SALMON ANGLING IN IRELAND. 157 



worthy man by the hand, and thank hini in person for a letter 

 recently received, which does honour alike to the employer and the 

 employed. 



We had a long journey before us, and the sun, though istill in his 

 splendoui', was yet trending low towards the north-west. Nothing 

 could exceed the dreariness and desolation of the country through 

 which we passed. Interminable plains of dark morass stretched on 

 all sides ; here and there a black and sluggish stream stagnated in 

 its slow course to the sea. Not a mountain relieved the tameness 

 of the view ; it was desolation without grandeur. Now and then 

 on the edge of the swamp appeared a cluster of miserable hovels, 

 without chimney, without window ; the walls formed of loose stones 

 rudely piled together, through every chink and cranny of which 

 the smoke stole forth, and the elements held season tickets of 

 admission. 



As the cars rattled along through " a town," a posse of meagre 

 curs would rush out, followed by a troop of half-naked, semi- 

 barbarous urchins vociferating in sharp querulous voices, " Penny 

 give us a penny, your honour a penny, only a penny beautiful lady 

 only a penny, your ladyship's honour." The ardour of the dogs 

 soon went out ; expecting no remuneration for their trouble, the 

 quadrupeds wisely determining to keej) the little flesh they possessed 

 on their bones slackened their pace and were gradually distanced. 

 But there was no beating the boys. Occasionally the coveted coin 

 was pitched dexterously into the bog, in the hope of escaping during 

 the search. As it flew through the air a universal charge was made 

 at the ditch, and the prize marked down. Then a race, a scramble, 

 and a fierce fight succeeded, and again the whole pack, at a killing 

 pace, were once more in full cry " A penny, a penny, good 

 gentleman a penny, a penny, your ladyship's honour." Thus 

 accompanied, we rolled on, the light-limbed urchins easily keeping 

 up with the cars till we reached the next cluster of cabins, where a 

 fresh relay was ready, took up the cry, fought, howled, coaxed, and 

 wheedled till the proximity of the next hamlet drove them from our 

 trail, and gave us for a prey to foes as ruthless as the last, 



