2 A YEAE OF LIBERTY; OR, 



year of liberty had actuall}- come, and was no longer a poi'tion 

 of the uncertain future, but a present fact, a glorious reality. 



With the cause of this happy consummation it is unnecessary to 

 trouble the reader. After all, who cares what it may be? The 

 other day my next-door neighbour ran away, and never told me the 

 reason. Some men fly from their debts as birds before snow one 

 has been jilted, another runs from matrimony. Sickness, care, ennui, 

 are all travellers ; but I go without fear of duns or dishonour, 

 whole in heart and sound of limb, and here stand in the street 

 to watch for the 'bus, as happy and foolish as any man could wish 

 to be. 



As the reader will accompany us during the season, it is only fair 

 to tell him something of his compagnons du voijage. The party con- 

 sists of four persons a lady and her maid, your humble servant and 

 his man, who, besides being a master in all the mysteries of tackle, 

 officiates as valet to please me, and does much amateur cooking to 

 please himself. 



In this practical age, as men care more for facts than fancies, it is 

 only necessary to say we left home on the morning of January SO, 

 and reached Lismore, via Bristol, Waterford, and Caliir. on the 

 following evening. A few lights twinkled in the shops as we drove 

 to our lodgings in the Mall, rejoicing not a little in the prospect of 

 food, rest, and fire, after a journey of thirty-six hours. . . . And 

 now, my dear sir, draw a chair to the side of this sparkling fire of 

 turf and bogwood, for, as I hope to take you with me, it is only right 

 to tell you my plans. 



I propose, then, to visit most of the spring rivers and lakes in this 

 beautiful land, passing from one to another as circumstances may 

 render advisable, with the general design of working from the south, 

 to the extreme north of the island. In the three or four weeks which 

 divide the salmon from the grilse, I hope we shall enjoy many plea- 

 sant days with the trout; and from June, we shall hold a roving 

 commission, hoist sail, and steer where water, wind, and weather 

 promise most. 



Punctually at seven on the following morning Willie brought hot 



