I50 LIFE IN IRELAND 



Squirt; Savage's back-side premises, and in the run 

 down to the hedge hole of brother Strongside much 

 may be seen to charm the eye and catch the ear. The 

 Pier of Balbriggan is a beautiful view, and I would do 

 great injustice to Ireland if I did not attempt to say 

 something in its favour. The hills of Wicklow are in 

 great beauty spread before the left handed view of an 

 Irishman, in more than decent pride. On the right 

 the mountains of Mourne spread their shade all 

 round, and the far-spreading shades shed a melancholy 

 grandeur over the sombre scene. Nature laughs on 

 every side ; the falling rill, and the murmuring stream, 

 shot up sprays that cool'd the air. Every valley breathed 

 health, every valley wafted perfume, and few ever visited 

 Balbriggan that did not part from it with regret, and 

 return to it with pleasure. 



Sir Shawn and Brian Boru had a generous meal, 

 and sallied out to see the pigs of Balbriggan ; it was 

 not to be wondered at that our heroes were taxed most 

 unconscionably by every spalpeen that came in their 

 way ; it was down at the coal-quay corner that Sir 

 Shawn met, to his great astonishment, the great and 

 good Lady Demiquaver ; she had come down from 

 Dublin, and Sir Shawn knew her as well as one pig 

 would another, if they met in a slough or in a brown 

 George. 'How are you, my dear jewel?' said the 

 Baronet ; ' I 'm right glad to see you so happy, so 

 comfortable and snug at Balbriggan; and what did 

 bring you here? Except a little sprig of intranquillity.' 

 — 'The deuce of anything but the sake of rambling, 

 and the hopes to see you and friend Brian.' ' Not a 

 word of him ; he has just been dipp'd in the holy well, 



