Hibernia

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HIBEENIA;

Chapter I

Sweet Erin an Island— Number of Counties- Population — The Potato-rot, Shillalah, and Politics— Emigration— The Irish in America received as Blessings in disguise— Harbors, Lakes, Rivers — Killarney— Kate Kearney- Legend of "The Blarney-stone "—The blind Harper and " Poor Dog Tray "—The Battle of the Boyne— The Bog — Its Effects on the Gait, Climate, Soil, etc. — Temper of the Natives displayed at Pairs and Wakes — Domestic Habits and Notions — Pets— Unjust Writers—Convivial Habits — Love of Travel, and Power of Assimilation— The Tender Passions — The Effect of Love — Taste in Dress— Love of Music— The Irish Jig Page 9.

Chapter II

The duty of the Historian— The Greek Maiden and her followers. Fifty Maidens and only three Men — Ancient Women — Pate of the first Colony — Supposed battle field — Relics— The Exile of Erin— A repulsive Corpse — Death of Parthalon — Nemidh and his followers— The Formorins— Pugilists — Ancestors of Dublin — Tricks and others — Firbalgo. — Tuatha De Danann— The Silver Hand— Discontent and War — King Breas, the usurper— He insults a Poet — The Smiths, Druids, and Doctors — An Irish Female Physician — Superhuman labors of the Author — Ancient battle song, from our special correspondent Page 14.

Chapter III

The Phoenician Controversy— The Irish and King Solomon closely related— Plutarch on Ireland— Orpheus— Injustice of British Writers — The Ancient Irish not Cannibals— Emigration from Ireland begins and continues — Suggestions and Advice — Bridget's Little Lamb— The Sons of Milidh— Battle— Death of Scota, wife of Milidh— Death of Fas, wife of Un — End of the Tuatha De Danann dynasty- Curious Stories — Success of the Milesians and

division of Ireland — Eber and Eremon— War

Eber killed by Eremon— Death of Eremon — The story of Echo Page 18.

Chapter IV

Bede's account of Ireland — Reptiles unknown — Antidotes — This History a remedy for Snake-bites, etc. — Irish modesty — The story of Maen and Moriath — The Serenade— King Scoriath — Craftine,the Harper — The Lovers impose upon the King — Craftine aids them — The King pardons them — Maen sings of the King's Cats — Eochaidh, the sighing King — His daughter Mab , or Meav, strong-minded-Spensor's Fairie Queen — She marries Conor — Divorced — Queen of Connacht — Marries again — Disputed Property — Dare, the Cattle-breeder— His Bull— The Quarrel— The Bull-fight— Death of "White horn " — Death of the other Bull — Unsettled condition of the Country— Tuathal and his Daughters — Perfidy of the King of Leinster — Tuathal's Revenge— His murder — The murder of the Murderer — Cormac— Mac Cumhaill or Mac Coole — Mac Coole marries Cormac's Daughter — Curious Courtship — The Fenians, ancient and modern— Grainne and Dairmaid — The beds of Dairmaid and Grainne.

Chapter V

St. Patrick's Journey to Ireland — His Miracles — Unbelief of Modern times — St. Palladius — His Mission aud Martyrdom — Religious zeal of the Irish — Their desire to convert all Nations to one Faith — Effective Arguments — Religious Fervor resulting in War — Battle in an Amer ican City — American Version of Irish Revi vals — St. Patrick's Birthplace — His Name — His Efforts to convert the Irish — Result of his Efforts— Ireland Tamed— St. Patrick's Day — Gentleness of the Irish — Harmless Processions — St. Patrick born A.D. 387 — Goes to Ireland a Captive — Sold as a Slave — A Keeper of Sheep and Swine — Hardships and Sorrows— A Voice by Nights — He leaves his Master and Ireland — His Prayers prevent Starvation — Again a Prisoner — Term, Sixty Days — Victorious appears in a Dream — St. Patrick is invited to Ireland — He goes to Italy — He Returns to Ireland — His Arrival— Books and Precious Relics — Visits Antrim — His former Master, his Rage, and fearful Death — St. Patrick's Canons — Expulsion of Snakes from Ireland.

Chapter VI

The Festival of Beltinne — Fire prohibited — A Smoker in Trouble — Boldness of St. Patrick- King Laeghaire — Public Discussion — Crom Cruach — Destroyed by a Miracle — Coming of St. Brendan Foretold— The Chieftain Daire gives Land for a Cathedral — His Example tol-

CONTENTS.

lowed in America — Public Property generously given away — The Donors not Impoverished by such Gifts — St. Patrick Dies — His Death Foretold by the Pagan Prophets — The Ball of Brains — Vanity of Conor — His Skull Fractured — Driven mad by a Prophecy— His Strange Death— Superstition condemned by the Church — Another Pagan King — St. Bridgid, or Bridget, of Bridgids-town— She takes the Veil with Eight Maidens — Lines to Bridget — Her Death — The Grave of the Saint — How revealed — St. Patrick's Shrine — His Right Hand — An Ancient Burial Place desecrated — The Bones of Relatives hard to recognize Page 32.

Chapter VII

The Irish attracted by Wealth and Power — Liberal offers of the Americans — An Irish Population secured — The Song of the Alderman — Irish Sayings and Salutations — St. John's Eve — Cure for the Murrain — Jack-Stones — Origin of the Wake — Curious Customs — The Keen— A Panama Funeral — The Keen in Africa — The Irish and Africans descended from a Common Ancestor — The Brehon Law — Compensation for Murder — Letters, etc. — Arms and Jewelry —The Curse of Tara — Flachtga Fire Tax — The First of May celebrated— The First Mill- King Brian Dubb — His Stratagem and Victory — St. Brendan discovered America in 543 — He Visits the Ohio River — Meets an Old Man- Speculations on the subject — Names the Country after St. Columba — A Song and Parody — St. Adamann— The Law against killing Women to be enacted in New York Page 36.

Chapter VIII

Spread of Irish fame— Charlemagne an admirer —Ireland invaded by King Egfrid— His cruelty— The Inhabitants made Slaves— St. Adamnan intercedes for them, with success— The Shower of Silver— Of Honey— Of Blood- Blood Puddings invented— Single Combat- Slaughter of the Leinstermen— St. Samhthann — Rumrann, the Poet— More showers— Silver, Wheat, and Honey— Destructive Storms- Clubs, Societies and Rings — The Irish Ring of America— Danish Raids— Turgesius — Irish Dissensions— Cruelty of the Danes— Turgesius drowned— The Rock of Cashel— Muirheartach swings around the circle — Sitric, Son of Turgesius— He entraps Callaghan— Battle and Rescue of Callaghan— Rage of the Danes— Not restrained by Religion— Mahoun and Brian— Limerick Captured— Spoils— Boys, Girls, Gold and Women — Prisoners disposed of— Trouble — Material for transformation scenes p AGE 42.

Chapter IX

Irish Clans — Irish Government — The Science of Financiering — The Irish Laborer — His Tranquillity — Ode to the Irish Laborer — The Dark Ages— The Light of Irish Learning — Its effect on Englishmen — Domestic Wars— Donough — The Meloughlins — O'Brian — Roderic O'Connor — O'Brian Frightened by a Mouse — His Sickness — The Hy-Nials and Murtough — Frequent Murders — Coroners not mentioned — An American Inquest — A Blessing to the Citizen — Death deprived of its Terrors — Turlough O'Conner — Dermod Mac Murrough — Ancient Habitations — Diet — Ornaments — Distribution of Food — Drinking Cup— Whiskey (Potheen) — Butter — Cheese — Music — Dress — Animals —The Irish Elephant Page 48.

Chapter X

The Antiquity of Ireland — The worthless ness of American Inventions without Irish Industry — Parthalon and his Ark— The Song of Parthalon — Learning — Busy Americans — No time to be domestic or social — No time to eat — The Schools of America — Farewell to the Bible — The Song of the School-Bell — American Oratory — The Song of the Eagle — The familiar Face disfigured— A Nose bitten off— The Practice still followed — Strongbow — Blood and Massacre — Marriage of Strongbow to Eva — A Fashionable Wedding — A Trip to Dublin — Death of Dermod Page 54.

CHAPTER XL

Henry II — The Duty of Americans— A Warning to Demagogues — " She Stoops to Conquer " — . Family Discord — Cookery — Luxury — Death of Strongbow — The Church of Kilmainham — The old Quarrel — The Irish survive War, Pestilence, and Famine — They are invited to America — Hymn of Welcome — John — Literary Difficulties — Sacred Localities — St. John's Well — The good little Boys and the Irish Ghost — The Former made Deputy-Sheriffs — The Latter Doorkeeper to the Board of Assistant Aldermen — Spirit Names on the Pay-Rolls— Fiann and the White Fawn— The Spell — It is broken.

Chapter XII

Fate of Geoffrey — The Vestments of Lead — State of Ireland in 1210 — O'Donnell More, and Murray O'Daly, the Poet — Dyes — Colors— Green a popular Color — Song, " When the Mayor wore the Green " — Nursery Rhymes — Whittington and his Cat — Hey-diddle-diddle — More Nursery Rhymes — The Mayor 'sDream— Irish Literature in America— Cure for the Ague — The art of Stuffing — The Alphabet in Easy Lessons.

CONTENTS.

vn.

Chapter XIII

Glowing accounts from the Western World — More Nursery Rhymes — Little Dickey Connor — Emigration seriously checked — An Irishman escapes Citizenship— He does not Vote- Clans or Target Companies— Henry III. — Salaries — De Clare and O'Brien — Treachery of De Clare — The name of New England to be abolished — New Ireland — New Cork — The Banshee— Strange Visions — Satan and his Imps — He visits New York — Disturbs the peace — The Blarney-stone again — Removed to Blarney Castle — Removed at great expense to New York — De Toleburne and his Horses — Fitz Maurice of the Ape — Offices — Edward Bruce and the Scotch — The Butler Family — Crime, Predictions, and Omens — The Prosperity of America threatened — Reforms needed — Owls— The Man in the White Hat^-The Graveyard Owl— The Jolly Owl— The Song of the Owl — The Bats coming— Nursery Rhymes.

Chapter XIV

A new Viceroy — The Statute of Kilkenny — Crystede and Costeree— The Clarecaune — Curious Expressions — The Spectre of the Graveyard — The Fatal Promise — The Death Kiss— Thomas, Duke of Lancaster — Pay-rolls — The Nominal Office Holders—" The Chair Polishers "—They form a Target Company — The term " Going through Things," illustrated — Civil Service — It is successfully opposed — A Senatorial Concert — " Villikens and his Dinah " — Scene in the United States Senate Chamber — A highlymoral Exhibition — Trouble with Mr. O'Neil — Sir John Stanley — He is rhymed to death by the poet, Niall O'Higgin — An honorable Ambition ' Page 70.

Chapter XV

The Pains and Pleasures of the Historian — Love Scenes — Song of the Chieftain's Daughter — Nursery Rhymes— The Earl of March — The Plague again — Lord Furnival's trick— Irish Chieftians Captured — O'Neill Released— Mac Murrough released from the Tower — The Tower and Ludlow Jail regulations the same — Crime Punished — Man's selfishness — His disposition to oppress — The Wail of the Cash Boy — Irish forces in reserve — The Sleepers — Another Plague— Seven Hundred Priests carried off— Finola enters a Monastery — The Mother of Finola— She feeds the Bohemians — Historians, Poets, Reporters eat heartily — Dennis O'Toole recites " Dublin on the Liffey " — Michael Gillooly composes and sings a Song — Applause— Envy of O'Toole— Fight and Confusion — Poets in the Station-house — Acquitted — Law against Mustachios — The Rose of Raby — Jack Cade— Butler — Simnel and Perkin Warbeck— Hymn " From Erin in the Ocean."

Chapter XVI

The pressing Want — Gunpowder — Cannon and Cannon-Bearers— Song of the Times — Fat Men for Soldiers — Poyning's Law — Black Mail — Earl Kildare — Pate of his Son — Song of Warning—Henry XIII—" The Old Woman of the Three Cows " — Intolerance of the King — Piety of the Irish — Irish Financiering — The fate of Father Robert — Church Property — Church Thrift— Edward VI— Mary — Elizabeth — Impossibilities—The Yankee cannot be Irish— " We the O'Neill "^lohn Smith— Curious discovery of an old MS—Old Rhymes.

Chapter XVII

Shane O'Neill— He visits England — Gallowglasses — The Parade objected to — New Jersey County — Public Opinion— Costumes, English and Irish— The Harp that at the City Hall — A German Insult resented — O'Neill's Bard— The Nice Young Man — Crimes of O'Neill — Killed — — Carolan, the Bard — The Spensers — Bones and Coroners — "Where are now the Roughs I cherished?" — Essex' Treachery — The Song of the Bribetaker— Death of Essex— The People amused while the Rulers are employed.

Chapter XVIII

Sir Henry Sidney— Kisses the Queen's Hand — Barry's Court — Christmas Festivities— New Year's Song — The Earl of Clanrickarde— His Sons — Grace O'Malley, the Feminine Sea Captain — Chivalry— The Song of the Rough — Old Manuscript— Songs of Love and War — Dreadful fate of a Maiden Fair — She moves to Il-lee-noy— Barney O'Toole— Cruelty of Sidney — Spenser, the Poet^— He marries an Irish Girl — Hugh Roe O'Donnell and Mac Sweeney — Captured by a Trick — How the first Sweeney was caught — Homes for the Sparrows— Song of the Sparrows Page 95.

Chapter XIX

Contentment — Once an Irishman always an Irishman— Song, O'Rafferty — The number of Offices limited— Worthy Men unprovided for — Expedients to prevent suffering — Nominal Labor — Song of the Haymakers — Aldermen exempt from Constitutional Limitations — Advanced Civilization— A self-supporting Relig-

VIII.

CONTENTS.

ion regulated by Law— Department of Religion—More Offices— The Bishop of Down— His Execution— The Office-Holder— The Candidate victimized— His Visitors and their Wants—" A little Fin-cmee "—James— Plots, etc.— The Confession of the Demagogue.

Chapter XX

James I. died and left an Office— Not an American Custom — Charles — The Irish propose Terms— Cheated— The Commission System- Needy Relatives provided for The " Ring "

thrive— The Wagon-Mounted Bell— The Sailor Boy— He declines a Ship— Aversion to Water —The Navy— Irish Song of the Navy— Another Song— I Will Never Go Back— Queer Expressions — More Nursery Rhymes — Pathetic and Apathetic — Lament Page 104.

Chapter XXI

Wanted, An American Aristocracy— " We have It "—Oh ! if I was an Irishman ; Air, Maggie May— Unlimited Power of Local Rulers — Spirited Natives— Long, Long Ago— Cromwell— His Team — Six Flanders Mares — His Money — L<> the Poor Eagle — The Flag reformed— Cromwell lands in Ireland — Zeal in Religious Matters — A Protracted Meeting — A Revival — A Pious Letter— Curious Discovery — The Song of the Newsboy Page 109.

Chapter XXII

English Characteristics — Religion and Real Estate — Transplanted— Barney Doon— The Poet's Grandson — American Industry — Groundless Fears — The Ballot-box safe — Charles II. — Banquets and Celebrations — The Charge of the Grub Brigade — Public Opinion — Its Mistakes — The Majority restrained — Calamities thus avoided — Colonization — Happy Results — Out

in the Cold— Irish Cattle— Bulls, etc The

Mayor and his Bull — A Frisky Brute — Suppressed by Clubs and Bullets — Farmers — Townsmen — Voices from the Barn-yard — Yankee Poetry disappearing — But one Poem left, " That's what's the matter with Hannah.' — Nivermore — A Courteous Letter.

Chapter XXIII

Irish Poetry superseding that of all other Nations — Specimens of German Poetry — Diedrich Pohl —The Fate of his Pets— Villiam Dell— He kills the Tyrant — Small Salaries— Sudden Death— A Pipe and an Empty Bottle— Important Papers — Receipts and Expenditures of an Officeholder—The Coroner and the Jury — The Verdict—The Public Funeral— A Solitary Mourner — A Papal Brigade — Americans made useful- Rich Rewards promised — National Song — Barney Doodle— The Grand Review.

Chapter XXIV

The Irrepressible Conflict— Which I wish to Remark— Higgin O'Dowd in the Stocks — He pleads for Stationery— Give Me the Pen- Three Blind Mice — Custom-houses and Irish Collectors— Linen — Whiskey and Balbriggan Stockings the only Imports— Employees— Song of the Veteran — Pleasant Duties of the Author —He turns cheerfully from Gunpowder to Love — Love Scenes— Barney and Mag — Air, " The Tall Young ■ Oysterman " — Mag saved from a Dreadful Fate — She forgives Barney and shares his Shanty — A PubUc Meeting disturbed by a Know-Nothing — The Criminal promptly arrested — Tried and Imprisoned — Oh ! why not sing those old Songs ? — They give it up — The Irish Wall not reliable as a Defence — Woman in America — Mrs. Malones — Domestic Ditty— The Infant Malones— Twinkle, twinkle, Solitaire — Not Byron but O'Byrne.

Chapter XXV

Life too short — Great Undertakings not to be attempted — Ancient and Modern Greeks — Architecture — Painting — Eloquence — Poetry — The great O'Byrne again — He tells us of his Ancestors — Specimens of his Verses — History — Cleopatra — Her Smile — A Warning — Meddlesome Gods — He Moralizes — Wandering Thoughts — The Farce, the Tragedy, and the Transformation Scene — More Wandering — Over the Deep— The Struggle— The Victory- Universal Liberty — God's Decree — Friendship and Amnesty — Statesmanship and Statues — Dum Vivimus Vivamus — Native Composure — The Song of the Bullfrog — Drifting — Rocks and Ruins Page 134.

HIBERNIA;

OR,

IRELAND THE WORLD OVER.

Chapter I

Sweet Erin an Island— Number of Counties- Population— The Potato-rot, Shillalah, and Politics— Emigration— The Irish in America received as Blessings in disguise — Harbors, Lakes, Rivers— Killarney— Kate Kearney — Legend of "The Blarney-stone "—The blind Harper and " Poor Dog Tray "—The Battle of the Boyne— The Bog— Its Effects on the Gait, Climate, Soil, etc — Temper of the Natives displayed at Fairs and Wakes — Domestic Habits and Notions — Pets— Unjust Writers—Convivial Habits — Love of Travel, and Power of Assimilation— The Tender Passions — The Effect of Love— Taste in Dress— Love of Music— The Irish Jig.

That Ireland is an island, is laid down in the geographies, but we are not aware that any one has made affidavit to the fact, and therefore we give place to the assertion, with that qualified endorsement which should always characterize the true historian.

The island is divided into thirty-two counties, and had in 1851 a population of six and one-half millions, which was a falling-off from the population of 184 1 , of one million and a-half ; a decrease due, probably, to a disease which destroyed the potato crop, a reckless use of the shillalah, and the fact that politics had attracted many of the Irish people to the happy regions of the Western World. It was in this way that the

United States secured as citizeus the cream of the Irish nation.

With few exceptions, those who have left Ireland trace their pedigree to aristocratic, and even royal families ; as is conclusively proved by the fact that they are often heard telling the wondering natives of America of the deeds of their Irish ancestors, and the castles they once inhabited and defended. In this subject, as well as iu all others relating to the Irish people, the Americans take a deep interest ; nor is this at all singular, for, on their part, the Irish take a deeper interest in all American matters. No sooner had a respectable number of that nation landed in the United States, than they offered, and even insisted upon taking charge of the local governments aud revenues of the different cities and towns of their adopted country ; generously promising, at the same time, to relieve the natives of all labor and responsibility in national affairs as soon as they had learned something of the ways of the country. Such acts of self-denial, and disinterested kindness, won the hearts of the Americans, who at once reciprocated by putting into the hands of the new-comers the reins of government, and by imposing upon themselves such taxes as became ne-

HIBERNIA ; OR, IRELAND THE WORLD VER.

cessary to support the new state of affairs.

The Americans could well afford to make these concessions, for few nations are so favored as to be able to import statesmen, legislators, lawyers, and generals ready-made, and willing to submit to and endure at once all the toils, dangers, and anxieties of public life.

So generous have the Irish people been in this respect in New York (an American city, next to Boston in character and. importance), that hardly a native-born citizen is required to trammel or burden himself with public affairs, while the rapid introduction of Irish measures, sentiment, games, and recreations, is a subject which fills the American heart with pride and satisfaction.

Ireland has harbors, which are noted principally as the starting-points for emigrants ; lakes, the beauty of which has charmed mankind for centuries ; and rivers, second to the lakes only in beauty. Near the Lake of Killarney lived one of those rare beauties, such as Paris eloped with, and Greece went to war about. She possessed great power, for according to the bards of her time, even the glance of her eye was death to an ordinary Irishman ; which seems all the more strange, as the Irish are calculated to endure much hardship without injuring their health.

We know of no way to give the reader a better idea of Irish beauty, than by quoting a few lines from an ancient poem, which runs as follows :

And has pigs and a sow, And an Alderney cow, And her chickens are Shanghae and banty

In the jig she is light as a fairy ; She is rich, for she owns a nice dairy ;

And when angry she '11 pout

With her lips sticking out, For indeed she is very contrary.

She is up when the daylight is dawning, And can sing like a bird in the morning ;

Ah ! and should you call down

Her hope-crushing frown, Beware ! ' t is a terrible warning !

If ever you visit Killarney,

Be sure that you see Kittie Kearney She's as gay as a lark, And has eyes that are dark,

And a wonderful use of the blarney.

She lives all alone with her aunty, In a neat little bit of a shanty,

But there are other things of interest in the vicinity of the lake, and not the least mysterious and important is the Blarney-stone, which no Irishman, sooner or later, fails to kiss, and the effect of which upon the fortunes of the Celtic race has been marked. In an old manuscript, heretofore overlooked, we find an account of this wonderful stone, which is here given for the first time to the public.

When Noah entered the ark, he took with him not only such things as he thought would add to his own comfort and that of his family, but made ample provision for the beasts of the field and the birds of the. air. He took from the side of a mountain, and placed on board the ark, a singular-looking stone, which the birds were expected to sharpen their bills on, and which was used for that purpose. One of Noah's children, who had no bill to sharpen, but had an impediment in his speech, noticed that the voices of the birds, anjd the melody of their notes, were much improved by a free use of the stone, and taking the hint, and being, as we have stated, without a bill, he applied his tongue to the stone, with marvelous results, for the impediment in his speech was removed, and he became the most fluent and persuasive member of Noah's family. Some Irishmen, who had contracted to dig a

EIBERNIA; OR, IRELAND TEE WORLD OVER.

drain, to lead off some of the surplus waters which remained after the flood, and who happened to be present when Noah and his family were leaving the ark, noticed the Blarney-stone, and were informed of its miraculous qualities. Prompted by the desire, which Irishmen so ot'tea exhibit, to secure every thing good for the use of Ireland, they threw up their contract, took the stone iu the night, removed it to Ireland, and planted it on the banks of Lake Killarney, where it remained for many centuries. It is about the size of the celebrated Philosopher's Stone, and may be easily recognized, as it has upon it the private mark of the son of Noah. To see a group of Irish around it, in the act of applying their tengues, is said by travellers to be a most instructive and interesting spectacle.

The Shannon is one of the most noted rivers in Ireland. Upon its green banks lived that unfortunate blind boy who played upon a harp which was not the " harp of a thousand strings." The poor lad took hold of one end of a string (his dog was at the other), and in this manner left the home of his youth ; but the dog perished, for the bard tells us that

"He got the distemper and suddenly died, And Pat played a Lament as he stood by his side ! ' '

The river Boyne is one of some historical importance. A battle was commenced on its banks on the first day of July, 1 690, which has been in progress ever since. A truce occasionally occurs ; but a yellow or green ribbon, imprudently displayed, is quite enough to rouse the combatants to great activity and renewed slaughter. If any of our readers are anxious to learn the strength of the existing animosity, let them attempt to sing

" Croppies lie down,"

to a company of Ribbon-men, who have just indulged iu a drop of the "crathur," as they playfully call whiskey, and his curiosity will be gratified. No serious efforts have been made by our scientists to account for this peculiar effect of color upon the Celtic cerebral structure ; but modern chemists have satisfactorily proved that yellow walls have a tendency to affect the health of workmen in a factory, and it is not unlikely that both yellow and green may respectively exercise au unfavorable influence on the natives of different countries.

The central part of Ireland contains 1,500,000 acres of bog. Most of the Irish travel more or less in this 'part of the island, where they acquire a peculiar gait, which has caused them to be called by some persons " Bogtrotters ;" a term which is supposed to refer to a way they have of raising up and putting down their feet when in the act of walking.

The climate of Ireland is mild, its soil fertile, and the verdure of its pasture rich. Poets and historians have been pleased to call it the " Green Isle of the Ocean," and claim for it every comfort man can desire, and for its people every virtue which can dignify or adorn his character. We must believe it to be the land of statesmen, warriors and poets, or reject history heretofore received as authentic.

The natives are naturally impulsive, and quick to resent insults, real or fancied, which is owing to the fact, that in almost every instance, an Irishman is the descendant of a king, or the chief of a clan, and has the name and fame of his family to maintain and defend. Disputes aud feuds are common in Ireland, generally growing out of some question of precedence or ceremony, and they not unfrequently culminate at a fair or wake in a general engagement. Even at a

EIBKUNIA; OB, IRELAND THE tt'OBLB OVER.

wake, the parties have been known to become so reckless, as to put out the candles, damage the coffin, and greatly disfigure the corpse.

The Irish are domestic in their habits, and at home the Irishman is much inclined to dispense with formality ; indeed he may be said to show a sort of contempt for the rules and regulations usually enforced by other people in domestic life. His door is open to the wayfarer, and even to his pigs and goats, and not unfrequently the latter, with his cow, find shelter under the same roof with his family.

Nor is it uncommon for an attachment to spring up between these faithful animals 'and his little ones, only equalled in strength and romantic beauty by that which the Arab's family is said to feel for the favorite horse. Owing to these notions and habits, it is impossible to perceive in their homes an air of perfect neatness ; a circumstance which the prejudiced and fastidious have attempted to use in disparagement of the race ; but those who look fairly on the subject, will see in such conduct a kindness of heart and tenderness toward those dependent upon them, in striking contrast with the conduct of those unfeeling people who leave their dumb brutes to shiver and suffer in lonely stables and rickety outhouses.

The Irish have inherited the convivial habits of their ancestors, and it is around the festive board that their natural prudence and reserve is most likely to forsake them. It is their habit to drink deep, and when they have done so, the company are almost certain to put themselves on a war-footing, and assume the offensive at once. We do not recall a more instructive sight thau the banqueting-room on the morning after an Irish feast. Pieces of nose and ear, thumb-nails, teeth, and patches of scalp, scattered about the floor, serve to show how fierce was the carousal, and how intemperate the mirth of the revelers.