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gracious heaven! compared to the creatures one has seen, to the beings one has fancied, who for a moment have flashed their radiance on one's dreary life path and this a woman! altogether another species, made of other elements, and composed of other organs !"

Tis

As he thus stood "chewing the cud of sweet and bitter fancies," in apostrophizing all that was lovely in the sex, and all that had ceased to be so, leaning against the door, his eyes fixed upon the silver-lined clouds, that passed in forms various and fantastic as his own thoughts, before the broad bright moon, his more active, more vigilant fellow traveller, was occupied in providing for their night's accommodation. He had also enquired for the driver, to inform him of their new arrangements, and learned from the lame hostler, that he was gone behind the other chaise, as far as the smith's forge, for an iron pin, which was wanting to the compleat re

instatement of the broken machinery of their own crazy carriage.

The circumstance of two such guests remaining for the night at Lis-na-sleugh, produced a business and bustle most unusual beneath its humble roof. Shaneen,* the boy, was employed in catching, killing, and plucking a fowl, which had (reckless of the fate that awaited it,) taken up its roost on the rafter of the kitchen. The baccah was occupied in preparing such a table equipage for supper as the house afforded; and the hostess herself gave her attention to the little bed-room.

This apartment, which communicated by a few steps with the parlour, contained two small, old fashioned bedsteads, with patch-work quilts, the accumulated fragments of half a century; and check curtains of transparent texture. Though poor and mean, it was cleanly and cheerful; and was just such a sleeping apartment as is to be found

*Shaneen-Little John--Jack.

in every inn in Ireland, that lies in a road but little frequented.

When the strangers returned to the house, from a short refreshing walk among the moonlight glens, the house was cleared of its guests, silent and tranquil. A clean cloth was spread upon the parlor table, the turf fire blazed brightly; and though there was no wine to be had, and they had not yet made up their palates to what Peter the Great called "Irish wine," yet the clear spring that gushed from the neighbouring rock was pure falernian to thirsty and temperate travellers. The supper prepared by their cordial hostess, though homely, was all friandise to appetites sharpened by the mountain air, and placed beyond the delicacy of fastidiousness by long fast.

Owny, who had returned from the forge, enquired carelessly "if they had now the place to themselves, barring the gentlemen," and being answered in the affirmative (for the three guests in

the kitchen, the horse-dealer, the pedlar, and his companion, had all departed under favour of the moonlight), he immediately threw off his cotamore, caubeen, and wig. Light, alert, and diligent, he now officiated as valet to the gentlemen, and as coadjutor to Mrs. Gaffney's establishment; and his services added considerably to the little sum of comfort and accommodation which the travellers could naturally expect, in this improved imitation of a Spanish Posada.

Meantime the Irish kead mille faltha* shone in every eye, and beamed its welcome on the strangers. The obvious goodwill of all compensated for the deficiency of ability, but too obvious; and even the younger, and less easily satisfied guest, was led to observe of the little Shebean of Lis-na-sleugh, as the French philosopher did of the world, "si tout n-y est pas bien, tout est passable.

* Hundred thousand welcomes.

CHAPTER IV.

This Eden, this demi-paradise

This dear dear land is now leased out
Like to a tenement, or pelting farm.”

"What harmony is this?

Marvellous, sweet music;

SHAKESPEARE.

Give us kind keepers, heaven."

IBID.

"Were such things here as we do speak about? or have we eaten of the insane root that takes the reason prisoner?"

IBID.

THERE is scarcely any cabaret in the remote parts of Ireland, over whose door is exhibited the usual advertisement of "good entertainment for man and beast," where a tolerable breakfast may not be procured; the abundance and freshness of the milk, butter, and eggs usually compensating for the indifferent quality of that far-fetched and

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