WIT OF IRISH CAR-DRIVERS. 119 



no elasticity left in tliem. They rattled worse 

 than any fire-engine. 



The roof was so dilapidated and the windows 

 so broken that, except for the honour of the 

 thing, you might as well have had no cover- 

 ing at all ; the harness came to pieces when- 

 ever "Paddy" gave his horses a spurt, and 

 the cattle were " divels to go." So disagree- 

 able did I find the journey in a post- 

 chaise that at Youghal I engaged a car, 

 and prosecuted my journey to Dublin in 

 cars. 



Persons who have never travelled in Ireland 

 in these conveyances can have a very inade- 

 quate idea of the ready wit of the drivers. It 

 has been admirably well told by Mr. and Mrs. 

 S. C. Hall, from whose work on the scenery 

 and character of Ireland I quote the fol- 

 lowino^ : — 



Some one told a story of a fellow who, on 

 grumbling at the shilling gratuity at his jour- 

 ney's end, said, in a sly undertone, 



" Faith, it's not putting me ofi" ye'd be if ye 

 knew but all." 



The traveller's curiosity was excited. 



" What do you mean ?" 



" Oh, faix ! that ud be telling." 



