I20 LIFE IN IRELAND 



d d!' said Brian. 'What dashing belle is that 



making love to a young officer? She bears the marks 

 of fashion engraven by the pencil of Father Time.' 

 ' That was once Ireland's greatest beauty ; her Lord 

 was celebrated for being the ugliest man in Dublin, 

 and one of the highest ; she dispensed her favours 

 liberally as her caprice dictated, was famous on the turf 

 as a judge of blood, but having lost a race at Kilkenny 

 for a pair of breeches, she retired in disgust for some 

 years ; she again came out a clean widow, and now 

 makes love to those who formerly courted her. The 

 youth on her arm is an Englishman ; he commands a 

 regiment here, is half a fool, and very rich ; at present 

 she commands both his purse and person. 



'That tall strapping fellow admiring his limbs is a 

 dentist, and accounted to have the best leg in Ireland ; 

 he is a fading buck, and has recently been christened 

 by Lady Clearall, in allusion to his profession. Buck- 

 tooth; he meddles with every one's business, but has 

 very little of his own. 



' That belle with the blue eyes, brown complexion, 

 and thick ancles, is entitled to ;£5o,ooo when she 

 comes of age ; no one has been bold enough to put the 

 question to her as yet, for she has got an ugly method 

 of knocking her lovers down when they come near the 

 point.' — 'Bad luck to her mutton fist!' murmured 

 Brian.- — ' Her family are famous for the Imv manner 

 in which they came by their armorial bearings : — A 

 certain Queen of Munster, called Gracey O'Slanagraugh, 

 in making a tour of her kingdom, lodged at the Castle 

 of M'Murdoch, and was hospitably entertained; when 

 about to depart she remarked there was no arms over 



