tenant on business his agent all that please leave the way here s more company as he uttered the last word he pushed back who forgetting that the stairs were behind him fell received a severe cut and was so completely stunned that he lay senseless and bleeding another carriage drove up as the fellow now much alarmed attempted to raise him from the steps and by orders of the gentleman who came in it he was brought into the hall the circumstance now made some noise it was whispered about that one of mr s tenants a drunken fellow from the country wanted to break in forcibly to see him but then it was also asserted that his was broken and that he lay dead in the hall several of the gentlemen above stairs on hearing that a man had been killed immediately assembled about him and by the means of he soon recovered though the blood streamed from the wound in the back of his head who are you my good man said mr s looked about him rather but soon collected himself and replied in a mournful and touching tone of i am one of your honour s tenants from my name is your honour that is if you be mr and pray what brought you to town i wanted to make an humble to your ho s in regard of my bit of farm and my poor family your honour have been broken down by hard times and the sickness of the god knows how are if you wish to speak to me about that my good man you must know i refer all these matters to my agent go to him he knows them best and what ever is right and proper to be done for you he will do it give him a crown and send him to the to get his head dressed i say go to my agent he knows whether your claim is just or not and will attend to it accordingly your honour been him and he says he can do for me i went two or three times and couldn t see him he was so busy and when i did get a word or two him he me there was more offered for my land than pay in and that if i did not pay up i must be put out god help me but i tell you i never interfere between him and my tenants indeed and it would be both for your honour s and yourself if you did sir your honour ought to know sir more about us and how we re i m an honest man sir and i tell you so for your good and pray sir said the agent stepping forward for he had arrived a few minutes before and	50
heard the last observation of pray how are they treated you that know so well and are so honest a man as for honesty you might have referred to me for that i think he added mr m said we re very badly sir you needn t look at me for i m not to the no sir will make me say anything in your favour that you don t you ve broken the half of them by severity you ve turned the yourself and his honour here and i tell you now though you re to the fore that in the of a short time there ill be bad work upon the estate except his honour here looks into his own affairs and hears the complaints of the people look at these yer honour they ll show you sir i can hear no such language against the gentleman to whom i the management of my property of course i refer the matter solely to him i can do nothing in it exclaimed the poor man i t as he looked up to heaven and ye poor of my heart is the news i m to have for i go home as you hope for mercy sir don t turn away your ear from my petition that i d humbly make to yourself and hunger and hardship are at home before me yer honour if you d be to look at these see that i always paid my rent and twas sickness and the hard and your own honesty industry and good conduct said the agent giving a dark and malignant sneer at him it shall be my business to see that you do not it through the much longer sir you have heard the fellow s admission it is an implied threat that he will give us much serious trouble there is not such another on your property not one upon my honour sir said a servant dinner is on the table said his landlord give him another crown and tell him to trouble me no more saying he and the agent went up to the drawing room and in a saw a large party sweep down stairs full of glee and vivacity among whom both himself and his were as completely forgotten as if they had never existed he now slowly departed and knew not whether the house steward had given him money or not until he felt it in his hand a cold sorrowful weight lay upon his heart the din of the town his affliction into a stupor but an overwhelming sense of his disappointment and a conviction of the agent s falsehood entered like arrows into his heart on leaving the steps he looked up to heaven in the distraction of his thoughts the clouds were black and lowering the wind stormy and as it carried them on its dark wing along the sky he wished if it the will of god that his head lay in the quiet e yard where the ashes of his forefathers i ig in peace but he again remembered his and their children and the large tears of deep and bitter rolled slowly down his cheeks we will not trace him into an hospital whither the wound on his head occasioned him to be sent but simply state that on the second week after this a man with his head bound in a handkerchief lame bent and evidently under severe illness or great affliction might be seen toiling slowly up the little hill that commanded a view of on reaching the top he sat down to rest for a few minutes but his eye was eagerly turned to the house which contained all that was dear to him on this earth the sun was and shone with half his visible in that dim and cheerless splendour which produces almost in every temperament a feeling of melancholy his house which in happier days formed so beautiful and conspicuous an object in the view was now from the darkness of its walls scarcely the position of the sun too rendered it more difficult to be seen and for it was ho shaded his eyes with his hand to survey it more distinctly many a thought and remembrance passed through his mind as his eye traced its dim outline in the fading light he had done his duty he had gone to the fountain head with a hope that his simple story of affliction might be heard but all was fruitless the only gleam of hope that opened upon their misery had now passed into darkness and despair forever he pressed his aching forehead with distraction as he thought of this then clasped his hands bitterly and groaned aloud at length he rose and proceeded with great difficulty for the short rest had his weak and fatigued joints as he approached home his heart sank and as he ascended the blood red stream which covered the bridle way that led to his house what with fatigue and affliction his agitation weakened him so much that he stopped and leaned on his staff several times that he might take breath it s too dark maybe for them to see me or poor would send the to give me the s ie how my heart beats long to see you and to see the glory be to him that has left them to me praise and glory to his he was now within a few of the door but a sudden shot across his heart when he saw it shut and no appearance of smoke from they chimney nor of stir or life about the house he advanced mother of glory what s this but wait let me rap are you alley t alley sure i m come back to all and he more loudly than before a dark	50
know him this is one reason why some system of poor laws should be introduced into the country of this description become a burden upon strangers whilst those who are capable of entering with friendly sympathy into their misfortunes have no opportunity of assisting them indeed this shame of seeking from those who have known the in better days is a proof that the absence of poor laws takes away from the poorer classes one of the strongest to industry for instance if every in ireland were confined to his own parish and compelled to beg from his acquaintances the sense of shame alone would by stirring them up to greater industry reduce the number of one half there is a strong spirit of family pride in ireland which would be sufficient to make many poor of both sexes exert themselves to the rather than cast a stain upon their name or bring a blush to the face of their relations but now it is not so the sets out to beg and in every instance his new mode of life in some distant part of the country where his name and family are not known indeed it is astonishing how any man can for a moment hesitate to form his opinion upon the subject of poor laws the english and scotch gentry know something about the middle and lower classes of their respective countries and of course they have a fixed system of provision for the poor in each the ignorance of the irish gentry upon almost every subject connected with the real good of the people is only in keeping with their ignorance of the people themselves it is to be feared however that their to introduce poor laws arises less from actual ignorance than from an selfishness the facts of the case are these in ireland tiie whole support of vol i the inconceivable multitude of who like over the surface of the country rests upon the middle and lower classes or rather upon the latter for there is scarcely such a thing in this unhappy country as a middle class in not one out of a thousand instances do the gentry contribute to the cant poor in the first place a vast proportion of our are who upon their own pleasures or vices in the theatres or of france or in the softer of italy that which ought to return in some shape to stand in the place of duties so neglected these persons contribute nothing to the poor except the various evils which their absence upon them on the other hand the resident gentry never in any case assist a beggar even in the remote parts of the country where there are no institutions nor do the beggars ever think of applying to them they know that his honour s dogs would be slipped at them or that the whip might be laid perhaps to the shoulders of a broken hearted father with his brood of helpless en wanting food perhaps upon the person of a miserable widow who for her only because the hands that supported and would have defended both her and them are into dust upon the middle and lower classes therefore comes directly the heavy burden of supporting the great mass of that presses upon ireland it is certain that the irish know this and that they are reluctant to see any law which might make the performance of their duties to the poor this indeed is natural in men who have so neglected them but what must the state of a country be where those who are on the way to themselves are exclusively with the support of the poor it is like putting additional weight on a man already sinking under the burden ho bears the suppose that because the maintenance of the x idle who are able and of the aged and who are not able to work comes upon the of land they themselves are from their support this if true is as bitter a upon their humanity as upon their sense of justice but it is not true though the cost of supporting such an incredible number of the idle and helpless does in the first place fall upon the tenant yet by his means and by often compelling him to purchase towards the end of the season a portion of food equal to that which he has given away in charity it certainly becomes ultimately a clear from the landlord s rent in either case it is a but in the latter it is often doubly so inasmuch as the poor tenants must frequently pay at the close of a season double perhaps the price which provision brought at the beginning of it any person with the irish people must frequently have heard such as the following during the application of a beggar for we re your charity for god s sake foot tenant for his sake you would get it poor if we had it but it s not for you the four corners of the house it ud be well for us if we had now all we gave away in charity the whole year we would nt have to be for ourselves at three prices why don t you go up to the big house rich an can afford it with a shrug which sets all his coats and bags in motion the big house do you want me an the here to be torn to pieces the dogs or lashed a whip by one o the no no with a hopeless shake of the head that ud be a blue look up like a clear poor tenant then indeed we haven t it to help you now poor man we re ourselves thin that s lucky so it is i ve as a grain o male here as you d wish to that i to get together in	50
hopes to be able to buy a o along a pair o new an a for myself i m suspicious that there s about a stone ov it altogether you can have it the market price for i m at not the an me sure the lord will me an the a bit an sup some way else glory to his name besides a lock o in the corner o the bag here that ll do us for this day any way the bargain is immediately struck and the poor tenant is glad to purchase even from a beggar his of meal in of getting it a few pence under market price such scenes as this which are of frequent occurrence in the country parts of ireland need no comment this certainly is not a state of things which should be permitted to exist man ought to be compelled to support the poor of his native parish according to his means it is an disgrace to the so long to have neglected the of ireland is it to be thought of with common patience that a person rolling in wealth shall feed upon his his and his costly luxuries of every description for which he will not scruple to pay the highest price that this heartless and selfish man whether he reside at home or abroad shall thus himself with purchased by the toil of the people and yet not contribute to their miseries when poverty sickness or age throws them upon the scanty support of casual charity shall this man be permitted to in luxury in a foreign land or at home to whip our from his carriage or hunt them like beasts of prey from his grounds whilst the lower classes the gradually poor are compelled to groan under the burden of their support in addition to their other burdens surely it is not a question which admits of argument this subject has been darkened and made difficult by fine spun and unintelligible theories when the only j knowledge necessary to understand it may be gained by spending a few weeks in some poor village in the interior of the country as for upon this or any other subject they are with be it spoken contemptible they will summon and examine witnesses who for the most part know little about the habits or of the poor public money will be wasted in their expenses and in reports resolutions will be passed something will be said about it in the house of and in a few weeks after and re it is as little thought of as if it had never been the subject of investigation in the mean time the evil proceeds becomes eats the already declining prosperity of the country whilst those who suffer under ith ve the consolation of knowing that a committee sat longer upon it than so many upon their eggs but nothing two circumstances connected with in ireland are worthy of notice the first is the roman who certainly constitute the bulk of the population feel themselves called upon from the peculiar of their religion to exercise charity largely to the begging poor they act under the impression that good works possess the power of sin to an extent almost incredible many of their religious legends are founded upon this view of the case and the reader will find an appropriate one in the priest s sermon as given in our tale of the poor scholar that legend is one which the author has many a time heard from the lips of the people by whom it was believed a man who may have committed a murder over night will the next day endeavour to wipe away his guilt by given for the purpose of getting the benefit of the poor man s prayer the principle of assisting our distressed fellow creatures when ally exercised is one of the best in society but her it becomes entangled with error superstition and even with crime acts as a upon and in some degree to guilt from an belief that sin may be by and the prayers of the second point in connection with is the influence that proceeds from the relation in which the begging poor in ireland stand towards the class by whom they are supported these as we have already said are the poorest least educated and consequently the ignorant description of the people they are also the most numerous there have been for centuries probably since the itself certain opinions floating among the lower classes in ireland all tending to prepare them for some great change in their favour arising from the discomfiture of the overthrow of their enemies and the exaltation of themselves and their religion scarcely had the public mind subsided the rebellion of ninety eight when the success of directed the eyes and the hopes of the irish people towards him as the person designed to be their many a fine fiction has the author of this work heard about that great man s escapes concerning the bullets that conveniently turned aside from his person and the that declined to cut him down many too were related in which the glory of this country under his reign was touched in the happiest colours also gave such notions an impulse eighteen twenty five was to be the year of their george the fourth was never to fill the british throne and the mill of was to be turned three times with human blood the miller with the two was then living said the for they were the principal of these opinions and the great of their own so that of course there could be no further doubt upon the subject several of them had seen him a red haired man with broad shoulders stout legs exactly as a miller ought to have and two on his right hand all precisely	50
as the prophecy had stated then there was heal and several others of the fierce old who along with their armies lay in an enchanted sleep all ready to awake and take a part in the delivery of the country sure such a man and they would name him in the time of the s grandfather was once going to fair to sell a horse well and good the time was the dawn of morning a little before daylight he met a man who undertook to purchase his horse they agreed upon the price and the of him followed the into a where he found a range of horses each with an armed soldier asleep by his side ready to spring upon him if awoke tiie the owner of the horse as they were about to enter the dwelling against touching either horse or man but the happening to laid his hand upon a sleeping soldier who im leaped up drew his sword and asked is the time in it is the time arrived to which the horse dealer of the replied ha no go to sleep again upon this the soldier immediately sank down in his former position and unbroken sleep reigned throughout the cave the influence on the warm of ignorant people of the by is very they fill their minds with the most palpable and what is worse with opinions which along with being injurious to those who receive them in every instance for those who them a cordial and kind reception these consequently for their own selfish ends to the prejudices of the ignorant which they out in a manner that has in no slight degree been of the peace of the country scarcely any political circumstance occurs which they do not immediately seize upon and twist to their own purposes or in other words to the opinions of those from whom they derive their support when our present police first appeared in their and black another prophecy was fulfilled immediately before the of a body of black was to appear the police then are the black and the people consider themselves another step nearer the of their vague speculations in the year ninety eight the irish were active agents clever and expert messengers on the part of the people and to this day they carry falsehood and the materials of outrage in its worst shape into the bosom of families who would otherwise never become connected with a system which is calculated to bring nothing but ruin and destruction upon those who permit themselves to join it this evil and it is no small one would by the introduction of poor laws be utterly the people would not only be more easily improved by purer knowledge but education when received would not be by the into it of such as the above in many other points of view the confirmed and of ireland are a great evil to the morals of the people we could easily detail them but such not being our object at present we will now dismiss the subject of poor laws and resume our narrative far far different from this description of were and his family their misfortunes were not the consequences of or on their own part they struggled long but against high rents and low against neglect on the part of the landlord and his agent against sickness famine and death they had no alternative but to beg or starve was willing to work but he could mt procure employment and provided he could the miserable sum of sixpence a day when food was scarce and dear would not support him his wife and six little ones he became a therefore only to avoid starvation heavy and black was his heart to use the strong expression of the people on the bitter morning when he set out to encounter the dismal task of seeking in order to keep life in himself and his family the plan was devised on the preceding night but to no mortal except his wife was it communicated the honest pride of a man whose mind was above committing a mean action would not permit him to reveal what he considered the first stain that ever was known to rest upon the name of he therefore out under the beating of the storm and proceeded without caring much whither he went until he got considerably beyond the bounds of his own parish in the mean time hunger pressed keenly upon him and them the day had no appearance of clearing up the heavy rain and beat into their thin worn garments and the of his children for food began to grow more and more they came to the shelter of a hedge which enclosed on one side a remote and broken road along which in order to avoid the risk of being recognized they had preferred travelling stood here for a few minutes to consult with his wife as to where and when they should make a beginning but on looking round he found her in tears said he can t bid you not to cry bear up bear up sure as i said when we came out this there s a good god above us that can still turn over the good for j us if we put our hopes in him said his sinking wife it s not altogether we re brought to this that no indeed thin what you the wife hesitated and the question for some time but at length his pressing her for an answer with a fresh of sorrow she replied since you must know may god pity us since you must know its hunger hun i kept a little bit of bread to give the this an that was part of it i gave you yesterday early i m near two days sure i your worth you were too good a e	50
an too good a mother god forgive me i fretted about dear but as my heavenly father s above me i m now happier to beg you by my side nor if i war in the best house in the province you up for awhile come on an the first house we meet we ll ax their their assistance come on all of why my s so it is sure we have your mother safe us an what anything so long as she s left to us he then raised his wife tenderly for she had been compelled to sit from weakness and they bent their steps to a decent farm house that stood a few off the road about a quarter of a mile before them as they approached the door the husband hesitated a moment his face got paler than usual and his lip quivered as he i know what you re goin to say no you won t ax it myself do said with i can t do it but i ll overcome my pride afore long i hope it s to me an you know it is for you know how little i ever expected to be brought to this we ll then in the name o god as she spoke the children herself and her husband entered to beg for the first time in their lives a morsel of food yes timidly with a blush of shame red even to crimson upon the pallid features of with grief acute and pi they entered the house together p for some minutes they stood and spoke not the unhappy woman to the language of scarcely knew in what terms to assistance himself stood back uncovered his fine but much changed features with an expression of deep affliction cast a single glance at god is thus sometimes termed in ireland by man here is meant person or being he is also called the man above although this must have been intended for and often is applied to christ only him as if for encouragement their eyes met she saw the upright man the last remnant of the himself once the friend of the poor of the unhappy of the afflicted standing crushed and broken down by misfortunes which he had not deserved waiting with patience for a morsel of charity too had his he recollected the days when he sought and gained the pure and fond affections of his when beauty and youth an j innocence encircled her h their light and their grace as she spoke or moved he saw her a happy wife and mother in her own home kind and benevolent to all who required her good word or her good office and now she was he remembered too how she used to plead with himself for the afflicted it was but a moment yet when their eyes met that moment was crowded by that flashed across their minds with a keen sense of a lot so bitter and wretched as theirs could not speak although she tried her sobs denied her and involuntarily sat upon a chair and covered his face with his hand to an observing eye it is never difficult to detect the cant of or to perceive distress when it is real the good woman of the house us is usual in ireland was in the act of approaching them with a double handful of meal that is what the scotch and northern irish call a or as much as both hands locked together can contain when noticing their distress she paused a moment eyed them more closely and exclaimed what s this why there s something wrong you good people but first an foremost take this in the name an honour o may the of the same man rest upon replied this is a sorrowful i to us for it s our first day to be upon the world an this is the first help of the kind we ever for or ever got an indeed now i find we haven t even a place to carry it in i ve no b b cloth or anything to it your first is it said the good woman your first may the queen o heaven look down upon but it s a day was driven out on sit down there you poor god pity you i pray this day for you have a heart broken look sit down awhile near the fire you an the come over an warm yourselves oh but it s the thousand to see fine i handsome an good even as they are brought to this come over good man get near the fire for you re wet an could all of them two lazy thieves o dogs out o that a a be ofi ye lazy that s not worth you come over honest man and his family were placed near the fire the poor man s heart was full and he sighed heavily may he that it to us he exclaimed reward you for this we are he continued a poor an a family but it s the will of god that we should be so an sure we can t complain sin all we ax now is that it may be to him that brought us low to enable us to bear up our we would take it to our choice to beg an be honest sooner nor be wealthy an wicked we have our an our sins god help us but still there s dark or heavy on our glory be to the name o god for it i believe you replied the farmer s wife there s and honesty in your face one may easily see the remains of about all throw your little things aside an stay where are to day you can t bring out	50
the the of rain an that s in it but it s the day all out j will get a so he will at that weary fair the poor a son of ours that s gone to to sell some cattle an he ll not be worth three afore he comes back i hope he ll have to go into some house when he s done an himself well any how besides to keep out the could put by your things an don t think of goin out a day we thank you replied indeed we re glad to stay roof for poor things they re badly able to a day these child h re ate no breakfast maybe and his family were silent the children looked wistfully at their parents anxious that they should confirm what the good woman the father looked again at his brood and his sinking wife and nature overcame him food did not our lips this day replied an i may say hardly anything oh blessed mother here drop that an put down the pot for be an woman alive handle yourself you might a had it by this god us to be two days be the if you re not alive i ll give you a o the that ll bring the fire to your eyes do you hear me i do hear you an did often feel you too for would nt do you think there s no places in the world but your own i b indeed it s well come up us to be about no less a than a l it back talk you are bad end to me if you look but i ll lave you a mark to me by what woman ud put up you but myself you it wasn t to give me your bad tongue i hired you but to do your business an by the above us if you turn your tongue on me i ll give you the weight o the is vol l it they re poor people that it god to bring to turn up your nose at anything to them there s not enough there i say put in more what all the that ud make put in its always to have too much than too little i tell you you ll want a male s meat an a night s afore you die if you don t mend your manners the poor girl is her best observed an i m sure she would nt be guilty of pride to the likes of us or to any one that the lord has laid his hand upon she had not while i m to the fore said her mistress what is she herself sure if it was a sin to be poor god help the world no it s neither a sin nor a shame thanks be to god no said it s neither the one nor the other so long as we keep a fair name an a clear conscience we can t ever say that our case is hard after some further conversation a comfortable breakfast was prepared for them of which they partook with an appetite sharpened by their long from food their stay here was particularly fortunate for as they were certain of a cordial welcome and an abundance of that which they much wanted wholesome food the pressure of immediate distress was removed they had time to think more accurately upon the little preparations for misery which were necessary and as the day s leisure wa at their disposal s needle and were plied in mending the tattered clothes of her husband and her children in order to meet the of the weather on the following morning after another abundant breakfast and substantial marks of kindness from their they prepared to resume their new and melancholy mode of life as they were about to depart the farmer s wife addressed in the follow i ing terms the farmer himself by the way being but the shadow of his worthy partner in life wi e now good people you re the world on your heads farmer ay good people you re the world your heads wife your tongue an your it s me that s to them so none of your if you till i m done an then you may s eve and that s neither before christmas nor it farmer sure i m my tongue a wife youve the world on an god knows tis a heavy load to carry poor farmer a heavy load poor god he knows it s that wife did you hear me you ll be in your an me as i was our house was the first came to an they say there s a great to that gives the first charity to a poor man or woman out to look for their bit farmer ay they set out to look for their bit wife by the you d vex a saint what have you to say in it you your now an your i say sure i allow you a o a week an what right have you to be in your when other people s go an wife so you see the long an the short of it is that whenever you happen to be in this side of the always come to its you know the ould when the poor man comes he brings a an he goes he carries away a curse you have hy sugar f ft as much meal as will last a day or two an ood he sees you re heartily welcome to all farmer god he sees you re heartily welcome t an your tongue or turn you out o the kitchen one can t hear their own ears for you you poor by the i ll	50
eh will you now farmer go an t i my pipe wife well it but don t me down upon you do you hear an the people to the fore tool well the lord be an bless but afore go lave j our us for it s a good thing to have the of the poor the lord bless you an yours said fervently may you an them never oh may you never never suffer what we ve suffered nor know what it is to want a male s mate or a night s exclaimed may the world flow upon you for your good kind heart it farmer an whisper i wish you d offer up a prayer for the o the tongue the lord might hear but there s no great hopes that ever he ll hear me i ve prayed for it almost ever since i was married night an day an summer but no use she s as bad as ever this was in a kind of friendly to who on hearing it simply nodded his head but made no other reply they then their journey after having once more blessed and been invited by their charitable who made them promise never to pass house without stopping a night with them it is not our intention to trace and his wife through all the variety which a wandering s life affords he never could reconcile himself to the habits of a his honest pride and integrity of heart raised him above it neither did he sink into the and cant of nor the of no there was a touch of manly sorrow him which neither time nor familiarity with his degraded mode of life could take away from him his usual observation to his wife and he never made it without a pang of intense bitterness was it s we have enough to ate an to but we have no home no to a man like him it was a thought of surpassing bitterness indeed ah he would observe if we had but the poorest shed that could be built provided it was our wouldn t we be happy the bread we ate doesn t do us good we don t work for it it s the bread of shame and idleness and yet it s that it but that s past an we ll never see our own home or our own hearth that s what s into my heart never never many a trial too of another kind was his patience called upon to sustain particularly from the wealthy and the more elevated in life when his as a led him to their assistance off my grounds one would say why don t you work you sturdy another would exclaim rather than stroll about lazily training your to the gallows you should be taken up fellow as a a third would observe and if i ever catch you coming up my avenue again depend upon it i will slip my dogs at you and your idle on these occasions turned away in silence he did not curse them but the pangs of his honest heart went before him who will sooner or later visit upon the heads of such men their cruel and neglect of the poor he observed to his wife one day about a year or more after they had begun to beg i have been it in my mind that some of these might to earn their bit an an their little of es poor things we ft might put them to herd cows in the summer an the to else in the farmer s houses what do you think for god s sake do sure my crushed to see them my own that i could lay down my life for from door to door do something for them that way an you ll relieve the heart that loves them it s a sore sight to a mother s eye to see her their morsel it is it is we ll hire out the three eldest an an to herd cows an we may get into some farmer s house to do loose an run of messages then we d have only little an poor ned along as i ll any way an if i can get them places who knows what may i have a plan in my head that tell you thin what is it jewel sure if i know it maybe when i m sorrowful that of it an to it will make me happier an jl m sure you would like that but maybe if it wouldn t come to pass that the disappointment ud be heavy on you how could it sure we can t be worse nor we are whatever happens enough indeed i forgot that an yet we might sure we d be worse if we or the had bad health god me thin for what i said we might be worse well but what is the plan why when we get the places i ll to take a little house an work as a then we d have a home of our own i d work from light to light work before hours an hours ay nine days in the week or we d be comfortable in our own little home we might be poor i know that an hard pressed too but then as i said we d have our own home an our own hearth our morsel if it ud be homely would be sweet for it would be the fruits of our own labour now do you think you could manage to get that r wait till we get the settled then i ll the other plan for its good to anything that would take us out of this disgraceful life this humble speculation was a source of	50
great comfort to them many a time have they forgotten their sorrows in contemplating the simple picture of their happy little cottage in particular drew with all the vivid colouring of a tender mother and an affectionate wife the various sources of comfort and contentment to be found even in a cabin whose inmates are blessed with a love of independence industry and mutual affection in of his intention did not neglect when the proper season arrived to place out his eldest children among the farmers the reader need not be told that there was that about him which gain he had therefore little trouble in wishes on this point and to his great satisfaction saw three of them hired out to earn their own support it was now a matter of some difficulty for him to take a cabin and get employment they had not a single article of furniture and neither bed with the exception of blankets almost worn he was resolved however to give up at all risks the life df a for this purpose he and the wife agreed to adopt a plan quite usual in ireland under circumstances somewhat different from his this was that should continue to beg for their support until the first half year of their children s service should and in the mean time that he if possible should secure employment for himself by this means his and that of his children might remain untouched so that in half a year he calculated upon being able to furnish a cabin and proceed at e to work for and support his young and his who determined on her part not to be k idle any more her husband as the plan was a likely one and as was earning his rather than be a burden to others it is unnecessary to say that it succeeded in less than a year he found himself once more in a home and the force of what he felt on sitting for the first time since his at his own hearth may easily be conceived by the reader for some years after this got on slowly enough his wages as a daily being so miserable that it required him to exert every nerve to keep the house over their heads what however will not and a virtuous determination joined to industry do after some time backed as he was by his wife and even by his youngest children he found himself beginning to improve in the mornings and the evenings he cultivated his garden and his of ground he also collected with a which he signed from an acquaintance from the road an old drain before his door dug rich earth and tossed it into the pool of rotten water beside the house and in fact adopted several er modes of collecting by this means he had spring a large portion of rich stuff on which to his potatoes his landlord permitted him to spread this for planting upon his land and ere long of a was able to plant half an acre and ultimately an acre of potatoes the produce of this being more than sufficient for the consumption of his family he sold the and with the money gained by the sale was enabled to sow half an acre of of which when made into meal he disposed of the greater share industry is capital for even when by capital it it whereas idleness with capital produces only poverty and ruin after selling his meal and as much potatoes as he could spare found himself able to purchase a cow here was means of making re he had his cow also straw enough for her during w the cow by affording milk to his family enabled them to live more her butter they sold and this in addition lo his meal and potatoes every year soon made him feel that he had a few guineas to spare he now him of another mode of helping himself forward in the world after buying the best slip of a pig he could find a was built for her and ere long he saw a fine litter of young pigs within a snug shed these he reared until they were about two months old when he sold them and found that he had considerably gained by the transaction this department however was under the management of whose life was one of incessant activity and employment s children during the period of his struggles and improvements were by his advice their little capital as fast as himself the two boys who had now shot up into the stature of young men were at work as servants in the neighbourhood the daughters were also engaged as servants with the adjoining farmers the boys bought each a pair of two y and the daughter one these they sent to up in the mountains at a trifling charge for the first year or two when they became they put them to rich for a few months until they got a appearance after which their father brought them to the neighbouring where they usually sold to great advantage in consequence of the small required in them in fact the principle of industry ran through the family there was none of them idle none of them a burden or a check upon the profits made by the on the contrary they laid their shoulders together as the phrase is and proved to the world that when the proper disposition is followed up by suitable energy and perseverance it must generally reward him who possesses it it is certainly true that s situation in life now was essentially from that which it had be i the latter years of his struggles a a farmer f i t i i t t it was much more favourable and far better calculated to successful exertion if there be a class of men deserving public sympathy it	50
is that of the small farmers of ireland their circumstances are with all that is calculated to and ruin them rents far above their ability increasing poverty and bad the land which during the last war might have enabled the to pay three pounds per acre and yet still maintain himself with tolerable comfort could not now pay more than one pound or at the most one pound ten and yet such is the of that in most instances the terms of taken out then are neither can the of yearly be said to strike at the root of the evils under which they suffer the fact of the rent hanging over them is a circumstance that their exertion and their spirits if the landlord the rent for one term he more harshly with the tenant at the next whatever if any his leaves in the tenant s hands instead of being expended upon is property as capital and being permitted to lay the foundation of hope and prosperity is drawn from him at next term and the poor struggling tenant is thrown back into as much distress embarrassment and despondency as ever there are i believe few tenants in ireland of the class i allude to who are not from one gale to three in now how can it be expected that such men will labour with spirit and earnestness to raise crops which they may never reap crops which the landlord may seize upon to secure as much of his rent as he can we have known a case in which the were not only but the rent lowered to a reasonable standard such as considering the could be paid and what was the consequence the tenant who was looked upon as a man from whom scarcely any rent could be got took courage worked his farm with a spirit and success which he had not evinced before and ere long was in a capacity to pay his to the very day so that the judicious and humane landlord was finally a by his own economy this was an experiment and it succeeded beyond expectation did not work with more zeal and ability as an than he did when a farmer but the tide was against him as a land and instead of having advanced he actually lost ground until he became a no doubt the peculiarly run of two hard seasons darkened by and famine were formidable obstacles to him j but he must eventually have failed even had they not occurred they his but did not cause ft the irish people though poor are exceedingly anxious to be independent their highest ambition is to hold a f so strong is this le in them that they will without a single penny of capital of any visible means to rely on without consideration or come forward and offer a rent which if they reflected only for a moment they must feel to be high indeed is a great evil in ireland but what in the meantime must we think of those and their more agents who let their land to such persons without proper inquiry into their means knowledge of and general character as moral and industrious men a farm of land is to be let it is advertised through the parish application is to be made before such a day to so and so the day arrives the agent or the looks over the proposals and alter out the highest declares him tenant as a of course now perhaps this said tenant does not possess a shilling in the world nor a shilling s worth most likely he is a new married man with nothing but his wife s bed and his wedding suit and his black thorn which we may suppose him to keep in reserve for the however he his farm and then follow the the and the fruitless tf s w to succeed where success is impossible his farm is not half his crops are miserable the gale day has already passed yet he can pay nothing until he takes it out of the land perhaps he runs away makes a moonlight and by aid of his friends in bringing the crop with him the landlord or agent declares he is a forgetting that the man had no other alternative and that they were the greater and fools too for encouraging him to undertake a task that was beyond his strength in calamity we are anxious to derive support from the sympathy of our friends in our success we are eager to communicate to them the power of in our happiness when once more found himself independent and safe he longed to two plans on which he had for time before been seriously thinking the first was to visit his former neighbours that they might at length know that s station in the world was such as became his character the second was if possible to take a farm in his native parish that he might close his days among the companions of his youth and the friends of his years he had also another motive there lay the burying place of the s in which slept the dust of his own golden haired alley with them in his daughter s grave he intended to sleep his long p affection for the dead is the memory of the heart in no other grave yard could he reconcile it to to be buried to it had all his forefathers been gathered and though calamity had separated him from the scenes where they had passed through existence yet he was resolved that death should not deprive him of its melancholy consolation that of with all that remained of the departed who had loved him and whom he had loved he believed that to neglect this would be to abandon a sacred duty and felt sorrow at the thought of	50
being like an absent guest from the assembly of his own dead for there is a principle of hope in the heart that carries with bold j v r and beautiful the realities of life into the silent recesses of death itself having formed the resolution of visiting his old friends at he communicated it to and his family his wife received the intelligence with delight she replied indeed glad you it many a time the thoughts of our place an the people about it comes over me i know it ll go to your heart to see it but still you d like too to see the ould faces an the warm hearts of them that pitied us an helped us as well as they could we war broken down i would but not goin merely to see an the place i if i can to take a bit of land somewhere near i m in my mind for not sleep in the grave yard where all to me lie a cord of the mother s heart was touched and in a moment the memory of their beloved child brought the tears to her eyes i have one to ax of you an sure you won t refuse it to me if i die afore you let me buried alley who has a right to sleep so near her as her own mother the child s in my heart still said his emotion of the unfortunate i to brings her back to me i see her her fair pale face pale oh my god hunger an sickness her little thin es an her hair tossed about by the dark blast the tears in her eyes an tlie smile that she once had on her face up her mouth an kiss me father as if she knew somehow that never see her nor her me any more an i looked back as i was the corner there she stood her eyes her father that she was then the last sight of until the judgment day his voice here became broken and he sat in silence for a few minutes vol i it s he added with more firmness how she s so often in my mind i but dear replied sure it was the will of god that she should lave us she s now a bright angel in heaven an i if it s right indeed i doubt it s sinful for us to think so much about her who knows but her innocent spirit is for us all before the blessed mother o god who knows but it was her that got us the good fortune that flowed in upon us an that made our an our turn out so the idea of being or unlucky is in ireland an enemy to industry it is certainly better that the people should believe success in life to be as it is the result of virtuous exertion than of circumstances over which they themselves have no control still there was something beautiful in the superstition of s affections something that touched the heart and its dearest associations jf it s very true replied her husband but god is ever ready to help them that keeps an honest heart an do everything in their power to live they may fail for a time or he may them for awhile but sooner or later good and honest labour will be rewarded look at ourselves blessed be his but do you mane to go to in the of the next week an if you the we came upon the world but we ll not be of that now i don t like to think of it some other time maybe when we re settled among our ould friends i ll it well the lord bliss your any how do an get a snug farm somewhere near them but you didn t answer me about alley why you must have your wish although i intended to keep that place for myself still we can sleep one on side of her an that may be done for our ground is large so set your mind at rest on that head i hope god won t call us till we see our settled in the world but sure at all let his blessed will be done it s not right of any one to keep their hearts fixed too much upon the world nor even they say upon one s own people may love their as much as they if they don t let their for them spoil the by them their own will till they become an now let my linen be as white as a bone before monday goodness hope by that time that jack will have my new es made for i to go as as ever they seen me in my best days an so you will too it s you that ll be the proud man in to them in all your grandeur ha ha ha the spirit o the is in you still ha ha ha it is it is indeed an i d be it wasn t i long to sec poor widow j is her son married who knows all we suffered but i might be able to help her yet that is if she stands in need of it but i suppose her s grown up now an able to assist her now mind monday next an have everything ready i ll stay away a week or so at the most an that i ll have news for you about all o them when monday morning arrived found himself ready to set out for the tailor had not disappointed him and to her justice took care that the proofs of her good should be apparent in the whiteness of his linen after breakfast	50
he dressed himself in all his finery and it would be difficult to say whether the harmless vanity that peeped out occasionally from his simplicity of character or the open and triumph of his faithful whose eye rested on him with pride and affection was most calculated to produce a smile now said he when preparing for his immediate departure i m of what they ll say when hey see me so smooth an warm i ll engage they ll be one another how did get an at all to be so well to do in the world as he appears to be on his ould farm well but you know how to manage them i do that but there s one thing they ll never get out o me any way won t tell that to any o them if i thought they only suspected it i d never show my face in i think i could bear to be an yet it ud be a hard struggle me too but i think i could bear to be buried among black strangers rather than it should be said over my grave among my own there s where m lies who was the only man of his name that ever begged his morsel on the king s highway there he lies the of the great an yet he was a beggar i know it s neither a sin nor a shame to ax one s bit from our fellow creatures fairly brought to it any fault of our own but still i feel something in me that can t bear to think of it shame an of heart well it s one comfort that nobody knows it but ourselves the poor for their own won t ever breathe it so that it s likely the secret ill be us i hope so does this coat sit the shoulders i feel it me a little the there it was only your waistcoat that was turned down in the collar here your arm there now it wanted to be pulled down a little at the it s a beauty an i think i i have good right to be proud out of it for it s every thread my own spin pin how do i look in it tell me now you re years younger the never a day le ss i think i needn t be g afore my ould friends in it any way now bring me my staff from the bed above an in the name o god i ll set out which o them is it the oak or the the oak no not the it s it that i brought to me the unlucky thief an that i had while we a a one o me but ud blush in the face if i brought it even in my hand afore them the oak the oak you ll get it the foot o the bed an the wall when placed the staff in his hand he took hat and blessed himself then put it on looked at his wife and said now in the name o god i ll go don t be sure i ll be back to you in a week i can t help it sure this is the second time you war ever away from me more nor a day an i m o what happened both to you an me the first time you i feel that if anything happened to you i d break my heart what ud happen me god to protect me now god be you till i come back to you good news i hope i m not goin in sickness an misery as i afore to see a man that wouldn t hear my to him an i m you comfortable an for sure it s only about five an twenty miles from this a mere step the good god bless an take care of you my wife till i come home to you he kissed the tears that streamed from her eyes e and several times pressed her hand his face rather averted then his and commenced his journey scenes like this were important events to our humble couple life when by the crimes and manners w destroy its purity is a beautiful thing to contemplate among the virtuous poor and where the current of affection runs deep and smooth the slightest incident will it so was it with m and his wife simplicity truth and affection constituted their in them there was no of elements the order of their virtues was not broken nor the purity of their affections by the together of opposing principles such as are to be found in those who are involuntarily by the corruption of human society had not gone far when called to him stand but don t come back a step for o bad luck did i forget anything he inquired let me see no sure i have my beads an my box an my two shirts an in the bundle what is it i need nt be ou for i know you wouldn t forget it but for you might you re at go to little alley s an look at it an bring me back word how it appears you might get it cleaned up if there s weeds or anything upon it an would you bring me a bit o the clay tied up in your pocket you re there to her tell her it was the mother that bid you an say anything that you d think might keep her an give her pleasure tell her we re not now as we she was us that we don t feel hunger nor nor want an when an irish peasant sets out on a journey or to business in fair or market	50
re well to do in the world we re as well or maybe better nor you ever knew us except indeed afore the ould was run out us god be praised turn round a little for frank ud get too clear a sight of your face at first do you think he ll know you to be sure he will i needn t ax your voice would tell upon you any day know me indeed frank ud know my shadow he ll know me half a look and was right for quickly did the eye of his old friend recognize him despite of the little plot that was laid to try his penetration to describe their interview would be to repeat the scene we have already attempted to between and mrs no sooner were the rights of hospitality performed than the tide of conversation began to flow with greater freedom ascertained one important fact which we will here mention because it produces in a great degree the want of anything like an independent class of in the country on inquiring after his old acquaintances he discovered that a great number of them owing to high rents had to america they belonged to that class of independent farmers who after the of their old finding the little capital which they had saved beginning to in consequence of rents which they could not pay deemed it more prudent while anything remained in their hands to seek a country where capital and industry might be made available thus did the by their and neglect absolutely drive off their estates the only men who if properly encouraged were capable of becoming the strength and pride of the country it is this system joined to the curse of and sub letting which has left the country without any third grade of decent substantial who might stand as a bond of peace between the highest and lowest classes it is this which has split the kingdom into two divisions the extreme ends of society the wealthy and the wretched if this third class existed ireland would neither be so political nor discontented as she is but on the contrary more remarkable for peace and industry at present the lower classes being too poor are easily excited by those who promise them a better order of things than that which exists these step into the that legitimate influence which the landed have lost by their neglect there is no middle class in the country who can turn round to them and say our circumstances are easy we want nothing carry your promises to the poor for that which you hold forth to their hopes we enjoy in reality the poor soldier who because he was wretched volunteered to go on the forlorn hope made a fortune but when asked if he would go on a second enterprise of a similar kind replied general i am w an independent man send some poor devil on your forlorn hope who wants to make a fortune now heard anecdotes and of all whether interesting or strange that had taken place during his absence among others was the death of his former landlord and the removal of the agent who had driven him to he found was then the property of a humane and considerate man who employed a judicious and benevolent gentleman to manage it one thing i can tell you said frank it was but a short time in the new agent s hands when the farmers stopped goin to america but frank said and he sighed on putting the question who is in now why thin a son of ould red head s of young con or the ace o hearts for he was called both by the if you him his head s as red an double as big as his father s was an you know that no hat would con until he sent his measure to lamb the dick put it out on him that always made red head s hat either upon the half pot or a five of of the says dick for the o that says he a much differ the hat will for the one ould con s who was a hard the one says con is as much a as the other ha ha ha dick met red head another day con he why do you get your hats made upon a pot man alive sure that s the that you y so fond o a mad was dick an would co forty miles for a fight poor fellow he got his broke in a the and the o s an his last words were bad luck to you o i never thought above all men dead an gone would be the death o me poor fellow he was for them for a but instead o that he got himself an how is young con frank hut a much time he has to do well or ill there was four tenants on since you left it an he s the fifth it s hard to say how he ll do but i believe he s the best o for so far that may be to the landlord the rent s let down to him an i think be able to take bread an good bread too out of it god send poor man now would you like to go back to it i can t say that i love the place but i suffered too much in it no but i ll tell you frank if there was e er a snug farm near it that i could get i d take it frank his knee ma do you say so indeed i do thin upon my song that s the thing i ever knew there s this blessed minute a farm o sixteen acres that the	50
is goin to america an it s to be set go the week next an the house needn t be for you can come to it the very day they lave it well said i m glad of that will you come me to morrow an we ll see about it to be sure i will an what s too the is a son of ould s a man that knows you an the o them you came from well an another thing i tell you it s abroad that want to take the farm there s not a man in the parish would bid you you may know that yourself i think indeed they would rather me than otherwise replied an in tiie name o god we ll see what can be done himself ud to his son for me so that i ll be sure of his frank how is an ould friend o mine that i have a great regard for poor widow widow poor woman happy you don t mane she s dead she s dead and happy i trust in the she died last spring was a two years god be good to her an are the in her place still it s she that was the woman they are an sorrow a family in the parish than they are it s they that ll be glad to see you many a time i seen their poor mother heavens be her bed down the tears she used to be of you or how often you her about some day or other that you her cows from bein the she s dead now an god he knows an honest hard woman she ever was dear me frank isn t it a to think how the people off there s widow one o my an m an not to forget pleasant red head vol i all taken away well well sure it s the will o god we can t be here always after much conversation by the bottle though but used on the part of the hour of rest arrived when the family separated for the night grey dawn of a calm beautiful summer s morning found up and abroad long before the family of honest frank had risen when dressing himself with an intention of taking an early walk he was asked by his friend why he stirred so soon or if he his host should accompany him no replied lie still let me look over the while it s asleep i m this away i don t like any body to be along me i have a place to go an see too an a message a message from poor to deliver that i wouldn t wish a second person to hear sleep frank i ll crush the head o my pipe one o the turf that the fire was an walk out for an hour or two our breakfast we ll go an look about this new farm he out as he spoke and closed the door after him in that quiet thoughtful way for which he was ever remarkable the season was and the morning wanted at least an hour of sun rise ascended a little above frank s house on which he stood and surveyed the surrounding country with a pleasing but melancholy interest as his eye rested on he felt ihe difference strongly between the glories of nature s works and those which are executed by man his house he would not have known except by its site it was not in fact the same house but another which had been built in its stead this disappointed and vexed him an object on which his affections had been placed was removed a rude stone house stood before him rough and against each end of which was built a stable and cow house sloping down from the to low doors at both sides adjoining these rose two of large enough to be easily distinguished from the on which he stood he sighed as he contrasted it with the neat and beautiful farm house which shone there in his happy days white as a lily beneath the covering of the lofty there was no air of comfort neatness or independence about it on the contrary everything betrayed the evidence of struggle and difficulty joined probably to want both of skill and of capital he was disappointed and turned his gaze upon the general aspect of the country and the houses in which either of his old acquaintances or their children lived the features of the landscape were certainly the same but even here was a change for the worse the warmth of colouring which wealth and independence give to the appearance of a cultivated country was gone decay and coldness seemed to brood upon everything he saw the houses the farm yards the and were all marked by the proofs of national decline some exceptions there were to this prospect but they were only sufficient to render the torn and ragged evidences of poverty and its attendant carelessness more conspicuous he left the knocked the ashes out of his pipe and putting it into his waistcoat pocket ascended a larger hill which led to the grave yard where his child lay buried on his way to this hill which stood about half distant he passed a few houses of an humble description with whose inhabitants he had been well acquainted some of these stood nearly as he remembered them but others were with their dark mud either fallen in or partially broken down he surveyed their smoke coloured walls with sorrow and looked with a sense of the transient character of all man s works upon the and which had shot up so on the spot where many a scene of joy and sorrow had flitted over the circle of	50
been buried and with much of that vivid feeling and strong language inseparable from the habits of thought and language of the old irish families he delivered the mother s message to the dust of her once beautiful and child he spoke in a broken voice for even m the mention of her name aloud over the clay that contained her struck with a fresh of sorrow on his heart alley he exclaimed in irish alley your father that loved you more nor he loved any other human brings a message to you from the mother of your heart she bid me call to see the spot where you re my buried flower an to tell you that we re not now thanks be to god as we you lived us we ai well to do now an not in hunger an sickness an misery as we su red them all you will love to hear this pulse of our hearts an to know that through all we suffered an we did suffer since you departed we never let you out of our memory no we thought of you an cried our poor dead flower many an many s the time an she bid me tell you of my heart that we feel now so much as that you are not us to share our comfort an our happiness oh what wouldn t the mother give to have you back her but it can t be an what wouldn t give to have you before my eyes in health an in life but it can t be the im ther sent this message to you alley take it from her she bid me tell you that we are well an happy our name is pure and like yourself spot or stain won t you pray for us before god an get him an his blessed mother to look on us favour an compassion farewell alley may you sleep in peace an rest on the breast of your great father in heaven until we all meet in happiness together it s your father that s to you our lost flower an the hand that often smoothed your head is now upon your grave he wiped his eyes as he concluded and after lifting a little of the clay from her grave he tied it carefully up and put it into his pocket having left the grave yard he his steps towards frank s house the sun had now risen and as ascended the larger of the two hills which we have mentioned he stood again to view the scene that stretched beneath him about an hour before all was still the whole country lay motionless as if the land had been a land of the dead the mountains in the distance were covered with the thin mists of morning the and richer parts of the landscape had appeared in that dim grey distinctness which gives to distant objects such a clear outline with the exception of the s song everything seemed as if stricken into silence there was not a breeze stir ring both and nature as if in a trance the very trees appeared asleep and leaves motionless as if they had been of marble but now the scene was changed the sun had flung his splendour upon the mountain tops from which the mists were tumbling in broken fragments to the valleys between them a thousand birds poured their songs upon the ear the breeze was up and the columns of smoke from the farm houses and cottages played as if in in the air a white haze was beginning to rise from the meadows early were and going abroad to their employment the lakes in the distance shone like and the clear springs on the mountain sides glittered in the sun gems on which the eye could scarcely rest life and light and motion appear to be inseparable the dew of morning lay upon nature like a brilliant veil i the beautiful image of as applied to woman by and by the songs of the early workmen were heard nature had awoke and whose heart was strongly though unconsciously alive to the influence of natural religion in the general elevation of the hour and sought with spirits the house of his as he entered this hospitable roof the early industry of his friend s wife presented him with a well swept hearth and a pleasant fire before which had been placed the identical chair that they had to his own use frank was enjoying a o the pipe after having risen to which luxury the return of gave additional zest and in fact s presence communicated a holiday spirit to the family a spirit too which declined not for a moment during the period of hit visit frank said to tell you the not half pleased you this i think you didn t me as i ought to expect to be how is that why you said about widow a head stone over our child you me in the dark there frank an a start i never got as i did this in the grave yard upon my it wasn t my t nor any of our ts for to tell you the we bad so much to think and of last night that it never me good or bad indeed it was that put it first in my head you out an thin it was too late ay poor woman the strain was ever in her the heaven s be her bed frank if any one of her family was to abuse me till the dogs wouldn t my blood i d only give them back good for evil that oh frank that goes to my heart to put a head stone over my haired for the sake of the little i in well may none belonging to her ever	50
know poverty or hardship but if they do an that t have it how an no god bless god bless wait till hears it an the best of it was that she never ex to see one of your faces but you think too much about that child let us talk of something else you seen more i did an i love it still in spite of the state it s in ah it s from what it was in your happy x v days i was to about the farm an he us to go a minute an take it if we can it s near this place i ll die frank i d not rest in my grave if i wasn t among my own so we ll take the farm if possible well then hurry the breakfast an in the name o goodness we ll set out an the business this very day as we said was prompt in following up his after breakfast they saw the agent and his father for both lived together old had been intimately acquainted with the and as frank had anticipated used his influence with the agent in for the son of his old friend and acquaintance the farm which he sought jack said the old gentleman you don t probably know the history and character of the so well as i do no man ever required the written bond of a and it was said of them and is said still that the widow and orphan the poor man or the stranger never sought their assistance in vain i myself j will go security if necessary for j sir replied i m thankful to you i m grateful to you but i wouldn t take the farm or bid lor it at all unless i could bring enough to stock it as i wish an to lay in all that s to work it well it ud be useless for me to take it to struggle a year or two the land an thin run away out of it no no i have what ll put me upon it an comfort then since my father has taken such an interest in you u must have the farm we shall get prepared and the business completed in a few days for i go to on this day week father i now remember the character of this family and i remember too the sympathy which was felt for one of them who was harshly about seventeen or eighteen years ago out of the lands on which his forefathers had lived i understand for centuries that man sir returned it i too a story to tell now but it was only out o part the lands sir that i was put what i held was but a poor patch compared to what the family held in my grandfather s time a great part of it went out of our hands at his deaths it was very kind of you to offer to go security for him said frank but if security was wanting sir im not be to let any body but myself back him i d go all i m worth in the world an be my double as much for the same man i know that frank an i thank you but i could put security in mr s hands here if it was wanted good an thank you both to tell the he added with a smile i long to be among my ould friends the people an the hills an the green fields of an thanks be to goodness sure i will soon in fact wherever went within the bounds of his native parish his name to use a significant phrase of the people was before him his arrival at frank s was now generally known by all his acquaintances and the numbers who came to see him were almost beyond belief during the two or three successive days he went among his old w and no sooner was his arrival at any particular house intimated than the neighbours all to him were left idle were stuck in the earth and work neglected for the time being all crowded about him with a warm and friendly interest not proceeding from idle curiosity but from affection and respect for the man the interview between him and widow s children was affecting felt deeply the delicate and touching manner in which they had evinced their gratitude for the services he had rendered them and young remembered with a strong of at feeling the under which they lay when had assisted them their circumstances owing to the exertions of the widow s eldest son soon afterwards improved and in accordance with the sentiments of hearts naturally grateful they had taken that method of what they felt indeed so well had s affection for his favourite child been known that it was the general opinion about that her death had broken his heart poor he s dead they used to say the death of his one while he was away in gave him the finishing blow it broke his heart before the week was expired had the satisfaction of the lease of his new farm held at a moderate rent in the hands of frank who tying it up long with his own secured it in the black chest nothing remained now but to return home forthwith and communicate the intelligence to frank had promised as soon as the should the house to come with a long train of cars and a number of his neighbours in order to transfer s family and furniture to his new dwelling everything therefore had been arranged and had nothing to do but hold himself in readiness for the welcome arrival of frank and his friends however had no sense of enjoyment when not in by	50
still sir if we could am a small taste more iv bread not altogether so much work your honour be no to poor hard men like that has nothing to upon but the labour iv our hands and then the wife and sir why indeed if you could tom i m i d have no objection in the world thank you sir said he i m very you would not bud did you meet a tall gentleman in at miss s grave yard sir yes tom who is he i why he ax d me the same about yourself sir an i im that you war the man who bought square s estate an that was lately come to live in the castle but who is ac tom take him to be a roman catholic priest indeed an he is ir sure that same thing an a sore heart does it leave im that he is a priest why i thought roman rally feel an ambition to become members of the an why they your honour when we consider the great power they have and the they get sure there s not a priest in this but the seven languages and as that mass eveiy sunday me last week at a station in na there s father said be him sir the ould square that was afore your time dry can hebrew as fast as english well tom i won t dispute fa ther s or s or what er else you choose to call him capacity to speak hebrew but setting his hebrew knowledge aside in plain english what do you know of the gentleman you were just speaking to in sir bits and scraps myself never hard the story out and out but some way or other they say he s not right in his head ever since miss died for made strange changes in him why is he looked upon a i in that s more nor i can say either but their s some talk about it although others that it was that crack d him i declare iu my own opinion is that his great there s not a hap the matter with im your honour but you re after observing just now tom that he regrets entering the church so sir and that it was again his own he ever was made a priest iv he was always a mild quiet an when his poor mother was on her death bed she d never see god in his glory if he didn t go to be a priest she made a vow to the blessed virgin when he was that if he d recover she make im one why he went a short time afore died and down on his knees at the bedside her he was ready to do whatever she wished then the father and she him downright an they all cried together like they say he wrote miss a letter before he went that she never but kept and away she died but poor fellow he suffered for id for he was only a short time when he came home in time to see her that s not long sir but whether he was fond iv her or not he ll soon follow her he lived his father ever since an tells me that he has een offered two or three but he won t take them an to live and die the ould man who can hardly live from him he hasn t been much out sir since he came from he wasn t able they say to lave his bed but i ll warrant sir you may meet him any time he can go out at miss s grave i m sir he knows a power at dim nick so who is this i inquired to whose authority you refer so often why bliss my your honour it s that you never hard of the great that every the parish knows it s he that the priest at mass every sunday and that s under so many blessed from the down to the of st francis that leads the and the stations in the that goes to a year and every friday and wednesday when christmas day or sunday falls upon them if you wish to know all about young father butler go to your honour for he knows all and all him from what had said and the interest br which the young clergyman personally excited ia me i felt a strong desire to know his history more and the real cause of his i indeed upon the from garret s outline a pretty correct notion of the of his melancholy seclusion but i wished to ascertain more ac the character and sentiments of a man who in personal appearance and seemed so far above the of those who are called to discharge the duties of the i was therefore determined to go to and after hearing his account of young butler be guided by my own discretion either in seeking his or otherwise i indeed on our first encounter that he avoided me but this i ascribed to the circumstance of my having witnessed emotions which he wished to b private and to his h and natural accordingly on the of the following monday for this occurred on i mounted my little pony and set out to pay the an early visit his house which was about two miles from mine was situated partly a and partly on that description of land which skirts a mountain held the situation of mass from devotion and not from any motive for he was one of the farmers in the parish his house though was two stories high well and in every respect a	50
most comfortable farmer s residence the passages about the yard were paved and laid down in a manner that would have done credit to taste of the most exact and scrupulous englishman a square grass plot stood in front of the house well and and the gravel walk that led up to the neat hall door was after the manner of his into a form and trimmed with behind the house rose a little wooded and the rustling of its trees in the sunny breeze of summer made a music which was the sweeter when x with the stillness of the dark purple d heath that stretched around it but there were also in several parts of his land little and of fir and mountain ash which with the of the meadows that were refreshed by the clear waters of a river from whose banks the bending dipped into the stream formed a comfortable residence and a happy scenery when arrived at s my appearance evidently created no little confusion and certainly much more speculation than any one there was prepared to dispose of in a satisfactory manner i went first to the hall door and on it was opened by a clean looking girl who the moment she saw me shot down a long passage that led to the kitchen to inform her mistress that there was a gentleman at the big door but he was no priest she knew by his go out to im may be he wants now the reader must know in order to understand the plain of in the last sentence that in certain districts of ireland a usage of rather a ludicrous peculiarity it often that a wealthy husband a wife whose family is or that a young woman or with property in her own right a man not worth a shilling in that case the original names and distinctions are kept up not only by the themselves but by their neighbours i once new a man named whose wife brought him property though he himself had been accordingly on their way to the church on sunday the usual phrase was there goes mistress and tom the case in question was precisely similar there goes and be heard as they passed to chapel or to market but never mr and mrs fly said the maid its some that wants go long you and bring him into the parlour said the mistress and do you wash your hands addressing another and finish this butter for me and be e to have it as you had the save who can this be as he s not a priest so saying she took a dried lier hands and her apron advanced up the passage being in a line with the hall door enabled me to see and hear all that happened when she came up she dropped me with self taught politeness a low and respectful saying at the same wont you have the kindness to take a chair and sit down sir i thanked her and after sitting inquired if i could see her husband for a short time as i wished to have a quarter of an hour s conversation with him if he was sufficiently at leisure indeed an to be sir he ll be at leisure to ye as long a s ye for its himself that s fond of and back ould times that is when he s not with th e men or at the prayers sir is he within ma am at present i asked hem why then sir he s not within now perhaps he s in the fields said i if you will have the goodness to send a servant with me i will go there sooner than trouble him to come home or leave his men oh said she he s not far from home indeed i may say he is at home bud at this hour sir he would scarce see or speak to any wan i am sorry i vol i i father butler replied that i came at so a time it was a little after seven in the morning i will just take a ride along this road that leads through these wild mountains mrs and on my return he may probably be at leisure or what if ou d take a walk in the garden sir in half an hour e will be ready to see you or in less for this is but thursday and no fast day i here perceived a book in the parlour window which proved to be the far s history of the church and taking it up i determined to amuse myself with it in the garden until i could see him it was a beautiful morning in the delightful month of june and the graceful rocking of the trees the rustling of the leaves and branches and the dancing of the shade upon the walks and flower beds around me contributed more than the book to my enjoyment the garden was really as surprised me to find in so remote a place for it was remarkably well kept and contained a considerable variety both of fruits and flowers but s father i should remark had been a gardener and steward i had not been long in it however w hen i heard something which resembled a human voice murmuring in a peculiar certain inarticulate expressions that bore a very strong to language but what puzzled me most was the attempt to ascertain the precise direction from whence they came and what they were or could mean the mountain breeze on that elevated situation although the sun shone brightly and warmly at the moment blew as i said among the trees with some force and as it rose and fell the sounds i heard in consequence of	50
to one merely to ease bis conscience by praying there which of these two do you think would mercy sooner ay you think sir you have me now but vm not so easy as that comes to do you forget so soon an too or may be yer eh well who knows an if you should bud in respect iv what you me at any rate in the name of goodness set you right i can tell you they d be on a par in that respect you see the of the on the one han an the of the church on the other make up what the man s heart might fall short of so that there t be a differ them an that s the use of otherwise where be the iv id is there any other deep point sir in or divinity that you wish to have cleared up indeed i did not think that your views of religion so peculiar but i will not trouble you further on that subject at present will you permit me to ask if you know father butler i beg your pardon sir for about ten i m these idle fellows of mine isn t got to their work bud any how i have two or three to say every monday an thursday at time an this is just the hour sir for ye see the sun s now on the third pane of the windy so that i must be at it how an i won t keep you long so saying he went into his own house and the next moment appeared in the tree with a long pair of beads in his hands he then dropped instantly on his knees before a large wooden nailed to the tree which i had not observed saints t a time ago in ireland father before like every other prayed aloud and felt not the slightest degree of shyness in doing so before me on the contrary he went through his with that confidence in their merit which not only gives a so high an opinion of his own but such a very contemptuous one of every person who not as many prayers as himself he had not been many minutes however in the tree when i heard him in the midst of the prayer shout with a most voice very well very well that s a fine way you re the turf an you you great isn t it a fine way yer the time between i must pay wages an give for this an well ye both ye idle he then resumed his prayer whilst his eye was passing from place to place to see that every man was employed in the course of a few minutes he again i say take an put the an on that mule that s herself in the craft and help tim to draw home them rough heads x we ll soon want them for the to the he then resumed as before and began to finger the beads as if he were paid for reckoning them by the hundred a few minutes before his descent he called out to a boy who was driving out the cows that had been to pasture will ye back don t you see that she s sick ye blind bud drive her to the wan side first there s red headed ye to the wan side with her till the unlucky thief passes he then got through two or three more tackle f x a kind of turf father butler descended by the window as before and the next moment was with me in the garden well said i if i had not seen you practise this species of devotion in the tree i could scarcely have believed that a man would select such a situation for prayer indeed sir i m now so used to id that i would rather pray there than any place else but an idle pack of fellows about me here an so many prayers to say that i declare it sir i never both on some plan like this oh ho thought i the secret is out he s no after all it is to watch the that honest the tree and for no spiritual confidence that he puts in the situation although i should not feel surprised from what i have seen of him if that notion too influenced him i now came directly to the object of my visit said i do you know father butler the young clergyman who lives here in our neighbourhood do i know im is id said he looking with one eye shut very into my face an may i make in a civil way to ax your fur that same i assure you said i i have no particular reason except a wish to become acquainted with him and why sir still in a civil way i mane you wish to get him because i think an interesting intelligent young man i replied and because i m told there s something peculiar if not affecting in his history he again looked into my face and seemed not only cautious and inquisitive but suspicious and dissatisfied hum an who sent you to me sir submission to any thing about father butler it was tom i answered one of my who told me whatever i have heard about mr butler and directed me to you well father butler sir hot you an ill go back to tom the d that hasn t an iv sense an tell im me that he s as much about father butler as i do an tell im too if ye that neither iv is s any thing to if i certainly felt offended at his and the evident of his manner but i perceived that	50
with an expression in which there appeared to be at once conviction and inquiry he seemed to conjecture that i had heard something of his history and of his and that i spoke to his particular case i would said he better per the truth of your observation if it were less abstract and unlimited i do not relish mystery i replied no more than i do an curiosity but when you said just now that the sorrow in which you indulged for its departed object on our first meeting was with your character as a clergyman i must confess i thought the expression a remarkable one when i used it he replied i did so as a proof that i was not unwilling to cultivate your society and esteem otherwise i would not have touched upon a subject which few men in my circumstances would make the topic of conversation with a stranger but sir although not personally acquainted with you i am with your character and it is also possible that you may have heard something of me if our walk were longer i might give you to understand what i just now meant by the expression which you call a remarkable one and how it is possible for a man s conviction and sense of duly to vary i am happy indeed said i that you consider me so far entitled to your good opinion as to think me worthy of your butler rest assured i shall never abuse it i have no such apprehension said he but the communication of which is already known to so many can scarcely be called placing a confidence in you i have however certain motives for giving you the history of what i have felt and as well as of what i feel and suffer motives which if you knew my peculiar situation you would excuse well then if you will breakfast with me to morrow said i we will have sufficient time to talk an hour or two or indeed as long as you please after breakfast and as you are so delicate in your health i will call and give you an easy drive to the castle in my i would be happy to go he returned but my poor father is so old and feeble and with the exception of myself so lonely that he really could not rest an hour much less eat a meal without me even now see here comes a servant by his order to summon me home to him this was indeed the fact while the servant approached us he added as i however cannot avail myself of your kindness will you do me the favour to breakfast with me to morrow i shall with pleasure said i for as i felt an unaccountable interest in the communication he was about to make i was glad of any opportunity that might enable me to hear the history of a man whose had reduced him to such a hopeless state of health so after inquiring his hour of breakfast and promising to be punctual i turned towards the castle and he went home with the servant to nurse and comfort his fond and helpless father it was about a quarter to nine that evening when i got home i retired then to my study until i had not been here long however when a servant came to tell me that tom to see me for a few minutes if i were at leisure i ordered him up and the next tom entered well tom what a the matter why your said tom scratching his head and shrug up his shoulders not much only a bit iv a bet i made a bet tom i and what the bet you why sir to tell yer honour the partly two things have you made two no sir only w bud i offered to double id im i entirely of because it not only directly a man s circumstances but a bad spirit and industrious habits wherever them however let me hear the nature of the bet and howl can interfere in it why sir war an hour about the di match that was held in the house last week the priests an the ministers an so your honour from wan thin to another we begins to talk about now sir you must know that a piece o an an a great entirely ever since he got the bible from dr story at any rate he s n never can meet two but they re dust at it though every body knows he s not fit to to to the to im fur that although your honour s a t fellow an can most o them any sunday c i tom said i this is any thing but a direct story l t me know at once what i can have to do in your why sir to tell the bud first i let yer honour know what we some time ago sir got a bible from dr story an e since he s got n so stiff that there s no im with the exception iv sir as i said afore who s always too many fur im so as he an i war over wan thing or another this about the says i what iv a book is that bible that dr story gave you i m that is s best sir who you so says he so i up an im what had been us time time in the chapel green sure ye know says i that the isn t in it nor the na f nor nothing about an to crown all doesn t every one of their abuse the have ye ail this from v says he an what authority says i i it i ll tell you what it is tom says he	50
s an ass an yer of the same or ye d have more sense nor to listen to his he did sir plump to my face an says he in regard iv the an the na there s as little iv them an iv too in our own bible as in theirs bud there s a set of iv ye that every sunday yer mouths open he chooses to say an he knows ye il believe any thin he stops at to make ye think what a power he knows although all the half iv id s his own holy as he to be says i if you don t come to your business with me i must leave you both to sleep upon your for this night at least done er honour in three says i not e th man to hear run down says i his back he s my gossip says i an any how it would ill become me to hear im an not to the fore says i an in re of tbe virgin t prayer for the dead iv the ye know as well as do says i to him back again that it is in our bible an that they wouldn t let it into like the as says no such thing says he well tell you what it is says i i ve ten s in this and i ll ye every rap iv them this that i m right so sir he hadn t the money but he his new big coat and downs it on the spot an we re now come to ax your honour who won says that you have a bible and can tell us as well as a y body why this seems to been with you upon this occasion however you have lost ten shillings by on his authority for most assuredly is right and you are wrong is below r he is sir in the hall well bring him up when he came up said i you did not act the part of an honest conscientious man on this occasion and i would have expected better from you than to make a bet which from your acquaintance with the you knew you must win it was in fact taking an unfair advantage of his ignorance you must therefore draw your both of you and never let me know either of you again to have recourse to such a senseless mode of a dispute for i have always found that he who expects to win the bet is sure to lose the ar hut i had no notion sir of on the bet at all at all replied for i only made it to show im what is to be placed on any thing that ignorant an he wanted sir to ten more that you had been to an father butler an that gave you the greatest that ever wan man gave another in his own e before all his that he founder father butler ed you and didn t lave a word sir in yer cheek i could not help smiling at the version which had gone abroad of my interview with mr butler and did tell you this i inquired of he didn t tell it to me sir but i hear im it to a ring iv at the chapel be sir that he took you at of an an to the very ind ot an that you t able to stick up to im or to go into id him by any chance an i never knew im to tell a lie sir yes an he said that the priests bet men at the the other day an that the bible men took to their heels when they had more to say au though father s own an the iv a priest that it was the priests themselves that got when they were in the argument an that instead of they went outrageous an spoke to the people an egg d them on an that the people got mad when tl y seen the priests an were goin to ill the bible men an that then the bible men had to escape over a wall to save their lives i then desired them to withdraw after having informed that his champion and i had no argument whatever and that every thing he heard to that effect was founded only in s own imagination ou must draw your i added and in future have nothing more to do with in your but that you may have a mode of the truth i shall to morrow deposit with you a nd a bible which you may read and compare together for such of my and tenants as wish to themselves as to what of their creed are in the word of god and what are not they can see also the difference between the two both rather seemed pleased with this decision and admitted that it was perfectly fair and just but there was thing highly in the shock which s faith in s had received by finding him detected in an he did not seem however to be perfectly convinced but persisted in speaking upon the subject well now yer honour said he lingering a little behind and looking into the bottom of his hat which he held with the leaf of each side in his hands i declare if that be true i v i don t know what to say had ye ne er a word at all im sir not a word of discussion not a syllable well any how that after that i m that is if every thing comes out that way yer honour not what you say sir any way bud if	50
there s no mistake or any i don t know turning his eyes from his hat to the opposite comer of the ceiling and seeming to transfer his attention to the figure of a lion in the work which notwithstanding tom s sagacious scrutiny was very well done it s very odd sir sure that is t but may be ye t be sir bein a man of to have it known that d ye but yer honour i would never mention id go home said i learn to think for yourself and do not pin your faith or opinions on the honesty and of those who are as liable to sin and error as you are he then out quite fallen and at the which had been cast upon the authority and character of bis the next morning i was with butler at the appointed hour on driving up to the house i r was charmed with the beauty of its situation it was one of those old tiie covered which are so rare in this and when peeping above the trees in whose bosom it lay it filled the mind with a sense of sober comfort and repose which richer and more splendid fail to convey behind it rose a green hill or with a of trees and a little to this right lay a which developed its with great beauty it was wooded on each side with oak and ash that in some places their branches across it and formed a shade which no strength of the sun could penetrate this was on one side the boundary of the park was small from the front and to the left of the house the lawn melted into a fine expanse of fertile plain which was studded with of and only divided from the lawn by a gravel walk and a the public road passed a few fields the house which commanded a fine view and as it was then the busy season of autumn the appearance of the yellow fields was delightful and the heart felt gratified in contemplating the bo ns which were scattered over the face of the country ei aged in the agreeable labour of the thin shining haze too which is peculiar to that season gave an air of joy and happiness to the scenery and the appearance of the horses cars and makers that were busy conveying to the haggard the sweet scented hay and picturesque to the landscape when i arrived i found mr butler in the parlour his father had not then returned from bis usual walk and the son after me with a b on if a of l ike labour a cordiality which i felt to be sincere told me we have time he thought to look over the grounds or see the garden which he said was better worth seeing than i might anticipate just at this moment his father returned and he introduced us to each other i never in my life beheld any aged man whose personal appearance impressed me with stronger sentiments of veneration and respect he was the son tall and in no degree bent with his years though slender and feeble his erect person and the highly intellectual cast of his pale features gave an uncommon air of dignity and thought to his face these however were tempered by the same peculiar sweetness of expression which the countenance of the son his hair was thrown back from his forehead and fell down in snowy on his shoulder when he came in the son took his hat and cane and hung them on two brass hooks which i perceive were used for that purpose alone he then chained the old man s shoes the of which with his own hands he lifted on his feet lest in t walk he might have sustained any by the damp the father though clear and intelligent in conversation with strangers was nevertheless by the force of affection to a childish simplicity of manner towards his son which any man with their domestic life and the loneliness of their situation would have thought inconsistent with the courteous and reasonable tenor c his conduct to others at breakfast he knew not the degree of sweetness or the quantity of cream necessary to mellow his until the other pronounced it right for even the of his own senses he surrendered in these heart fixing attentions to the tenderness of that loving and when breakfast was over the old man said hi father james as you will be engaged with this gentleman for some time i will stroll down to the and jou may expect me in a couple of hours but when i return if you oe still engaged i will not disturb you very well mv dear father said the other i not stir out till your return as the old man was going out the son observing the pin which fastened the of his shirt to be loose went over and adjusted it he then ot his father s hat and cane helped him on with is gloves and settled the white locks in their proper position on his shoulders during all this time the ood old man stood with an air of that tender which rests upon the countenance and renders us so under the touching offices of and affection when he was prepared for bis walk he turned round looked upon his son it was with a smile of pride there was a tear in his eye which he wished to conceal but could not god bless you james said he addressing the son as he went out god bless you my dear his voice lost its firmness whilst these words alas sir said he to me in a tone which was to the son on whom his eyes were then fixed you see i	50
not have him long but i have one hope and that is that i myself may go before him and not live to feel what his loss would occasion me to suffer when he was gone i followed young butler to his study which was small but neat and well furnished with literature as soon as we were seated he gave me the following account of himself which i write nearly in his own words i have first to that there is nothing surprising or romantic in what i am about to relate so that if you expect an extraordinary story you be much disappointed i had four brothers and father butler one sister all of whom are now no more i am the youngest but one of my father s sons and now the only male of this branch of the family my younger brother and myself were the only two who beyond childhood the rest all died young the family estate is between seven and eight hundred a year my brother was destined for the church i as the elder son was heir to the and intended for no profession my brother and i were both educated at a some call it a conducted by a celebrated religious society that settled lately in one of the most fertile and beautiful parts of ireland they have since their settlement there established colony or two in other parts of the kingdom adjoining m r father s estate lived a dr a surgeon of much eminence he was an and charitable man who in the exercise of his benevolence made no distinction between catholic and this gentleman and his lady who was every way his equal in christian charity and benevolence had only one child a daughter the same over whose grave you have seen the tear of bitter bitter sorrow our parents were on terms of the intimacy there you can doctor s house im from the window a little to the right of the second of trees beyond the had the doctor been like many men of his profession he could have by his extensive practice a handsome fortune but besides his profession he had an independent property and as family was not large his skill and practice were not so much in the expectation of a fortune as with the intention of a duty a duty which he thought and i believe justly too was incumbent on him as a christian physician whenever poverty and sickness required his assistance vol i and i were from our she was one year younger than i but as her father and mother were uncommonly in their opinions my parents who certainly did not believe that it was possible to be saved out of their own church that if a matrimonial union were to take place between us there would be no difficulty on my part to bring her over to our faith and thus secure the salvation of one of the family they there fore not only encouraged the growing attachment which they saw between us but spoke to dr en the subject of our marriage his consent was immediately given and from that period and i began to look upon our union with each other as certain just at this crisis the fever got into our family and in a short time my brother was attacked by it with such violence as rendered his recovery alas our fears were too just he fell a victim to it in his nineteenth year after he had been for some time his studies in the at c with the intention of entering the church and embracing the religious order of the members by whom we were educated this was a severe blow to my parents and indeed to myself to lose the companion of my childhood and youth but judge of their affliction when they saw me on the very day on which my brother s body was committed to the grave laid upon the bed of sickness by the same dreadful malady their situation was now indescribable it was not grief but distraction which ihey felt i was now their last and only child and as the of the disease became and the probability of losing me greater their distraction sunk into that which up the keen consciousness of ordinary sorrow there was in the at c which was only a father few miles distant from my s a clergyman named a who was second to the superior of the establishment in authority he had accompanied my brother home during the for he usually made us an annual visit at that period this gentleman was with us during his illness and at his death and as he had studied medicine as well as divinity a circumstance very usual among his order his presence was a great support to us in that crisis he paid every attention to my brother gave him his medicine with bis own hands reasoned with comforted and supported us under our affliction and in fact left nothing undone which could be expected to proceed from a genuine christian spirit during my illness he was equally and attentive and when my parents became incapable by the greatness of their affliction to take any part in the conduct of their own affairs he was always present to see every thing right and as it ought to be he was a man rather advanced in years of a meek mild and placid his countenance remarkable for the impression of and innocence which it conveyed and an appearance of total that there were in this world men governed by and deceit his whole person dress and all to this for int his small clothes generally wanted a button or two at the knee his was always tied round his neck as if he had a sore throat and the knot which was peculiar	50
to himself was sure to work itself round until it settled under the left ear sometimes there was one side sometimes another but never both sides of his collar up at the same time his old fashioned waistcoat too was sure to be with snuff and its in the lowest of which were two large father pockets hun down nearly to bis knees his coat was in keeping with the other parts of his dress for the pockets behind were cut so low that it was to think how he was able to get his hands to the bottom of them he was a remarkable y too in and sewing but paid little attention to the colour of his thread a fact which his own black stockings with an inch long of an opposite colour and an occasional rent in his gown run up with thread very plainly proved he was in short a man whom you could associate with no idea but that of the most perfect and child like simplicity yet there was a quarter of the world in he had not and few modern languages which he could not speak the fever with which i and my brother were attacked was violent from the beginning and of very long continuance at length i became if possible worse than he had been and my father and mother were the objects of the pity my medical attendant was dr and never did any physician feel more solicitude for the recovery of a patient than he did on that occasion one evening when i was apparently past hope he came as usual to see me and after having examined my state very closely he turned into the parlour where my father and father a were sitting in expectation of his last opinion upon my recovery doctor said my father in one word do you think he ll live mr butler said he i cannot under any circumstances much less you have asked me will he live that you know my dear sir is certainly in the hands of god with whom nothing is impossible but as far as my opinion and practice enable me to judge i should think he will not as he uttered the latter sentence my mother father butler i came in my father ed his hands in despair but did not speak and my mother was so much affected by the intelligence that she sank powerless on the sofa she did not however become insensible but her lips got and her features became set and the perspiration fell in drops from her face the doctor wet her lips and applied which revived her he then addressed them in the most soothing and affectionate terms upon the necessity there was for resignation to the divine will under a calamity so severe and trying we my dear friends said he would not know ourselves if we were not tried and what are all but the test of our faith and obedience oh doctor exclaimed my mother what you say is true and right at the same time it is impossible not to feel a heart breaking excess of anguish for such a los oh may god strengthen and support us it what what would i not give to have my child restored to me father a now fixed his eyes upon her countenance then turned them on the floor and mused for some time as if struck by some sudden thought mrs butler returned the doctor you yourself i am sure know your duty or if yoa do not mr a here can clearly point it out and strengthen you in its performance i may assure you if it will give you any comfort that the worst of medical men sometimes prove and may god grant that mine be so in this instance he then withdrew after having promised to call in the course of that evening i must remark here that during the whole day father a t watched the pro of the fever with intense interest being a moment from me when the doctor was gone he came to me again examined my tongue felt my pulse and then took a turn or two across the i butler apparently absorbed in reflection he again returned to my father and mother who were my dear friends said he the ways of god are dark and mysterious and it often happens that like this are laid on certain individuals whom lie wishes to be devoted to himself some of our brightest saints even those who have borne testimony to the truth of the catholic faith by the performance of the most illustrious miracles have been devoted to god when on the bed of sickness by their parents their or themselves are you both ready now to devote this boy to the lord if through the of the mother of god he should be restored to you answer me speedily for the time is short if it shall please god said my mother to leave him with us that is enough if god will in mercy his life surely that life ou ht to be devoted to him by his devotion to god replied father a i mean that you must him to the of church you must promise for him that he sha take orders and help forward every object calculated to promote the welfare and of that church as far as lies in his power t is not to be supposed sir that as they then were in mind and body and worn down by grief and affliction they would refuse to grasp at any proposal likely to hold out the slightest of my recovery my father indeed told me afterwards that he made some objections against the propriety of in such a manner any reasonable being without his knowledge and consent but father a and	50
my mother both assailed together and indeed his affection for me ranged itself on their side the result therefore of the conversation was a solemn vow made by both my parents that they would me to the priest butler hood and cause me to fulfil all the other objects then by father a when the vow was made they knelt together and performed a certain service to the bless virgin for the purpose of her with god to effect my recovery when this was over father a again came to my bed felt my pulse and my skin and seemed in a very anxious and mind things went on in tliis manner until dr s visit which in consequence of the fever being that year and the great number of he had to attend was not until late at night the moment he felt my pulse he turned to my mother and told her to raise her heart to him who not on his creatures a burden greater than they can bear your son my dear mrs butler he said i trust will be spared to the crisis of his malady is past and every day will find him better the joy and gratitude of my parents now if possible exceeded their as soon after this happy intelligence as they and father a were alone the latter addressed them thus i am almost afraid my dear friends to speak upon this extraordinary circumstance which we have witnessed with our own eyes i am indeed almost afraid to speak upon it mr butler your son is destined for something uncommon in the sacred office to which you have devoted him you both however owe a debt of gratitude to the blessed queen of heaven through whose merciful this miraculous very has been effected for less than miraculous when i consider the vow and its immediate consequences i cannot call it the way in which you shall pay that debt it is not for me to point out to any one living in a country where we are struggling with a which has our place and father butler striving in the midst of our poverty to plant a christian colony here and there in secret and in silence with a blessed of in some degree to replace the church in her former power no my friends i will leave that to your own consideration but i will tell you that you both have much to do yet there is first the boy s own in they must be subdued he is attached to the girl and do is she to him and perhaps there may be an influence exerted in another quarter most parents indeed in their situation would naturally wish such a thing it would be establishing her well in life certainly still these must all be guarded against and please god so they you have made a good vow and god has set his seal to it has fulfilled in some degree even now his part of it you will surely perform yours lest perhaps he in his anger might punish you for your by taking away your son in some other and more af manner they then performed what is termed a to the blessed as a for the mercy obtained her means as soon as i was perfectly recovered father a my father would not permit to leave us until he assisted in me to this change in my plan of life advised my parents to have the whole matter laid before me that i might learn the duty which i owed not only to them but to god after that he said it would be proper to break the matter to the doctor s family in a month or ix weeks i was well ever since my recovery the impression remaining on the minds of my father and mother was that there was something in it mysterious if not altogether miraculous and this compelled them to look upon the completion of the vow they had made as a duty which to neglect would be mocking the mercy of the almighty considering it as they did in this light it is not to be wondered at that authority and entreaty were both resorted to with every other means likely o induce my compliance with their intention i was not present either when the matter was laid before dr or intimated to because i openly asserted that it was a sacrifice as unreasonable as it was and founded upon an opinion of the character of god from his justice and mercy i never will said i become nor suffer an innocent girl to become the slave of a vow founded upon an arbitrary and principle for what authority said to father a who was then pressing the matter upon what authority has one individual to the right of thinking for an reasonable being who is of forming an estimate of his own happiness i but a few weeks and my union with that most religious and amiable of girls had the sanction of both our families as well as of our own hearts and now to snap der so cruelly and so ties which ought to be held sacred from an absurd notion that god effected my recovery because a vow was made for me of which i was then ignorant a vow founded upon injustice and an abuse of parental authority in those who made it and on misery in those whom it would affect no father a nothing can be pleasing to god which is with the peace and happiness of his creatures well well my dear h replied your passions are violent now but they will gradually sub r side so be calm if possible is miss a character then he inquired ask the sick the poor and the of the neighbourhood i search the obscure m father cottage	50
remote from the eye of the and you will know her value indeed james your trial is difficult my child but at your age and with your experience you cannot possibly put your judgment in what concerns your welfare against the wisdom and experience of a father who loves you too well to propose any thing which js not for your good but do say father a that this is for my good to my heart so violently from an object the rational love of which is by god and man is this for my happiness is it not besides both criminal and for any man to himself to god under so peculiar as those which bind a priest of our church whilst his heart is fixed upon another object is this right my dear sir or ought you to encourage it how easy it is james for passion to find arguments to justify what it wishes to accomplish and how seldom does ij look beyond the prospect of immediate enjoyment but i agree with you that nothing can be acceptable to which is founded upon the misery of others yet the of what your heart of flesh is fixed upon must produce lasting misery to your parents and it is for yourself to consider whether you owe them more than you do to miss or her family i trust i have never been found to my parents i replied but surely father a it is in a to exact the obedience of his child at the expense of his happiness v do not call it happiness my dear why james you run into such upon this passing inclination between you and miss that one would think you had read a love book or a novel as it is called j but do not term a momentary of feel father ing like this a loss of happiness it is i grant a transient pain but it will die of its own violence believe me it will pass away sooner than you think and ere long you will be able to at that tide of passion which overwhelmed your tut james be manly and don t like a woman in this manner have you got a needle about you i could not help smiling at the abstraction which could permit him to ask me then for such an instrument no sir i replied i have not i never carry such a thing well try your father there he s in the hall it would be equally useless my dear sir to ask him for one may be he has a i can to the contrary said i well then go to for me and tell her to send me stop i have a needle myself i only want the thread and tell her to send me the thread and i was accordingly obliged to drop the train of thought and to suppress those feelings for the moment which concerned my happiness so deeply to run upon this ridiculous errand and i have acknowledged that the management of those sentiments which materially a ct our happiness depends very much upon little ingenious like this i knew not how it was but i felt presenting him with the vile and thread an awkwardness in defending myself which for a while tended to make every thing i said lose its effect james my dear you know as well as i do that the church commands filial obedience as a necessary duty for there is no case where to a parent is justified except where the command of the parent is contrary to the of the church but here that is not the case so that you have no excuse besides this is a spiritual matter and obedience in spiritual mat father butler indeed in all matters to those who have an interest in our spiritual welfare is the first mark of a christian it is the principle on which christ and after him his established his church and the one on which that church has uniformly acted but that said i has nothing to do in my case for you must grant cut that thread for me with the said he yes james it is want of that christian virtue which has filled the world with and its opposite vices are obstinacy and wherever it is not they are sure to be i believe what you say sir to be correct i replied but the obedience you speak of that no shall ever be imposed on man contrary to the laws of god and the welfare of society a fine observation james a fine observation indeed and worthy of the opinion i entertain of you but we are talking of spiritual things and to meet the force of your just and ingenious remark i have only to remind you that such a supposition is perfectly to church and to ours alone for the church james that cannot can issue no command contrary to gk d s will nor to his word i added he here gave me a smile of peculiar resting his eye upon me with that expression which the countenance of an indulgent father when a favourite child has uttered something of extraordinary genius but he continued although to exact obedience in things be a just in a church that is yet it is one to which no other church can lay claim that is any just claim does it not happen however i inquired that the circumstances of life and the relations of society make it exceedingly difficult for an individual to draw the line of distinction between a and a spiritual duty in that case as father butler the opinions of the church cannot be consulted or if consulted cannot apply to those subordinate and ever varying of human condition against which no wisdom of man can possibly provide is	50
it not necessary that some acknowledged standard should exist within the reach to guide him in such a you are young my dear very young and inexperienced or you might know that whenever obedience or in a duty affects the security of any spiritual authority that is just and well founded and this can be true only in the case of our then that duty becomes a spiritual one and takes its character from the effect which its neglect or fulfilment might produce on spiritual things then said i the is that according to that view every duty whether social or political can be resolved into a spiritual one no my dear only where the objects of spiritual and duties are opposed to each other in that case indeed they may because the welfare of spiritual things or in other words the glory of god and the security of his church require it i d understand you better by an illustration sir said well then we will take the relative position and circumstances of this kingdom and great britain as the best we can find for instance there s the pope and george the third george the fourth sir i observed george the fourth bless me and so it is but o first and bring me another of thread for is this old gown is in a sad state james i don t think i ll get more than three years wear out of it at most his usual dress was a long black stuff gown over his other clothes when i got him the thread he proceeded well then there s his the pope and the third now the irish roman vol i own an to both that is they owe a civil to the i saw it was to no purpose to set him right and a one to the pope or in other words to the which he represents now if it ever happens and it am happened that the exercise of the civil which they owe to the should directly tend to overthrow or essentially injure the and security of the church the with that would become a spiritual duty in that case we would say that we must obey god than man i thought said i that this principle was exploded yes for the present but as you are fond of illustrations like my good coat it is only lying by thank god however the principle won t rot by length of time or but what said i if the public mind happen to it that james said he is keeping up the i grant but we have come forward the other day and declared that the pope has no authority over but sure the spiritual authority is the things for don t you see now how the with holding of our civil to the king could be resolved into a spiritual duty to the pope or to the church however particularly blunder this affair to our very content for they never see this thank god nor make the distinction at all this sir i observed in a national and political point of view is a dangerous doctrine i should think may i never die m sin but it s a shame for to keep such thread as this for my part i can t this rent in my gown with it at all it s so rotten what s that you say james t why indeed there was some blood shed by it but that was not the fault of the principle but of those who refused to recognise it at any rate if ft such an authority had not been conferred on bow the christian on ever have been established under crowned heads that were ed its introduction among their subjects it was therefore on this principle that the first acted for had they obeyed the duties they originally owed you know they never could have embraced the christian faith then i replied such of them as did not embrace it bowed to the authority of the religious under which ihey lived and rejected truth from pre and such of them as did embrace it asserted e liberty of thinking for themselves and compared e truth of the christian with of their own former code they first exercised their judgments and then decided i think sir that all this was very fair i here received another smile and look so bland and ai that i set them down as the very the ne of i think continued i that if the obedience which you approve be founded on principle it itself to every rational mind yes james said he but it was not exclusively on principle they proceeded for instance their departure from tne authority which bound them was wrong in itself and it was he circumstance of the christian religion being true that constituted their merit in the act considered of embracing a new and the authority of their own they were wrong but right therefore the act itself i repeat was improper but the relation it had to of christ gave it accidental you will understand this he added by that religion of christ which they embraced was not true in that case the error of authority appears at as they created disorder father gave in society and probably brought punishment on themselves in a matter where tne distinction between the two opinions was but the difference between error and error in that case i say the of authority is evident enough but if we suppose that the religion which is embraced be wrong and that which is rejected right the evil of the principle as a guide in human conduct appears at once for here not only all the evils and i have just alluded to are produced but a spiritual loss that of the immortal soul the greatest that	50
can be suffered is sustained but surely father a you do not mean to say that the religion of christ error in any circumstances or that what is wrong can ever become right by a with divine truth even if such could be supposed you admit that the first from were right in an spiritual authority in the church which they entered yet you assert that by the immediate act of themselves from the bonds of their condition they were guilty of a positive error and lastly you say that the truth of the christian gave that error and integrity james my dear you are astray upon the question you will recollect i spoke of the principle in the abstract but i am not surprised that you do not understand it for it is one of great indeed it is the principle upon which the t not the political or supposed rights of princes and the security of the church depended but james i hope you have up the study of the as i desired you i do not read them i replied as a study but simply for and spiritual improvement that my dear in the sight of is not at all necessary for you know they should not be read and con the between religious improve ment and knowledge cannot be admitted but your merit is still the same inasmuch as you r the wiu and the int tion how is that inquired why in some circumstances james will you thread this needle for me and i ll not trouble you again you see i m just done your sight is better than mine in some circumstances it happens that of intention cannot be carried into practical effect without a which is right from its relative position or right from in either case the existence of the intention possesses equal merit in the sight of but remember my dear that with respect to the your intention will be accepted and that your obedience on this int is a greater virtue than your desire to yourself by their perusal when i considered this morality closely felt strongly disposed to doubt its purity and in fact i saw it was and and might actually be applied to justify the commission of a crime as well as the performance of a virtue but the man who advanced it was so so mild and in his manner ther expression of his countenance was so innocent his smile so benevolent his temper so easy and indulgent his old gown too was so with snuff before and so carelessly with powder behind that i felt it to believe that a person of such innocence aiid simplicity could be conscious of the nature and tendency of such doctrines and continue to advance them the very rent in his gown so mended by his own clumsy fingers in obstinate opposition to my father s offer of getting all his of that nature repaired by a tailor and the hole in his stockings which he with inch long a father butler during the latter part of our conversation helped to every inclination on my part to charge his heart with that dangerous and subtle which ran through his opinions i was now able to venture out and the first thing i determined on was to pay dr s family a visit as i myself had not hitherto given father a or my parents the slightest hope that i would ever fulfil their vow i consequently could not suspect that any intimation of an intention to break the engagement which bound miss and me would have been made by my parents to dr but i was mistaken for this through the medium and at the suggestion of father a had been already i went to the doctor s i was shown into the parlour where the doctor himself who happened to be at home soon came to me on entering the hall i caught a of as she ascended the stairs and thought she was leaning on her mother for support when the entered i immediately observed that his manners were from what they had usually been but he appeared to be a man more in sorrow than in anger his reception of me was grave and polite but every instance of his ceremony me to the heart i inquired after mrs and and asked if they were within the doctor glanced at me sur at the inquiry and perplexed as to the reply e should make are you aware mr butler he said of certain communications which we have received from your family no sir i replied i ana not aware of any communications that may have passed between you although to speak candidly as you say that such have been made i think i can guess their import father if their tendency be to prevent the union between miss and me sir they shall never have my consent on that union my heart is fixed and although it certain v my soul to act contrary to the inclination oi my parents yet even under the present circumstances i do not think i am called upon to give up every rational prospect of happiness to with an for i think the almighty himself has given no parent an authority the doctor heard me with calmness and seemed relieved if not affected by what i had said i will not deny he said mr butler but that i am sorry for the sake of my child that the union between our families should be so unexpectedly interrupted many men in my circumstances would not to a decision so arbitrary and i will say unjust where the laws of the country are accessible to those who suffer by injustice but i am sincerely glad to find that you are not a party in it yet even if	50
possession of it and this knowledge joined to the melancholy induced by the existence of a strong but hopeless passion contributed through his want of judgment and to hasten the approach of the decline in which you see me from tne moment he became acquainted with the state of my mind he never ceased imposing the repetition of prayer upon prayer and fast upon fast until my compliance these and my of the other appointed along with the sorrow which was upon me in secret began to affect my health the only consideration during all this time that ought to have had any weight in the force of my affection was that arising from the account father a gave me of the young officer and miss but this without being strong enough to the many tender she had made me of a sincere and attachment was only sufficient to keep me in a state of anxiety and suspense that had greater effect in my health than the force of my passion itself to entertain any doubt of what father a told me was out of the question his during the relation the simplicity with which he told it and the harmless passion into which he got against them in defence of his old gown what ne conceived to be the sly and severe he gave the and his forgetting to satisfy me when i inquired if he was certain that it miss all laid my suspicions at rest as to the truth of what he had mentioned when the first occurred i received a letter from my father dated at the at c it informed me that he had been there father for some time on a visit and that he was requested by father a and dr g to ask me to spend the with them this was a arrangement to me for i must confess that i would liave given at that time the wealth of for an interview with or even a sight of but it was to prevent this that i was asked to the at c indeed i was surprised that my father had not sent me there instead of to and a little before my setting out i ask d him why he preferred the latter place seeing it was determined on that i should join the order at c i have consulted father a upon that james he replied and on the whole we think it better that is more prudent to you there than in they of c are narrowly watched you know besides if you and i were dead that those who have the next on the property are the and i do not wish that it should go into the hands of whilst it is in our power to turn it to a use during my at c i saw nothing remarkable except my father s rent roll and the map of the estate both of which i happened to observe in father a s room i passed the next year in in the same manner as i did the preceding one with this difference that my health became worse my unhappy passion more prevailing the whole state of my mind more morbid the cause of this ray knew and whether or not he might have in an way occasioned my being selected to receive orders the next i cannot say but just a month before my i was ordained my health was now so ill that immediate removal was judged necessary and i accordingly returned home by the advice of the physician to enjoy the benefit of my native air father butler before i had been two days at my father s i learned the hopeless state of miss s health but of what my sensations must have been when i in addition to this that it was caused by her unhappy attachment to myself she was sir one of those meek mild creatures who bear the stroke of or the disappointment of the heart in calm and serene silence the grief of such is never loud nor their sorrow but there is a silent intensity of pain in what they suffer a gradual but exhaustion of the spirit a drying up of the springs of life that them away until like some beautiful apparition they disappear from the eyes that love them her attachment to me was involuntary but she bore the disappointment arising from it with a silent fortitude with which nothing but true and unaffected religion could inspire her her struggles against it were indeed for she knew ner duty and left no legitimate remedy to overcome it but in vain it seemed like destiny to fix her fate i understood that from the day of my departure for her spirits and cheerfulness wholly abandoned her that spent much of her time in solitary devotion and was doubly attentive to the exercises of charity and benevolence as soon as i understood the melancholy nature of her situation and saw that we were both the victims of a system a new train of reflection was opened to me i now to examine that system and compare it with the word of god with reason and the original intention of the almighty with regard to man i went from this to examined the condition of the church in this particular before the and the consequence was that i discovered a and corrupt state of things from this butler and unreasonable obligation that i began to question its authority as just or binding it is not often that we are sent in quest of truth by the influence of our natural affections but in this case mine happened to be on the side of both truth and reason i was therefore determined to continue the process of impartial investigation not only on this point but on	50
the other doctrines of my own creed the result of this was a discovery of errors in it that were and unreasonable this examination did not occupy me long for i compared them as if i were choosing between life and death one morning shortly after my return home i went out as i usually did by medical advice to take a walk for the benefit of my health which was still rapidly declining by an impulse which i could not check i turned towards dr s i did not walk however immediately in front of the house but took a path which led me behind a little grove that terminated the back lawn stood in the shade of the trees for some time gazing at the windows of the house and examining the motions of such as stirred about it with an intensity of interest which none can understand except those who have felt such at length i turned to my steps and passing into a gravel walk that was obscured from my direct view by the angle of a hedge row i met her who was dearest to me on earth within seven or eight yards of the spot on which i stood at that time sir i was nearly as pale reduced in my personal appearance as i am at present the moment i saw her i became extremely agitated my heart i thought would have absolutely through my very breast she on the contrary appeared calm and collected at that time she knew not that i was in orders as i approached her she father noticed my agitation and with a presence of mind and dignity peculiar to herself stretched out her hand mr butler said she this between you and me is an unexpected one indeed but as it has given me an opportunity of inquiring after your health and welfare i do not regret it i made no reply but stood and gazed upon her pale and worn but still beautiful features with a decree of sorrow which rent my inmost heart as i did not speak she to avoid the pain occasioned by my pause continued mr butler i have not heard of your illness and yet i am sorry to perceive that you have been ill you are quite alas alas miss i exclaimed and is it i see you you whom i left in all the bloom of health and youth oh my dear said i forgetting ceremony in the tenderness of the you are gone you are dying she made no reply but we here stood for a few seconds surveying each other s pale faces with a melancholy interest and as our eyes met the tale of mutual sorrow was soon told i know it i see it i exclaimed you are the victim but not the only one this this said i my hand upon my heart is also broken i thought james she replied at least i heard that whatever you might felt for me had passed away alas look at my wasted cheek said i and then judge of what it cost me an ex however is due to you and as this is the only opportunity i may have for some time i will now give it i then related an exact account of the peculiar combination of circumstances which compelled me take the inexorable vow and i mentioned in particular the death bed scene with my mother when i concluded she told me that an impression had been made by father a on their family leading them to conclude that the i myself was certainly preceded by reluctance and hesitation at first but that after some time i had decided voluntary and without to embrace the life i was surprised to hear that father a of whose love of truth and simplicity i had entertained so good an opinion could given so gross a of the whole matter this brought to my recollection the story of the officer and s on a former occasion i then inquired about it and she told me that she recollected the incident but declared that neither the gentleman in question nor herself took the least notice of father a she rode out that day simply in compliance with her mother s wish as her health even then was beginning to decline when i heard this i recollected for the first time that father a was a j and i instantly saw through the whole business the property said i the property was his object the and the map of my father s estate were not transferred to c for nothing the real cause of father a s himself to the family became now almost obvious said i we have both been the victims i fear of wilful and deliberate deceit i see it all but i hope it is not too late i trust we may still be united should god restore us to health for i will no longer be the contemptible slave of such neither blame my father my dear he too is a victim to the same delusion but with the blessing of heaven i will yet my opinions on religion have undergone a serious change james said she if your prospects in life are fixed and only to be unsettled on my account do not now change if you do you must only experience another disappointment my medical father butler x attendants for my father called in additional aid have given me over and with respect to myself you do not stand in the same relation to me in which you did my affections and wishes now turn to my alone through whose blood i can lay claim to the hopes of that happiness in which there will be no disappointment i would not now come back to nay what	50
is more james i would not come back to you whom i did love oh i too well were it even permitted me to do so my dear i know from my own experience said i that this despondency is inseparable from extreme weakness do not talk do not think so gloomily for you will only give your complaint the greater over you indeed it is not gloom james but a serenity of mind founded upon a rational view of my own condition and my future hopes do not therefore ask me to mingle considerations with what i feel that would take my thoughts from heaven and fix them on earth far be it from me my dear to occasion you one pang of additional but do not oh do not thus give up the hopes of life she gave me a smile that her pale features with a light which was surely from heaven hopes of life james oh if you could but conceive for a moment the of glory which is within if you could know and oh i that your bed of death may be cheered by the same assurances if you could but know how my soul i sustained by the hopes of life of that life where the heart will experience misery nor affliction you would scarcely an existence spent upon the pleasures of this world with the name of life but my dear you know that to use legitimate means for the preservation of our exists ence is a duty yes she replied i know that father br and i have done so as long as there was hope because i knew what my parents should suffer but now that his world and its objects have from my sight a brighter world and brighter objects are before toe james did you love me alas said i in a burst of tenderness and sorrow can you doubt it my dear when you see me as i am without hope or happiness for your sake yes yes i believe it and i see it now james would you hesitate to your a reasonable re any thing my dear even to life every ing then you by that love to rest not happily and fully the promises of him who us both do this and you will then know how wrong and guilty it is to fix your tions so strongly as to destroy your health and ace on any short lived and object believe me james it is an abuse of those affections an abuse which we have been guilty of and for which we are punished but i trust there is mercy in the punishment alas i am not exalted above human passion and human weakness as you are i feel therefore how hard it is to tear you from my heart no i confess i am not able to give you up but will you she said promise to com ly with my request you may consider it as the i will ever make to you i will i replied but tell me how i am to fulfil it i fear she returned that i have exhausted myself a little too much go to the word of god be guided by that do you feel me she then asked for she had my arm and we both were walking involuntarily towards her father s house no my dear i replied i observe no symptoms of weakness in you at present but we are now at home so you need have no apprehension as we advanced to the steps of the hall door she became evidently weaker father butler but she was able to get as far as a sofa iti the par her father and mother were both as we entered she immediately sat down and for some time was unable to speak her mother gave her a draught which she was in the habit of and after she had tasted it she seemed revived a little she then on the sofa and notwithstanding the agitation which i felt i could not help admiring the grace and elegance of her form she now closed her eyes father said she i attach no blame to james and mother he too is heart broken she then laid her cheek down upon the end of the sofa and appeared as if falling into a slumber for a few moments she repeated something to herself she next called her mother who went and asked her what she wished for kiss me mother said she i am going to sleep the mother stooped and kissed her e then laid her head down again saying very feebly how sweet oh how are the hopes of my love w i long to be with my she then closed her eyes a silence of some this for we spoke not lest the might awaken her but her father after fixing his eyes upon her intently went over and put his fingers upon her wrist she was no her spirit was already among the just made perfect rejoicing with god her he was now silent a few moments for he appeared to be deeply affected at this part of the narrative during the pause an impatient at the door intimated the intention of some person to enter who was evidently not well acquainted with the handle of a parlour lock at length after some violent the wrong way the door opened and with a face charged with the most earnest importance made his appearance when father butler he advanced as far as the middle of the floor he stopped and surveyed us both with a look of cool penetration and curiosity why then now he exclaimed bud that s any how if wan t think so they that to one another either from the faith to	50
or from to the faith i which yer here so together as he pronounced these words he turned his eyes from father butler to me and from me to father butler again but at last he settled them on my countenance with the confidence of a man who believed that he had caught me as it were manner in attempting to the priest the latter seemed displeased at the of his intrusion but the natural of his disposition him from speaking harshly e inquired have you any business with my father or me t have i any business father james thin it s myself that has business yer four father dear still keeping his eyes significantly fixed upon me at length he says how do y m ao sir i think ye have found im out looking and nodding towards mr butler yes i replied i the best way was to come to head quarters and i have accordingly done so that you know is always the method of arriving at truth hum yes if wan wanted id id bud when we wish to others into id the case i m what s your opinion father butler you must speak otherwise i cannot give you any opinion replied father butler on what subject do you ask it why sir whether wan man ought to whispering father butler let be led by the nose by another in his religion v most assuredly not the other replied tis absurd to do so and not only absurd but it is sinful and degrading for a man to form his religious faith according to the opinions of others thin it s that can do id ye father butler it s you that could give it to in style to the itself if ye so mild and good as ye are give it to whom the other inquired to any bible man sir replied thinking he had father butler still on side that attempt to a man from the ould faith to their new lights why has any of them been attempting to work a change in your religious opinions inquired father in my opinions replied with a sarcastic smile of conscious security has any of them well if they have and he looked significantly at father butler at him with the eye on that side of his head which he thought i could not see if they have father let them take what they got any why do you know sir said he dressing his discourse to that a that lives in this neighbourhood came to me one to to bring me over to the i should think i replied that he was not very successful why sir he didn t do it out an out at any rate for i there s a little to be done still ye i paid you a visit myself one morning i replied was it since that the attempt was made to bring you over sir said purposely misunderstanding me hut tut you mistake sir that be the last thing a gentleman like you think iv he continued however still to throw a significant glance towards father butler whilst the father butler tones of his voice became very and grave oh i no sir i wouldn t even the likes of such a as that to a gentleman so and high bred as you sir i couldn t think iv at all said mr butler you asked me just now why one man should let another lead him by the nose in religion do think such a thing not right v an what for id be right father james to allow any man glancing at me again like ourselves to id as long as we have our or thai purpose but said father butler are not your clergy men as well as others for ye sir i don t deny that bud thin you see they re our spiritual guides in religious for what what we know sure re but the the earth bud our blessed be god knows every thing for but said i is not every man to render an account of the deeds done in the flesh and if so ou ht not every man to know the will of god as to what he ought to believe and practise and v hem sir said clearing his voice and turning himself round to me like a man who was set for an argument what s that again sir oh ay now i id but how y m ye prove to me that we re not to obey our you should obey them said i as far as their agree with that standard by which they themselves will be judged as well as the word of god but no farther but no farther is id that is as much as to say that we ought to obey them only in some things now t all the world know that we ought to obey our in every thing otherwise what ud signify man at all at all and do you think i inquired that you should obey a priest commands you to do to be sure i do he replied vol i bu lee an why not and suppose a priest i continued commanded you to do something that you knew to be contrary to the will of god how would you act how i act an do you think that a priest me to do a thing or sup he did itself he wouldn t do so good sound for id that i know about an as to the will o god he knows that than you an i both put together i he replied i here involuntarily exchanged looks with mr butler who smiled in a sorrowful manner at the degrading nature of the religious	50
use for wan if they had id i he now retired and father butler with him the latter told me he would get rid of him in a few moments and then resume the subject he had dropped when to the next room he addressed father butler as follows why then father james bud that thief iv a is round ye ie wants to bring ye over to the bible men ye see the but ye know how to im why said father butler wishing to hear his views on the subject how would treat him how would i im is id why tell you what i would do if i was you i d to father butler over him an he d think he d have me i d be hard all the time an he d be sure o me i d have an brought over in less than no time is that plan your own sir it s partly mine an partly father s that i it ta told what to why about his to corrupt ye an make a of ye and what did father say why he he d write an ac count iv id as i id to im to and that his brother in law the iv parliament would be at the next election he d it to the very did father really say this t an may be it s he that won t do the thing in style your reverence well father james there is only the shadow iv that man alive the blessed that he is an it he that hates a as the holy mother about hates holy and who informed you that he was trying to convert me tut tut your reverence i knew id didn t the thief o the world to corrupt myself till i didn t leave him a leg to on bud put ye up to im do you he said in a low cautious tone as i to im an then along him over ye can get an account iv the an corruption he uses an who gives im the money for they say he gets so much a head ten i m k r every curse upon all their lights that he makes and was it to put me on my guard you paid me this visit inquired mr butler why thin father james it was else indeed that an to give you the hint i m iv and now that i m ye what makes ye be so fond of these father james a t the likes o me need not tell one that s got your father butler that it s not right to let their breath near ye share ye know yourself nor i can tell ye that its unlucky both for and body to have any call to them replied father butler do you believe i wish you well v why father james ye needn t axe me a said well then you know that my knowledge and learning are much greater that yours i have made the nature of our religion my study i have also made the religion which that gentleman in the next room my study and believe me when i declare as i hope for mercy and this you know i could not say if i did not think it truth that i find on the most conscientious and impartial comparison of both that the faith which he is the true primitive and faith and that which you and i have hitherto followed to be corrupt and full of error now be calm and listen to me suppose you go to a fair to buy a horse for your own use would you not examine that horse from limb to limb would you not assure yourself that he was sound that his eyes teeth and wind were good and that in short he had no would ye oe apt to take him simply and solely on the word of the without examination at all ho ho let me alone for that replied he be up that could do me that a way although to tell the truth i bought that part iv my experience to the tune of fourteen more nor tne ould thief was worth ould back the decayed gentleman sir if him but i ye for i think he was afore your time i bought im from m at fifteen hard he me god pardon im for id any how he now knows whether it was right to take in a young as i was at that time he me there wasn t his likes in the fair that day an there was nt a taste iv lie in that at any rate for when i brought im home i had a prize what ye think but the ould wouldn t work a han for me nor let a car nor a on his four bones not a thing he do bud if he got a saddle upon im he about from house to house through the parish an up a lane wherever he seen a smoke the ould thief for he could smell bacon like a preacher an i went to the to see if he take im back and return my money you had not attempt im back on me says he or maybe worse ill happen ye so your reverence i was glad to go an say no more about id for they say the could o done any thing now whether is the purchase of a horse of more importance or the salvation of your soul father james there s no at all at all em well you would not buy a horse on the word of any man without for yourself yet you will receive your religion on the word of a man who is a sinner and	50
a religion which upon and the best moral principles of our nature should have taken such deep root in the human heart father butler but if we examine the matter clearly we shall cease to be at it has at there is something in the and of our best friends that is not to us this doctrine and that for i when a steadfast of exclusive salvation remember that the idea arising from the eternal punishment which i supposed must await the soul of every not within the pale of my own church used to come over my heart with a deadly and pleasure that proceeded not only from satisfaction in contemplating the punishment of the enemies of gk d and my religion but from the heightened satisfaction i enjoyed when the consideration of my own happiness with their misery how can such a doctrine as this establish peace and good will among men v it is impossible the principle in our nature upon which it rests is the worst that and humanity selfishness who ever received a favour the value of which he did not conceive to be lessened by seeing the same favour extended to many and on the contrary when only he himself or a few along with him receive it alas this principle it is which is carried into the religion of the church of rome because that religion is founded upon human passion which it really draws out and in order to strengthen its own influence over the heart such a religion must always and the human mind and it has ever done so what is exclusive salvation but the doctrine of caste and the of reason will and judgment to the power and of a priest but the same surrender of individual liberty and moral right which the priest of pre sent i we see how the spiritual pride father butler which would to itself the exclusive privilege of salvation was in the jews themselves particularly in the who while they sat in the seat of moses absolutely the divine of god by striving to them to their own thus rendering his of none effect by their traditions and to themselves the only merit of possessing truth and observing rites and ceremonies with a scrupulous whilst the law of god was not only without in the ordinary course and occupations of life but through those very ceremonies which were founded upon an of god s and is not the present state of the roman catholic church similar look at the pope assuming to be seated in the chair of christ the throne of behold him like the his creator in the awful of divine judgment in idea the and power of the almighty before whom he is but a worm and dealing to those who though not within the limits of his church are still in the hand of their god behold him like them setting aside or concealing the direct of god and in their stead human rites and superstitious establishing as it were rules and for the commission of crime and for its are not the the and the other species of the same which christ condemned when he told the self righteous and to make clean the inside of the that the outside might be clean also is not the of the of the church the from which god hath created to be taken the going to confession the repetition of the r i and other various offices of the church none of which are ever without remorse even by those who do not scruple to the name of god and run into all sins and are not these the same things which were also condemned in the when they were called the blind guides that strain at a and swallow a v what are their prayers and charms against certain diseases their holy water candles and but the of the same and the verses which they were in the habit of repeating out of the bible for similar superstitious purposes whilst the enlightened and christian worship of god is neglected look through all and modern and what can you find of all that is and unreasonable in the religion of men which unhappily the church in which i was educated does not present it is a contemplation my dear sir which is enough to the heart of a benevolent and sincere christian with sorrow was the sword of worse than the and of the or the banner of the pale than the dreadful and mysterious characters that floated in the black flag of an what is the worship of saints but the religion of the north american indians and others who and worshipped the spirits of their departed friends h r the made at the shrine of the virgin mary and saints but the bread and meat and other necessaries which are left by savages for the use of the dead if there be a and a is there not a and a if there be a with the veil of mystery around his brow bowed down to and adored by the slaves of his will is there not one to he the of the meek r father butler and lowly who places his feet fit emblem of degradation upon the necks of his equally followers i would not sir have dwelt so long upon this melancholy comparison were i not anxious to prove to you that the motives which have induced me to determine on coming out of the church of rome were founded upon a serious and solemn investigation of her doctrines and principles i have compared her not only with the word of god and with other churches but with herself at different periods i have by the assistance of this little library traced the progress of her power and the gradual of her authority and am led to acknowledge	50
that wherever her influence is established or has been established knowledge arts science industry and have the human mind has become dark and and the character of mankind sunk into on the one hand or raised into an intolerable and oppression on the other there is little more sir in my history on rising from my illness after s death i found her mother dying and in a week afterwards i saw her laid for ever beside that daughter whom she loved so well father a was now very anxious that i should make a visit along with him what his reasons were for this did not then know but i knew them the next morning when my father at breakfast after having contemplated my countenance very earnestly for some time whispered me to follow him to his room as soon as breakfast should be over i accordingly went and he there inform ed me that in consequence of a s representations he had the property to the establishment at c what my dear father said i was the nature of his representations v why said he he entered into a long argument in which father butler he proved i think very clearly and satisfactorily that i could not with a good conscience dispose of it otherwise your son he argued will not live to inherit it for he will not survive yourself in that case it is your duty to consider the claims which the church has upon you and indeed upon every child who lives within her bosom these claims if the church thought proper to urge them could be made imperative in their own nature they every other in addition to this he said that i should establish a perpetual mass for you and me and the rest that are in the dust which indeed james we ought to do i now saw that i had much to encounter but i knew my father was both a liberal and an intelligent man who met with un qualified indignation any thing like or deceit to relate the arguments that passed between us on the subject would occupy too much of time let it suffice to say that i succeeded considerable trouble in giving him a thorough knowledge of father a s views and the will he immediately but he has now made another to which i have to request that you will have the goodness to become either a witness or an i told him that i certainly did not like the office of nor to have much to do with wills in general but said i as your case is so peculiar i shall have no objection to become a witness i must observe here that this narrative occupied a much longer time in consequence of father s weakness and the frequent fits of now which seized him than would be spent in its perusal i now rose to take my leave which i did accordingly after promising to call the next day but when two more were to meet for the purpose of also as witnesses and he father butler went out leaning on the arm of a servant to seek his father it was now the of a beautiful day and i h as on my way home driving leisurely along reading a book as i am in the habit of doing when i overtook a poor woman whose countenance had once been beautiful leading an interesting little girl aged about ten years by the hand there appeared to be no other object in the walk they were taking than that of exercise for the child who seemed to be an invalid for they stopped now and then to pull such wild flowers as the little one thought pretty enough to put into a which he carried in her hand when i came up with them they their amusement and each made a low courtesy i was much struck with the appearance of the child who was a sweet little creature with fine blue eyes and hair that fell into natural on her fair and graceful neck she appeared to be recovering from a fit of sickness has your little girl been ill v said i addressing the mother she has a sickly look i think ah i then your honour it s she that has been ill god help her so ill indeed sir that i had no notion in the world that she would ever over id but god ha been better to me than i deserve blessed be his name for id i am glad to find said i that you are truly sensible of his goodness in her to your affection and i trust you will bring her up in fear and in his knowledge how many children have you besides her indeed sir replied the woman she s all that ever we have had an i often blame myself for her so much an pray that my heart may be a little more from her bud i can t help her still for she has never cost her father or myself a frown from the hour of her birth to this and sir it would delight you to hear how she can her maybe sir said the poor woman delighted at the maybe your honour would be good enough to try her in id that said i is out of my power as i am with the which she has been taught she can continued the mother a great deal of the new testament off the book an i hope she understands an young as she is it too i thought observed i that father did not permit any of his flock to read the bible in his schools but perhaps he did not know it father replied the woman has no control over me or my child for we do not belong	50
to his flock i trust i worship god in spirit and in truth and approach him through faith in him who gave his life a for i am a sir i am sure you are a christian i replied if this great principle of salvation be truly impressed upon your heart ah sir said she it s hard for us to be what we ought to be there is so much that s evil corrupt and against god in our nature that except we throw ourselves on the of our we have no hope and surely to live without hope is to live without god in this world that sir blessed for ever and ever be his name was a man of many and acquainted with sorrows and if we have sorrows have we not him to look to if we be heavy laden will he not bear our burden as she uttered these words i looked more earnestly at her countenance and saw a tear stealing silently down her cheek her face indeed was one in which religion and sorrow hope and resignation seemed to together but religion appeared to triumph for as she wiped the tear away i saw the serene light of a christian s consolation beam with mild and pen father b beauty in her eye as she silently turned it towards that heaven where dwelt the support of her and afflicted spirit during the conversation the had been pulling a little cluster of blue bells which she had mingled among the other flowers according as the colours seemed best to with each other or with her fancy when she had finally arranged them she approached her mother throwing at me as she came a quick but of her beautiful blue eyes she then put ner hand into her mother s who bent down as the child whispered to her for a moment and whilst speaking she cast at me ther glance as rapid as the former accompanied by a slight blush which tinged her pale face with the infant grace and beauty of innocence indeed i don t know my dear said the mother whether the gentleman has little daughters or not she wishes sir to know if you have any little daughters at home indeed i have my dear three of them and the eldest is about your own age and size the child after again k at me timidly hesitated a moment and then whispered her mother a second time she bids me ask sir said the latter if you would allow her to give you her to home to them as she says it is large enough when divided to make one for each i will my dear said i accept your little gift with pleasure and when i present it to them i will tell the little hands which pulled it are joined together in the worship of god every night and morning and i am sure it will be truth she then came over with that and native modesty which young and minds and put the into my hand from the appearance of the mother which was clean but very plain i father butler that they lived in poverty and i therefore made the reception of the flowers an argument for giving the child something which i thought might be more necessary to her comfort but when i attempted to do so the child withdrew and refused to accept it you are very good sir said the mother but i would not wish to receive any thing for doing a kind or civil action it s her duty without reward to be both kind and civil besides we do not stand in need of it sir you at the same time many thanks perhaps the child said i might require some things which you cannot afford to procure her that s true enough sir she replied but the lord blessed be his name has raised up a friend that does not let my poor want for any thing that s fit for her i am glad to hear it said i may i inquire who the kind individual is that takes such a interest in your little it is father james butler sir returned the woman who through all her sickness brought on by a could she out of the took care that she should want for nothing many a tear did he shed over her as she lay under the load of sickness that overtook her for he confessed to me that he loved her she reminded him of one that was gone but he said he would soon meet his in a world where they would never be separated she was god mother to this child sir and it was her she was called but thank god i am not so as to deny that he is a true christian although his religion is different from mine and if this child never was called miss mr butler would be as ready to be her friend as he is to assist all those in the neighbourhood that sickness or misfortune prevents from bein able to help a father butler themselves indeed i agree with you i replied interrupting her in your character of mr butler we had a visit yesterday too she continued from the s lady mrs who indeed had she heard of s sickness would have called sooner but the parish is very large sir and she lives upwards of five miles from our house which you may see there beside that little she is indeed a good and a christian woman god bless her but indeed if poor mr himself had been at home and in health here would have had another good friend they now made me another courtesy and turned into a little lane that led towards their house i then resumed my book my horse who knows my	50
habits stealing forward at a s pace in this manner i advanced about forty or so when i heard two voices behind me one of which i instantly recognised as s i placed myself in such a position in the that whilst i had my eye on them i appeared to be contemplating th beauty of the surrounding country was coming along with his hat off and a long set of beads in his hands making up as i afterwards understood by performing the office of st joseph for the time he lost with father butler in the earlier part of the day the other was a personage who at first left all my penetration at fault as to who or what he was or could be at all events he was certainly above six feet high wore a long beard by which i judged that he wished to distinguish himself as a person set exclusively apart for religious purposes his hat had a crown upwards of a foot high which made him appear of a gigantic size the leaf of it fell down over his shoulders like that of a coal porter he wore no shoes but had on a n father pair of that went down to his ankles what the colour of his coat was or whether he wore one or not i could not say for his huge body was completely enveloped m a blanket which he had secured upon him with a belt that round his middle he had two bags upon his back and one hanging across his breast under his left arm he carried a large s horn with leather and stopped with a of paper beneath which hung a tin in his left hand he bore a long about seven in length called a cant with an iron in the end of it and in his right a string of beads at least twice the length of s this and went forward irish prayers alternately until they had advanced about ten before me as they passed shut one eye as usual and gave me a look full of a bitter and malicious spirit tempered however by a chuckle of triumph produced by the which he imagined ne had given me that morning in the course of a few minutes after they had passed the prayers were finished and put his beads in his pocket and his hat on bis head as to they have the privilege of covered whilst travelling he then got on a quicker rate and the other his pace as if he waited until i should drive up to him he was certainly a formidable looking fellow and without at all from my own courage i have no hesitation in saying that i should wish to avoid him in a lonely place as nothing but the necessity could drive me upon single combat with such a man stockings without feet vol r tain or induce me to with him and his of bags here however there was no danger as were employed in almost every field about us i therefore felt some curiosity to know what kind of a being he might be or whether he was tame or otherwise and he himself seemed willing enough to come to an explanation for he hung back as if waiting till i advanced well my honest fellow said i i came up to him i have been endeavouring to penetrate that blanket of mystery you have about you for the last ten minutes but to no purpose what occupation may i ask do you follow r what is id why then honour i ll tell ye that the gospel preaching the gospel said i in astonishment z v look to be any thing but an do ye think so said he undoubtedly i replied i am of that opinion i believe he answered i know i m not wan iv your for i don t go in a coach six nor in a even casting a glance at myself but god tm not a the worse iv that i m certainly not i answered but may i inquire of what you are the ornament what religious persuasion is blessed by your labours why said he up his bags don t you know by my hat i m a no said i i could never find out that secret by your hat no wears a crown to his well then said he if i m not a i m a iv since ye must know id i don t see how that follows said i may be yer honour he replied with a grin that s ye haven t got an eye in the back iv yer head i now suspected either that the fellow was a or that he determined to be insolent i resolved however to try him a little further well i butler inquired what success have you had in w hy sir odd as you think me i have saved many a soul in my time are you sure of that v i inquired as sure as that you re in that you re in i should wish to hear said i how you that important object well if you would he put a half crown there stretching out a prodigious across the road i thought i would not have been justified in throwing away half a crown upon such a sturdy but as i am fond of character i gave him a shilling that i might get a little more out of him he looked at the money for a moment and after a shrug or two of disappointment put it under his fore and giving it a bend as if it were tin looked at it again it is good said he at me from under the hat now said i let me know how you saved	50
induced my father to consider the child because i think she will soon be deprived of her dear mother the father too is far gone in a decline poor was god daughter to miss ton after whom she received christian name every day henceforth showed me more clearly the admirable character of father butler i saw it and found it in innumerable instances i was now beginning from my rank and situation in the country where until very lately i had been a stranger to get a better knowledge of the opinions prejudices and general character of the about me and had therefore an opportunity of tracing the effects of his secret benevolence where i could scarcely have expected it he was all charity all kindness all feeling there was not a child within a considerable circle about him that had not learned to repeat his name with gratitude to hate him was scarcely possible in the most and disposition for there was something in his mild and affectionate manner which stamped all his actions with a character of and propriety and as his fine form wasted away by premature decay presented the idea of his sudden removal to another life it was impossible to lo him any motives for embracing the doctrines of the established church but such as arose from an awful conviction of conscientious duty on leaving him that day i observed that he was unusually exhausted and i concluded that a very few days would put a close to his short and unhappy but not useless life he himself felt this i am near the haven said he near all that a christian can hope for but what the prophet the righteous and no man it to heart and merciful men are taken away none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come he enter into peace is there not consolation in these words yes my friend i feel it i feel it oh never did the glory of heaven the rich light of an evening sun tail with greater beauty on the dark and tottering ruin than the of religious hope do upon my broken heart my dear mr butler said i i feel the most delight in knowing this for surely life has r father not on this side of the grave anything more touching or beautiful than the death of the righteous what is there to be derived from human example that can and the heart of man more than the calm triumphant death of a christian brother v true indeed he replied but oh how i rejoice that i appear before my judge with a just and proper view of his mercy and and of my own to enmity against him how i rejoice that i know him the merciful one whose blood from the taint of fallen and nature instead of trusting in the dead ceremony the soul blinding or the dark muttering of an unknown prayer alas my friend where now is my and on what s fatal delusion would that christian rest who should abandon ihe mercy of the son of god and turn to the of a sinner like me who instead of having a of merit owes every thing to that mercy oh how thankful ought to be that i did not go before the judgment seat the of an evil nature the contempt of my s blood and the confidence of rival written upon my forehead i now left him after having promised to pay him if possible a daily visit the following morning after breakfast i was stepping into my to fulfil my promise whom i have already alluded to approached me with large of blood upon his face hands and clothes said alarmed what s the matter what has happened you nothing at all at all to myself he replied bud the poor sheep your honour has suffered and two i the year is i i exclaimed in amazement you can t be serious i have surely injured none in the parish that they should my property in so j nd io father butler human a manner and the sheep you say has been done to them why sir there s three iv them stiff their throat s cut and two the tails taken off them poor things well said i is this the return i am getting for substantial acts of kindness which i have taken every opportunity of rendering to the poor of the neighbourhood i thought was an indulgent landlord and every way a friend to my poorer read this sir said handing me a bit of dirty paper tied about with a thread may be that would throw some light upon the i got id tied the neck iv wan dead i opened the paper and read the following this is to let mr know that af he wishes to another visit from them that the sheep an the he ll give up an the people to lave the church let father butler be his last or be for an let im be no hand in the church iv her du if not this had no signature said i do you know a tall monster of a fellow called or or or some such name he s a pilgrim i suppose you understand what that is and carries half a dozen of bags about him v know im sir i do w ll he s a great iv s for an has a son a young in they call im that used to go about the old fellow when a and i ll warrant when he gets the upon im he ll be to to an more nor his for that s always the case sir the very same observed do you know that i have a strong suspicion	50
of that companion butler rascal why then sir between you an me he s else although there s not three in the parish tiiat doesn t take im for a an thinks the very ground he walks on as good as consecrated an yet lor all that i wouldn t put the same past im and may be id wont warm s heart to hear iv id any how for he hates every bone in yer skin yer honour ever since it s reported that you turned father butler to your church you must find out that fellow for me he s probably about s and to tell you the truth i suspect both but trace for me if you can ana i ll have him examined i declare yer honour replied i rather you t id an me to have any hand in id you know sir i m a poor man a family iv small to get bread for an if got a dog s knock sir or thing happened me that a way what ud poor do the i m very well liked sir as id is ever since i the bible an didn t give id back as i was so that this be a good excuse for them to get a hole in my skirt if you think they would direct their revenge against you also said i why you are right in having nothing to with that fellow is it he you fear i inquired him for wai sir for he d be in another part iv the kingdom he make me suffer for id for that fellow is a sir and as full iv revenge as a fox well in that case said i you had better say nothing more about it but have the at two o clock for i ll be back mr butler s by that time at any rate i ll offer a handsome for the discovery of the i think will be at s to day sir if he s in the as there s a station there very well said i we shall try as soon as i return father i arrived at mr butler s i him confined to bis bed for up to this day he had been able to more about i know not whether it is always fancy that produces the impression but so it is that whenever we know there is a fellow creature either dying or dead we think there is a gloomy stillness a dismal solemnity brooding over the very mansion that is contrasted with the busy stir of life and health in the words of the poet pale mid her a and dread t all ine flower sad ihe railing and breathes a horror o er the on entering the gate which led into the small belonging to the house i one of the servants and on inquiring how father james was the poor fellow burst tears as he replied ah i sir he fought it out long and patiently but is down at last i think he ll scarcely over tomorrow the priest and the minister are both with him at present and he expects you sir i believe we ll soon have dr too i hear he came from england for bo other purpose but to see him i proceeded to the house immediately and such was the hold which he had gained upon my affections that i experienced a sinking of the heart resembling that which a man would feel for the approaching death of a child or brother the day too was still and gloomy not a breeze was abroad and the shadows of the and that were reflected from the dark waters of the fish pond as passed it were motionless as death not even a volume of smoke rose from the house no servant appeared the on the roof of the dove sat father they had been changed into stone and a solitary was perched upon the house top with its little head resting upon its breast motionless as the all that broke the solemnity of the silence around me was the noise of a little fall that fell under the thick shade of the trees where they their aged arms into each other across the narrow and the distant murmur of the wood quest that came sorrowfully from the grove of behind the garden when i entered the hall i met one of the servants who told me that he had whispered her several times to know if she thought i would soon come i went immediately to his bed room and found him even weaker than i had anticipated when he saw me a faint smile of satisfaction passed over his countenance and he said i am very glad you are come for a heavy duty indeed upon you nay kind and beloved friend and as he spoke he his eyes significantly on his father compose yourself my dear mr butler i replied i shall see every thing attended to and as to what you are most anxious so let me beg that you will not permit yourself to suffer additional pain or disturb the composure of your mind by an apprehension that a filial care shall not be taken in the instance to which you allude i believe it said he and thank you from my heart at this time the father was sitting in his chair at the head of the bed and when i went in the old man had his arms partially about him but as he was too feeble to sustain his weight the other had raised himself by pillows so that he partly in his s arms and partly against the head board of the bed he had on a gown the bible lay open beside him on a small mahogany book stand which from his	50
boyhood he had used in his studies butler he held his pocket handkerchief between his hands which were clasped and as he became tired from time to time by the nature of his position he turned his head sometimes on the pillow and sometimes on his father s bosom in this manner they hke two children their cheeks against each other and as the tears fell from the old man s eyes the son soothed him in a tone of tenderness which although designed to only increased his sorrow after remaining in this posture for some time i fear my dear he said with that consideration for which he was ever remarkable that i am too for you permit me to on the pillow for a little no my dear no replied the father i can bear you a little longer and i will bear you for where should you rest for the short time you are to be with me but next your father s heart alas from that heart my child will soon be torn from that heart to which he never gave a pang i and as the father uttered these words a fresh of tears and ct pressure of affection accompanied them and his eyes turned upon those who were present with a look that seemed to assistance and consolation in this his great affliction but now a scene of greater agitation was before him one indeed which in his weak state he was badly able to sustain for in a few minutes after this the father of his long and much loved entered the room when dr approached the bed he stood still and looked long and sorrowfully on father butler s face without even making a reply either to him or us at last he took his hand and raising it to his lips even kissed it and burst into tears dr said mr the i would have expected more firmness from you who were for patience and t vol l father butler tion under your own trials the doctor deeply affected for some time and at length exclaimed alas i friend how can i look upon that face with which the daughter of my heart loved so well is he not besides doubly dear to me for the love he bore my child v ah my dear james he continued the hands are in dust that would have tenderly smoothed your pillow and the lips that would have spoken comfort to your soul are silent in death the eyes that would indeed have poured the tear of over you closed until judgment doctor said father butler i can understand what you feel but i entreat you for the sake of my father i you by the memory of do not in uttering these words there was a pause and we could just hear him pronounce the word in a tone scarcely and with great difficulty as if its utterance had been accompanied with pain but finding that he could not speak on that topic without an emotion which he was too weak to he turned round and looked on dr with such an expression of mingled entreaty and sorrow as will never leave my memory the doctor understood him and going over to him said james i am to blame for this want of firmness and doubly so when i situation but i assure you my dear it was involuntary forgive me now it is past and i will summon more courage father butler made no reply but a shade like that of death passed over his countenance the doctor now retired and promised to call early in the evening your father james said he as he was will live with me we will be at least united in our affliction we will shed our tears together we will console each other and prepare ourselves for a better life when he visits the spot in which you rest i will accompany him and when i look upon the grave of my child he will be with me and we will then remember the christian s privilege and pass through faith from the house of clay before us to that where your spirits will be in happiness he now withdrew to another room and mr was about to depart when father butler detained him a few moments mr said he i wish to remove an impression which has abroad to this gentleman is that t change in my religious principles was ht about through his means i beg as an act of justice to him that you will correct this for i assure you he had nothing to do in it it was the work of god i trust and not of man this i hope is sufficient and now farewell my friend i may not see you again in this but oh may we meet in the presence of that god who will reject no soul that bows down before him in spirit and in truth in whatever church he may live or die he then extended his hand to him and father who was evidently affected said as he held it farewell james you were once my brother and i am sincerely sorry you do not die so for surely i must feet sorrow when i consider that i cannot utter one prayer nor offer one sacrifice for the repose of your departed soul this james is what i feel for but i should my heart and my faith and you know i should if i said that i hope to meet you in glory as he said this he withdrew in much agitation i now departed after having informed them that i was determined to return about ten in the evening and remain with them during	50
the night and mr promised to send his son to remain with me when i got home i found and the father butler waiting for and the former gave me to understand that and were both at the station and that would stop in s for some time well said i we will not trouble our heads about them at all events until tomorrow for the day is too far advanced at present at ten that night i got my cloak and a case of pistols and set out accompanying me for mr butler s we went on foot across the fields thus the distance very much we had advanced as far as a piece of dark fir that lay half way between my own house and his when we the pilgrim before us in the usual trim he was then returning the station and the manner in which he amused himself convinced me that he had not attended it in vain i have already given the reader an account of the size of his person but it was only now that i got a notion of the tremendous depth and of his voice it seems he had got nearly at the station and took it into his head to amuse himself by singing what is called by the country people a of which that which follows is a faithful i must observe however that in getting along when he arrived at any break or chasm on the surface of the he would about with his cant until he got the end of it fixed upon a root of heath and then leaning upon it spring over by a kind of swing with an which when i considered his size and the weight and the number of his bags was truly astonishing the translated of which i subsequently procured a copy was as follows r the blessed a holy by st st st an been lo t to the faithful for many to a in a ji st was a iv credit and renown st was a an lived in town sl to be a tint maker he did choose and in the he made for the jews mark an the bed that we lie an when first the holy st had got he gave id to his daughter an she gave id to lot an lot bein now a he d id to his wife who fi r the mere id had like to lose her life mark an the bed that we lie an st lot wan day afore he was begun to the an all that lot bud says lot says he id s plain that you re an bud afore you die it ll come to pass that you u die a mark an the bed that we lie an then came the flood for forty years an swept away the in which the chronicle does teu there was a mighty bud all this time the was never in the dark that st he wore it in the w mark an the bed that we lie an then next upon this blessed does come st stock who the blessed virgin did pronounce the flower iv the flock he that first id as you may an d the blessed from the virgin mary s mark an the bed that we lie an u father when he in the belly w the whale be that had the im be ye think that af he id the whale ud be so slack as that he would be the to ever let back mark an the bed that we lie an i then glory to the an may id never fail may every wan that wears id be as pious as the whale whoever has the will meet a good reward for iv they wear the they ll never get it hard mark an the bed that w lie an i i all pious that this devotion they need not be iv all the in the ocean the blessed virgin too will grant whatever they desire an ll be always saved from an fire mark an the bed that we lie an i e i he was advancing with great strides and much confidence whilst he sang these blessed himself no doubt oil possessing such a powerful charm against fire and water we kept behind him all the time judging from the various sections he was in the habit of performing across every part of the country both plain and mountain that he must be a safe guide but he was at least not an one for just as the last was concluded he came to a long out of which turf had been cut and as he stooped to search with his cant for something firm whereon to fix it that he might swing himself across he lost his balance and down he went into the water bags blanket and all we were at this time about two behind him and he descended so quickly that we found our philosophy by no means capable of the phenomenon of his disappearance father holy st exclaimed bud may be yer it was his fetch an not that we seen all the time i replied i rather think that no fetch ever possessed such a voice as that did you not hear the echoes of it down the there like thunder at any rate said he the from the heath as he went along so he did bud we will soon see what has become iv im wo then found ourselves on the bank and on looking sharply down into the we perceived him about five or six yards below the spot where he had been instead of performing a for his stoutly for that purpose at a bush of heath in this he proved successful for it appeared that owing to	50
the of the season was hot very deep he was not now aware that any person was near him for in consequence of the noise made in the water by his efforts to recover himself he did not hear our conversation as soon as he was free on his legs he gave utterance to a of oaths and commenced cursing not only the but those who made it bad end to them an may they never that had a hand in ye at all at all ye there s a crown s worth iv male lost ye that i had to help to buy a coat for in ye thief iv a pit i vow to st bud i my s gone an the false bottom knocked out iv my milk horn no that s safe any way by the same token that i ll take a iv id to keep the wet from my stomach any after having suited the action to the word he gave himself a shake to throw off the water and bent bis course at a kind of trot to dim nick s so that as our way lay in a direction somewhat different we saw no more of rim for that night on arriving at mr butler s i found father james though not better much easier i and young mr sat up with him that night towards morning ne fell asleep and as dr who slept there came to relieve us about five o clock we departed i had desired to come for me about that hour and i accordingly found him waiting to accompany me home well sir said he as i was home from mr butler s last night i thought i d never die another death why i inquired what occasioned your mirth war ye ever at a station sir he asked no said i what makes you inquire sir these when they get to a station are ten times worse than them that makes no about religion undoubtedly said i of every persuasion are so there s now said he that to fast and he ll never scruple to get drunk at a station an eats more mutton at wan down when he s there than any three an does both he thinks it no sin when the priest s in company last night sir ow n was nothing to im i overtook him on the way as i ye an it s he that was as full as a did you speak to him not i sir i knew he would only and abuse me about my bible an i didn t wish to have any call to im in that case you were certainly right said i and be sure always to avoid unnecessary about religion an i used sir not long since to be a great man entirely for bud god i ll never put myself into a passion about it to the day o my death no said i nor about anything father else but what about last night why sir i left you an got as far as tim s craft i saw a man before me going sometimes to the right and sometimes to the left an on up im who should he be bud so i to myself ml walk im till i see what he s about an sir there he was as hard as he could well let us hear what the nature of his indeed your honour id wouldn t together well to id im for there was latin an irish an english prayers all mixed up together he what they call a de sir for the iv his father and mother or at least part iv id for when he d be half done may be he d and then he d forget what he was at an begin else sometimes he d take a iv an laugh into till he d be tired id was some one that he had in about religion an it seems he was id to father an his at the dinner an that they praised im up to the skies for id at last sir he lost entirely an didn t know where he was for he thought on his own land an took out the he then looked at the moon ay says he to her you re there in the ould place over ned s barn an may be i m not up to ye any how point for ever the plough an within four stars iv the well may be i m not a fellow the terror iv bible men and ha ha ha how i did button up that fellow s lip at father butler s im as father ned said go on go on to the moon not late well at any rate the punch a fit of laughing father the raw hollow a body never feels id so he doesn t an how comfortable a man is when he has made a ne breast at confession bud now i ll turn in here an finish my o this ditch forbid i should neglect that so soon bein at my duty bud i m none o that sort i think drunk or sober i m not the man to forget id he then begun the day of wrath in latin dies iron diet on david come east few cheer haste an cheer when he sang a few more iv this he went on bis knees behind the ditch and i left im away for the life iv im well i observed i hope that it s not necessary for me to make any comment on what you saw i trust i need not tell you what such gross and notions of moral and	50
religious the original of the above goes thus dies dies in david earn tremor est est or as they have it in english the day of wrath that dreadful day all the world in ashes lay as david and the say what horror must the mind when the approaching judge shall find few in all man ind father butler duty must lead to v why the it sir i hope vm a changed man from what i was indeed i when i thought that if i went to mass iv a sunday or holy day an my prayers no how that i done my duty bud sir i ve far different notions now and i m sorry that all the roman catholic ry of ireland have not different notions if they had there would be no nightly meetings no no destruction of life and property for wherever there is a standard of religious and moral wrought into any religious system ignorance ana crime must be the consequence and wherever the bible is not admitted as that standard every other must be only for the bible sir he replied i d have still the ould notions the same as although to tell the truth i never was such a as he is as i sat up that night i went to bed as soon as i got home first desired to send the to me at two o clock in the af however had given a knowledge of the business on which i intended to employ him and the consequence was that when the appointed hour t found and the pilgrim along with waiting for me in the office had informed them that i wished to see them at two o clock not letting them know that it was in the capacity of a magistrate and they came without any trouble the pilgrim had dried his clothes and his bags and appeared as if no disaster had happened him but had a green cloth over his eyes which were dreadfully before i entered on the investigation i inquired from what had befallen s eyes it appears sir he replied that he was at a station yesterday in s an father butler id seems he left id rather nobody knows what happened him that bud as he didn t go home last night mrs raised a hue arc cry him this an he was found within a couple iv fields iv tim s craft upon his knees an fast asleep the in his hands an his thumb just the fifth there happened to be a bit iv a frost sir an was the better iv the sky for his blanket in this remark was certainly right for got a in the eyes by his devotion that night which has since settled into a complaint i now proceeded to them well mr said l sir if ye he replied interrupting me call me an i ll thank ye well have you any idea of the business on which i have sent for you and this worthy missionary who is on terms of such intimacy with you here replied the leading point of my question yes said i allude to him why yer honour he is a worthy an as pious a as there s on the this blessed day not that he s to the fore himself for i d say the same thin behind his back i do not doubt that said i but i wish to know if you and he are aware of my motives for bringing you both before me except it s the subject sir replied or something that a way yer honour i m not up to any other what do you mean i asked by the mid subject t why doesn t yer honour me some time ago that ye would be apt to give me an opportunity of ye yes i remember saying so i replied but of that some other time for the present we will the consideration of any religious topic in the mean time let me again ask you if you or your friend here can discover no other motive for my bringing about this interview recollect yourselves for a httle look into your own and it is probable you find it out yer honour s a little dark now said with a smile bud at an rate tm that neither nor myself will be able to resolve what you wish to know except you tell what id s about first for i m always able to guess a thing best when i know id before hand perhaps this holy man may understand what i allude to said i addressing myself to i sit here in the capacity of magistrate and i wish to know sir before i put closer questions if you are able to discover my motives for having you both apprehended and brought hither the only reply i received was a broad stare of either real or affected amazement from the pilgrim who did not open his lips but turned round and pointed to why do you not answer me sir i inquired to this he only gave me another stare still pointing to hem why yer honour stepping forward as on the occasion may be ye don t know sir that he can t any wan to day as he s a vow sir to keep silence wan day in every week oh i then he has a religious scruple i suppose that s the very thing yer honour said ye see he said addressing the other his honour gk d bless im respects id an not may be as many other would be apt to do want for to make ye stain yer id don t deceive yourself said i shall find means to him from his vow but	50
before v go any farther will you desire him to hand me that horn hangs under his arm till i inspect it i think it s a curiosity in its way said pa hand his honour vol i the horn till he looks i took the horn and after it closely i a little wooden in the bottom by drawing out which i suspected we would find the i then handed it to ma who made the experiment and the next mo ment a of raw spirits followed it to the manifest discomfiture and mortification of and the pilgrim i perceive said i that an application to this is one method of being pious do you not now stand i observed a detected and the fellow again looked at for his being still resolved to preserve his i declare yer honour yer im in the wrong the poor said for the truth iv id is that in iv not shoes upon his feet he s often subject to a that s very painful when id comes on him many a time when he d be myself he used to be very bad entirely id an have to send to tom s for a sup iv for im for nothing else im that s all in the world he keeps id for he has been promised another cure yer honour an if he had id he d have no occasion for the at all at all and pray i inquired what s the nature of that other cure a holy latin prayer sir a charm that the entirely id belongs to a blessed priest in the county who can cure all kinds iv complaints an works a many miracles i now perceived more clearly the of the pilgrim who by pretending to have a vow of silence to observe threw the of responsibility on but i determined to make the fellow speak for himself i accordingly explained to them both the nature of the loss i had butler sustained by the manner in which my sheep and cattle had been and my suspicion of having been in the outrage the laws of the country said i to the pilgrim will not recognise your vows when they chance to the due administration of justice i therefore inform you that if you do not think proper to come to your speech i shall feel justified in committing you until you do when he heard this he two or three most reluctant that set the whole machinery of bags belt and blanket in motion thin god forgive r honour he at length exclaimed for ye will have same sin to answer for along all the rest at the last day me my blessed vow bud any way id no now i m not the first that has suffered my religion god be praised for id as he expressed these words his eye happened to turn upon the horn which had still in his hand but i believe considerably lessened of what the false bottom had contained there was now a and a in the fellow s which were evidently produced as much by the freedom had taken behind ray back with the as by the of his vow i know not however but the vow may have been after all only a between him and at all events i could not involve either of them by any species of into the admission tending to themselves but indeed beyond my own suspicions i had no grounds on which to proceed so after a fruitless attempt to something out of them i was obliged to dismiss them both although i am still almost convinced that the destruction of my property was effected if not by them yet certainly at their when father the pilgrim found that he and came off with flying colours his eye began to roll with great thin sir bud my little iv that i had for my is gone some way or other between yer honour ana ma there who made a little free id behind yer back id was a little sup that captain saved me this very an a i had in id for six weeks till this blessed day except last night i observed when you were in the i think you had as much as to take a decent just to keep the wet from doing your stomach any harm i declare yer honour id was only a iv that got a few days before bud yer honour will give me a to replace the for iv this thief iv a would come an me in a place i might get over id if i hadn t to warm my stomach so to get rid of the fellow i gave him a shilling and dismissed him so that this was the result of my investigation but poor father butler s everlasting departure was now at hand i was this day in consequence of having not slept tne preceding night so that i could only send to know how he felt the answer was much weaker the day following in consequence of private business i could not to him sooner than four o clock in the afternoon ut every message still was worse when i entered his sick room i found him just able to articulate there was none with him but a servant woman and she poor creature was in tears ah said he i have suffered much bodily pain since i saw you but what is that man is to suffer thin said the poor woman it s he that did suffer god help an god help im over again for be has none but strangers er to make his moan to there ye he that never had the hard word on mortal the friend of them that was absent and	50
raised before a few short minutes my friend and i will answer you no more i will be at rest as he uttered these words a smile expressive of the most happiness lit up his pale interesting countenance it happened very fortunately that the old man just entered the room as he had uttered the last words and was saved the terrible shock of such a message he then sat down a little from the bed as he saw him about to read father butler desired me to open the bible at the th chapter of job i did so now father said he hear the last words that my lips will ever read to you he spoke this with great but when his eye rested upon the words he was about to read a new spirit seemed to him his voice became comparatively strong and his distinct he then read these verses oh that my words were now written oh that they were printed in a book that they were with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever i for know that my and that he shall stand at the latter day on the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in shall see god whom i shall see for myself and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me open now id he the th chapter of revelations when i had done so he continued after this i beheld and lo a great multitude which no man could number of all nations and and people and tongues stood before the throne and before the lamb clothed with white robes and palms in their hands and cried with a loud voice saying salvation to our god which upon the throne and unto the lamb and all th angels father butler stood round about the throne and about the elders and the four beasts and fell before the throne on their faces and worshipped saying amen blessing and glory and wisdom and and honour and power and might be unto our oa for ever and ever amen and one of the elders answered saying unto me what are these which are arrayed in white robes and whence came they and i said unto him sir thou and he said to me these are they which came out of great and have wi shed their robes and made them white in the blood of the lamb therefore are they before the throne of ood and serve him day and in his temple and he on the throne shall dwell among them they shall hunger no more thirst neither shalt the sun light on them nor any heat for the lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters and god shall wipe away all tears from their eyes when he had he looked his father come near me now my the old man went to him and he then leaned himself over against his bosom and looking into his face whispered to for his voice had again become weak this is a christian s hope and a christian s oh seek this my father his head then fell over on his father s neck and he expired thus died he of whom i may say with truth as i do with tears be the turf above thee friend of my better days j one knew thee to love thee or named thee but to praise ths pilgrim is no specimen of irish superstition equal to that which is to be seen at st s in a devout who has not made a pilgrimage to this place can scarcely urge a bold claim to the character of piety as soon as a man who is notorious for a and of character and has kept aloof from his duties thinks proper to give himself up to the spiritual guidance of his priest he is sent here to wipe out the long of guilt for which he is to the evil example of a bad life by this act of concentrated devotion it is melancholy to perceive the fatal success ta which the church of rome has attained in making void the of christ by her traditions and how every part of her complicated but perfect system even to the points upon some corresponding weakness of the human heart thereby to bind it to ner agreeable and strong every spiritual arrangement in her is calculated to turn the steps of the sinner from the cross of christ has he committed a crime he is not taught to look with repentance to him who away the sins of the world to acknowledge his own as a sin the de ful and corrupt creature and to cast his burden upon christ no he must cast it upon some rotten upon st francis upon st upon the blessed virgin upon the power of his priest or upon his own works all of which rise up in competition with the blood of in the of pride the benefits of his when he a sin he must confess it to a fellow sinner perhaps to a greater one too than himself he must he must pray he must shed tears because he thinks that tears make his perfect and whilst the mind is distracted or puffed up by the performance of these actions that have not even the merit of being voluntary the faith the heart becomes to and the blood of christ is forgotten in a mechanical routine of and works is he sick he is not taught to approach with a trembling hope in the divine mercy through that awful throne before which he is shortly to appear no he must be by the clergyman he must confess	50
and receive and then all anxiety as to the danger of his situation is over he rests then contented and ignorant that there can be no way to happiness but through he himself upon the of his priest indeed says his masses for him and is neither ashamed nor afraid when he attempts to sell the blood of christ for money or to from the awakened terrors of a guilty conscience that which charity would apply to procure him those comforts which the bed of sickness necessarily requires i have seen a man who led an wicked life seized by an illness which was likely to prove fatal h became alarmed for the horrors of eternity and the countenance of an angry s the pilgrim god seemed before him it was appalling to hear the groans and shrieks of the miserable man as he called upon his priest i never witnessed any thing so solemn he did not address himself to god he did not appear to know that there was mercy for him through the neither did he call upon christ but he expected it through hi priest and he accordingly called upon him the priest came the sick man confessed to received and in less than an hour i saw that very man quietly on his bed apparently happy here was no change of heart no spiritual view of the character of god of his of of the plan of furnished by his son nor of the simple means by which the benefits of that are communicated to no but because he had confessed his sins to the priest because the priest had read a form of prayer over him in which neither his heart nor his tongue could join inasmuch as he did not understand them and lastly because he rubbed a little oil on those parts of his body which had been most in committing sin upon these forms i say did the spirit of that man rest for his hopes of eternal through these and not through the blood of did he expect to be reconciled to god after an ill spent life yet how many thousands die like this man ignorant of the only means of salvation in the bosom of a church calling herself christian and claiming as one of the marks peculiar to herself it is agreeable to the pride of man to be saved by his own merit the doctrine itself to the of his nature for an individual may give himself very lar e scope in the commission of crime who believes mat if he and for it he can by these means him the pilgrim self from the consequences of guilt a h who has neglected religion until advanced in years need not then feel very deep remorse for his life nor very serious apprehensions at the hour of death if he has performed a station to thus his old age into a false and treacherous security it is a fact that an unfortunate sinner runs a career of vice and on the strength of particularly those who reside in that part of the kingdom where in consequence of their to it a belief in its is most habitually present in the mind i was at the time of performing this station in the middle of my nineteenth year of quick perception warm imagination a mind peculiarly romantic a morbid turn for devotion a candidate for the or what is more termed been made slightly acquainted with latin and more slightly still with greek at this period however all my faculties like friendly streams into the large current of my devotion of religion i was completely ignorant although i had sustained a very conspicuous part in the of the family and myself frequently at chapel by taking the ad in a i had out prayed and put an old uncle who lived with us a feat on which few would have ventured and i even arrived to such a pitch of perfection at praying that with the assistance of young and powerful lungs i was fully able to distance him at any english prayer in which we joined but in latin i must allow that owing to my knowledge of and to some of conscience i felt on to imitate him by this he was able to throw me back a considerable distance in his turn so that when we vol i the pilgrim both started for a de i was always sure to come in second owing to all this i was considered a young man of promise being moreover as my master told my father a youth of prodigious parts and great indeed on this subject my master s could not be questioned because when i first commenced latin i was often heard repeating the prescribed tasks in my sleep a circumstance which added to my well proved piety rubbed up my father s knowledge of calculation when he what the income of a bishop might amount to under the present but should pass and things turn out as was expected why the palace of the bishop of would be he would add smiling placidly no uncomfortable residence for me nor his income by any means an indifferent fund for establishing all my poor relations many of these latter had already even upon the strength of my begun to claim relationship with our family and before i was nineteen i found myself to a dozen and as many god daughters every one of whom i had with unusual condescension taken under my patronage and most of the boys were named after myself finding that i was thus responsible for so much in the opinion of my friends and having the character of piety to sustain i found it indispensable to make the pilgrimage not that i considered myself a sinner or by any means bound to	50
go from that motive for although the opinion of my friends as to my talents and was exceedingly high yet i assure you it cut but a very indifferent figure when compared with my own on both these subjects i very well remember that the first sly attempt i ever made at a miracle was in reference to i tried it by way of preparation for my pilgrimage i heard that there tub pilgrim had been a boat lost there about the year and that a certain priest who was in her as a had walked very calmly across the lake to the island after the boat and the rest of the passengers in her had all gone to the bottom now i had from my childhood a particular prejudice against sailing in a boat although dick a and old bachelor who never went to the very reverse of my uncle used often to tell me with a grin which i never was able rightly to understand that i might have no prejudice against sailing because dick would say take my word for it you ll never die by drowning at all events thought to myself that should such accident occur to me it would be no unpleasant circumstance to imitate him but that it would be infinitely more agreeable to make the first experiment in a on my father s farm than on the lake accordingly after three days and praying for the power of not sinking in water i slipped very quietly down to the pit and after the premises to be sure there was no on i ap the brink at this moment my heart beat with emotion my soul was up to a most enthusiastic pitch of faith and my whole spirit absorbed in feelings where hope doubt of uncertainty visions of future eminence of fear reflections on my in swimming on the success of the water walking priest and on the depth of the pond had all insisted on an equal share of attention at the edge of the pit grew large water lilies with their leaves spread over the surface it is singular to reflect upon what slight and ridiculous circumstances the mind will seize when wound up in this manner to a pitch of superstitious absurdity i am really ashamed even whilst writing this of the confidence i put for the a moment in a treacherous water lily as its leaf lay spread so smoothly and over the surface of tne pond as if to my foot to the experiment however after having stimulated myself by a fresh and ave i advanced my eyes turned up to heaven my hands resolutely clenched my teeth locked together my nerves set and my whole soul strong in confidence i advanced i say and lest i might give myself time to cool from this divine glow i made a monstrous stride planting my right foot exactly in the middle of the treacherous water lily leaf and the next moment was up to the neck in water here was devotion cooled happily i was able to bottom the pool or could swim very well if necessary so i had not much difficulty in getting out as soon as i found myself on the bank waited not to make reflections but with a face set off at full speed for my father s house which was not far distant the water all the while out of my clothes by the rapidity of t e motion as it does from a after having been in that element it is to think what a strong authority vanity has over the principles and passions in the land strongest moments of both i never was remarkable at that open period of my life for secrecy yet did i now take especial care not to invest either attempt at the miraculous or its failure with any thing like it was however an act of devotion that had a vile effect on my lungs for it gave me a cough that was intolerable and i never felt the of humanity more than in this ludicrous attempt to get beyond them in which by the way i was near being more successful than i had intended though in a different sense this happened a month before i started for the it was about six o of a morning in the pleasant month of july when i set out upon my pilgrimage with a single change of in my pocket and a pair of discarded shoes upon my bare feet for in compliance with the general rule i wore no stockings the sun looked down upon all nature with great good humour every thing smiled around me and as i passed for a few miles across an country which stretched down from a chain of dark rugged mountains that lay i could not help feeling although the feeling was indeed checked that the scene was the rough was in several places with green spots of cultivated land with some wood consisting of an old venerable plantation of mountain pine that hung on the sweep of a away to my right with a broad sheet of lake that curled to the fresh breeze of morning on which a variety of were flapping their wings or along leaving a troubled track on the peaceful waters behind there were also deep of or with and every description of wood on other occasions i have drunk deeply of pleasure when in the midst of this scenery bearing about me the young free and bounding spirit its first edge of enjoyment by the collision of base minds and stony hearts against which experience us in life the dew hung shining upon the leaves and fell in little showers from the trees as a alarmed at my approach would spring from the branch and leave it	50
in the air behind her the early challenge of the cock and the quick g of the were cheerfully on all sides the rapid thb with peculiar glee or in the light caprice of their mirth placed themselves for a moment upon the edge of a or earthly precipice in which their nests were built and then shot off to mingle with the and joyful flock that cut the air in every direction where is the heart which could not enjoy such a morning scene under any other circumstances it would have en me but here in fact that intensity of spirit which is necessary to the due contemplation of beautiful prospects was transferred to the object i was under the influence of a feeling quite new to me it was not pleasure nor was it pain but a of soul proceeded from the gloomy and severe task that j had a task which when i considered the danger and the advantages to its performance was to abstract me from every other object it was really the first exercise of that jealous spirit of mistake devotion which keeps the soul in perpetual sickness and the innocent of life with a character of sin and severity it was this gloomy demon that could alone have in their birth those sensations which the wisdom of god had given as a security in some degree against sin by opening to the heart of man sources of pleasure for which the soul is not compelled to away her innocence as in those of a nature i may be wrong in the sensation but for the first time in my life i felt anxious and unhappy yet according to my own opinions i should have been otherwise i was startled myself at what i experienced and to consider it as a secret intimation that i had chosen a wrong time for my journey i even felt as if it would not as if some accident or misfortune would me ere my return the ths pilgrim boat might sin as in this was quite alarming the miraculous experiment on the pond here occurred to me with full force and came before my imagination in a new point of view the i got had a deep and fearful meaning it was ominous it was prophetic and sent by a merciful providence to me from attempting the pilgrimage at this peculiar time perhaps on this particular day to morrow the spell might be broken the danger past and the difference of a single day could be nothing just at this moment an unlucky hare starting from an adjoining thicket across my path as if to fill up the measure of these ominous i paused and my foot was on the very turn to the right about when instantly a thought struck me which produced a in my might not all this be the temptation of the devil suggested to prevent me from performing this blessed work might not the hare itself be some in short the carried me with it i had commenced my journey and every one knows that when a man a journey it is unlucky to turn back on i went but still with a and melancholy tone of feeling if i met a cheerful his mirth found no kindred spirit in me on the contrary my seemed to him for after several ineffectual attempts at conversation he gradually became silent or a tune to and on bade me a short doubtful kind of good day over his shoulder as he departed with a face of scrutiny and surprise after getting five or six miles across the country i came out on one of those by roads which run of all advantages of locality tip hill and down from one little obscure village to another these roads are generally paved with ths round broad stones laid curiously together in rows like the buttons on a school boy s jacket owing to the of travellers on them they are quite overgrown with grass except in one along the middle which is kept naked by the hoofs of horses and the tread of foot passengers there is some tradition connected with these roads or the manner of their formation which i do not remember at last i came out upon the main road and you will be pleased to imagine to yourself the figure of a tall gaunt young man dressed in a good suit of black cloth with shirt and like snow solemnly along without shoe or for about this time i was twelve miles from home and had already risen upon my feet iii consequence of the dew having got into my shoes which at the best were enough to cut up any man i had therefore to strip and carry my one in my pocket and another stuffed in my hat being thus with great reluctance compelled to travel yet i soon turned even this to account when i reflected that it would the merit of my pilgrimage and that every fresh would bring down a fresh blessing tis true i was to the soul on perceiving the face of a on the way side or of a traveller who met me ally into a broad sarcastic grin as such an unaccountable figure passed him but these i soon began to suspect were for none but would presume by any means to give me a sneer the taking me for a priest were sure to their hats to me or if they wore none as is not when at labour they would catch their with their finger and thumb and bob down their heads in act of veneration this attention of my brethren more the dear pilgrim than for the mirth of all other in fact their me for a priest l to give me a good opinion of myself and perfectly reconciled me to the severity of he journey	50
all power for it has the idea of something beyond to it and possesses all the nations of without its danger or its responsibility not that there is in this principle during the first stages of its existence any precise disposition to tyranny the feeling on the contrary is purely one of pride and selfishness and indeed the authority which may subsequently be drawn into positive influence from these two principles is if the situation of a priest be considered very difficult to be resisted he seldom has any of life or of human nature he enters upon his office he is therefore the creature of his first inclination to exercise its privileges let us not wonder then if he is in homage and even ready to lend himself to such as are best fitted to his personal character and importance in the eyes of his people for the latter are sunk to such a state of on this point that if a priest were candid and conscientious enough to them he would lose their good opinion and be looked upon as wavering into in the midst therefore of all my i felt proud of the old woman s mistake as to my and really had o much ready virtue about me on the occasion as was sufficient to her i was even thankful to her for the inquiry and thought on a closer inspection i perceived an thb pilgrim uncommon portion of good sense and intelligence in her face my very excellent worthy woman said i how is it that you arc able to travel at such a rate when one would suppose you should be fatigued by this time after so long a journey v said she but yer reverence ought to know that i felt puzzled at this how should i know it said l tm she continued you t expect a poor ould o sixty to travel at this rate at all at all except for your reverence looking towards me quite confidently and this was still more and i felt very odd under it my character for devotion was at stake and i feared that the old lady was drawing me into a kind of vicious circle your reverence knows that fur the likes o me that can hardly to the market iv a lord help me an home for to travel at this rate would be any how except she added for what i m sir blessed be god for id peering again with a more knowing and triumphant look why that s true said i thoughtfully and then assuming a bit of the privilege and suddenly my voice although i was as innocent as the child of her meaning that s true but now as you appear to be a sensible pious woman i hope you understand the nature of what you are carrying and in a proper manner too for you know that s the chief point why father ear i do my best an i ought iv a to know id blessed spent three days mat and myself in id an more that mat sent him a sack iv an a bag iv for his trouble not the goose he got from myself the how long is that ago a ten years said oh vol i the pilgrim it s more it s ten years since poor dick god rest his died and this was full two years afore that but no i ll let your reverence hear the prayer at any rate she here repeated an irish prayer to the blessed virgin of which that beginning with hail holy queen in the roman catholic prayer books is a translation while she was repeating the prayer i observed her hand in her bosom apparently which on bein brought out proved to be a she held it up that i might see it yer reverence said she this is the ninth journey iv the kind i made but you don t wonder now i how stoutly i m able to stump it you really do stump it stoutly as you say i replied ay said she an not a wan o me but s as weak as a cat at scarce can put a h in to any thing but then your reverence my eldest daughter list minds the house an lets the ould mother mind the prayers as i m not able to do a ban s worth but you to be stout and healthy i observed if a person may judge by your looks glory be to them that id to me then that i am at the present time but don t you know i m always so this journey i ve a heart burn that the very life out o me all the year till this and what ud your reverence think but it s to lave me clear and a fortnight or so afore i come here never feels a bit iv id while i rouse and myself for the nor for a month after come here a to god and the virgin a common phrase she then turned to her companion and commenced in a voice half audible a did ye lay your two eyes on so young a priest a and holy he is no doubt pilgrim and has goodness in face the lord may bless him i says she bud your reverence can t be long been i m well that s very strange said i her so you tell me your leaves you and that get stout every year about the time of your pilgrimage an an i do what am i indeed sir may be that s more than i can say either your reverence but for it is do you mean that it is or that it is not i inquired indeed your reverence you hot it the lord bless you and	50

Subsets and Splits