210 [Fel.ruary, 



Astonished by what I saw I investigated the matter more closely, 

 and before long discovered the true state of affairs. An internecine 

 war had broken out, which, arising probably in some private quarrel, 

 had eventually involved the whole of the rival communities, and had 

 been carried on with the most rancorous hatred, and the most per- 

 severing hostility. The scene of the main conflict lay in the ditch 

 between the two nests ; the whole of this space was literally covered 

 with the dead bodies of the combatants, which in some places lay more 

 than an inch deep. The historical hatred of the Kilkenny Cats, which, 

 as we are told, terminated in their total annihilation, was here exhibited 

 in all its intensity. "With a few solitary exceptions all, preferring 

 death to defeat, had paid the last debt of nature. Here and there, in 

 various parts of the battle-field, the strife was still carried on by single 

 combat ; each antagonist blindy bent upon destruction, endeavouring 

 to seize the other by its antenn?e, and when this had been accomplished, 

 locked in each other's embraces, they rolled upon the ground, until the 

 struggle had ended in the death of one or both combatants. A sur- 

 vivor from one of these duels still able to crawl about, and still burning 

 with fury, was searching in every direction for another antagonist ; 

 having touched with his antennie a supposed enemy he halted for an 

 instant, and gathering together all his remaining strength, rushed 

 blindly forward, and frantically seized a small stone. 



Pondering much on what I had seen, but too true a picture of the 

 suicidal folly of mankind, I at length pursued my way to a neighbouring 

 village, where I intended to remain for a few days fishing and insect- 

 hunting. Three days after I had witnessed the sad though interesting 

 sight I have described, I passed the same locality on my return home- 

 wards, and was pleased to find affairs much improved. All traces of 

 the conflict had been obliterated, and the bodies of the fallen removed. 

 As if by magic a fresh race had sprung up, apparently as numerous as 

 its predecessors. The arts of peace were again flourishing with renewed 

 energy ; the nests had been repaired, and set in order ; fresh outworks 

 had been constructed, and every thing that industry could accomplish 

 had been done to render the defences complete, and guard against 

 future disasters. 



In this state I left them, nor was I able to repeat my visits, but 

 much hope, that profiting by past experience, they would in future 

 prefer the quiet blessings of peace to the miseries of savage warfare.] 



Giimlcy, Martet Harborougli : 



December 2Uh, 1883. 



