LIFE IN IRELAND iii 



all round, in which Pat Mooney joined, for kneeling 

 behind his own master's chair, he had just emptied 

 a bottle of port, by word of mouth, to the Major's good 

 health, in silence. 



'The King' immediately followed, then 'The Duke 

 of York and the Army,' and next the Major's health 

 was bumpered with enthusiasm. Grammachree ob- 

 served modestly, ' That he was unworthy of such an 

 honour, and as to future services, he believed they 

 would all be confined within the limits of the circular 

 road, for,' added he, emphatically, ' I will never prove 

 an absentee, but spend my money at home for the 

 good of dear Ireland, except once a year, when I stump 

 to London to make my grateful bow to our gracious 

 King, and order a new leg at Sleeth and Williamson's, 

 in Fleet-street.' 



On this occasion the poor of the village were not 

 forgotten ; the horse-trough was filled with punch ; 

 blind Logic, the harper, tuned his strings, and the 

 merry dance went round with boisterous glee. 



Several songs were sung, but as Gram and his party 

 seemed set in for a ivet nighty Sir Shawn tipt Brian 

 a wink, who whispered Mooney ; the curricle was got 

 ready out of sight, and our heroes stole away unper- 

 ceived, and dashed off to Dublin, where they landed 

 at Morrison's, and prepared to join Lady Demi- 

 quaver at the Rotunda party, which had nearly been 

 forgotten. 



Whilst Brian was dressing, Mooney produced a 

 paper he had dismounted to pick up as they crossed 

 the Park, which Brian read as follows, significantly 

 nodding at the end of every verse : — 



