1 88 LIFE IN IRELAND 



We have no business with the secrets of nature, or 

 the refinements of art ; we are Hke Aldgate Piniip, a 

 fixture that flows in open day for the benefit of all that 

 passes ; but we have no time to spare when business is 



IN HAND. 



I am not fond of moral reflections or moral queeralities, 

 so shall go on and leave them to my readers, who are 

 the only Just commentators upon what may concern 

 them. Sir Shawn as usual trudged home to Merrion 

 Square, and for a particular purpose took Gramma- 

 CHREE under his wing. 



I don't like, said the Baronet, I don't like Brian's 

 flame end, we must cut him off short before it gets any 

 farther. I have, replied the old Major, a scheme in 

 my head, that if well executed, will entitle me to an 

 execution of a more pleasant sort than that at the 

 gallows. Whatever it may prove to be, said the 

 Baronet, enter into it, and boldly and bravely ; scorn 

 the outposts, they are not worthy of notice, but ad- 

 vance at once into the centre of your subject. Brian 

 fully believed in astrology, and, attended by his 

 friends, got safe to his general. I wish I knew what 

 I said, we are all of a deep construction — ' devil a 

 barrel the better herring.' 



The schemes and plans of Sir Shawn were of very 

 little effect ; in rruth, Brian Boru got so much 

 attached to his frail fair one, that he had very little of 

 his company to give to his friends. He carried her to 

 every public place where such cattle are admitted, and 

 in Ireland they are not quite so fastidious as we affect 

 to be in London ; not that there is much difference 

 betwixt the morality of the two Cities, only in London 



