I04 LIFE IN IRELAND 



strictly adhered to both in the Army and Navy, and 

 forms a scene of jocular entertainment; in the Navy 

 the parchment commission is called the Ram's Skin, 

 and the ceremony as hereafter described is a little 

 different, that is, the Ram's Skin is plunged into a 

 bucket of sea water, which is called bathing the First 

 Lord of the Admiralty, whose signature it bears. 

 Accordingly our heroes agreed to meet at the Pig and 

 Tinder-box (Elephant and Castle) upon the Naas Road, 

 where the Major was to go before and provide every- 

 thing suitable for so solemn an occasion, each to bring 

 what company he chose to select. 



The party found so much gratification from empty- 

 ing the magnum botiums of the Baronet's hock, that the 

 sun had peeped into the windows and extinguished the 

 candles before they thought of moving bedwards, so all 

 turned in at the Baronet's, after leaving orders for their 

 respective servants to be ready at an early hour with 

 changes of apparel. Patrick Mooney roused his master 

 about lo o'clock to tell him that Sir Shawn waited 

 breakfast in the drawing-room, and as he assisted him 

 in dressing, thus began : — ' I 've had a bit of a letter 

 from Galway, your honour ; would you be after reading 

 it for me ? ' 'I thought you could read, Mooney ? ' 

 ' No, your honour, only spell a bit ; I had finished my 

 eddecatiofi all but lar?iing to read and write and be 

 genteel, when I went from school into your father's 

 stable.' The letter was short, and addressed 'To 

 Patrick Mooney, a Squire's servant in Dublin, care of 

 Mr. Brian Boru, Post Office.' 



Dear Mooney, — This comes hopping you are well 



