130 THE BAWN VONE. 



In fact, her determined countenance expressed a nobleness of purpose; 

 its darkened shades meant only a preparation against imposture, and 

 yet she was imposed upon; thanks however to the really virtuous people 

 by whom she was surrounded, rather than to the exercise of her own 

 penetration, charity was seldom sickened by triumphant fraud. At 

 this time religion resulted so little from opinion, was so much a 

 strengthened habit, was so seldom the subject of controversy, that 

 an active and cheerful piety existed amongst all classes ; there were 

 neither persecutors nor persecuted. This was before 98. The 

 few cases of outraged hospitality principally occurred from strangers, 

 some strolling mendicant who, not having where to lay his head, was 

 inducted into a than sheaf in the barn, who when he walked away 

 in the morning took up his bed, with all he could lay hands on. 

 But as such a person could not have been much regarded when he had 

 no home of his own, how could he respect that of another? Accord- 

 ingly the neighbourhood was not chargeable with his ingratitude. 



I said she was like a queen never had queen such a levee. 'Tis 

 true she bestowed not garters, nor stars, nor crosses ; yet many a knee 

 was bent not for a knighthood, not for a sounding name or an empty 

 honour, but for garments from the winter's cold. Her aid de camps 

 were some two or three grandchildren golden-haired, blue-eyed, 

 sunny little beings. I rather describe the effect of their general ap- 

 pearance than disclose their different traits of feature or of character. 

 And never had royal attendants more active duties. 



" Jenny Murphy's daughter/wedded a year ago to daicent Mickey 

 Brien, has just had twins. Mother, son, and daughter doing well." 



Away flies Alice, Maria, Jane. 



Medicines, flannels, caps, dresses all,' all for Jenny Murphy's 

 daughter. 



Jenny goes away, is called back, some other little useful matter re- 

 membered ; and last of all, and greatest of all, the Bawn Vone will 

 be at the christening. Can I describe Jenny's gratitude ? Ashamed 

 of receiving borne down "nothing loth" "oh my! oh shame! 

 oh dear!" " may Heaven bless and reward you." " Oh, what will 

 Mary say to this ? and when I tell Mickey " 



Then Darby Brady is " in throuble." 



" Let Darby Brady get out of it. I have interfered over and over 

 again for the idle quarrelsome jackanapes." 



" Musha, Ma'am, this time. If Master Ned will only bring a line 

 from your ladyship's honour and glory, poor Darby will be bailed 

 a 'tany rate." 



" What has he been doing now ? " 



" Throth nothin worth spaking of; only licked a whelp from this 

 Kilkenny side, for talkin ill of the yellow boys.'' 



" I'll see the lad myself." 



" Och, Musha" 



" Never mind, do you be off with yourself. I want to talk with the 

 poor woman here." 



Ashamed of her repeated messages to the house for sundry matters 

 of presents, this excellent woman, at her time of life too, has often 

 returned of a cold evening stripped of her inner garments. What 

 wonder then that each tongue cried, " God bless her," as she passed. 



