2 14 LIFE IN IRELAND 



Now of this I am assured, under every circumstance of 



life, 



' The Lord loveth a cheerful giver.' 



So he does, says Swan, for he has given me many a 



hearty glass ; and by your honour's leave, here 's to the 



Lord Lufftenant's health ; our friends smiled at this 



mistake, and made no remark : in fact, Swan had not 



many ideas that soared above a gin keg, and a 7ness 



of tobacco, and loyalty to the Viceroy ; but he was a 



good and useful subject, and whose services had been 



eminent in his line during the Rebellion ; but the 



national rulers had suffered him to rot in a prison for 



many months, and heeded not his just complaints : he 



had none to carry his remonstrance to the foot of the 



Vice Regal throne, and demand redress. In truth, 



such are the baneful and poisonous effects of poverty, 



that 



' The King's friend in the King's 

 Own land, had no 

 Iving's Lord to save him.' 



It is true. Swan was saved from starvation by half-pay, 

 and he was saved from future exertion in an unworthy 

 cause, by being shut within a prison's walls. 



A NEW IRISH SONG 



TO AN OLD SCOTCH TUNE. 



' The de'il cam' fiddling o'er the muir 

 And danc'd away with the exciseman.' — BURNS. 



The Devil came o'er the Cicrragh of Kildare, 



In search of a wicked and wise man ; 

 The old, and the ugly, the young, and fair, 



Cried, Satan, take off the Exciseman. 



