LIFE IN IRELAND 175 



had sat up the best part of the night, and was now in 

 such a humour, that when Brian told his tale, he 

 remarked wath sa7tgfroid, ' I have an excellent pair of 

 hair triggers at your service, and I hope Life in 

 Dublin will not lead to the arms of death.' 



' Bedershin,' says Brian, ' we have no time to 

 spare,' so into a hackney coach they bundled, drove 

 to Forrest's in Parliament Street, who putting on his 

 spectacles and trying the locks, gave his opinion that 

 they were in good order, and no gentleman cotild kill 

 with d^ finer pair of pistols. 



This was sufficient, and upon the dark, gloomy 

 Shades of Clontarf, our bloodthirsty pair alighted, 

 and went to the usual spot under the birch tree, where 

 the bones of hvo hu?idred and fifty Irishvie?i rest in 

 peace, after being killed in quietness for being trouble- 

 some. It is very customary in England to bury bodies 

 under the gallows ; in Paddy's land deaths are so very 

 frequent, and undertakers so scarce, that a regular 

 duel sexton and grave digger is appointed to carry on 

 private business. 



So accordingly w^hen arrived nearly upon the ground, 

 a decent, well looking, huge boned, grave looking fellow 

 presented his card, w^iich, on inspection, was found to 

 be from 



TEAGUE SPICK and SPADE, 



Sexton and Grave Digger, 

 To the Duelling Society of Dublin. 



Graves dug upon the shortest notice, and gentlemen 

 accommodated w^ith excellent sleeping ground, upon 



