LIFE IN IRELAND 183 



CHAPTER XVI 



On Carolin, the old Irish Bard — Song, Evelina — Shaking a 

 Paddy out of his breeches — Character of an Irishman — 

 Women — Sally's Song — How to disturb a Woman's heart — 

 A Walking-stick Companion, and a Weather Cock — Aldgate 

 Pump — Advancing into the centre of a subject — A living Clock 

 Case — Brian keeps a Mistress, turns horse-racer, etc. — His 

 extravagance — Sells his stud, and retrenches. 



I HATE singing, said Sir Shawn, more than I do 

 being called upon to do so ; but as you seem 

 very much inclined to hate me into it, I will acquiesce 

 in the desires of the company. 



I have always admired our Irish Bard CaroIi?i, and 

 in my boyish days endeav^oured to translate some of 

 his most celebrated songs : nay, I had even the foolish 

 ambition of Tojji Moore, to set my own essays to music. 

 None could very justly find fault with what I did — all 

 translation must be erroneous — a sort of blind copy 

 from a bright original ; and as few know the Gaelic 

 language, there I am safe as to my muses and rhyme. 

 The sin must be on my own head — damn your sins, 

 said G?'a?n7nachree, give us your song, and, bad or 

 good, we'll applaud you. 



