LIFE IN IRELAND 227 



in the same proportion. Had he been tried in England, 

 he would have been hanged ; he is silly, vain, and im- 

 pertinent ; does not feel his situation, and is as well 

 content to be master of the ceremonies in the Racquet 

 Court, as he was to lead the Ton at Morrison's, in 

 Dorset-street, during a College ball. 



It is in vain, said Captain Blake, to attempt at an 

 outline of all the odd fellows you see : that fellow in 

 Lincoln Green, with a large bundle of gold seals in his 

 hand, is worthy notice ; he was a ' hell-fire dog,' and 

 lived by gambling : one evening he played against Tim 

 Byrfie, and won from Tim two thousand pounds. Tim 

 did not relish this: however, they supped and got 

 drunk together afterwards, when high words took 

 place, and the lie was given — of course pistols were 

 introduced ; but before they took their stations, Ti7?t 

 addressed him — ''Alack, you have two thousand pounds 

 in your pocket ; I '11 bet you four to that two you don't 

 kill me the first shot — all winging shall go for nothing.' 

 Done, by Jasus, was the word ; and Tim gave a draft on 

 the Bank, which, with Mack's two thousand, were put 

 into the landlord's hands. They fired at each other 

 bv signal over the table, and Tim received Macks 

 messenger in his brains. Next morning Mack received 

 the cash, which set him up — no trial took place. 

 These things are so common in our country. He is 

 a dashing blood upon town, is admitted to the Castle, 

 and is in here for some small debt, which he refuses to 

 pay because it is due to a tradesman^ and cannot be 

 called a debt of honour — so much for honour. 



That little fellow in the corner is a Poet ; he makes 

 rhymes on every body he knows : I wonder he has not 



