30 THE FURZE-BUSH. 



olic chapel, the priest of which justly num 

 bered Mary among the most determined adherents 

 to the tenets of his erroneous faith. Some time 

 elapsed, (above ten years, I believe) before I 

 was led by the hand of Providence to fix my 

 dwelling in the same neighbourhood. Of Mary, 

 I had never heard ; but having become acquaint- 

 ed with several of her poor country people 

 around, and told them how dearly I loved their own 

 green isle, she had felt the yearnings of Irish af- 

 fection towards one who entertained a preference 

 for poor Erin. Nothing could be more character- 

 istic than our first meeting : I was advancing 

 with a tract, towards the gate of a little cottage, 

 out of which came a respectably-dressed woman, 

 with a basket of eggs on her arm, who made me a 

 very nice courtesy, at the same time fixing on me 

 two of the most brilliant, eyes I ever beheld, and 

 smiling with unrestrained cordiality. I returned 

 both her greeting and her smile ; on which she 

 immediately said, ' You never come down to our 

 place, Ma'am.' I replied, ' Perhaps not, for I don't 

 know where you place is ; but I am sure you are 

 Irish.' I am Irish indeed : and you love our peo- 

 ple so well, that I often look out for you to visit 

 me. I live down by' — and she named a retreat, 

 rather out of my usual road. I promised a visit, 

 asked a few questions respecting her native place, 

 and we parted. I observed to my companion 

 what a remarkably intelligent countenance she 



