2i8 LIFE IN IRELAND 



The late Right Honourable Charles James Fox, it is 

 well known, lived with a woman by no means celebrated 

 for her continence : he shortly before his death came to 

 the resolution of marrying her; a friend remonstrated, 

 and asked him his reason for taking such a very foolish 

 step. Why, said Charles, dryly, I can't live without 

 her, and so wish to secure her. ' And what in God's 

 name attaches you to such a woman?' — ^ Habit ^ my 

 friend, habit ^ habit.'' 



Such was a reason given by this profound statesman 

 for a choice of which any other man would have been 

 ashamed ; but if he could not get rid of her bad habits^ 

 no doubt he found them contributary to his happiness, 

 like many others : it serves to exemplify the truth of 

 the proverb, that happily for us all, ' nse is second 

 nature.'' 



Certain yawns and stretches made our party prepare 

 for breaking up ; Swan walked off to take 2. figging nap 

 on the floor of his dungeon — a clean shirt and a dress- 

 ing gown richer than when he came in. Blake turned 

 down upon the shake-down. Brian turned into his 

 barrack bed all standing, for he was too mystified to 

 unrig. It was late in the forenoon when they awoke, 

 and MooNEY having got admission, they paced the 

 yard whilst he was occupied in preparing breakfast. 



Various characters passed in review before them, and 

 several odd ones were pointed out. 



Behold that man trembling on two rolling pins, and 

 looking seven ways for Sunday, with his hat pulled 

 over his eyes ; he was once an eminent counsellor, and 

 had a famous good name, until he became connected 

 with Sir John A^"^"^**. These two worthies laid 



